@FourStars I also wanted to add that the access Tisch gives to their students to NYC casting agents and managers in their senior year through weekly showcases is a very valuable asset and goes a long way in helping set them up as working actors once they graduate. The connections the students make with their professors and teachers (who are all working actors, producers and directors in NY and LA) provide invaluable networking opportunities. One of my daughter’s teachers has already recommended her for 3 different acting jobs and she landed one of them. Other BFA programs do offer showcases and networking opportunities, but at NYU these occur on a daily basis because these people live and work in NYC.
Good article! Unfortunately if D follows the trend I will have to make my break from the nursing home in order to see her! Ha!
I observe that the negative feedback about NYU/Tisch is typically from those who do not attend. I don’t know the reason why some people bash schools that they have no personal affiliation with. All I can say is that my D loved her experiences at NYU/Tisch and I think it was a great fit for her. Her education has served her well. It is an expensive school, true. My D had a significant four year scholarship there. But even without it, I do not think that this particular school is overpriced (well, I think a college education in this country is overpriced generally speaking).
The notion of Tisch producing “cookie cutter kids,” honestly makes me laugh out loud. It is so far from what I have observed there! It is like the complete opposite of the reality. For one thing, Tisch has various studios with all different approaches. Many kids even study in more than one studio during their four years at NYU. NYU/Tisch also accepts such a diverse looking group of students, who don’t even look alike at all. But the proof, to me, is in the wide range of skill sets and direction that I have seen my D’s peers going into after they have graduated this school. Her peer group includes a LOT of people who have gone onto great success in just a few years, and in such a wide variety of capacities and genres. She has countless classmates who have been on Broadway (many in lead roles), Off Broadway, starred on national tours, recorded their own record albums and perform in significant concert venues, starred in movies and on TV, started/written/starred in their own successful TV shows, choreographed on Broadway, directed shows, musically directed, work as producers, perform sketch comedy, written their own plays and musicals that have been produced (and in many cases, commissioned), and started their own theater companies. It is not as if every single person is performing in musicals in the chorus (nothing wrong with that either, but that is what I think of with “cookie cutter”).
You ask what matters most, audition prep or summer experience. I don’t think it is an either/or type of thing. Summer experiences (like the one you describe) are invaluable, worthwhile, and enjoyable. Audition prep has to happen at some point, but it doesn’t preclude the opportunity to attend a summer program. My D went to a summer program for 6 weeks. She prepped for her auditions during the school year.
My personal issue with Tisch is the way the relationship with Cap 21 was handled. I know you can’t get the full story from the outside but it looks ugly from the outside. Many of the success stories quoted came out of that studio before the split.
@soozievt I am so happy that your D’s experience at NYU has been the same as mine (as you can see from my comment above). I agree with you that most negativity I hear about Tisch is from people who don’t go there! I feel like I am on the defensive so often and it makes no sense to me given the rankings of the school and the success of its graduates. Apparently we who have kids at Tisch need to stick together! LOL (and the people who listen to all the negatives are truly missing out!)
@Macsdreams as you said it is impossible to know the story of the split between Tisch and Cap 21 from the outside and so I would not defend either side. But even if it looks ugly from the outside it happened years ago and is not a reflection of the school today. In addition, Cap21 was only one of the six studios housed at Tisch and although they had many success stories, the other studios all have had their own success stories and continue to do so. Unfortunately, I do not know of any university that remains unscathed by mishandling of certain situations. It is important to look at the school in its current situation and the opportunities it provides to your student currently when making a decision about where they should attend.
Audition prep is important but at NYU grades and especially test scores count as well. Make sure you don’t overlook that because a great audition alone won’t get you in. My daughter is at Tisch and many of her very talented friends were passed up because they thought they would be the exception to the academic requirements and would knock them out with talent.
@jbtcat My daughter is a junior at Stone Street and loves it too! I wonder if they know each other!
