I can tell you what I think @SoCalPops. I have one in school just outside NY (Purchase), one in Boston (BU), and one graduated from BW (just outside CLE). My BW grad made plenty of connections during his time at BW via master classes and regional/summer work. My NY student has made some casting/agent contacts, and has had a number of visiting professors from NY but I wouldn’t say she’s made significantly more or less contacts than the BW grad. She does have the opportunity to train into the City for auditions and shows but at this point, I don’t see that she had any great advantages (other than having access to great theater). It’s too soon to tell for my Boston student but there does appear to be quite a bit of opportunity in Boston. I think your student should ask the questions about how students make industry contacts. Some programs - even outside major markets - are very good about making sure students are exposed to the industry without necessarily being a student in one of the major markets.
Also, Carnegie Mellon and UNCSA are among the tippy-tippy top acting schools, with hugely successful alumni, and they’re in Pittsburgh and North Carolina respectively. Not being in New York or LA hasn’t seemed to hurt those grads!
I can’t recommend this book enough…
Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by Frank Bruni.
My NYC freshman wouldn’t change her location for the world… but she just loves living in the city. She will have opportunities to audition outside of school next year which is a bonus to her location but I think good professional contacts can be made at any well-supported program.
@actorparent1 - yes! …and also no, a little. I remember the CMU grads talking to us last year at the LA Unifieds and they seemed a little like they took a step back moving to LA because they had to make new friends and contacts. The name opens doors and the graduates of those programs are awesome performers but it is easier to start looking for work in a city where you already know people who are working.
One thing my NYU D really liked was the opportunity to interact with true, working professionals as guest faculty, directors etc over a longer term. I know lots of schools bring in people for master classes - but in the city there is the opportunity to be there longer - b/c the professionals live there. Things that happened for her that I don’t know would have been at schools outside a major market: Well known playwrights being part of productions of their shows (Liz Swados and Moises Kaufman for her). Opportunities to go see specific productions, sometimes before they even open, b/c professions have connections (Her studio got to go to 2 rehearsals of Mark Rylance in Farinelli and the King, one early and one dress) And even chances to participate, she minored in combat, and her combat professor was doing fight choreo for an off broadway production, and used her and her partner to work it out and demonstrate the the actors.
There is ALL kinds of cool stuff that happens on every type of college campus - and you can absolutely get a phenomenal arts education away from the artistic centers of NY and LA. But there is something about being in the heart of it all…
Congrats! Do you know if they’ve sent MT prescreen decisions? We haven’t heard anything.
My son applied to schools all over the place. The program he chose (Syracuse) sends it students to NYC for their entire spring semester senior year in order to bridge school to professional work. Other schools had programs in LA even if based elsewhere. Worth looking into program details to see if links such as these exist.
@katzenbogen - I don’t know if USC has sent out MT audition invites yet. Sorry.
Thanks @artskids @actorparent1 @NYart15 @CaMom13 @toowonderful @VASkydog
I appreciate hearing your perspectives on this!
@SoCalPops et al - Hello again! I wanted to wait until I had time to give a decent reply, although your question about prioritizing location is one to which there is No Single Answer. Some thoughts:
- All things being equal, of course it would be ideal to be in NYC or LA (or Boston, etc).
- Equally important is a high caliber program with quality of instruction, and contacts. Look at how many working actors there are from the program if you can.
- There are only a few top caliber programs in NYC and LA - to apply only there would be a very small list. But clearly they are wonderful options.
- And the bottom line is, because the acceptance odds are so low, it is prudent to apply to a broad group of programs.
- There could be a subset of people who just apply to all levels of programs in NYC and LA - this can be a logical approach. I know folks who have chosen to pursue the 2-3 year acting conservatories in NYC or LA (think Atlantic, Stella Adler, etc) rather than go to a 3rd tier program outside of the major markets.
- Likewise, there is a subset of people who will choose caliber of BFA program over being in a major market.
- There is also a compelling argument for a solid BA from a well-regarded academic program. If you go to an Ivy or near Ivy level program, you will still form contacts. You can supplement with conservatory work over the summer if you like.
