<p>can anyone tell me what all is in the audition for cap21?</p>
<p>With CAP21 you have the option of doing the audition with or without the dance component. I didn't do the dance audition, so I will tell you my experience. Maybe someone who did dance could share the differences?</p>
<p>The auditions were held in a professional casting studio in NYC. The day I auditioned there were many other auditions going on. Everyone auditioning for NYU (CAP and non-CAP) first attends an information meeting where paper work is passed out and brochures are available to peruse. An NYU alum was manning the table. Then the three "judges" (I think there were three) talk, as well as the alum and describe the program, the different studios, statistics, and all that jazz. Then they separate the students into three groups, since there are three different rooms, each with one NYU rep. I was the first person to go into my room, so I had time to only run to the restroom and then head to my room. Some people had to wait for a couple of hours.</p>
<p>Once in the room, the lady introduced herself and told me that she would definately cut me off as she wanted to talk to me more than here me perform. I sang my two songs and she cut me off on both. She discussed the songs with me a little bit afterwards, kinda the acting choices I made. Then she had me do both my monologues, which she stopped me and worked with me on. After that (about 3 minutes total), we talked for about 5 minutes. She asked me what my hobbies were, what besides theatre I found interesting, why I wanted CAP21 only, (they ask you if you will only accept CAP21 and I said yes). It was very conversational. I was able to ask questions and we kind of just chatted. Then she thanked me and I left. The whole thing took about 7 minutes!</p>
<p>I think that's about it. I tried to remember the best I could, but I auditioned back in February, so it has been a while. Needless to say, I was accepted and am off to NYU in the fall. Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>OH geez, I wrote out my whole description of that audition and when I went to post it, it disappeared in cyberspace. I'll try to drum up energy to rewrite it. </p>
<p>First, Collegebound87's account is way more important than mine because he actually DID the audition and I am merely a parent bystander. I will try to describe how I saw it from my end as my kid did audition there, got in, and is going to Tisch/CAP21 next fall. I am also going to describe it a bit as a critique, not meaning to be negative but more cause I think that can be helpful and I have now been to 8 different MT BFA auditions (could critique the pros and cons of each one but will stick with just this one) and I can afford to say what I am about Tisch's because after all, my kid likes it and is going there, so my intentions are not negative. Each audition we went to was run a bit differently. Tisch's audition set up was not the worst, nor the best of what we experienced. The audition once inside it, was just fine, however, and some of my critique is more on the organizational aspects. I don't think, however, that one should judge an entire program on how the audition was run. It is like one should not judge a regular college by how good the tour guide is, ya know? </p>
<p>My kid auditioned on one of the advanced/experienced optional dance audition days (there are two in Feb and two during early decision in Nov...she went in Feb). On those days, only kids who have CAP as a first choice audition so that is a bit different than CollegeBound87's more typical audition day at Tisch. On this dance option audition day, there were only 18 prospective kids auditioning and that was rather nice. Her audition took place at Tisch, not a casting studio. </p>
<p>It started out with some forms and then all the kids went to a two hour (estimate) dance audition. Because this was for experienced dancers, my D said it was great cause everyone there could truly dance which differed from other school dance auditions where there is more variation of backgrounds. She said some of the males were particularly skilled. She really liked this dance audition and found it sufficiently challenging. It was run well. They say the dance audition can help you but not hurt you since it is not required. I am of the belief that all programs should include a dance audition, to see simply if a kid can move comfortably at the least. One nice thing at Tisch, however, is that once in CAP, there are dance placement auditions and so experienced dancers are not in the same level classes as beginnners which makes sense for all concerned. My D does like that aspect. </p>
<p>After this, all the kids and parents met in a room with the three judges who were faculty members. One was a costume faculty member, one was from Meisner and one was from Experimental Theater Wing. Many, including myself, found it odd that there was no faculty from CAP present as everyone there was trying for CAP. At most other schools that offered a presentation, (some did not at all), the department head spoke or an admissions officer spoke. This presentation was rather brief and mostly reviewed the 8 studio options at Tisch and they strongly encouraged every applicant to specify a second and third choice studio after CAP since CAP has the slimmest odds. Had my D applied ED, she would have said CAP only but since this was RD, she did specify a second choice (Playwrights) and third (Stella Adler) but strongly preferred CAP21 (truly only wants MT) and in her audition did explain that and why she saw that as the placement for her. There was a brief chance for Q and A. </p>
