It’s a very tough decision. I’d appreciate any advice and comments.
Both great schools, but IMHO there’s more interesting straight theater happening in Chicago now than NYC. NYC is where straight plays go to die these days (or at least cash in).
It is a tough choice- and the good news is that you can’t really go wrong. Jkelly is right that Chicago has a thriving theater seen- but I would hardly say straight theater is dead (or dying) in New York. My kid (at NYU) has seen something new virtually every weekend this year: On bway, off bway, off off etc - you name it. I don’t think NYU studio assignments are out yet- will that be a factor for you?
I think to really depends on your studio assignment. If you don’t get Meisner or Stella then the decision seems a bit less daunting if money isn’t the issue. This being said this is only hearsay on what I’ve heard about their studio lotto. My friend from was put in Strasberg and is hating every minute. Which is why I chose not apply myself. The odds seemed even bigger lol
It’s funny that you say that @newsomert - there was a raging debate that I was a part of on the musical theater forum lately, where people were saying it was so much easier to get into NYU because of the multiple studios. I said that if you had a particular preference in studio your odds were actually smaller than they were for other schools. Since my child went to a performing arts high school she had already studied a number of styles of actor training and did have a very particular viewpoint in that matter- and studio was a deal make/break issue for her. This is not to say that there isn’t value in all of the NYU studios- there is, but obviously techniques work better for some people. I do believe that the NYU faculty does a good job with the “sorting hat process” of assigning studios- but they can’t get it right all the time. And yet, the various studios at NYU are one of the best features, because there are so many different programs available, and it gives you the chance to train with more than one type of acting over your four years in school