Baldwin Wallace University has landed on the 2018-19 OnStage rankings for just two years after establishing the degree program in an already rich performing arts ecosystem - on and off campus.
The
BW
BFA
was
launched
to
offer
a
fresh
approach
to
traditional
actor
training
and
is
the
only
BFA
in
Acting
in
Northeast
Ohio.
Its
strong
professional
relationships
with
regional
theaters
make
it
unique
in
the
Midwest.
In addition to sharing stages with BW's number-one ranked music theatre program, OnStage noted, "Baldwin Wallace's close proximity to Cleveland and its nationally ranked theatre and arts organizations offers outstanding learning and performing opportunities" for BFA majors.
The
review
specifically
noted
the
benefit
of
"BW's
formal
alliance
with
Cleveland's
,
which
is
one
of
the
few
recognized,
active
partnerships
between
an
equity
theatre
and
undergraduate
program
in
the
US.
...
[as
well
as]
audition
opportunities
with
GLT's
partner
theatres
-
the
Lake
Tahoe
Shakespeare
Festival
and
Idaho
Shakespeare
Festival."
"We're profoundly grateful for our partnership with GLT and its affiliate companies out west," said professor Scott Plate, chair of BW's Theatre and Dance Department. "Our students genuinely benefit and are able to see in practice the value of their BW training."
Plate is busy directing student actors in an on-campus production of "," which follows "a simple silver bracelet as it travels through the lives of 10 bold and desperate lovers, giving a glimpse of the intrigue and heartache left in its wake."
The play runs at the Kleist Black Box Theatre, Thursday-Saturday, September 27-29 and October 4-6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 30 and October 7 at 2 p.m.
OnStage
considered
many
factors
in
reviewing
top
BFAs,
but
this
year
drilled
down
to
ask,
"how
these
programs
are
properly
preparing
their
students
to
tackle
the
different
acting
platforms
available
today.
Are
they
focusing
on
just
theatre
or
also
acting
for
the
camera?
What
different
types
of
performance
opportunities
will
students
have?"
Rankings at OnStage are based on the independent research and evaluation by "current and former educators, students, alums, and working professionals," using a rating system that considers factors that are "most important to those pursuing a career in the theatrical arts" including: