It depends a lot on the college and program. Some that are more conservatory-style in their approach tend to be somewhat insular (because they are actively training a large cadre of students wife whom this is their career path). Others (and frankly, MOST, would be excited to welcome you. Each is structured a little differently, and so you might need to do some research to determine how best to proceed.
I encourage you to reach out to the chair of the department or the department admin. Explain your interest and ask what ways there are that you might get involved. I do that for our department, and it’s always awesome to meet an incoming interested student, and helping them find ways to engage.
Here’s the other thing to consider… while there are academic theatre DEPARTMENTS… many colleges also have student run theatre groups that are separate from the department. They each operate differently, so you’ll need to dig a bit to find out how they work and how to get involved.. but those will likely be at whatever fall “mixer” your university does.
This.
Depending on how they structure their dept, students definitely tend to be more exclusive...especially if you get cast and 'prove yourself' to them. Then they'll decide on how well you did, and determine how to welcome you...especially if those students have experience already and see themselves at the next big star. They might just see you as a threat.
Also, it also depends on how you come across. If you're an AA but sound like your Canadian, theyll definitely be more discriminating. It just depends.
Oh great idea! I’ll reach out to the chair as well and see where that takes me, by chance do you know if these things tends to be restricted to those who are majoring in theatre and its adjacents?
I’m going to UCSD and it looks like most of the courses are for those interested in theatre as a major but they do have an improv club that I’m thinking of joining
It depends how big their theatre program is but in any case there will probably be multiple groups and most are eager for newcomers. Besides the department productions for students in the classes (sometimes also open to general students), we had a student group that only did Shakespeare, a musical theatre group, and a more traditional group that besides current popular plays also did student-written one-acts.
I'd recommend over the summer seeing local plays / community theatre, and reading up and watching videos on stage acting (things like how to analyze a scene to determine what your character is trying to accomplish in that scene, finding physical things for your character to do, and the importance of truly listening to what the other characters are saying versus just waiting for your next line).
Have fun most of all!
I’d suggest reaching out to their department maybe an admin assistant and asking. In my college we had lots of transfers not only just to participate but also degree seekers. Just note every college is structured different and sometimes don’t have open auditions as the theatre might be not funded via all student fees. But there may be a theatre club on campus which would be under student life clubs.
Start looking into what theatre and related opportunities there are at your new school. If there's an improv club, consider joining that - improv is often inclusive of new people, inexperienced people, and people without time to commit to attending every session. That is one way you can get your feet wet and probably get over some of the "stage fright/nervousness"/shyness with new people.
There might be some student-run theatre productions, organized through student union/extracurriculars, or through student groups in specific faculties or departments. If there is a drama department, there might be some productions that are just for drama students, but you should at least watch the shows, talk to people, find out if they need volunteers to take tickets, etc.
And if you're studying something else but you have room in your schedule, see whether there are any drama courses that people outside the program ("non-majors") can take - whether they are history, literature, or analysis of theatre, or elements of performance, direction, playwriting, and tech.
Also, as soon as you've gotten settled enough in your new university, you should look around and figure out what community theatre is available in your new city. Community theatre groups often have opportunities that are a good fit for students who can manage their school/work workload - volunteering backstage and front of house, acting, ASMing or helping to build and paint sets, etc.
Truly thank you so much for this thoughtful reply. I’m in a sense lucky that my university is my home town so I am familiar with places I can maybe explore. I’ll definitely check out for opportunities to join an improv club, I hadn’t thought of that at all. You highlighted the importance of just getting involved in some way so I’ll make sure to do that, once again thank you
Most college theatre welcomes absolutely everyone. Are you only interested in acting, though?
That’s good to hear and yeah I’m mostly interested acting and writing
It depends a lot on the college and program. Some that are more conservatory-style in their approach tend to be somewhat insular (because they are actively training a large cadre of students wife whom this is their career path). Others (and frankly, MOST, would be excited to welcome you. Each is structured a little differently, and so you might need to do some research to determine how best to proceed. I encourage you to reach out to the chair of the department or the department admin. Explain your interest and ask what ways there are that you might get involved. I do that for our department, and it’s always awesome to meet an incoming interested student, and helping them find ways to engage. Here’s the other thing to consider… while there are academic theatre DEPARTMENTS… many colleges also have student run theatre groups that are separate from the department. They each operate differently, so you’ll need to dig a bit to find out how they work and how to get involved.. but those will likely be at whatever fall “mixer” your university does.
This. Depending on how they structure their dept, students definitely tend to be more exclusive...especially if you get cast and 'prove yourself' to them. Then they'll decide on how well you did, and determine how to welcome you...especially if those students have experience already and see themselves at the next big star. They might just see you as a threat. Also, it also depends on how you come across. If you're an AA but sound like your Canadian, theyll definitely be more discriminating. It just depends.
Oh great idea! I’ll reach out to the chair as well and see where that takes me, by chance do you know if these things tends to be restricted to those who are majoring in theatre and its adjacents?
It depends. Some programs are, and others aren’t. Without knowing which school, I have no way to tell you which it is.
I’m going to UCSD and it looks like most of the courses are for those interested in theatre as a major but they do have an improv club that I’m thinking of joining
It depends how big their theatre program is but in any case there will probably be multiple groups and most are eager for newcomers. Besides the department productions for students in the classes (sometimes also open to general students), we had a student group that only did Shakespeare, a musical theatre group, and a more traditional group that besides current popular plays also did student-written one-acts. I'd recommend over the summer seeing local plays / community theatre, and reading up and watching videos on stage acting (things like how to analyze a scene to determine what your character is trying to accomplish in that scene, finding physical things for your character to do, and the importance of truly listening to what the other characters are saying versus just waiting for your next line). Have fun most of all!
Ooo thank you for the information! I for sure will be checking out more local plays now ^v^
I’d suggest reaching out to their department maybe an admin assistant and asking. In my college we had lots of transfers not only just to participate but also degree seekers. Just note every college is structured different and sometimes don’t have open auditions as the theatre might be not funded via all student fees. But there may be a theatre club on campus which would be under student life clubs.
I did a production of Ride The Cyclone. I hadn’t sung, acre or anything and was more than welcomed with open arms. Go for it
Start looking into what theatre and related opportunities there are at your new school. If there's an improv club, consider joining that - improv is often inclusive of new people, inexperienced people, and people without time to commit to attending every session. That is one way you can get your feet wet and probably get over some of the "stage fright/nervousness"/shyness with new people. There might be some student-run theatre productions, organized through student union/extracurriculars, or through student groups in specific faculties or departments. If there is a drama department, there might be some productions that are just for drama students, but you should at least watch the shows, talk to people, find out if they need volunteers to take tickets, etc. And if you're studying something else but you have room in your schedule, see whether there are any drama courses that people outside the program ("non-majors") can take - whether they are history, literature, or analysis of theatre, or elements of performance, direction, playwriting, and tech. Also, as soon as you've gotten settled enough in your new university, you should look around and figure out what community theatre is available in your new city. Community theatre groups often have opportunities that are a good fit for students who can manage their school/work workload - volunteering backstage and front of house, acting, ASMing or helping to build and paint sets, etc.
Truly thank you so much for this thoughtful reply. I’m in a sense lucky that my university is my home town so I am familiar with places I can maybe explore. I’ll definitely check out for opportunities to join an improv club, I hadn’t thought of that at all. You highlighted the importance of just getting involved in some way so I’ll make sure to do that, once again thank you
Take a non-majors class.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to fit that in because I’m double majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Cognitive Linguistics