<p>Which school has a better rep for theatrical design aka. tech: NYU or CMU?</p>
<p>And by theatrical design I mean set design, lighting, stage management etc.</p>
<p>Forgive me for being the first to say this, but prestige should probably not enter heavily into your decision as to which program to attend. Instead, examine the curriculum and opportunities presented by each program. :)</p>
<p>I would have to agree with NMR on this one. </p>
<p>Also, considering that this is an MT-specific board, I'd be surprised if many of the people who post here would have much idea about the technical theatre aspects of those specific schools anyway. You may be asking the wrong audience. Listen to NMR (wise advice for ANYONE:)), and research the two programs thoroughly! Also, do what you can to talk to students who currently attend. That's far more important than "prestige."</p>
<p>Both are very strong programs. At NYU in what studio is the undergraduate design program housed? NYU Tisch is very well known for it's graduate design programs... I am not sure if it is as well known for undergraduate because of the undergraduate studio system.</p>
<p>CMU has a very structured undergraduate design program.</p>
<p>I agree with what is said above -- I think you need to examine the programs at these two schools, also the environment -- Pittsburgh is a very different city than NYC, the campus environemnts are different as well.</p>
<p>I think you have two very strong schools to choose between, you need to figure out which program feels like the right fit for you.</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK!</p>
<p>I completely agree with NotMamaRose, TiffW and KatMT that the focus should not be on which school is "better" or which is more "prestigious" but rather on examining which program best suits what you are seeking in a degree program, as well as a college. </p>
<p>I do wish to clarify something Kat brought up about NYU/Tisch. Studying theater tech as a major is not within one of the acting studios (though Playwrights Horizons offers some). Rather, Tisch has a studio just for Technical Production! Below is some information (though I realize the OP would know this but others are reading here and Kat brought that up and so here is the information about Tisch's Tech Track studio.....)</p>
<p>
[quote]
The Technical Production Track is a studio in the Undergraduate Drama Department of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Its mission is to teach the production aspects of the theatre.</p>
<p>The Technical Production Track trains Undergraduate Designers, Managers and Technicians. Students graduate from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Drama with a BFA in Theatre.</p>
<p>The Technical Production Track is one of eleven studios in the Drama Department.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Recently, I saw the mainstage musical, Only Children, at Tisch, as my D was in it. I was amazed to see that the Scenic Designer, the Costume Designer, the Lighting Designer and the Sound Designer were all students (from the Tech Track studio)! I had assumed these components were done by faculty. These elements of the show were very very good. The Scenic Designer also did the sets for a show my D was in NYC last summer. You can see photos of the mainstage show, Only Children on Tisch's Tech Track site, as samples of their work (along with galleries of other shows they have designed). </p>
<p>Examine the curriculum and design opportunities at each school. Only you can tell which best fits your needs, desires, and interests. Both schools and drama departments are excellent.</p>
<p>Thanks Soozie... I wasn't sure how they handled the technical production and design within the "studio system"... that makes a lot of sense, I couldn;t really think of a "technical studio" in NYC.</p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying!</p>
<p>Thanks everybody for the comments. I actually visited both this week, but I was hoping this question would prompt some discussion of both programs from an outside point of view. I would have posted on a set design major board if there was one, unfortunately, this is the nest best thing. </p>
<p>Can anyone give me any feedback on the programs, either from an outside perspective or from someone in one of those programs?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I realize there is no forum for this but I think your best bet is to ask specific questions to current students IN the programs. I don't think we have current students in those tech tracks at CMU or Tisch participating here. It is far more beneficial to talk to those with first hand experience (or maybe the parents of such students) than to go by heresay of those outside the programs. </p>
<p>Both schools are good. If you have SPECIfIC questions, rather than "which is better, X or Y school", that is also better to ask. I am not sure in this case, if anyone would know the specific answers. I much prefer to see questions that are phrased in such a way that articulates what your college selection criteria may be and then ask if X school meets that criteria. In any case, members here may not be familiar enough with those tracks at those two schools but if you frame it with specific questions, that is more useful. Explain what you are looking for and ask if the school seems to fit that criteria or not. Of course, on your visits, some of those things you should have been able to determine.</p>
<p>That said, I think you may wish to list all you know about each program and university, along with your pros/cons about it, and compare them (including the curricula at each) and then see which one more closely aligns with your personal college selection criteria that you should have had when searching for schools. Then, since you fortunately visited both, think about gut intuition and which school you preferred. Neither school is better. You may even like both about the same. If you do like them the same, then move to some pickier criteria like location and also go with your gut.</p>
<p>Which school has a better rate for career placement for design?Anybody know?</p>
<p>It depends on the person, just because a school has a high rate or doesn't has no reflection on you.</p>
<p>VISIT the schools.
