Should I go for a B.A. or B.S. in Theatre if I want to go for my Masters?

Question

I'm currently a Theatre student in the US. I eventually want to go for my Master's, and I would really love to get it in England. At my school, the only difference between the two degrees is that a B.A. requires 4 semesters of a foreign language, and the B.S. requires an internship- not much of a difference and I really think that an internship would help me more than a foreign language, especially since I'm hoping to work as a professional actor. I'm just not sure if a BS is as transferable for a Master's program- in England or anywhere else. Also, is a B.A. or B.S. even transferable for a M.F.A?

Answer 1

Can you even get a BS in theater? That'd be odd. I've never actually heard of that.

If you're majoring in theater now, getting a BA, then that will be fine. The most important thing for an MFA in theater is not actually what you majored in as an undergrad - it's your talent, your resume, and your audition. So make sure that you're acting in plays and related now, while you're in school. Go to auditions for summer stock (SETC, NETC auditions, etc.) and act in summer stock theaters - getting some almost-professional (but at least not school related) theater credits on your resume. So you don't actually need an official internship, so long as you get these sorts of experiences on your resume.

A foreign language can help an actor. In addition, it may also help in graduate school, as you look at source materials. It's not necessary, but it can be helpful, and it certainly won't be wasted effort. But if you'd prefer an internship, and can get one in acting, then do that instead.

There is no "transfer" like you're talking about, to an MFA program. Again, as I'd mentioned, you don't necessarily need to have majored in theater as an undergrad in order to gain admission to a grad MFA program. You do need an acting resume, and talent, and an audition, and you need to be quite good (that's where having the BA can help.) But you can major in history if you want, so long as you are one damn fine actor in the end. But again, having your BA in theater may help *make* you into a good actor, so...

Don't worry about if you should do a BA or a BS in theater. Do the one you think is a better fit for you.

Answer 2

Truly go and talk to a careers counselor or a counselor in the transfer office/transfer center or your Theater advisor. Someone should be able to tell you what you can expect with your degree and further masters degree. Or they should be able to point you in the right direction as to what to expect and what's tranferrable over-seas.
As and English major I do believe that Theater and music are also Arts departments so you would be getting a BA, now, wouldn't you? Foreign language is also a plus but that's a BA also.

Good luck