Thanks to the parents of current and past students we have a wealth of information on cc about the NYU studio system. At first, I was very confused about NYU but since my daughter’s acceptance and after reading more —we are very excited about NYU and await placement news. I’ll summarize some from the past threads so we can keep discussion going. Thank you all!:
1, STUDIO SYSTEM you get placed in a studio for your professional training. The studio system allows groups of 15 or so cohorts to work together during their training days. And of course, you have your traditional NYU classes on the non-training days. The placement is for the first two years. @theatreloverca wrote: NYU is really good at choosing the “right” studio for each student. They pay attention to the students background and listen when they interview the students. Sometimes students think they won’t like a particular studio and then they fall in love. My d is in Playwrights Horizons and couldn’t be happier. They have broadened her Horizons more than I ever thought possible. She has even been able to take classes in choreography which she loves.
CONSERVATORY STYLE training and mixed with traditional university courses.
@theatreloverca wrote: My d is in her 3rd year there and I can not say enough good things about their amazing conservatory style training. They are wonderful about choosing the right studio fit for their students. It is unlike taking individual classes at places like Adler in that you are immersed in your studio working with a tight knit group and creating and performing work after work. The opportunities are endless. They have wonderful study abroad theatre opportunities as well and after two years at one studio the students can switch to another studio or go to Stone Street for Film acting. They care about good training and realize that there are many different acting methods and it's a gift that they are able to provide different styles that work for different actors and not try to fit all actors into one method. We have a good friend who is a broadway producer and every time we go back stage and get introduced to the cast my d is introduced as studying at NYU which immediately gets lots of --- "I went there" or "you have to meet so and so she went there." Others from my D's High School have followed in her footsteps and are equally happy at NYU.
@toowonderful: My D also liked that Tisch is such a large part of the university as a whole, whereas in some schools where the conservatory is a tiny element - the rest of the college may not even know it’s there.
@jbtcat I am so happy my D chose it and experienced it. Her training was beyond anything she expected and actually more intense than many of her friends who did choose “conservatory” programs
AFTER 2 YEARS you can stay in your studio or try a different one there are auditions for this and sometimes students auditions for more than one.
@toowonderful: NYU offers an opportunity to study at RADA for a Semester. They take 16 kids a semester. Hands-down my kids favorite thing while at NYU.
GUARANTEED CASTING WITHIN STUDIO
@toowonderful: There is guaranteed casting at NYU within your studio - but not for what would be considered mainstage productions. Tbh - the idea of “mainstage” has become less and less of a thing as my D has been there. This year they didn’t do ANY normal shows. NYU has essentially decided that their mainstage efforts will be used in creating new works, showcasing new voices etc. It’s a different approach, which they can do because the studios are doing the Shakespeare, Ibsen, Wilder, Shaw, et al.
The studio system unfolds:
Adler Parent: @toowonderful
First of all- I believe now the plurality, if not the majority of the studio are actually completely run by NYU. (Hence the shift from Cap21 to NSB for MT). Of the others- I think only Adler, Atlantic, and Strasbourg offer independent classes. It isn’t “outsourcing”- it’s collaboration. I can speak directly to Adler as that was D’s primary studio, the teachers there are VERY much a part of NYU as a whole. The NYU kids are on their own floor of the building - have their own facilities etc, the head of the NYU program is ONLY associated with those kids- not independent Adler. I have always seen it as a bonus - my kid is getting training from working professionals who college graduates pay to study with while in college….I think the single greatest advantage NYU offers is flexibility of intense conservatory training. Because they have various studios a kid has unlimited possibilities. My own kid spent 2.5 years at Adler, a semester studying Shakespeare at RADA (offered via NYU) and a year at Stonestreet film. Her friends have studied in Amsterdam (also an abroad option via Tisch - experimental theater) done Classical theater, spent time in the tech studio to develop skills/interests there, crossed over into the playwrights program - you name it, she knows someone who has done it.
also: NYU's Adler studio, where they start with Shakespeare freshman year- which was an important point for my D, who wanted intense classical training
Playwrights parent: @jbtcat D was in Playwrights also and loved it! She stayed with them for her junior year as well and then did Stonestreet for her senior year. Great experiences!…Her training was beyond anything she expected and actually more intense than many of her friends who did choose “conservatory” programs.
