Good Evening!
DR Paulie... Again, I don't really know anything about Point Park's program, so... But I do know about Catholic University's program, so...
Again, the Musical Theatre program is part of the School of Music. You graduate with a B.M. (Bachelor of Music) with a major in Musical Theatre. Since you are part of a music program, you will be taking the standard music courses all four years. For some, this is not a problem, but for others, having to take four years of music theory can be present quite the challenge. However, you will graduate being able to read any score put in front of you - and be able to accompany yourself on the piano enough to learn your notes.
CUA's Drama program is a good program, however, the Drama Program is it's own program. There is not much overlapping between the two schools - unfortunately. *It's been a few years since I've had direct contact with the program, but I do know some current students, and they still do not have access to all the acting classes that the "acting majors" have access to.
Dance wise it's mainly a matter of which dance classes you take - highly suggest tap and jazz - and which teachers you get. -Actually, your success - well, happiness in any program at any school is dependent upon your profs.
The voice faculty is comprised mainly of classical voice teachers. Some do the music theatre thing better than other, imho. However, there are a few dedicated musical theatre voice teachers with Jane Pesci-Townsend being the most well-known. -She was Christine Baranski's stand-by for the KenCen Sweeney Todd - and she went on once too! She's quite the local diva, and she's a wonderful person and performer too. *I played for her studio for about five years, and always had a good time.
The only real drawback - besides CUA's tuition - is their lack of a nice-sized performance space. There's a converted chapel that's used for recitals AND some mainstage productions. It's nice, but it's small. The other theatre is actually quite large - sometimes too big for it's own good. And depending upon how much money they have for a set, a show can look quite "humble" on that stage. -It's the same space that the Drama program uses for their shows, as well as CUA's Summer Opera program.
*However, the recital hall is "wired" for recording. There's a recording studio/business that resides in the music school. So, if you want your recital recorded, you just notify them of the time, and they set the timer for the mics to go on and off. I've had some very nice recital recordings from that space. -And if you have auditions tapes to take care of, you can get a nice recording done in the studios.
So...
Did you take a nice tour of CUA? Did you take a nice tour of Point Park?
Do you know any of the faculty at either school?
Do you know any students - current or graduates - at either school?
Can you still follow up with the faculty or students at either school?
Were you able to catch a production and/or recital at either school?
Etc., etc., etc...
I think that's enough for now. If you have any specific questions about CUA - or living in the DC area, feel free to e-mail me...
Otherwise, Shenandoah University's program has really been turning out the triple threats lately.
CCM has always been tops.
Carnegie-Mellon is good. LOTS of work.
University of Michigan. Soooo many working graduates!
University of Florida - Another good triple threat school. -At least from I can gather from whom I've played for - and been impressed by - at auditions.