Look at the cities they are in.</p>
<p>They are both good programs.</p>
<p>But are either worth taking about 50k in loans for 4 years? I also got into UCLA and USC which are both much cheaper. any ideas?</p>
<p>If you'll be taking $50k a year out in loans, then go somewhere else! That is a ridiculous amount of debt for an undergradate degree and you will probably NEVER pay it off unless you hit the lottery. Go to UCLA or USC if they're a cheaper alternative. Job placement in tech is really about who you know! You'll find this by interning at various theatre companies in any city really. You don't hear of someone getting "discovered" in the theatre tech industry. You're gonna have to work your way up in regional, off-off Broadway, etc. </p>
<p>You can always go to grad school after receiving your undergrad degree.</p>
<p>It is 50k total in loans after graduating all 4 years. I would have to pay $500 a month to pay it off for 10 years. Does that sound a little more reasonable?</p>
<p>It's definitely a lot more reasonable, but $500 a month is still going to be extremely difficult for someone in your career to manage. Also don't forget about the interest which will probably make the loan cost probably double the amount. You can't assume that you're going to make enough money to survive and pay off that debt immediately upon graduation. </p>
<p>I'm sure one of the mothers on here will be able to weigh in on this better than I can. I still think you should go somewhere cheaper but if you've decided on it, then go where your heart tells you!</p>
<p>I'm not following the math here as all those schools you mentioned would cost between 140-200K+ so I assume someone is paying the rest or you have scholarships, aid or grants? Here's my advice, pick the one you absolutely LOVE and go there, 50K in loans is not much for top tier schools like those. If you are not 100 percent certain that this is what you want to do the rest of your life then go with the least expensive option.</p>
<p>It is $500 with interest included. Thanks for the advice, ActressToBe. </p>
<p>So my question is, if I went to UCLA and did not go into debt...is it worth it? I think i might do well once I get out. I have only been doing this for a year and a half and have already been hired by both the Geffen and the Kirk Douglas theatre. Good sign?</p>
<p>I am a mom of a senior design major at Carnegie Mellon. She wants to work in the film industry here is LA. During her years there, she has had the opportunity to meet and workshop with some major Hollywood designers. She has worked on several theater and film projects each year and is looking forward to the senior showcase, where the students meet with professionals in Los Angeles and New York to show their portfolios. She has a working knowledge of all aspects of theater design, as well as dramatic literature and analysis. Students are required to study a year of lighting design, as well as have a major concentration and a secondary concentration. We have hosted her fellow students during the summer and have been impressed with their talent and enthusiasm. I also work in the film industry and believe that the networking opportunities cultivated in the program make it worth every dollar. Considering how competitive the arts are, every advantage is worthwhile. Many alumni are working on films and shows, and are very supportive of graduates because they know the high level of professional training and work ethic one must have to succeed at CMU. I graduated from UCLA, and while their graduate school offers professional advantages, the undergrad program was largely academic, but that was many years ago and may be different now. I actually steered my D to CMU because I felt it would provide a much better chance of professional success.</p>
<p>Both schools have great reps. I repreat what others have said- a visit to each school is needed. My son chose CMU over NY for the following reasons:
Liked the curriculum at CMU- more courses (BFA wise) in theatre- NYU believes you should have more of a liberal arts background.
NYU doesn't have it's own theatre, I believe. They rent the theatres when needed.
CMU physical environment is newer, larger, and has more equipment.
I asked about post-graduation support systems (many colleges have set up support systems in LA and Chicago etc. w/ websites and networking opportunities for jobs. ). CMU has some, I was told NYU didn't.</p>
<p>I am sure someone else can make an equally compelling case FOR NYU. Designers need more of a liberal arts background, don't need your own theatre when you're surrounded by them, equipment is rented when needed etc. and of course: location, location, location....</p>
<p>I love the fact that each college is different. There's no one-size-fits-all mentality!</p>
<p>NYU does, in fact, apparently have networking/support systems set up to help those graduating make the leap into the job market.</p>