I am wondering. Also, how long, on average, does it take to graduate with one of these degrees? Thanks in advance! =).
2006-12-15 18:39:12 · 7 answers · asked by ? 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
It depends what your future plans are. A BFA degree is designed to be along the same lines of conservatory training - to prepare you for a career in professional theatre, but with all the benefits of a well-rounded university education.
If your plans instead are to teach or continue on to graduate school, or if you aren't sure you want to pursue a professional theatre career, maybe a BA is a better choice.
BFA students take more classes within their major than BAs. It can also take longer to graduate, as you still have to take all the general degree requirements that anyone, no matter what their major, takes. I got a BFA and it took me 5 years, not 4, because of all the extra coursework. But that could depend on the specific school.
As far as a theatre degree not being marketable, as someone else said, I'd have to disagree. Before I was acting full-time, I worked many different office jobs and my theatre training was directly responsible for making me an employee the companies were sorry to see go: educated, good with language, well-spoken, good dealing with people, can work under pressure, can work with deadlines, flexible, etc. I had more than one boss say to me, "Where can I find more actors?"
The only drawback to hiring an actor for a day job is that they don't usually stick around for years and years, and they need the work schedules to be flexible for auditioning. Most actors I know who have day jobs also have bosses who will do anything to keep them from quitting.
2006-12-16 02:46:29 · answer #1 · answered by nomadgirl1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neither is "better;" it all depends on what your ultimate goals are, and whether you connect with the faculty at the school of your choice.
A BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) is intended to cut into the middle-ground between a basic Theatre Arts BA and a conservatory-type of program.
The inherent problem with the BFA degree is that, in the context of a liberal arts university, students are NEVER free to concentrate solely on their theatre studies...nor should they be.
Given the fact that students are always going to be required to take numerous General Education courses, the whole concept of the BFA becomes somewhat devalued. At best, it allows the more focused Theatre Arts student to have a LITTLE more concentration in his/her area of interest (acting, directing, playwriting, technical theatre, etc.)
2006-12-16 11:45:57 · answer #2 · answered by shkspr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whether you get a BFA or a BA just depends on the school you go to. Different schools have different names for their degrees in some fields. If you plow through it, it should take you four years like most other typical bachelor's degrees.
2006-12-16 02:49:25 · answer #3 · answered by Debra G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both take 4 years on average. and the main difference is that BFA is Bachelor of Fine Arts, and BA is just Bachelor of Arts. I think it's just preference.
2006-12-16 02:42:01 · answer #4 · answered by Howdy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're best off getting a degree in something else altogether. You'll need to make a living while you're trying to get famous. A degree in theatre isn't particularily marketable. You can take most of the classes as electives and all of the outside classes you want.
2006-12-16 04:48:50 · answer #5 · answered by Big R 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
An MFA is the best, it is more impressive than a Bachelor's.
2006-12-16 03:37:23 · answer #6 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
either way you'll be waiting tables.
2006-12-16 15:13:52 · answer #7 · answered by NM 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