Onstage > College and Graduate Studies

Undergrad schools for SM

(1/3) > >>

bonham0731:
Hello!
  I am currently a student at a local community college, but recently I have decided that I want to persue stage management. The community college doesn't offer a degree or even a course in SM. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for undergrad schools and/or programs that would ultimatly help me. Thanks!

hbelden:
I believe there's another posting thread on this topic.  I remember recommending Syracuse University as a good undergrad school.  

Since your college doesn't have any courses on stage management, pick up "Stage Management" by Lawrence Stern, or "The Backstage Guide to Stage Management" by Thomas Kelly - both of which are excellent books for beginning SMs.

Have you done much stage management so far?

bonham0731:
I've actually only been SM for one show (last semester), and I'm going to do ASM and Prop Design for the current production at my college. I've always known I wanted to work in some aspect of the theater, I just didn't know which. I got thrown into the SM position last semester because no one else wanted to do it, and I really loved it. Now I'm just trying to get as much experience as I can in the backstage/mangement areas of theater to make sure it's really what I want to do. I'll definatly look into those books! I'm sure they will help put things in perspective for me. Thanks!

SDShelly:
I went to Rutgers. I transferred there from a community college, and similar to you, I had varying theatre experience, and realized I wanted to stage manage when I was thrown into it at the community college.  It's a great program, because you end up with a BFA in Production, but if you emphasize in stage management it's basically a BFA in that.  It's almost nonstop stage management, but in addition to that you have to put in time in all the shops, and they have small classes.  I had to take everything from ligthing design with MFA designers, and costume construction, prop construction, acting...and the SM professors put as much emphasis on those courses as on the stage management assignments because they are things that would only help you in the long run as a stage manager.  Tom Kelly taught there (at the time), and after him a another top stage manager was the SM advisor, and there's tons of great people there.  You probably would realize in the first couple years if it's not for you, and the best way to find out is to go somewhere where they throw you right in.  I did, and realized it defenetly WAS for me, but I know some people who did change their minds.  And you CAN change your mind if it isn't, but at least you'll be well rounded in theatre production, and you might find your niche in the process.

wilmister:
Look at Boston University, they have a SM program, I know several graduates from the program who are doing very well for themselves.  They become equity very quickly thanks to the Huntington.  They also have an alumni connection that any one would dream to have.  Jim Petosa is the Head of the drama program, if you can get in academically and afford it it is a good bet.

Cheers

Will

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page