I have said it for years - NYU is SO different from other BFA programs (size and variety being the key differences) - and a lot of people assume that different is bad. But if you look at the list currently posted on the theater forum http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1975970-20-something-actors-theatre-drama-acting-degrees-and-pilot-season.html#latest … (or any playbill on Bway, b/c it’s really rare to see one without an NYU grad) you will see that they must be doing something that works
@samigaga that’s so funny. My daughter is a senior but she might know your daughter! I’m happy to hear that your daughter loves it as well. I have not heard of any other program like the one that Stonestreet offers for film and tv students.
@toowonderful once again I agree with you!
@jbtcat and @samigaga - my D is doing stonestreet next semester… did your girls do one semester or two?
There is no question that Tisch continues to produce quality graduates. It is just another piece of the puzzle when questions about reputation are asked. I think it also speaks to the quality of Cap 21 that it survived the split and is thriving with its new partnership with Molloy.
I agree that Cap 21 is an excellent program and I think Molloy is lucky to have them as a partner.
@toowonderful My daughter did it for her whole senior year. She felt the training first semester was excellent and she learned skills she really needed to know in order to pursue acting in film and tv (very different than acting in theater) and then she stayed for her second semester hoping that she will continue to make connections for after she graduates.
You can’t overlook the fact that learning how to navigate the business after graduation is extremely important. Most programs really just gloss over that. If NYU is exposing kids to professional auditions and networking connections while they are in school that may well be worth the money alone. We did not apply there since we are from NY and my D has had an agent and been working professionally since she was 9, but for kids who don’t have that, making the transition from college to pro is really hard.
@BeBop1 That is a really good point. One of the things that really stood out to me about Hartt when we attended the meeting with the directors prior to my D’s auditions is how they make the point that they are not just training these young people for talent, but also for a business where they will to quote Alan Rust be “CEOs of their own companies”. They are the product and marketing, finance, job creation all fall under the umbrella of responsibility as they steer their own ship.I think it is imperative that this concept is included as part of the training and I was super happy as a parent that Hartt recognizes the importance or this part of the training.
@samigaga so True about grades for all schools. NYU expects kids to have high GPA and SATs, just like for their other programs. We found that all schools offered my high-stat D much more merit money than her peers. She received talent scholarships AND money based on her stats. She received twice as much as her current roommate. Their talent portion was the same, but academic was very different. I always tell parents of performing arts kids to pay attention to grades, APs, etc., because it will pay off. Some of these kids believe focusing on PA is enough. I think the benefit of attending a school like NYU is that you are surrounded by overachievers and forced to compete, which makes you better. That’s probably my D’s biggest complaint at her school. Sorry to dis but she has said, “some of these kids are so dumb.”
Fascinating conversation and insights. Any thoughts from the experts on how well Northwestern does at preparing kids for the business side of the house?
It might be a good new thread - How do schools prepare students for the real world?
At OCU - they have terrific spring break programs in both NYC and LA. Students take a variety of classes from current Broadway performers, directors, casting agents and managers. These can range from learning dance combos, to what makes a good headshot, to how to secure representation, all about equity, etc… i don’t know specifics about the LA trip but it has more to do with film and tv. A OCUNYC, They also have social get togethers with current alums living in NYC (alums can still take part in classes if they want for $10-$15 per class). The program until this year was free to any OCU student This year there was a nominal $100 fee to participate. They will also help you find a place to stay with alums if you don’t already have a place to stay. D has been 3 out of 4 years and has learned a lot and made great connections.
Another thing OCU kids do - Lots of kids train and work in NYC during the summers which is also great experience. They learn to find housing via Gypsy Housing or other sources, train at places like BDC, the Rockettes, etc… or work for casting agents or social media publicists. The options are many.
Like many schools, OCU routinely brings in actors, directors and agents for master classes as well on campus throughout the year.
I do wish they’d have more classes about the costs, how to do taxes, etc…
Syracuse has their Tepper semester that helps prepare kids for life in NYC
I’d love to hear what other non-city schools do to prepare these kids for life after college.
Certainly living in the city for college is one way to prepare for that life. But it’s not the only way. What does your school do?
@samigaga is Stonestreet one of the studios at Tisch?