Maddy King (she/her/hers)
BFA Acting, Class of 2023

Email: MaddyDKing@yahoo.com
IG: @MaddyDKing
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What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

My favorite thing about the BFA Acting program at Penn State is probably the faculty and sense of community. The class size per year ranges from 10-14 students, so your professors really know you as an artist/human for the entire four years. The professors instill that they are teaching you that humanity comes first, then craft. This allows for an emphasis on community building, safe spaces, and real growth amongst yourself and your peers. The faculty are not looking at you as a potential byproduct of their business, or as a tool to make their program infamous. They are looking at YOU. This makes the time I spend there and the training so enjoyable and full. 

What would you change about your program? Why?

The one thing I would change about my program is I wish there was more time for student collaborative projects. Although we have program projects and a festival once per semester, the main stage shows tend to take up so much time that there’s very little room to work solely with students on an entire project. 

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

Competitive, but VERY supportive. There’s healthy competition among the classes, but it’s safe and promotes a challenge. 

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

The best surprise I had as an incoming freshman was the physical therapy and fueling station we are offered in the School of Theater. We are allowed free physical therapy sessions and a snack room right in the school. It’s an amazing tool, and we all take advantage of it!

What makes your program unique?

My program is unique for its built-in study abroad education. We are required our junior year (spring semester) to study abroad at Theatre Academy of London. Because it is a part of our curriculum, our tuition remains the same and we can get a full study abroad experience at no extra cost. We work with world renowned teachers in the best theatre city in the world.  

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

The audition process for the shows can be grueling. We must audition every semester. If you’re in the BFA Acting program, it’s required that you audition for every play, but musicals are optional. Most of the time, the talent or hard work you put into class does not guarantee you a spot in a mainstage show. 

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?

Penn State has so much to offer outside of performance classes. There is a huge sports community, Greek life, double majors and minors, clubs, events, etc. For example, I am a member of Student Film Org. I am also able to easily pursue a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship. The student community is huge and there is ALWAYS something to do outside the School of Theatre. 

Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?

The school has summer stock opportunities offered on campus, as well as many connections to theaters outside of Penn State. We can audition for these opportunities easily, as long as we inform our teachers about it (if we’re missing class or rehearsal for these auditions). For post grad preparation, the senior year consists of industry business classes, a tour of a show, and a showcase that is live in NYC and filmed.  

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

The only thing I feel is lacking in my program is financials. I feel like this may be something felt across the board at most programs, but we are always seeking more money to have a high-quality showcase, show excursions, etc.  

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

The student and faculty dynamic is amazing. As I stated before, it is a very close-knit program, and the faculty care about their students as humans first, then actors. There is a real sense of trust and communication between the two groups. 

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

At the end of every semester, the acting program has evaluations. While you are always getting feedback in your classes throughout the semester, the evaluation allows for you to have an individual session between you and your professors for 20 minutes. They talk you through everything that went wrong/right for you in the semester and what your next steps for improvement are. 

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

The School of Theater has implemented a Student Advisory Board as well as a Student Diversity Committee. These two groups facilitate information between students and faculty to ensure that students are being heard. The Student Advisory Board handles general student/faculty concerns with classes, casting, and season planning. The Student Diversity Committee ensures the same as SAB, but they focus on promoting diversity and equitable opportunities for minorities within the School of Theater. 

What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health? 

Penn State School of Theater has a school therapist, physical therapist, and fueling station. In the acting curriculum, we have classes that focus on well-being and mindfulness as a performer. 

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

I was so worried that the professors were going to drive unhealthy competition between classmates and use traumatizing practices. This is most definitely NOT the case. They sat us down the first day and said, “You are all here because you deserve it and you were chosen. The audition to have a spot here is over. Just work hard and bring your full self everyday.”  

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I knew this was the right school for me from the audition. There was an interview portion after the audition where the faculty just wanted to know me. They didn’t care about my credits and training; they could see that on my resume. They just wanted to see me for who I was and truly take the time to get to know me. The head of the program greeted every student called back to the live audition with a smile, and knowing their name and where they were from. He took the time to know who came all the way to audition for the program. No other school treated students like this. For the first time I was a human, not a number.