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What is the best college for a theatre major in California?
As a junior, I want to be ready for upcoming senior responsibility and do research now rather than late, but when I check for colleges for the best theatre major it's mostly in other states. any advice helps :)
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Jaclyn’s Answer
Hello!
I, too, am a product of the Cal State University system. I went to Cal State Fullerton for Theatre. What helped me choose was attending productions at neighboring colleges. I would get to the campus early to walk around and see if this place might be a good fit for me. I also tried my best to speak to people who went through the theater program at a school I was considering to hear their experience. A school's website may share one side, and a student may share another. Each college with theater programs has specialties in all concentrations of production. There isn't a "best" or "worst" in any sense. The fact that you are looking to further your education in theater is wonderful!
I, too, am a product of the Cal State University system. I went to Cal State Fullerton for Theatre. What helped me choose was attending productions at neighboring colleges. I would get to the campus early to walk around and see if this place might be a good fit for me. I also tried my best to speak to people who went through the theater program at a school I was considering to hear their experience. A school's website may share one side, and a student may share another. Each college with theater programs has specialties in all concentrations of production. There isn't a "best" or "worst" in any sense. The fact that you are looking to further your education in theater is wonderful!
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Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Isabel !
Your state of California has some of the best colleges for Theatre. It is going to depend on how far from San Francisco you'd want to be. It's also going to depend on what your focus is - acting, directing, tech, playwriting, costuming, etc. I am a California State University, Sacramento grad so I guess I can begin with that one.
CSUS has a very complete Theatre program that would not only prepare you for your niche, but you'll be able to work in and be experienced in all aspects of theatre. Their facilities are so state of the art that chances are, you would never work in such a similar space as a professional. Their Theatre Department is accredited by the National Association Schools of Theatre. The campus is a paradise, right along the American River. You would have to live in the dorms but you're close enough that you could visit home on the weekends or breaks. I adore this university and I say this is many decades later.
I would also recommend checking out California State University Long Beach and UC Berkley. Although UCLA and USC are famous for performance degrees, they have a very low acceptance rate and then you also have to audition and be accepted to their theatre department if you are going for acting. They are expensive, too and not actually in Hollywood. My advice is to enroll at a college that you don't have to audition at and has a high acceptance rate. Sometimes the name of a college can be better than their Theatre Department.
If you are going either for acting or tech, you will get superb training at Cal State Sacramento.
I would advise that you do another search but refine your search. You can search "California Universities that have a strong Theatre Department" .
I hope that this is of help and I wish you all the best !
Your state of California has some of the best colleges for Theatre. It is going to depend on how far from San Francisco you'd want to be. It's also going to depend on what your focus is - acting, directing, tech, playwriting, costuming, etc. I am a California State University, Sacramento grad so I guess I can begin with that one.
CSUS has a very complete Theatre program that would not only prepare you for your niche, but you'll be able to work in and be experienced in all aspects of theatre. Their facilities are so state of the art that chances are, you would never work in such a similar space as a professional. Their Theatre Department is accredited by the National Association Schools of Theatre. The campus is a paradise, right along the American River. You would have to live in the dorms but you're close enough that you could visit home on the weekends or breaks. I adore this university and I say this is many decades later.
I would also recommend checking out California State University Long Beach and UC Berkley. Although UCLA and USC are famous for performance degrees, they have a very low acceptance rate and then you also have to audition and be accepted to their theatre department if you are going for acting. They are expensive, too and not actually in Hollywood. My advice is to enroll at a college that you don't have to audition at and has a high acceptance rate. Sometimes the name of a college can be better than their Theatre Department.
If you are going either for acting or tech, you will get superb training at Cal State Sacramento.
I would advise that you do another search but refine your search. You can search "California Universities that have a strong Theatre Department" .
I hope that this is of help and I wish you all the best !