Too Many Musical Theatre Graduates? A Professor Sounds the Alarm

The American musical theatre industry is facing a crisis of oversaturation. Too many Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs are churning out graduates, creating a surplus of actors competing for limited roles. Josh Grisetti, a Musical Theatre Professor at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), highlights this issue, stating, "There are too many young actors in New York who aren't professionally viable." He attributes this to the proliferation of BFA programs, often driven by financial incentives rather than a genuine need for more trained artists. One unnamed university, Grisetti reveals, "was essentially doubling the size of their BFA cohort because they needed the tuition money." This isn't an isolated case. Grisetti's concerns underscore the need for industry reform, possibly through national standards for BFA programs, to ensure that graduates are adequately prepared for the competitive landscape. The current system, he argues, is "failing" and needs restructuring to create a more sustainable and successful pathway for aspiring performers. The path forward requires a careful consideration of quality over quantity and a stronger focus on preparing students for the realities of the commercial theatre industry.

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Musical Theater Professor Says There Are Too Many B.F.A.s

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