As a professor I often have prospective students ask about a BA versus a BFA. My undergraduate degree is a BFA. And probably till the day I die I will advocate for the BA. Yes, I said that correctly, I said BA. I have now taught at three institutions that offer only a BA in
Theatre. I have to come to believe that you get a general education in
theatre along with knowledge in other areas of life in undergrad and you get into your specialization either by choosing what areas to work in professionally or by choosing a specific graduate program. As a professor I push my students to take classes in art, history, and psychology, to name just a few. To be a better designer and leader you need to have a
broad range of knowledge, and the BA allows that. I remember as an undergrad not being able to take the art classes, or the history classes that may have helped me be a better designer. That's not to say that a BFA program may not help certain individuals. I am just saying that I feel that a BA is a better option.
Now to really jump on my high horse, I also push all my students to work in all areas of
theatre while in college. I attempt to have my technicians do a little acting, a little directing, and work in all the backstage areas. I feel that to be a better
theatre practitioner you need to understand where all areas are coming from. I've worked with my fair share of directors and designers who didn't understand where I was coming from because they had never experienced the technical aspects. That is another reason I push the BA, because generally you can work in any part of the
theatre. Sometimes with BFA programs you are confined to the area that you've chosen, be it tech or acting.
Finally, I push education a little more than real world experience to start with because it is easier to make mistakes in an educational environment. Now don't get me wrong, I have worked with some fantastic people who have no formal education in
theatre. But I believe you can do a little more experimenting in the academic world without it affecting you financially (unless you take out tons of loans, like some of us.) I force my students to try new things without fear of making a theatrical company go broke. This can be harder to do in the real world.
Well, hope that helps a
bit. I don't talk much on these forums, but love reading, and am glad to
throw a little
bit of info in from time to time.