Author Topic: options for education...?  (Read 4398 times)

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bec.

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options for education...?
« on: Aug 20, 2008, 10:01 pm »
I see a lot of posts and questions about school programs, but I haven't seen anything that applies very closely to my situation (sorry if I've missed something!) so I thought I'd ask for opinions/suggestions.

I'm 27 and I have a bachelors and a masters, but not in anything related to theatre at all.  I actually didn't take a single theatre class in college and was only very minimally involved in college theatre at all.  I'd really like to pursue stage management and learn more about technical theatre in general so that I can feel better prepared to do a great job, but I'm not sure what the best route is.  I don't particularly want to do a whole second bachelor's degree unless I really have to, but it seems that graduate programs require quite a bit of undergraduate involvement, and beyond that, I don't want to be in classes with people who have a base level of understanding that I don't have where I'm struggling to understand what's being talked about.  I'm not sure what to try, other than real life experience (which I'm doing as well, but I'd still really love some academic preparation too)!

So, should I be trying to take undergraduate non-degree-seeking classes locally?  Should I be pursuing graduate options?  Should I honestly consider a second bachelor's degree?  Is there something I'm missing?  I live in Minneapolis and would not be able to move elsewhere any time soon, if that makes any difference. 

Thanks everyone!
« Last Edit: Aug 20, 2008, 10:05 pm by bec. »

Jessie_K

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Re: options for education...?
« Reply #1 on: Aug 21, 2008, 12:55 am »
How much SM experience do you have and at what level?  If you can prove adequate experience level to the MFA programs, you can probably get away with skipping the BA.  If not, then you should pursue a BFA or a BA and not waste your money on grad school applications.

ewharton

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Re: options for education...?
« Reply #2 on: Aug 21, 2008, 02:30 am »
My BA is in a non-theatre related field. (It's actually mathematics, but that's a different story.) I decided during senior year of college that I wanted to Stage Manage professionally. I took three years off, during which I worked a full time day job and did theatre on the side. At that point I had enough experience to get into an MFA program. There are times I wish I had an undergrad degree in theatre because there are some things that I don't know. However, that tends to be on the more academic side of theatre (such as script analysis, etc.) I have managed to do very well in grad school despite my unorthodox background.
I think if you have enough experience to get into grad school, a BA in theatre is not essential.
Good Luck!

bec.

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Re: options for education...?
« Reply #3 on: Aug 21, 2008, 11:00 am »
Thanks for those responses.  At this point, I definitely don't have enough experience to get into an MFA program.  On the non-acting side, my only experience is with asst directing a very amateur show in 2001 and ASMing a college theatre department production in 2002, as well as a few even less formal opportunities.  Currently, I'm ASMing a show for a local company.  So I'm still very much just starting out, and I know I could get a few years experience and then pursue an MFA, which is fine--I'm in no rush as far as a degree.  But I'd love to at least get an educational foundation as soon as possible so that I feel more prepared!