My decision to get a B.A.

Should I get a B.F.A. or a B.A.?

I first asked myself this question in my freshman year of high school. I knew then that theatre was my calling and that one day I would be a theatre professional. Not a lot has changed for me since then, except for that fact that college is a whole lot closer. And more real.

And scarier.

These decisions will follow me the rest of my life. Where I go to college, what I major in, what degree I pursue ultimately guides the path my life will take. That is to say, deciding between a B.F.A. and a B.A. should not be done flippantly.

I believe that neither degree, B.F.A. or B.A., is inherently "better" than the other. The judgment of which degree is best for a particular student depends almost entirely on the student's educational goals.  For me, however, a B.A. just seems right.

I want to be a theatre educator when I grow up, not an actor nor a technician nor a director. To make my dream a reality, I need to be trained in a "core subject area" (though I argue that theatre is a core subject) in addition to my theatrical background. My future career practically necessitates a BA..

Also, I have more varied interests than just theatre. I love to do math; Calculus is one of my favorite courses right now. I've taken multiple science electives and a plethora of English courses. When I go off to college I want these studies to continue; I want to be a student of the liberal arts, not just theatre.

That is not to say that theatre will play backseat to any other study; theatre will always be my home. I will live in my future college's theatre department, consistently giving of myself to create new communities. Beyond college, I am determined to use the skills that I've learned in theatre to make a difference in the classroom. I will be the most animated teacher my students have ever had.

So next year I will attend some four-year-liberal arts college to pursue a degree in theatre and obtain my teaching certification. I am confident that this is the best decision I can make at this stage in my life—"the way is clear, the light is good, I have no fear, nor no one should."

When it comes to your future, the decision is yours to make; do not allow anyone to make it for you. If you know in your heart that a B.F.A. is your destination, then go out and live your dreams. Do all that you wish to do and more.

John Stark

itochair2012@gmail.com