<p>Then, they posted three lists of names with the order of auditions for three different rooms (each faculty/judge ran the audition in different rooms). Many found it odd that nobody from CAP was judging and that there was a costume faculty judging singing and acting and none of these judges were voice faculty. Another thing that many were remarking was that there was only ONE judge for your audition and that was not the case at other schools. Other schools either had several judges in the room, or you went to one judge for singing, one for acting, etc. or once you made it past certain judges, you were then seen by others (like at PSU and CMU). But at Tisch, not only did only one person judge both your acting and singing, that person is not the same person judging everyone else auditioning so the feeling of checks and balances was not quite there (but I guess they know what they ar doing). </p>
<p>Another thing that was different here was that this was the only school on my D's list where they did not provide a piano accompaniest and so you had to bring your own CD of piano accopaniment. I prefer a pianist because that is how auditions are run in the professional world. Also a pianist follows the singer, not the other way around. Some might like the CD thing cause some feel that then you know the accompaniment is how you like it but I feel most professional accompaniests do a great job if you mark your music well and you also chat briefly before you sing. Anyway, it is what it is. </p>
<p>Another odd thing to me was the set up. There were NO vocal warmups either as a group or no rooms to do it on your own. Then the rooms where you auditioned were adjacent to right where all the waiting kids and parents were sitting in a lounge and so there really was no privacy that way. I mean when my kid went in (she was second to go with the ETW faculty person who was very nice by the way), kids started to rush the door and listen because you could hear everything. I sat as far away as I could and I heard her entire songs. True her voice carries but this set up was nothing like I saw elsewhere except maybe BOCO. </p>
<p>A nice thing at this school is that you get to sing two entire songs, though you really should keep the length reasonable (under two min. each) and not do repeats, so make it more like 32 bars but still you can sing a bit more than at some schools. Do contrasting songs, one upbeat, one ballad. My D did get to sing both her songs through and was asked to redo the ending to one song a different way. She also got to do both monologues which were contrasting and I think this school is the one with two 2 minute monologues but this part was good. My D said that in the middle of her serious monologue, a girl was belting out a song in an adjoining empty room that she must have gone into to practice and it was so distracting that she felt she lost her concentration on the mood of the piece. Was not that great but I guess it did not affect her admissions. Then the person chatted a bit with her. I think she also looked over the resume and commented on a thing or two. She asked some questions, not a lot. </p>
<p>There were no current students present to ask questions of and that was too bad and most schools had that, not all, but most. I strongly encourage anyone to visit on another day as well (we had a year prior) and do the NYU and the Tisch presentations and talk to current students (my D even observed some classes and spent the night in dorms) as you get very little information at this audition day at this school. </p>
<p>I'd say that what was done IN the audition was just fine but the set up to the day was not the most ideal I had seen. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>im not so worried now...but i really need to get crackin on monologues...anyone know where i can find some?</p>
<p>can anyone tell me what all happens in the dance portion of the audition...how hard it is...ive been taking dance for over a year now...but am not sure if i will be able to do all that they ask in the dance audition</p>
<p>Chris, I can't help you THAT much...for one thing, my D is not here to ask but I recall it including both ballet and jazz. What you need to know with CAP is that the dance is not only optional but they state that it is only meant for experienced/advanced dancers. The dance audition can help you but not hurt you. You can get in without a dance audition. I would not sign up for this unless you felt very comfortable with your dance technique. I don't know you or your background to advise you well. Are you a boy or a girl? My D said the boys at this dance audition were excellent dancers. This dance audition was not like the others she had attended at other top BFA programs because at the other auditions, there was a much wider range of dance skills...from nondancers to very trained dancers. At CAP's optional dance audition, everyone was a trained dancer. She has taken dance her entire life in all disciplines. Her friend who also got in for CAP and did the dance audition, also has danced her entire life. They take dance almost every day. I don't know which disciplines you study. You ideally should be strong in ballet and jazz for this audition. Have you studied both? At what level? At your studio, are you in beginner, intermediate, advanced? I would say that those who opt to do the dance audition at CAP tend to be in advanced levels of dance technique classes back at their home studios, so use that as a guideline. My D said this was a challenging dance audition (she really liked it) and there was a wide variety of level of dance auditions at all her BFA auditions. For instance, at Emerson, she said you absolutely needed no dance background to do it, as it was extremely simplistic. Other schools were more challenging. NYU's rated up there on the most challenging but theirs is designed for advanced dancers. At Tisch, when you start the program, they have dance placement auditions (in fact, my D has gotten a note about that for this fall) so that kids are placed in the appropriate level dance classes based on their background and skill. I'm sorry I can't be specific as to what steps were in this dance audition but maybe someone else will come forth to advise you on that. My D is out of town. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>im a boy...and not that experienced...so i think ill opt out...i was hoping that i could at least show them that i can dance a lil (in case my singing and acting arent up to snuff enough for them)...but o well</p>
