Musical Theater where it's lesser known

<p>For those who have read my posts before on this forum, I am not complaining this time! lol. I simply have a question or two:</p>

<p>Compared to top knotch programs like Point Park (which is 10 mins from my house...not that that's relevant or anything lol,) carnegie mellon, or NYU, how does Tulane University's MT program compare? </p>

<p>I do know you learn in a liberal arts environment for Tulane, but for nyu and the others, you learn strictly STRICTLY Musical Theater, which appeals to me more than lac. I am enrolling at Tulane so I need to know if it's an adequate program (I have a drive for mt more so than music, say, just because i do!) </p>

<p>Any input would be very appreciated! Thanks</p>

<p>Jeremy, just to clarify, NYU/Tisch's program is not strictly Musical theater or conservatory. Students also have liberal arts requirements. They do conservatory three days per week and liberal arts two days per week. Students have the option to even minor in another subject and while difficult, a few even double major. The BFA is not like a BA but it definitely involves some liberal arts as do several BFA programs.</p>

<p>I think you haven't gotten much response about Tulane in the past, because there just doesn't happen to be anyone on here who knows much about it.</p>

<p>However, I believe that there are MANY schools around which may be hidden gems, and don't have name recognition beyond their area, but where students can get superb training and be competitive in MT.</p>

<p>I don't know a lot about Tulane's program; NOLAmom does and we've both chimed in previously. But I did live in New Orleans for 7 years in the mid-80s. I would not necessarily consider Tulane's program to be in the same league as the others mentioned. The school's strengths really are in prep for Medicine, Law, MBA, and similar professions. The focus was really on the lac angle. I don't recall if it is audition-based or not. I believe MT is through the music program rather than the theater program.</p>

<p>Tulane does host a separately managed Summer Lyric Theater that has been around for 30 years or more. Typically brings in a couple of headliner professionals and then college-level performers from around the country as well as local amateur talent.</p>

<p>The biggest question to me would be the overall situation in New Orleans itself. Overall the region continues to recover from Katrina, albeit slowly. Jefferson Parish is doing pretty good. Orleans Parish which is the City itself is a bit dicier but getting better every day.</p>

<p>My advice still stands, Jeremy. First you really need to figure out what you want to do. I can tell you are getting closer but you still are asking the kinds of questions that point to some big uncertainties for someone starting in 2-4 weeks. It's probably best to just dive in and give Tulane a chance. Get some basic courses out of the way. Decide if you like the environment. Understand and assess their program; by mid-Fall you will know if it is going to work or if you need to work on transfer alternatives and if that turns out to be the case you'll really have to start moving quickly. The only other option would be to lay out a term or a year and really figure out what the right answer is.</p>

<p>If I recall correctly (and please excuse me if I'm mistaken, because I haven't gone back to look at your original posts and refresh my memory) you ended up choosing Tulane mainly because you had just picked a couple of schools without much research and then gotten accepted and chose one...or something similar. That probably has a lot to do with why you still have so many questions. As you read these threads you will see that one common thread is that the various posters are doing a LOT of research to find the right school and are starting soph or jr year in HS.</p>

<p>I hope this doesn't sound too harsh, I truly don't mean it to be. One of the things so great about this community is that everyone celebrates each others triumphs and helps pick up and dust off the ones that are having a tougher time. We truly do want to help out!!!</p>

<p>JeremyBeach
Although I live in the New Orleans area and my daughter recently graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, I am not familiar with the Tulane MT program. I know of one girl that is attending Tulane for MT this fall and she is very talented. She has been active in New Orleans Theatre for years. As mentioned in earlier posts, Tulane puts on three musicals each summer in their Summer Lyric program. The productions are excellent, and draws from local as well as National Talent. Students attending NYU and CCM are often cast as well as students from Tulane, Loyola and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. I also know one professor (acting) at Tulane and he is a wonderful actor and director so I imagine that he is a great teacher as well. Theatre in New Orleans is thriving and there are many opportunies for students to be cast in local productions. New Orleans is a great city, but be prepared---it is hot as heck down here---I hope you have an air conditioned dorm. PM me if you have any questions about the city etc.</p>