<p>I've been accepted into NYU's Tisch School of the Arts as a Drama Major. We just now received our studio placements and I was placed in "Playwrights Horizon." I want to switch out but I'm not sure if I can until the end of my sophomore year. Help please?</p>
<p>I do not believe that you can switch until your primary training is over (after sophomore year). I’d suggest the help that you really need is more information about Playwrights Horizon. I’d suggest finding 2 or 3 current students in that studio in FB to chat or meet with if possible or call the department and asked for a name of someone to get in contact with. I’m saying 2 or 3 because you don’t want to put all your info eggs in a single basket. Get a couple of perspectives. Perhaps include one or two from current freshman who can give you a recent picture of what you’d experience year 1 and an upper classmen?</p>
<p>Which studio did you want? Playwrights is pretty awesome. I’m headed off to bed, but maybe we can chat tomorrow.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t understand how you can be disappointed in a studio placement if you haven’t even taken a class (generally speaking-unless you wanted MT and didn’t get it). I totally agree with halflokum that you should get SEVERAL opinions from CURRENT students. I have heard nothing but positive things about PH. I have said this before, my son is a junior at NSB and absolutely loves it and the whole NYU experience. He really didn’t care what studio he was placed because the professors do a great job in placing people where they belong. After sophomore year, you can audition for advanced studios.
I’m curious as to what are you basing this dislike of studio placement- friends, the cc board, wanting a specific method?</p>
<p>I think you need to be more specific about your disappointment. My D spent primary in Playwrights and the only real complaint I heard was that they didn’t learn dialects. If you’re concerned about the approach that includes design and directing, I wouldn’t be: neither are technical courses; they approach it from the perspective of seeing how a show comes alive through all its facets, which makes an actor a smarter artist, IMO. During the directing classes, you are still working on scenes. I know the original focus of Design was “how does what you see make you feel?” I am not sure what it was since the new teacher replaced Michael Krauss, but I know it is from a creative, rather than a strictly technical, viewpoint. </p>
<p>PH exposes you to a variety of experiences in theater that you might not have been aware of and is focused on bringing out the creativity in each actor, and it approaches this from a variety of angles. At PH, you will have amazing movement teachers and learn about devised theater. You will not simply be studying a craft, you will truly grow as an artist and as a person. </p>
<p>The intent of PH is to create collaborative theater artists. From what I understand from when I attended the session for parents during my D’s first-year, the program helps students understand how words that appear on a page can come to life in a multi-dimensional space, and as an actor, these are crucial lessons indeed. </p>
<p>Finally, I would say that the classes are close-knit and familial. It is a supportive, welcoming, challenging, nurturing place!</p>
<p>You will meet multi-faceted people, some of whom are going to go on to careers in theaters besides acting, and that will serve you very well in the future having these kinds of friendships and connections. That’s my opinion, at least.</p>
<p>The nasty part of me wants to say “Hey, you knew that this is how NYU Tisch works, they choose a studio for you and assign you.”</p>
<p>But really this is kind of part of any acting training. I remember that when I was an undergrad I was in a program that required a lot of improv work, and at first my attitude was “Why do I have to do all this, I am not interested in improv, I’m interested in Shakespeare!” But now I am glad that I was required to take these courses that otherwise I wouldn’t have signed up for. Because I gained a lot of new skills and learned about an approach to theatre that before I didn’t know anything about. And it completely changed my approach to ALL theatre, including Shakespeare!</p>
<p>I think you are going to have the same experience in “Playwrights Horizon”. You are going to be exposed to a new way of approaching theatre, and you will get more skills to add to your “bag of tricks”. This will just give you more ways of dealing with the wide diversity of acting challenges that you will encounter in your career.</p>
<p>Everyone seems to say that NYU Tisch does an INCREDIBLE job of putting folks into the studio that is best for them. They really take their time and carefully consider these placements (people have been complaining about the time they take!!!). They saw something in you that really made them say “this student will really benefit from Playwrights Horizon”. Maybe its because they saw you were lacking something that they knew Playwrights Horizon could give you. Or maybe they saw that Playwrights Horizon would work well with your strengths.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I thought a student had to at least start classes in their assigned studio before petitioning for reassignment?</p>