<p>Hey Chrisnoo,</p>
<p>I read what Soozievt wrote about the CAP 21 dance audition and I'm sure she's absolutely correct about what her D experienced. My D did not audition for CAP 21 (because she was more interested in Steinhardt at the time) so I have no first hand experience with the Tisch audition policies. BUT.......if I were you, I might check with the audition folks directly and see what they think about your doing the dance audition. I think that it's great (and very smart) that you've been working on your dance skills and I would hate you to miss an opportunity to show them what you've accomplished. From what Soozie says, while it may or may not help you get in, it doesn't seem like it would hurt you either, so what have you got to lose? If they (the NYU folks) think it's okay and you've got the courage to strut your stuff alongside folks who may (or may not) have more training than you do, I'd say go for it! If I were an auditor, at the very least I'd give you brownie points for showing how hard you are working and how much you want to go there. It would tell me a lot about how hard you would be willing to work if accepted. And given that Tisch accepts a much larger number of students than most of the other top tier BFA programs, I'm betting you'll help your chances.</p>
<p>Just one mom's opinion.......Sounds like you've got a lot of what they used to call "moxie." Good for you and I hope you do really well!!!</p>
<p>So I auditioned in February for CAP 21 with the dance option. Here's my story about that:</p>
<p>When I visited NYU in October, I talked with the undergraduate admissions person for drama at Tisch for quite a while. When the topic turned to the audition, I asked her about the dance component. I told her that I had had three years of dance and that I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for me to sign up for it. Since there would be a limited number of slots with the dance option, she suggested that I sign up for it just in case and that my dance teacher call her to talk about my dance level.</p>
<p>So I signed up for it, thinking it would be OK. My dance teacher called in December and told me that the woman said to her that I should not sign up for the dance option.</p>
<p>So I was in a little pickle, because the website said that everything was final or whatever. I was kind of freaking out about it, so in early February (my audition was in late February) I called Tisch Drama and asked if I could just show up for the song and monologue portion of the audition. He told me that I couldn't, and if I did that it would forfeit my audition. So he suggested that I just go in there and do the best I could, for the dance part can only help since there are so many who audition without it.</p>
<p>I did that. I sucked it up, and it wasn't THAT bad, but definitely very, very challenging for me. Everyone else had been training for like 10+ years. We did a lot warming up, on the floor, at the barre, and going across the floor, but it really didn't start getting too difficult until we started learning the combination. I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty lost, haha.</p>
<p>All in all, I didn't get into CAP 21 but was placed into the Stella Adler studio at Tisch. I decided not to go there, for that wasn't really what I wanted. Instead I'm going to Ithaca in the fall where, ironically, there was no dance portion at the audition.</p>
<p>My honest suggestion is: if you were just going to sign up to show them that you can dance "a little," don't do it. It's so nervewracking to get in there with all those really good dancers and you sometimes sticking out like a sore thumb. You have just as good a chance of getting into CAP 21 without the dance audition, so I would say just go with the acting and singing.</p>
<p>I agree with Actor above. In the NYU literature that we have, plus what is told via phone, is that the dance audition is for "very advanced dancers only". If you feel you fit that description, do it but it implies dancers with a lot of training. Otherwise, I agree with Theatermom with regard to all the other schools....go in and do your stuff and go for it in the dance audition. It is GREAT that you have some dance background and keep it up this fall and you will be in good shape for the dance auditions. As mentioned, at all the schools, my D said she saw a wide range of dance background and skill in the audition. You will be ahead of the game than some kids cause you have taken dance. But there will be others who have studied all dance forms and for many years. The NYU dance audition is meant more for the latter. My daughter, as well as the two friends she has who did the dance audition at Tisch, took dance since they were in preschool and do it a lot, plus have the ballet training. Tisch will tell you this when you sign up for the audition. They only have two dance audition dates for RD and two for ED and there were just 18 kids at the Feb. date that my D went to so they are obviously not opening it up to the close to 1000 trying out for CAP. You might be better off not doing this dance audition but really strutting your stuff at the other ones. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Actor465 and Soozie have given you good advice. It wasn't clear to me when I posted that the NYU folks advise that this audition is for experienced dancers only, but that's why I suggested checking with them before you made your decision.</p>
