Help with musical theater degree desicion!?

Question:okay so heres the deal. I really want to be an actress. on stage and on film, but im planning on breaking into film after i've gotten alot of expierence on stage. I am thinking about attending wichita state university (one of the best schools for my degree) and major in musical theatre. Is this dumb? I mean i know i could be on stage and film without this degree. should i just get a business degree and try to do the whole acting thing on my own or what? im just very confused about the whole situation. I mean really...what will having a degree in musical theatre do for me in life? that business is mostly based on talent and who you know right?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: okay so heres the deal. I really want to be an actress. on stage and on film, but im planning on breaking into film after i've gotten alot of expierence on stage. I am thinking about attending wichita state university (one of the best schools for my degree) and major in musical theatre. Is this dumb? I mean i know i could be on stage and film without this degree. should i just get a business degree and try to do the whole acting thing on my own or what? im just very confused about the whole situation. I mean really...what will having a degree in musical theatre do for me in life? that business is mostly based on talent and who you know right?

If you have total determination to pursue acting, and know you can never settle for anything less, I say definitely go for a musical theatre or acting degree. For many reasons, actually... a) you will sharpen your skills and become a better performer, *) you will have the opportunity (actually, requirement lol) to be in many school productions, which you can then list on your resume, c) a *.F.A. (or even *.A.) in theatre just plain looks good on the resume and shows your dedication to acting, d) the other students in your dept. (future actors, directors, playwrights and techies) will become not only your friends, but contacts as well.

Although, I haven't heard of Wichita State being one of the best MT schools, even though I'm sure it's a good one... but UMich, Penn State, CAP21, Boston Conservatory, UCLA, and CMU seem to be the creme de la creme of musical theatre programs... :) They are extremely selective though, and you will definitely want to have had much prior training in acting, dance and voice.

Anyway, best of luck to you, whatever you choose to pursue!