People will succeed and not succeed from every path. By pursuing many of these paths, over the course of the year, with audition experiences (including the interview in which you learn), callback experiences (only a few programs have callbacks, but a lot of info is gained here), and then the crazy pattern of acceptances and rejections, you start to figure out your game plan. And, you just have to live with the acceptance subset you have in hand.
A few observations on a high caliber program outside of NYC. I am not saying this is the RIGHT approach just sharing factually what we have learned so far on the ground.
- Many top programs outside of major cities maintain strong links to the industry. UNCSA has Showcases in 4 markets: NYC, LA, Chicago and now Atlanta. All students are included (not a subset).
- They bring in Guest/Master teachers from NYC/LA, including a top on-screen acting instructor. Many have strong industry connections.
- Casting notices are shared with many top BFA programs. My D has already submitted via self-tape for a few.
So, these are good things to inquire about. But if your options don’t include a program with this level of contacts, then, absolutely, being in NYC or LA is a huge plus. I mean the advantages of being in the city are obvious, particularly if you are a go-getter.
^ I wish there was a “love” button on CC.
Thanks for the incredibly detailed and helpful post, @FourStars ! My D is in theatre tech vs. BFA Acting, but so much of your advice holds true for the tech folks, too.
Thanks @FourStars ! Very helpful and insightful. I am trying to “think ahead” on these issues before we are in the crunch decision time of mid-March through May 1st to decide. My D already has one solid BA acceptance in the LA area (Loyola Marymount). And another solid BFA outside of the entertainment center cities (Elon). If she gets into one of her top 2 remaining choices in LA (UCLA & USC) then the decision will be easy. If not, then we get into weighing out city/location, BA vs BFA, how well they help get work, and of course total cost for the education. She has applied to over 20 schools. She has received a few rejections so far. By applying to so many though, she will have some great choices. Thanks for giving us more to think about and consider.
Hi: D waiting on 2 pre-screens. Has anyone heard from Chapman? She sent her prescreen on 11-1-18. I am hoping they would notify if it was a no. Trying to plan flights, etc.
Hi 1423mom, my daughter did hear from Chapman that she did not get in.
Anyone hear from Marymount Manhattan?
Thanks!
@222mom
My D received academic acceptance yesterday via email. No word on artistic. She auditioned 11/17.
Hi 222mom, thanks for letting me know! So I guess we will find out in January!
Hi @1423mom - Chapman is not very open or transparent in their process. There were about 5 or 6 of us here who applied EA and ED, and I think only 1 or 2 got invites to audition (i.e. pass the prescreen). The 4 or 5 of us who did not pass the pre-screen in November for the end of November audition date, were not notified at all that we did not pass. And when I called, I could get no information out of them as to my daughter’s status. I thought, had hoped, that meant she was being deferred to the RD pool of applicants. But last week they sent out ED and EA notifications to 4 or 5 of us that we had been denied admission. They were notifying people up until about 10 days before the Early Audition onsite date. That’s very short notice if you have to fly. I do know from one of the coaches we work with that some kids applying RD passed their pre-screens last week and received audition invites. I don’t know if they will be sending more out after Christmas. Its possible if your D doesn’t pass prescreen, that you may not hear anything until whatever date they decide to send out Regular Decision notices. You could try calling the performing arts department secretary after Christmas and ask if they are still evaluating and still sending audition invites out or not. That’s about the most you can get them to answer. Hope that helps.
Hi:SoCalPops: Interesting -yes all this info helps - my daughter applied by November 1st but her application says regular decision. They called to ask if she wanted her status to be early action and I said yes but the status was never changed. Also, her teacher recommendation was sent late because the teacher sent the wrong recommendation. I have contacted admissions by email but their reply was unclear. I also emailed the theatre department on Friday but everyone is on break. She is coming to LA to audition at USC so wanted to coordinate if possible or in NY. One of her prescreen acceptances went to spam so I wanted to make sure she didn’t delete it. I am guessing it must be a no - I find it odd that they wouldn’t contact by email either way. I am still waiting on Penn State - however they gave a date as of Jan 7 to respond. This process is exciting, disappointing, expensive and time consuming.