We’re from NJ, and my son is interested in either Stage Management or Technical Theater (with either a Stage Management or a lighting/sound concentration). He’s in a specialized HS doing a Tech Theater concentration currently.
The question we’re wondering is if proximity to NY matters as much as “random friends that don’t really know anything” keep telling us. For example - if he gets into SUNY Purchase, Rutgers Mason Gross, or Ball State… is Ball State worse because it’s out in Indiana? All three of those programs look great, but would it be better to stay near NYC? Even if the cost difference is ~10k/year cheaper to go to Ball State (or some other schools not in the tri-state area).
The biggest advice to anyone in the arts, whether it’s acting or Tech, is not to go into huge debt for college. So if you find a program that has great training AND is affordable, go for it! Being in NYC can be helpful in making connections, but not to the point where it’s advisable to take out crippling student loans. Get great training, and then come to New York and start building those connections.
@Schadret my D graduated recently with a tech theatre degree from Purdue and immediately found professional work (in NY state) - as did her friends in tech theatre (in other states as well as in IN). From her experience I would say that the professional connections of your professors matter more than proximity to any one urban area. In addition to her on-campus work she had fantastic internships and summer jobs and those opportunities came from having professors who were well-connected and interested in fostering their students’ careers. If Ball State (or any other TT dept) has a program where your S is guaranteed to get hands-on work on campus and professors who will mentor him, help him build a network in the tech theatre community and get some work experience while he is still a student he’ll do fine upon graduation.
I generally agree with @actorparent1 about debt but I will say the techies seem to have an easier time getting full-time professional and bill-paying work than the actors.
My older D went to school in Indiana for tech, moved to NYC, and has been constantly employed due to connections via her professors (and with other alums from her school).
Plus, she has no student loan debt, which means “bill-paying work” is a broader term for her.
Inexpensive Midwestern schools can be a great choice!
Thanks for all the info! Obviously the near-NYC schools tout it as a huge benefit (better contacts, internships in NY, visits from Broadway people) but wanted to ask people that have experience.