Alright here's the deal. I'm in college right now. I am in a play right now. I love theatre. I know that I am going to continue being an actor when I get out of here, as more than a hobby.

The problem is that I don't know if I want to be a theatre major anymore. I've heard Billy Crudup (in case you don't know who he is, he is a masterful actor who played Dr. Manhatten in Watchmen)was a Comm Studies major for his Undergrad. I am thinking of doing the same thing and taking it a step further. I would like to major or minor in Behavioral Psychology. Not only do these two things fascinate me, I can see them as a potential aid for my future acting career. I would eventually want to get a Master's in Acting so I may one day teach high school.

I also chose those two majors because I have a hard time observing people. I do have limited practice in it, but I figure this will be a good chance to learn some things from observation. And I figure I can try out for student directed plays and my school plays and work on my acting then.

Now, it's either this or getting a BFA in Acting. I can't do all three, and I can't do BFA with one of the others.

Then there is another issue, but I will explain later, if it is welcomed.

Please help. I can't decide.

Thank you!!

definitely skip the BFA if you are not feeling it. I got into the Yale Schoolf of Drama MFA directing program with an undergrad degree in mathematics. A lot of grad programs are snobs about undergrad theater training anyway, they would rather you have studied something else anyway.

I'm not sure what to tell you about which choice to make, but if you do stray from the BFA, you should also consider sociology as a major/minor if your intentions are to try and understand people, cultures, and behavior.

The more you can bring your other inteligences to the acting table, the better you can be.

Most actors think that the most important thing is to study acting. Now of course one should study. But those who excel, in my opinion, are those who can take 2 or 3 or 4 fields and merge them toward one directive.

Getting a degree in behaviorial pyschology is going to give you a lot of info to use in pursuing your MFA. Then when you learn to merge principles of behavioral psychology with principles of acting, you will feel extremely powerful.

I have an M.F.A. in classical theatre performance. I started as a cellular and molecular bio major. eventually changed to theatre. I am also fluent in sign language (which happened before i started acting). I also do a lot of self studying on scientific spirituality.

You best believe these attributes set me apart from a great majority of actors.

Hope this helps.

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P.S.
I have yet to be impressed with an actor who has only an B.F.A.

Nothing makes a actor like and intense 3 year acting program. but that is just me.

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I think there has been a lot of great input. I only want to add a couple things:

It's not WHAT you take that can make you more or less successful that then next guy... but it is your permeability to the route you take, as well as what you do with that knowledge and experience.

The wrong person with the "right" education and experience is still a moron. The right person with the "wrong" experiences will still have higher chances of success.

Plan out short and long term goals. Consider what it is you want from the available paths you can take.

I also say skip the MFA in Acting if you’re not feeling it. The piece of paper that would be your diploma isn't worth nearly as much as the training you get... and you don't need to be of that major to take the classes.

Unlike the blue wang guy, I actually did major in acting, but I dabbled in many other areas as well, and am glad I did.

quote:

Originally posted by PaulyWally:
I think there has been a lot of great input. I only want to add a couple things:

It's not WHAT you take that can make you more or less successful that then next guy... but it is your permeability to the route you take, as well as what you do with that knowledge and experience.

The wrong person with the "right" education and experience is still a moron. The right person with the "wrong" experiences will still have higher chances of success.

Plan out short and long term goals. Consider what it is you want from the available paths you can take.

Well said.

Ahh this is an issue I am familiar with. Luckily my college chose for me, due to those nasty budget cuts, our theater was cut (WSU in Pullman).
It took em a while to get my head back on straight, since it wasn't economical to switch schools at this point.

I decided, like Billy, to major in Comm, more specifically broadcasting. Some students from my school have been able to internship with E network etc, So my thinking, is that majoring in something else gives you so much more to pull from, much like eyezoncash pointed out.

And I figured if can get a network internship, then I may be able to get a job so when I graduate I can move to LA, with some stability other then being a waitress or something. Plus if I can internship at like E, or another network, I will be meeting contacts and have a way to get my foot in the door in terms of meeting people.

That's what I chose to do, and I'm working on a way to continue honing my acting skills, while not being able to work on a production till graduation. I won't be doing grad school more then likely, since I obviously do not want to be at the top of the broadcasting chain lol, and I need to get started before I'm too old.

Anyhow, go ahead and private message me if you want to share experiences or advice about the whole situation.
It seems like we have a similar situation
good luck either way

Lots of good advice here. eyesoncash said it most simply.

Anything that helps you get a good paying JOB and buys you the time you need to explore acting is a good degree to get into. Actors come from all professions and walks of life.

Does one degree over another "prepare" you more to be an actor? Nope. Hard, constant work at acting, discipline, and constant training does that.

It's wide open! Have fun!