<p>Actor 465 - thanks for sharing your story. It's first hand experiences like yours that really help those who are trying to decide where to audition and apply.</p>
<p>Keep dancing!</p>
<p>Theatermom, I figured you were not aware of that because had this not been the case with this school, your advice was excellent in terms of showing what he could do with dance and what he has accomplished so far (and I agree that it is great that he is taking dance and that puts him ahead of many boys who do not). It is just that NYU stipulates that this is not an audition to show that you CAN danc,e but in their words are "very advanced dancers only" and they seem to hold to that when making the appointments. My D said that the boys at that audition were amazing. I don't know the level that the poster dances and only the number of years he has been dancing. That is why I was asking what level class he is in at his studio. If he has only taken one year and only one discipline, for example, and is in advanced beginner or intermediate, the NYU dance audition might be overwhelming (my D said it was the most challenging of all her BFA dance auditions, which makes sense because you had to know how to dance to even attend it which is not the case at the other schools). I'd probably advise against him attending. In fact, they might ask him on the phone how many years of training and if he says 1 1/2 years, they might not let him sign up for the very few slots they allow for the limitted dance audition days. They audition like every day in February and only two of the days are this optional dance day. I believe 900 kids stipulate CAP21 as their first choice studio at Tisch and so if there are two Nov. ED dance audition dates and two Feb. RD audition dates and assuming they allow the same number to sign up that we saw at my D's date on Feb. 12 last year, that is only 36 kids for ED and 36 for RD who did the dance audition. So, I think that is skimming off the top of dance technique levels that opted to do this segment of the audition. </p>
<p>Honestly, I much prefer schools to include dance in their auditions for MT for everyone, as many do. Ithaca and BOCO had no dance audition though do ask about your dance background. And many who audition for Tisch also are not doing a dance audition (though at least they have dance placement there for levels once you attend, unlike Ithaca, for example). When it is so selective to get into these programs, it seems to me, why not see if a kid can at least move and feel comfortable with his/her body on stage, at a minimum. I realize they can teach someone to dance and the voice and acting is more paramount in the audition but I also think with so many auditioning who can sing and act, why not get ones who can also dance. They have their pick of the litter so they say, lol. Anyway, thought I would just clarify that I would have advised this boy to do a dance audition at ANY and every school but at Tisch only cause they stipulate that it is for very experienced dancers and try to hold to that. He might feel out of his element. I'd hate that to happen because they do the dance audition for the first two hours and then it is followed by the vocal and acting appointments and so I am not sure it would feel good to start out feeling a bit lost amongst some very trained dancers and the combination goes quickly and you know how that can be. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I am so amazed that a school like Tisch wouldn't require EVERYONE to do some kind of a dance audition. And I am also confused about the taped music for the vocal audition. I know that many talented kids audition for this program so LOTS of talent there. But it does seem that their auditions are not as professional as some of the other schools.</p>
<p>I also think Cap 21 must look for great dancers who can carry a tune in their dance auditions from the experience of my S's friend. This kid is a phenomenal choreographer and dancer who has been dancing since he was tiny. While he was in the top choir with my S he never was given a singing role that I know of. He auditioned at CTC with my son a number of times but never made the cast until it required a major dance role - then look out baby there he was front and center. We kind of got a kick of it at the end of the year neither he nor my S were ever given major roles in the school musicals I mean here we had this kid who just Wowed everyone with his dance and choreography outside of school and they never used him! My S was able to choose from some of the top MT schools in the nation, but he couldnt get much more than ensamble in the school musicals. None of the kids that were used in major roles at the HS got into any schools outside of our state programs. I think both boys had a hook though that made them different, S is tall with a huge vocal range; B has a specialty in Chinese dance and lots of choreography credits.</p>
<p>Chrisnoo, </p>
<p>I auditioned in late february, with the dance component. Like you, i had only been taking lessons for about 6 months before the audition and i was defintiely freaking out. </p>
<p>The dance component starts out with everyone just in the room, doing their own stretches. The judges ARE IN THE ROOM, with clipboards. They dont really seem to be watching, but im sure they take into account the attitudes and amount of prep each auditionee does. So be professional.</p>