<p>SDonCC wrote a beautiful post on Playwrights Horizons. My son, who was accepted at Tisch four years ago but ended up attending a different program, was placed in another studio. If he had been placed in PH it would have been much harder to turn Tisch down.</p>
<p>It so happens that the program where my son is a senior now has provided him with all the same experiences that SDonCC described when talking about Playwrights. This training has been of inestimable value.</p>
<p>It it unusual, but possible, to do. Two students from my studio, Atlantic, transferred into I believe the Strasberg studio after the first year. One I knew personally, and she was just very miserable and terribly unhappy at Atlantic. They went to Tisch, made their case, and were allowed to transfer. I can not recall if they had to re-audition. That was back in the early 00’s, but I know for a fact that they’ve continued the practice into the 2010’s. Technically you aren’t suppose to transfer until your primary time is up, but they have absolutely made exceptions for students who made a strong case that they were misplaced and would thrive better elsewhere. They do make you jump through a lot of hoops, take quite a few meetings with advisors, and studio heads, and really fight to justify the transfer because essentially you’re telling NYU they made a mistake. And even at the end of all this, there are absolutely no guarantees that they will approve the transfer.</p>
<p>But they will not allow you to switch before your studio before you step foot into it. If you are that upset about your studio placement, and feel it’s just totally unacceptable, they’d be more likely to suggest you choose another university entirely.</p>
<p>I’m usually a critic of the NYU studio placement system, especially the fact that you can’t sit in on classes etc before you decide to plunk your thousands and thousands of dollars down. I don’t see giving over some godly right to any institution, and I’d want to meet my future teachers and have a strong sense of what my training was going to entail before I signed up. I don’t buy a car without a test drive either (and cars are a lot less expensive and less important!)</p>
<p>But–what I know of Playwrights Horizons is pretty wonderful and I think you’re lucky to be placed there. Smart, smart people immersed in theater in every way.</p>
<p>Of course, I’m not you. But do call up and get several students to talk to (maybe the FB forums can help too!) I think you might come out feeling lucky. If you still feel it’s not the right place for you though, you can choose another school.</p>
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<p>A downside to Tisch, absolutely. I totally agree with your point.</p>
<p>But it can be worked around. Some might be surprised to know that most of the studios are at least somewhat open to you calling them up, explaining that you’re a potential student, and asking if you can stop in for a tour. It absolutely does not hurt to ask. Even if you can’t, or they’re not willing, find out where the studios are located and try to approach current students. You’ll never have an issue getting acting students to yap away about their place of study, and will likely hear the good, the bad, and the very ugly. If you’re already planning to visit the school, make this a priority if you’re someone who needs to see the studios before you commit. </p>
<p>Also a safeguard to making sure you are only placed into a studio you want is to tell your auditioner that you only have interest in one or two particular studios. It’ll likely cut your chance of acceptance, but it’ll highly increase the chances of you being placed in your preferred studio if you are.</p>
<p>I actually agree with Therealkevp. Why would you apply to NYU if you are going to freak about which studio you were placed in? But…</p>
<p>I believe if you had strong reasons why PHS was not good for you, you might be able to get it switched before even attending.</p>
<p>BUT I think this would be a mistake. Every actor would gain something from every one of the studios. Just as all the wise people above have mentioned. </p>
<p>To not even give it a try would be a bad way to go through life. Especially as an actor.</p>
<p>ETW’s studio director was asked this same question yesterday during Weekend on the Square. (I imagine she gets it a lot because people seem to have a lot of concern about the “e” part of the name). She said that in the last few years, in Tisch Drama across the board, shes only seen two transfers… But she also said that essentially, all the primary studios furnish actors with the same foundational building blocks. Among the volunteers working yesterday were mt kids from nearly every studio. They all seemed very happy. (Which I guess you could take with a grain of salt, since unhappy kids aren’t going to volunteer)</p>
