Theatre & Stage Production FAQ
Q:
What performance options do students have?
A:
The actor training program is studio based and designed to guide students in the development of their technique. Performing is a regular part of studio work, but public performance is limited to juniors and seniors.
Q:
How many shows do students do each year?
A:
Juniors do two public performances, Junior Scenes and Musical Theatre, and one workshop performance, Shakespeare Scenes.
Seniors do three public performances, two main stage and one tour, and a performance in England in May.
Q:
What types of plays do students perform?
A:
The Theatre Department presents a mix of classical and contemporary plays.
Q:
What is a jury?
A:
A jury is a final exam in performance. Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are juried with scenes and monologues that have been prepared in class and rehearsed outside class and presented before a faculty panel.
Q:
Are students cut from the program?
A:
Students may be cut from the program if they consistently fail to meet our expectations for their effort in the studio.
Q:
What supplies do students need?
A:
Acting students need “warm-ups”. This should consist of sweat pants, a sweat shirt, short and a tee shirt that are neutral in color and without graphics. They also need a binder to be devoted to their Theatre classes.
Q:
What is an “ensemble”?
A:
Acting students are grouped in ensembles and take all their Theatre classes with this group. They remain with their ensemble all four years. The ensemble is a working unit, not a group of friends and is intended to provide an open and accepting creative environment for each student.
Q:
What is the grading policy of the Theatre Department?
A:
Students are graded on effort not talent. Our benchmark is the BCPSS definition for the letter grade “C” as “satisfactory”. In our program a student who comes to class every day and does the work that is required is doing satisfactory work. In order to attain a grade higher that “C” a student must exceed our expectations.
Q:
Can students perform outside of school?
A:
We allow students in good standing (arts and academic) to perform outside school. Each student must submit a complete rehearsal and performance schedule to the department before accepting a role.
Q:
What is the average class size?
A:
16 – 18 students.
Q:
How are parts cast?
A:
Students are assigned roles in productions by the faculty directors based on what casting the faculty feels will best serve the students’ individual artistic development.
Q:
Do you offer musical theatre?
A:
Musical Theatre is not a major at BSA, but the Theatre Department does offer Musical Theatre as a year long course for juniors.
Q:
Where do graduates of the Acting Program go to college?
A:
Our graduates have been accepted into the most competitive college-level conservatories in the country including: Julliard, NYU, University of Minnesota/Guthrie, SUNY Purchase, CalArts, Carnegie/Melon, North Carolina School for the Arts, and many others. We have also sent graduates to the finest four-year liberal arts programs including: Harvard, Brown, Smith College, Rutgers University, Columbia, Oberlin, as well as many state universities.