<p>Then there's a group warmup, where one of the judges walks around and observes. It is intimidating when they walk right up to you as you warm up, just be cautious nopt to loose focus and forget what you are doing! lol. This part of the audition isnt too hard. Then there is an across the floor exercise that is short, but you need to show some character. They seemed more pleased with the charismatic dancers (who were good) than the good dancers who looked bland.</p>
<p>Then they teach you the combo. The actual steps werent hard, but the rythms and style were. Mine was a spanish themed dance, and everything was syncopated. They wanted to see who could handle a tough rythm, instead of who could kick the highest.</p>
<p>My song and mono was in a room with one woman. She ddint cut off either of my songs, or my monos. Afterwards we talked for about ten minutes. Try to sound diverse, cultured, and into academics, even if you arent exactly a picture of these qualities. It's waht they are looking for! </p>
<p>It's a great audition, a good experience. I did get into CAP21, but expenses prevented me from going. Break a leg! and do some fun raisin!</p>
<p>Hey all,
I don't know if everyone has been keep updated on the Tisch website, but the song requirements have change. Where they used to ask for 2 minutes or less of each song it now specifies that each song be 32 bars. I just wanted to make sure everyone caught wind of this so they could make cuts and things before audition dates for early decision. </p>
<pre><code> Ciao,
Mitch
</code></pre>
<p>wow thanks mitch...that kinda sucks though...but im glad i know</p>
<p>I definitely understand some of your comments about the way the auditions are set up; it is consistantly a challange to make it work better. The thing I think is most important to remember is Tisch has to audition almost 3000 students every year, 1000 of which are for CAP21 alone. The size of the program makes it extremely difficult to cater the auditors for each audition. I know it's confusing, but the faculty members at CAP21 are employed directly through CAP and not through Tisch, and Tisch runs the auditions so there is really no way to have them at the auditions. Although it may be of little comfort, each auditor has to go through a ton of training to be able to audition students and must sit with an existing auditor for a year before they are allowed to audition students. I know the member of the costume faculty you spoke of, and she has been involved with acting and musical theatre for 20+ years, in a lot of different regards. She is an extremely good judge of talent. All of your comments are definitely interesting, and I would strongly encourage you to contact Tisch with your critiques.</p>
<p>Wonder....I don't need to contact Tisch because I like the program and my daugther is enthusiastically entering it! I commented about how it was run in order to familiarize others who will come next. I went to 8 BFA auditions and saw quite a lot of variation as to how they were done. Some of the drawbacks to the Tisch audition were being discussed a LOT by all the students and parents present. I believe, from talking to a CAP21 student who is entering her fourth year, whom I know quite well, that CAP is aware of some of these "problems" with the auditions, and there is a bit of discussion on how to improve it.</p>
<p>I realize that they have way more audition kids then most schools but I still believe that some of the things I mentioned COULD be changed. CMU told us they auditioned 1200 kids for the BFA program. At their audition, there was an info. session. They had current students available to talk with. The director of the program was involved in the auditions. Voice faculty judged the vocal part of the audition. Acting faculty judged the monologues. The director heard both with my kid anyway. She was seen by two different voice faculty (two diff. rooms) and two different acting faculty inc. the director (two diff. rooms). Most schools had a vocal warm up or space where you could do so. Most schools included dance as part of the audition too. At other programs, the info. session was beyond the very basics. Some schools had a Q and A, including some student reps as part of it. Most of the schools had audition rooms not adjacent to those, including parents, waiting on the other side of the door. Every school had a piano accompaniest, not CDs, as musical auditions usually go. Every school had MORE than one person judging the audition....either two (or more) in the room or one for one aspect of the audition and one for another, but not just one person who judged it all with no checks and balances. Also, at every school, the judges all saw the same kids who they could discuss later (as opposed to different judges seeing different kids and not overlapping). NONE of these things were the case at the Tisch audition. By the way, my D did not have the costume faculty person, but had the ETW auditor who was very nice. I think these things might be something for Tisch to consider. </p>
<p>It helps to have voice faculty judging voice, at least as perceived by those auditioning. It helps to have both faculty and current students in the program available at the audition, in both the presentation and for just chatting with. I don't quite get if ETW or Meisner faculty can do the audition, why CAP faculty cannot. Aren't these other folks from studios too? It helps for those auditioning to think that more than one person is judging them for checks/balance and that all the judges saw everyone, not some with you but some saw others, because every judge has different perspective and has not seen everyone to compare. It helps to have a place to warm up your voice. It helps to have a sitting area for the parents and students who are waiting. It helps to have the noise of that in either direction (the auditionees hearing the people in the waiting area or adjacent rooms practicing or the waiting people to hear the people auditioning) apart from one another. It is better to have piano accompaniment because that is how auditions in musical theater work and might as well do the way the kids will have to do it in the future, let alone have done in the past. It helps to have a little info. session that goes beyond going over the 8 studios (as is on the website anyway and kids should know before arriving). For many students, this might be their only visit to the school. For Tisch, this was NOT our only one but I am sure it was for some. But at some schools, it was our only visit and we did learn a lot in the info. session the directors of the program ran for those present, along with current students. </p>