<p>Broadwaybritt, have you committed to NYU, or do you have other options? Glassharmonica’s daughter successfully petitioned for a studio change last year–she may be able to give you advice based on her experience. I don’t any evidence in your post that you are “freaking out” or doing anything inappropriate for such a huge commitment of time and money, not to mention your education itself. Follow your instincts and make sure this is really the right place for you! Good luck and keep us posted… :)</p>
<p>Broadwaybritt, sorry if I was short in my response. ( another thread has irritated me 
)</p>
<p>I am just telling you from my life experience with my children, that sometimes the things we “jump” to judge, that we deem as bad, often end up being one of the best experiences of our lives.</p>
<p>My daughter was not thrilled about which studio she was placed in last year at first (for about a week), mostly because of the rhetoric she has read here on cc about it. But she gave it a try and could not be happier. It has been life changing, and now could not imagine being in any other studio.</p>
<p>What is it that bothers you about your placement, and are you early decision or regular?</p>
<p>It is possible, although I would suggest that you do some firm research first. FWIW, Playwrights was one of the two studios my daughter wished to switch <em>into</em>. :)</p>
<p>Hi Broadwaybrittnye</p>
<p>I think you have gotten some really great advice and encouragement about being open to staying at Playwrights. SDonCC really nails what the PHTS experience is like. That said I hope your not feeling overwhelmed by all this either. I can really understand being disappointed or frustrated if you had you heart set on another studio, or don’t know a lot about PHTS, or have heard negative things. I saw in one of your other posts how excited you are to be going to NYU, so I really am sorry if you’re feeling so unhappy in you studio placement. While I agree with everything people have said about NYU usually getting studio placements right and that you might be a great fit for PHTS, the truth is you won’t really be able to know that until your there next fall. But I would try spend this spring and summer not worrying about it or thinking about it, because if you go in predisposed to hate it, then you’re probably going to hate it. If you can keep an open mind, do try, it’ll make a difference in your experience. </p>
<p>All that said, I also think that halflokum’s advice about finding current students to talk to is really good. There will be plenty of people on FB who are happy to talk to you about their experience. If there is one thing about PHTS kids I know for sure it’s that they love giving advice to incoming students. I’d also be glad to set up a chance for you to chat with some of the current students I still know. I’d even be happy to find you a less enthusiastic student who could give you a more objective view of the studio including the cons. Like all studios at NYU Playwrights has cons. And I’d be happy to talk with you too, if you want. I am recent PHTS grad, and while I love the education I got and my PHTS experience, there were some times when I was really frustrated there. So no sugar coasting from me! </p>
<p>Lastly, I would say start all this by heading over to the PHTS website, if you haven’t already. There is a great video on their homepage that I think gives a really good idea of what the studio is like. And it was made by a student! (and friend of mine)</p>
<p>The website is phtschool.org</p>
<p>My son just got placed into Tisch’s Atlantic studio for fall 2013. Since you are in this studio, will you please share some of your experiences or views of this particular studio? We really don’t understand what selective criteria Tisch uses to determine placement - any insight into that? We’ve heard it’s a very intensive studio.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>MissRJR, you might want to check out this thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1478185-atlantic-studio-nyu.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1478185-atlantic-studio-nyu.html</a></p>
<p>Hi TheatreMom,
i saw that post and it was great! My D was placed into Atlantic, though her heart had been on New Studio/MT. However the connection to such an edgy crowd, like Mamet and Macy has us so excited for her. Between Atlantic and the other studios, how do you think the admissions decided to make the placements? is it a certain look? how they did their monologue/audition? Or do they just need spots to fill? Would you know kids who have been heavy into MT who’ve been placed into Atlantic and what their experiences have been? I guess i’d like to think they saw my D having a certain street-smart look, but that might be her biased Dad hallucinating again! :-)</p>
<p>I’m reading that you can’t sit in on classes or have substantial meetings with faculty through campus visits. Should I just wait to head up until my audition next year? Is it not worth making two trips?</p>