To become an actress is it a good idea to get a major in acting?

Question: To become an actress is it a good idea to get a major in acting!?

if so what are the best theater schools!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

YES
It totaly depends on what you want to do though!.
If you want to JUST be an actress!. Without a back up I would go to a conservatory!. There are lots and lots!. BU has a good one, Tish at NYU has one, Manhatan school of Arts, the list goes on!.
But I wouldn't recomend this, because it is always safer to have a back up plan!. And just about all schools have a theater department, just talk to your guidence counceler because there are lots of choices depending on where you want to be, how much you want to pay, size of school ect!.

If you have any questions feel free to get in touch!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I've talked to people who say that if you're going into stage acting, it's *great* to major in theatre!. However, if you're looking to go into film, some agents will throw your resume in the trash if they see you majored in acting- they'd be more likely to look at you twice if you majored in Social Science, English, etc!. and had a minor in theatre!. Of course, not all agents will be like this, but they like to see a well-rounded individual!.

If you're looking to be a stage actor/actress, the schools that I am considering and that friends have had success with and their websites are listed below:

Yale School of Drama (my personal top choice- take a look at their alumni list!- a very prestigious school as well as being in the Ivy League, also extremely competitive!. Be sure to contact head deans and the like early about your interest and ask what you can do to prepare!. this goes for all schools)
http://drama!.yale!.edu/

Tisch School of the Arts (at NYU in Manhattan- of course a fabulous setting for stage actors, and they have Bachelors' and Masters' programs!. I don't know as much about this one, but the website is helpful)
http://www!.tisch!.nyu!.edu/page/home!.html

AMDA (they are a (musical theatre) conservatory, so many people tell you to not waste time with them and instead go to a four-year college, but they have a BFA program now for Acting and Musical Theatre!. I've heard mixed things about it- some people are less than impressed with the living situations and how slow responses about auditions for the school are)
http://www!.amda!.edu/

Juilliard (another conservatory, but extremely prestigious and a well-known name in the theatrical community!. my second choice for college for myself!. Chock-full of culture as people come from all over the world!. There is an emphasis on music, so if you want to be in musical theatre this is a good one- their acting program is also superb)
http://www!.juilliard!.edu/Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am a Music Theatre major!. If you are determined and you KNOW this is what you want to do for the rest of you life and you are ready to fight and work your butt off then yes, get a degree!. But remember!.!.!. it isn't the degree that is going to get u cast, its what u take in and all of the training you get!. you must be a sponge!. You are paying for the training!. not the degree

Here's a list:

one star= difficult to get into because of grades
two stars= talent based (2!.5 or higher ok!. work on talent)
three stars= Must have amazing grades and amazing talent

**Shenandoah University Conservatory (Winchester Virginia [ i go here so any questions I can answer] )
**Boston Conservatory (Boston!.!.!. duh lol)
**U of Arts (University of the arts!.!.!. kinda our sister school!. its in Baltimore i think)
**CCM (Cincinnati conservatory of music)
**Carnegie Mellon (i think that's how u spell it!. idk where it is!. north east tho)
**University Central Florida
**Florida State University
***NYU (New York University!.!.!. in NY!.!.!. duh lol)
***Michigan (cant remember if its Michigan state or university but ill find out)
***University of Miami
Elan (North Carolina or something!. dont know much about the program!.)
***University of Southern California
* Emerson College (Boston)Www@QuestionHome@Com