<p>I don't really need to talk to Tisch about this because it does not matter to me if they change a thing. Actually, I am pretty sure they have heard ALL of this before because it really was not my PERSONAL opinion. I heard everyone there remarking the very same things that contrasted with the other auditions that they had attended. From chatting about it with current students ,they have acknowledged these perceived issues and that CAP is trying to address them. They must realize that those auditioning for CAP are also auditioning elsewhere and so are comparing the experience. For us, we did NOT judge the program based on the audition day (thankfully) as you can see because my D loves it and is going! I think people need to delve into the program ITSELF and not preconceived ideas from the way the audition is run or organized or they will miss out on great or appropriate programs. But I am cognizant that SOME people will walk away with judgements based on this one day and after having attended various other audition days, will compare. That is why Tisch might want to visit this issue because their day contrasted with some others. To be fair, there were "problems" at other BFA program audition days too! I could tell you that I thought Emerson's audition was not run quite as well and won't bore you with the details as this was about Tisch right now. I could group the best run auditions, fairly run ones, not so good run ones. It is NOT the same way I would necessarily order the PROGRAMS, that is my point. </p>
<p>I think it helps those who audition the following year, to get accounts of experiences from those who went through it and that was my only intention here because we benefitted greatly from the wonderful folks on this forum who were so willing to share about their experiences the years before my own kid went through this process. </p>
<p>I also feel I can fairly discuss the audition day at CAP because while I gave some of the "negatives" about it, I am someone who is gung ho on the school and program because my child has opted to go and we are excited and happy about it so are not down on Tisch in the LEAST! I think discussing the audition day is meant for those who will go through it to know what to expect but also to have a discussion as to what makes a good audition day, and what could be better. Also, the audition set up at every school differed SO much. I could do this same exact run down of the seven others but won't take the time. </p>
<p>It would be great if Tisch did look at these impressions that SO many had that day (it was really a topic in the waiting rooms). It helps to get feedback as I am sure they would want to keep improving the set up. It is a GREAT program and I am definitely a supporter of it, make no mistake. I do think the audition day had some things that could be better, that was all.</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>PS, just want to add that I likely would not share this with Tisch because my days of being a parent involved in school kinda ends once my kids start college....they are on their own and really it is not my place to get involved unless there is some big problem (hope not) that cannot be worked out that would need a parent but in general, I can't see parents being involved in school much in college! And, as I mentioned, I don't truly CARE how they do the auditions enough to ever say anything because we are done them. It is merely feedback amidst a discussion on this topic. I just pay the bills at this point, lol.</p>
<p>I definitely appreciate your comments and critiques, and do think it will be very valuable for other parents and students planning on auditioning for the school. The hard part of comparing the auditions for our program to that of CMU is obviously that they are very different programs with different setup. In regards to Tisch, some of the acting studios (there are 11 in total) are professional training studios that operate independantly of NYU and although they are under Tisch's jursidiction and work very closely with the school, they hire their own faculty and run their own programs. CAP21 is one of these, while ETW and Meisner are Tisch programs only and are administered by Tisch. The blessing of this setup is that Tisch can accomodate a much larger number of students in a wide array of programs, styles, techniques, etc. The curse is that because CAP21 and other independant studio faculty members are working for CAP and are not employed by Tisch or NYU, they do not audition students. Tisch is unique in this regard, as I believe most other university programs are university-only, so obviously there are unique issues. I do want to thank you for taking the time to write all of that, especially since you are no longer affected by it. A lot of the same issues come up every year, but it helps to hear directly from the parents and students on ways to improve the process. I printed out your email and will be passing along your suggestions to members of the Tisch administration (minus identifying names). Thanks!</p>