My son is having a hard time deciding and we, the parents, are worried the glitz and glam of NYU Tisch accepted student day has clouded his judgment (we think he is leaning towards NYU). We are looking for sound advice about the three theater programs comparatively. Please help as he has to make his decision this week!!! Thanks!
Well first of all, does he want a BFA or BA? I am sure you have looked carefully at all the curriculums. Which one does he prefer? Have you visited all 3 schools? Which one felt like the right fit to him? These are only things that he (and you as a family) can decide upon. They are all great programs and all slightly different, but he has to choose which is the best fit for him. Best of luck in your decision.
He wants a BFA. This past weekend he spent an entire day at all three and was able to see a senior show at Marymount and Fordham and thought they were great. Right now I think he’s leaning towards NYU Tisch, but we have heard so much about the large size of that program and how he may get lost in the shuffle. We are aware of some of the details of the curriculums, but would welcome ANY and ALL advise!!
well, obviously he likes the “city” vibe - so that is less of a variable than it might be in other circumstances… though of the 3 I think Fordham has the closest thing to a “traditional” campus vibe in areas. (I passed through once - this comes mostly from other people’s descriptions)
My D is a junior at NYU and has loved the opportunities that have been provided. One of her close friends is just finishing her 1st year at Marymount and is as happy as a clam. NYU has the advantage/disadvantage of size in the BFA program (happy to explain further if interested), but also of a full, large, prominent university. Marymount is smaller, and I think less academically challenging than NYU or Fordham (not meaning disrespect to Marymount, nor having having any direct experience with their academic classwork) 'That may or may not be important to your S - and again, it cuts both ways - do you WANT the academics, or do you want the full focus to be the training? All valid points.
I would be happy to answer any questions about NYU
NYU Tisch parent here…from a parents perspective we were in favor of NYU when it came down to final decisions because of academic rigor tied to world class training. We bought into the concept of great thinkers make great theatre. My student has almost completed year one and has mapped out two minors in addition to the BFA. The studio system keeps groups small (16 in class). Keep in mind the size of Tisch is huge because it includes writing, film, recorded music, dance, etc. and because it includes and blends all of these your child will be networking from day 1. In Tisch 48, mine worked with Clive Davis students, two dramatic writing and one student from film. The film student records all self tapes now for my students auditions while mine does voice work for the film student on projects. Obviously a fan…contact directly with specific questions
Thanks toowonderful. Our son is academically strong and I think would appreciated the challenge of a high standard of academics. You mentioned NYU has the advantage/disadvantage of size in the BFA program; can you explain more?
Also, I asked drama2020 in another post, have you ever heard of a student being cut from their studio at NYU? If so, what does this mean and where do they go??
Thank you both so much for all your help. We truly want our son to go with his gut and we want this to be his journey. As you know, us parents also want to be realistic and the thought of him getting a BA from Fordham is appealing if the theater program is as challenging and all inclusive as theater programs at other schools. Fordham described their BA Perfomance program as a hybrid of sorts to a BFA. Any thoughts on this?
@helpdecide5 - I have never heard of a kid being cut from studio. I do know kids who have left, but not one any that have been ASKED to leave. As with other schools, I am sure if a student wasn’t working the faculty would sit down and have “the talk” but no one gets dumped
As for advantages/disadvantages: studios have anywhere from 25 to 60 kids (varies by studio - I think MT is the largest and ETW is the smallest… but have no concrete numbers.) Now, you are divided into “cohorts” of around 12-15 kids - so you get personal attention. But it means the casting pool of the university is large. It is not uncommon to graduate from NYU and never be cast in a mainstage show. Studios have guaranteed casting - but some people want that “mainstage” experience. That’s not NYUs thing- they could never provide it to all. BUT- b/c there are so many students within so many disciplines, there are a ZILLION opportunities. D was telling me the other day that 12 auditions for student films, play projects, Cabarets etc came into her email all in the space of 24 hours. Some people like/want the small program connection. At NYU you will work with a wide variety of people, in studio and out. My D liked that - she got a bit burned by the really small school environment in HS
@helpdecide5 Does your son know his studio placement? Details of that placement may be significant for his decision. I remember asking my son if he’d rather be a big fish… or a small fish… His response was “I think I’d learn more as a small fish.” That meant NYU for him. He had a fabulous education. He also left there with a really clear idea as to his strengths relative to his theater peers. That clarity, along with meeting and performing with a lot of peers/faculty, has served him well.
I don’t have any insider info about the other schools.
Thanks jasmom. Our son has been placed in the Meisner Studio. Do you have any information on that?
Sorry, I don’t know much about Meisner (I’m a Playwrights’ Mom). I hope someone else will jump in. If I’m remembering correctly Meisner is the smallest Tisch studio.
I thought ETW was the smallest- but that is just what’s in my head, no evidence. D has a friend she did the HS summer program in NSB with who was placed in Meisner and loves it. She is planning to graduate having done all 4 years in that studio, which is a little more unusual for Tisch kids- a fair percentage try other studios at some point. (My own D is doing Stonestreet film studio in the fall).
Just for fun- here is a joke about Tisch studios that has always amused me:
How many Stella Addlers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
“I am the light bulb.”
How many Atlantic Kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?"
“How can I get you to screw in the light bulb?”
“How many Strausberg kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“The light bulb was warm, my mother was there…”
“How many Meisner kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“How many Meisner kdis does it take to screw in a light bulb? How many Meisner kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?” How many Mesiner kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?"
“How many CAP kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“I dont do tech!”
“How many experimental Kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“Orange.”
“How many Tech track kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“Its a LAMP, and F&#% You!”
“How many Playwrights kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
"I can do it! and in addition if you need anything, I can also hang and focus the light, and when I’m done with that if you need me I can build the set and sew the costumes. But let me give you a conflict schedule because Im also acting. Oh and do you know of anyone who needs a dramaturg? Cuz Im not doing anything on Wed. Nights between 7:52 and 8:37 and I would really like to fill that time slot up.
toowonderful: As a P&D (tech) student, my D totally relates to that joke!
My daughter will be a freshman in Meisner next year. In some Meisner chat group she was told that Meisner will have 30 kids so will be broken into two units.
these post are very helpful because i really want to go to NYU and wanted more info.