colleges?

[imrnthewicked]

I'm in my senior year of high school in St. Louis, and trying to decide about college for next year.  I know I want to do theatre (probably against the better judgement of my parents and myself), and maybe specifically in Stage Management.  I know a bit about Webster, and have heard both good and bad about it, but am slightly intimidated by the conservatory-type program.  I have also looked into Missouri State and Milliken, but haven't really heard of anywhere else.  I would like to stay in the Missouri-Illinois area, mostly for financial reasons, but am completely clueless about schools that REALLY do have good programs.  I don't really know of anything else (non-theatrey) that I would major in, but would still like to get a well-rounded education.  Any suggestions, opinions, comments, etc...?

And, for my parents' sake, to ease their fears a bit, is this really something you can make a living at? 

[BWEEVEED]

I'm in the same situation. As of right now I'm heading towards community college to get my gen eds and save some money. LOTS of schools, such as Illinois State University has a theatre program where you can focus in stage management. There are various threads floating around the forum.

[sievep]

There are plenty of us that make a living at Stage Management.

I'll just reiterate that a degree from Webster in Stage Management is not worth the tuition (at least it wasn't for me, I didn't fit their cookie cutter idea of an SM - and thank God I didn't because I actually LEARNED my craft from my internship).  I've become very successful in spite of my degree, not because of it. 

Look around . . . there are a number of programs in the area that are worth their salt .. . ..I know my twin brother went to Bradley in Peoria and was quite happy and is working, and Mizzou may have something of interest.  It'll be your work experience after college that gets you jobs, so make sure you are getting an in depth theatrical education, but I agree that going with something more well rounded will make you more marketable should you choose to change careers or need to temp between gigs (which is an inevitable part of what we do).  Another fine point that has been made is to check out colleges where the jobs are . . .and for you, that means Chicago . . .(DePaul).  Ohh, and make sure you take classes in musicianship and learn to read music.  It makes you ever so much more marketable.

[Scott]

Don't know too much about Webster, but did run into an ASM and Elec. that were Webster alum the other day at the load-in of the Showcase my brother is producing and they both gave the impression of having been well-trained.  If I understood correctly, the Elec. is making a go of it as an L.D.s assistant while the ASM is relatively recently arrived in NY.

[Joshua S.]

BWEEVED mentioned Illinois State and being the ever good ISU alum, I have to say that it really is a great school.  The Stage Management chairperson is very knowledgeable in her field and she is also very good at bringing outside perspectives into the classroom.  There is an intro and an advanced Stage Management class.  The intro class covers the basic how to's of stage management, while the advanced class goes into more theory of what makes a good manager, as well as units on stage managing dance, opera, and musical theatre.  If you are ambitious, you can start ASMing begining your very first semester there and could have a mainstage SM assignment by your sophmore year.  The class numbers in stage management are small, and the school of theatre produces six mainstage shows, 2 mainstage dance concerts, 4 second stage shows, and numerous blackbox shows per year so there is never not an oppertunity to be stage managing.  You also have more than ample oppertunity to spread your wings and take classes in every aspect of theatre, and many classes outside the school as well.

Now that I've done my bit of alumni advertising, even if you don't choose the glories of Illinois State University, I would highly recommend not going for a conservatory environment.  Find a liberal education program where you can learn as much as you can about everything (theatre and otherwise).

[sievep]

Don't know too much about Webster, but did run into an ASM and Elec. that were Webster alum the other day at the load-in of the Showcase my brother is producing and they both gave the impression of having been well-trained.  If I understood correctly, the Elec. is making a go of it as an L.D.s assistant while the ASM is relatively recently arrived in NY.

I stand corrected.  The Conservatory of Theater Arts at Webster University is not completely without merit, and I apologize if I made it seem that way.  Several of their programs do turn out excellent artists.  I, personally, don't agree with how they run their stage management program, and therefore do not recommend it to prospective students.  I had a bad college experience there and I know a few alums who share my views, and I think it's important for me to say that I did not receive the opportunities I was promised as a prospective, and their advertised 100% placement rate upon graduation is simply not true.  Also, the Conservatory block credits do not transfer to other colleges, so if you do decide to transfer, you may find yourself even more disappointed.