<p>Does anyone have any opinions or other information regarding how well the NY Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (The</a> School for Film and Television Acting Schools) is regarded in the acting / theater community? They formerly were the School for Film and Television. Their web site says that they audition (or at least take a look at) about 4000 kids and accept about 180.</p>
<p>I, too, would be interested in feedback about this program, as several young people I know have been accepted into it, including a young lady who also was told that nearly 4000 kids audition and only 180 are accepted. That sure seems like a lot of people auditioning!</p>
<p>It looks like the school attends a number of events where they could see a lot of kids at a time, such as thespian conferences, acting competitions and even modeling competitions. I'd be amazed if they actually do 4000 individual auditions, but I certainly don't know for sure. Our daughter was contacted after a state conference to arrange a "call back" audition. </p>
<p>They offer a 2-year program, and affiliations with a couple of colleges to provide a route toward a full degree. I'm particularly curious as to whether they've got the same kind of reputation as AMDA (i.e., with some good and some not so good aspects).</p>
<p>From what I hear, they offer some kids a good bit of scholarship money to attend.</p>
<p>My D got calls constantly from them after the Georgia Thespian last year. It makes you wonder if they are having to recruit that hard. She did get majority of "call backs" but not literal phone calls, except for them and AMDA. Somehow she felt better about taking the "college degree" route. </p>
<p>NotMamaRose....I am new to this site but you are extremely helpful. I may have seen you at Chicago unifieds and so sorry I was ignorant of this site then. However, thanks for all the posts and information. Actually makes me feel good about the route we took and my D's information. Now the endless waiting....</p>
<p>poohie57, thanks for saying that something I have said was helpful to you! :) By this time, I have been hanging 'round CC for awhile (mostly on the MT threads, but also here, as I have a kid who does both musical theater and straight acting) and have learned a lot from the amazing people here. My D actually did not audition at the Chicago Unifieds: she (along with me) was at the New York City version in very early February.
Re: the endless waiting. Oh, yeah. My kid has one more audition in early March and then it's all waiting .... a friend told me that the stress of waiting is worse than the stress involved (including travel, etc.) in auditioning, and I don't doubt it. But I have to say that the nice people here (all of whom understand what each other is going through) helps A LOT. Unless one has a kid going through this, it's tough to understand, isn't it? That's why it's so nice to have this forum. Best of luck to you and your D. :) I am sure you will have lots of good news to post by the time all is said and done.</p>
<p>NotMamaRose
just sent you a pm. Hope that is okay
Thanks for the good wishes. She only did 5 auditions but that is what she wanted. And no one understands except those going through it. A lot of her friends have all been accepted into their 1st choices, (all Southern) and so the waiting seems longer. Her good friend, a guy, also auditioned for some of the same colleges, only in MT. They have each other at least!</p>
<p>I will be auditioning for them in Atlanta in March...it's my first choice school. The teachers look really good and the curriculum/time frame is exactly what I'm looking for since I am no longer interested in a degree for now.</p>
<p>Has the School for Film and Television changed its curriculum to include an emphasis on stage acting, rather than focusing solely on acting for film and TV? I ask because there is clearly a difference between acting for live theater and acting for film.</p>
<p>I would share your concern, nmr, about the curriculum. The website still clearly states that it is a School of Film and Television. If someone is interested in a two year conservatory type program in NYC, why not focus on places like Neighborhood Playhouse or City in the Square or AADA, all of which are theatre schools, not film and tv? I would also be highly skeptical of the claims of 4000 auditions, and the phone calls would be raising a red flag for me.</p>
<p>The other thing that concerns me (for aspiring stage actors) is that some people who are really in the know about theater training programs and college level BFA and BA programs have told me that they had never heard of this school, and expressed surprise that the school is telling students that they see 4,000 hopefuls and only chose 180. If my D were looking at non college programs, I would urge her to look at (as alwayamom said) Neighborhood Playhouse, Circle in the Square or AADA. On the other hand, perhaps it is a very good place providing solid training.</p>
<p>lilchickyfromthe, it's great to hear from someone in the program and it's wonderful that you like it so much. I think that some kids and parents here just feel that the "direct marketing" approach (getting unsolicited phone calls from a program) can feel (depending on how they are done) as if a school/program is trying to scrounge up business. But again, great that you like the program.</p>
<p>NMR: This may just be re-answering some of your questions, but from reading the course descriptions, it appears they do cover stage concepts as well, though Film/TV is the main focus. I think it is fairly unknown in the theatre world because most of their students do not go into theatre upon graduation. So yeah, if your kid wants to do stage I would probably go elsewhere.</p>
<p>I auditioned for them yesterday. Auditions began at 8 AM and I arrived at 9. I was #15. They were going to be there until 2, so they probably saw about 50 - 60 people, though some of the people I talked to were only auditioning for summer. I auditioned for the founder and artistic director of the school(scary, much?). My audition went great as far as I can tell, so now I should find out in about a week or two.</p>
<p>Best wishes, twilight! As I said above, I know several kids who have auditioned for that program and all of them have gotten in.</p>
<p>My daughter is considering Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre -- this is a good school? Does anyone know about the training here?</p>
<p>Kathy, I have no specific info, but I do know NP has an excellent rep.</p>
<p>Hello, </p>
<p>I am new here & I was wondering what the "Chicago Unifides" were?</p>
<p>Ginny, a number of college/university level BFA programs each year send representatives to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles to audition kids. This is called the National Unified Auditions, and it gives kids a chance to audition for various programs in one or a few centralized locations, rather than having to travel around to individual colleges. You can Google "National Unified Auditions" and find the website, which explains more about which programs are represented and so on. You can also go to the Musical Theatre threads on this forum and read more about the Unifieds there.</p>
<p>Ok the New York Conservatory it probably one of the best places that any actor could want to attend. The teachers are astonishingly experienced and talented. They along with the students help create a very supportive environment for anyone out there on their way to becoming and actor. I attended a four week summer program there and it was honestly one of the best things I have ever been involned with. With their school in the heart of Manhatten and the dorm room( The St.George) placed in Brooklyn heights, gives a very rich and entertaining environment. The neighborhood that the dorm is placed helps to keep the cost of living down. Generally groceries are a little more expensive in the city as oppose to Brooklyn. Furthermore there are so many places to see a vist that completly take your breath away. I say this to anyone wanting to become an actor. Do not overlook the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts</p>
<p>Hello</p>
<p>My messege is for lilchickyfromthe. I'm auditioning this upcoming december for thr two year program, and I just have to ask...... do you have any tips on how I should go about auditioning for my monologues? I have two dramtic monologues and I just want your advice because i've been hearing great reviews about this school and I really want to get in.</p>