<p>Do you want to audition professionally? My daughter chose Pace for that reason (and also for the great feeling she got at the audition) and absolutely loves it. The plus for me was that Pace is not a conservatory and academics go along with the training. </p>
<p>Good luck deciding!</p>
<p>HawaiiDancerBoy - CMU is a “trade school,” one of the best in the world IMHO, but still a trade school. Most conservatory type schools are. </p>
<p>I would not put too much weight on what that student told prntosome, you have no idea at all of the source, but I would agree that NYU is generally more rigorous than Pace from an academic viewpoint. (To prove my point about the source, my daughter recently told me that her NYU Tisch friend was bragging over winter break that she failed most of her academic classes but they were so impressed with her ability in her acting classes that they’ll let it slide. I know this source so I know that’s not the case, especially since I’m good friends with her mother and she hasn’t said anything about that, just that she was having a bit of trouble in one dance class and I think she got a B in it.)</p>
<p>Honestly, reading all you’ve written, it sounds like you really like Pace, don’t worry what others say, they have no idea at all when it comes to colleges in this field. Honestly, my daughter turned down Yale for Northwestern, try explaining THAT to people who don’t know!</p>
<p>About the “auditioning professionally” while at Pace…when D auditioned for Pace we met a Sophomore male MT student who was from California. He told us that he chose Pace because of the ability to stay in the professional world as an actor. (he was a working teen actor with an agent in Hollywood…even had a part on a Disney channel show for a bit) When we asked him what he had auditioned for professionally since he had been at Pace, he said he hadn’t. His main reason was because the BFA program was so intense, there just wasn’t time. So I am not sure that’s a good reason to choose Pace. The program is excellent, and definitely a rising gem, but the professional audition option isn’t always a reality for students. Some of the students (and this is the wonderful thing about the Pace audition…there are tons of current students there who mingle with the parents while we are waiting and answer questions and give honest answers) mentioned that the part of NYC Pace is located in (near the financial district and the Brooklyn Bridge) is not a “happening” place. But it’s a short subway ride from a lot of pretty awesome entertainment.</p>
<p>Of course, I can’t speak for the young man you mention, but my daughter and her friends audition professionally quite often. Those with agents average 2x a week and there are plenty of EPAs, ECCs and open calls. In addition Pace emails them auditioning/internship opportunities almost every day. This is in addition to their participation in Pace’s productions. Of course they have to pick and choose since they can’t always do everything. To give you an idea of the type of projects they are going in for, this week two of my daughter’s Pace friends auditioned for Sting. They made it to the final callback for the AEA reading of his new musical The Last Ship.</p>
<p>At Pace there indeed are “rowdy beer pong frat parties” ;). Since it is a small “vertical” campus, the sense of community is super strong because the student population is not very large. The friends you make and parties you go to will, ultimately, be up to you… if in your freshman year you branch out and make friends from other majors you will DEFINITELY be participating in “fun student activities… [and] Wacky themed school spirit days”! Some people like immersing themselves into their MT lives and spend all their time with the other MT’s going to the MT parties, seeing shows, and only doing other MT oriented things. We do throw some pretty awesome parties. Sometimes we have parties with other schools, too. So, it really depends on you but many different types of social life are available :).</p>
<p>Same goes with academics… it all depends on the classes you choose. If you like going to school, pick the classes that are taught by the incredible professors who also teach at Columbia and NYU. If you just want to slide by, check out RateMyProfessor.com and pick the easy teachers. From what friends at others schools have told me, this happens at more schools than not …</p>
<p>Strawhats are held at Pace every year and we do masterclasses with the head of the event in preparation. Quite a few regional theatres also come to Pace to fill their summer line ups and hold private auditions for the students. </p>
<p>AMEN to what MTTwinsinCA said “And as for people not knowing Pace, you might be hearing that from your non-theatre friends, but among the NYC MT crowd, it is very well-known.” Our Showcase was overcrowded with Industry folk, our shows end up being overcrowded with Industry folk, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into an audition and had conversations with the people behind the table about their friends that have worked at Pace or with Pace people and rave about the students.</p>
<p>I’m from Florida, it took me awhile but I eventually adjusted to the weather :). We all have to adjust some day, right?</p>
<p>The most important aspect about going to Pace for me was, not only the customized and individualized attention you get from the faculty, the amazing networking opportunities you get everyday, the amazing type of people in the department, the completely unstuffy essence of the program, but also the fact that NYC has become my home while I’ve been here. Most of my friends that move here to start pursuing their careers after graduation take quite a long while to adjust to the city. There’s nothing quite like “growing up” here, because that’s what you end up doing at any college, but it makes it really feel like home in a different way.</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have anymore specific questions!</p>
<p>Okay. Yep. Perfect. That put to rest all my hesitations and doubts. Sounds like the place for me. Pace here I come! : ) </p>
<p>Again, everyone, thanks for your help and input. I’m not sure you understand just how much your information and opinions really helped!</p>