Baldwin
Wallace
University
has
landed
on
the
2018-19
OnStage
rankings
for
Best
BFA
acting
programs
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.
Outstanding
performing
opportunities
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
Great
Lakes
Theater
(GLT),
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."
Next
up
on
stage
Plate
is
busy
directing
student
actors
in
an
on-campus
production
of
"American
La
Ronde,"
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.
Preparing
students
for
today's
acting
platforms
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:
-
Quality
of
Facilities
-
Cost
and
Scholarship
Opportunities
-
Quality
of
Faculty
-
Admissions,
Auditions
and
Selectivity
-
Quality
of
Curriculum
-
Career
and
Alumni
Support
-
Performance
Opportunities
