Charc's College Thread

[Charc]

So I figured I'd create a thread for my college stuff, similar to what I did with my internship, where I'll update it as I go along.

So yesterday I saw Oberlin, today I saw Case-Western, and tomorrow I'll take the campus tour and information session for Kenyon (though their theatre dept secretary declined to setup a time for me to meet with faculty/students).

After a one-day break I'll be going to Vassar, Wesleyan, and Skidmore.

(Let me preface this by saying I do not mean to bash anyone's alma mater here, so keep that in mind.)

Oberlin:
My initial impression of the campus was not favorable. The area was too flat/wet-landsy, I did not like the surrounding area as well. The college and I don't seem to be a good fit. As for their theatre dept, the same thing. Didn't seem like a good fit for me, but I did meet with a faculty member there. Doesn't look like a good option. (I can go indepth if anyone is curious, but I'm just jotting this down before dinner.)

Case-Western:
I really liked the college, it seemed like a nice place, there were some really appealing features. However, the theatre dept is quite small. As a word association I would throw out the word "limited". Doesn't look like a good option. A good option for Noah though: 6x6 Kliegls and scoops. Though I don't think Derek would like the faux FOH lighting positions.

Kenyon:
While I've yet to take the campus tour and information session I did just stumble onto campus not too long ago. They have two main theaters, the newer of the two is quite nice. Not to base anything on gear, but they had scrollers and I-cues in the air, but control was by an ETC Express. I did walk into the costume shop, find a Freshman, who showed me around, I talked with some design students and other theatre majors who were painting on stage. They said some cool stuff. The campus has a good feel, and I'm actually in the middle of it now. I'm looking forward to their spiel tomorrow.

Three more to come. Upenn in a week, and possibly Bucknell in a couple more.

Thoughts, opinions?

~Charlie

[Spikesgirl]

Have you thought about BSU (Boston State)? That's my son's alma mater and he really enjoyed it (for the most part). The contacts he made has really helped him, he's even gotten to work with some pretty important folk along the way.

Charlie

[jwl868]

Case Western Reserve University - my alma mater!

But, unless things have changed, it's not a college for theatre, if that's one's primary interest.


Joe

(That part of Ohio was in Connecticut's "western reserve" back when the King was laying out the colonies.)

[bcfcst4]

Oberlin's my top choice currently, but I'm only planning on being involved in theater as an extra-curricular or minor, I'm majoring in biology.

Of course I haven't heard if I've gotten in yet, but I've got my fingers crossed!

[derekleffew]

Charc, just curious as to why you choose Oberlin, Kenyon, and CWRU, but didn't look at Kent State? Or WSU, OSU, OU, CCM, or MU for that matter? Lots of decent theatre schools in Ohio.

[soundlight]

Charc, you know my opinions on this - stop by sometime and you'll get the full tour here!

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

Small liberal arts schools...That's the setting I'm familiar with: my grade has about 90 students (average size) and class size here is about 12-14 students. Teachers are extremely accessible, and all go by their first name.

So I suppose a smaller tight-knit environment is important to me, with small class sizes, individual attention, and a higher level of student/professor interaction. I suppose also the typical feel of a small liberal arts school is important to me; ...

Just be aware that "small liberal arts" may be incongruous with "professional theatre training" schools. (Bucknell, Ithaca, and Cornell excepted, of course). We still think you should major in Business Administration, however.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

...That being said, I don't want to be hanging plots with a sizable number of Kliegls and what appears to be DJ quality PARs...

Hey! I learned with Kliegls; and PARs, DJ quality or not, weren't even in use in the theatre yet. Judge a potential school by its faculty, not its facilities. The former can compensate for the shortcomings of the latter, but not the converse. I wouldn't even consider a school where I didn't have an in-depth meeting with the Resident Lighting Designer and/or Technical Director. You're interviewing them more than they're interviewing you at this point. Also talk to current and former students.

[Pie4Weebl]

Hey, there is the awesome school in St. Louis, called Webster University. You should come check it out. Yes it is a conservatory and will eat your soul, but like me you can work hard a pick up a minor. I for instance am in the entreprenuership program. Also for being a small school we have a big theatre program.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

I never seriously considered University of Utah, but I did note that there was a facebook group claiming their theatre dept is better than the PTC... Any comments, Alex?
Any other questions?

Well, I was refraining from posting on account of many CB'ers knowing my position on schools, but now I have an excuse.

As for the U of U. Their theatre department used to be in the top 10 undergrad programs in the country, then they had some time with a not so great department head and they are now trying to work back up to that position. They have good performance spaces and good equipment. There is no tech major, only design. I see that as the fatal flaw in the non acting side of the program here. This may change in the future as some of the more stubborn faculty are reaching towards retirement.

In terms of design they do do a good job. The program is geared more towards getting their designers into grad schools, but this is not a bad thing. There are plenty of U of U students who have gone on to big things. The students I have worked with like the program and faculty, and the work that I have seen them do is very high quality.

I do have some gripes about the way the department is structured and run, but this is not the forum for that.


now, on to my usual college discussion. Charc already knows my opinion, and since Derek brought up my alma mater, Ithaca, I will try to be brief. Ithaca is a great school for theatre, and while the tech and design programs are BFA programs you still have time and are required to broaden your mind outside of the department. The class sizes are generally small, and the student to faculty ratio is very nice.

I thought the faculty was just amazing. These are people who are there for you no matter what you need. They will help you with your studies and they will help you with life. They will also be friends for life. I still stay in touch with many of my former profs. We trade stories and advice, and sometimes just soot the breeze. These were people who invited you to their homes for dinner, wanted to be your friends, and had real vested interest in you. it just made for a very warm and inviting atmosphere (and Linda in the office really does know everything about everyone in the department). I am sure that there are other schools that have a faculty like that, I just can't speak to them.

Ithaca is also a great location. It is beautiful. It is also a hippie town in the middle of nowhere, which doesn't suit everyone. However, there is always something going on, from concerts to shows, to applefest and chilifest. You can go boating on the lake or play paintball at Ithaca Paintball. Or you can go enjoy nature in the state parks, visit the many waterfalls and go geocaching and hiking and such.

I don't think that I need to go on, if you want more of my thoughts on IC I am sure that you can search it.