@123Mimi great idea to start a separate thread! Congratulations to your D! I am sure those of us who with kids that have been through or are currently going through the system will be happy to answer any questions!
Tisch’s website has greatly improved in recent years. Here is a link to the different studio descriptions and the detailed curriculum, faculty, alumni, etc. at each.
And this is the main link to the undergrad drama program and there is an abundance of information there. Virtually everything you want to know about Tisch.
@MomofJ5 - as I said, they take 16 kids each semester. You are eligible junior/senior year. The program is run via NYU, but is technically open to other colleges (A kid who went with D was a Michigan MT). D’s year I believe a large group auditioned (I wasn’t there- no direct knowledge, but I do remember talking to D after the meeting and she was nervous about odds) There were then callbacks that cut the group down significantly - and then the group was chosen. I know that many kids audition more than once - D was fortunate to get a spot on her 1st go, but the girl who ended up as her roommate auditioned 3x.
Congratulations @toowonderful on your D getting accepted to RADA because I understand it is quite competitive! @MomofJ5 in addition to RADA (which is Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London), Tisch also offers a few other opportunities to study abroad and continue their training including programs in Germany, Prague and Florence (my D did the program in Florence).
My D, who has lived in London since a year after graduation, has worked with the Tisch Playwriting in London students. She is both an actor and a playwright and has loved her involvement with students who have the same interests. They work closely with the RADA Tischies as well as those who are there for the Screenwriting program. So, if your student is also interested in playwriting, this may be a good study abroad option for them while at Tisch.
@toowonderful this story is Fantastic!! As it is supposed to be! I expect nothing but greatness from Tisch. I hope my son will make his decision after he finds out his studio. After reading so much about the program, does it really matter what studio you’re placed in? It seems to all fall together.
Also, regarding RADA experience. I like the options of trying a few other schools. We know someone who studied acting at Oxford under a similar program. My greatest concern, have you noticed a high percentage of new graduates receiving representation after their showcase? (A bit nervous here Still )
@actingdreams - I think there are positives (and to be fair, negatives) to every studio. D has known super talented people from each one.
As for showcases - NYU does things a bit differently. Since they are IN the city - rather than a single showcase, many studios do “industry nights” for various upper class shows. So when there is a performance, agents, casting directors etc are invited. At stonestreet Monday nights are industry nights - every week a different person/organization comes. (which I really like, b/c it give multiple opportunities to shine. Esp this year at Stonestreet - I know a number of performers have gotten interest, meeting, and or signed - including my D. Overall, I am not certain how many of the kids graduate and are already signed, but b/c they have been in the city - they often already have connections
@toowonderful - is there a place we can look for these positives and negatives about each studio? I think if my S goes this route- I’d be happier having him know in advance the pros and cons so he can work to offset the cons (or at a minimum not feel fooled).
@MomofJ5 - I am sure there are old threads… but WAY back in 2014 when we were doing the very same thing - I was sent this joke… and I still find it funny
How many Adler kids 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 NSB kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“I dont do tech”
“How many ETW Kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“Orange.”
“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 Im 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.”
“How many Tech track kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“Its a LAMP, and F&#% You!”
@toowonderful I have heard that joke and still find it funny too! @momofJ5 I’m curious what you mean by “not feel fooled”? I understand our concern that our kids find the right fit for themselves and get the training they desire but as I mentioned in another comment how do our kids really know what that is going into any BFA program? I could be wrong but I find the scrutiny that people seem to give to the Tisch studios seems too be much more intense than to other BFA programs where there is only one style of training in each program. Again, I’m not being critical, everyone needs to do what they need to do to feel comfortable before committing. I guess I’m just wondering aloud (or in writing)! LOL
Hey all - mom of 2nd year Tischie (Adler) here. @theaterlove3 - my D was accepted from the waitlist - we found out on April 24 - the same day we had made our non-refundable deposit to University of Alabama Birmingham! It was quite harrowing and a very tough decision b/c she had allowed herself to fall in love with the musical theatre program at UAB & Valerie Accetta. Since she had opened her heart to non-MT studios at NYU, we had no idea where she would land and they JUST let us know what studio she was placed in in the nick of time for her to make her decision. I will say right now she really, really misses MT and has kind of struggled with that this year. Anyway, just wanted to let you know there is hope of getting off of the WL (however, don’t expect any money…at that point, they’ve pretty much given it all away).
I posted this on the MT thread the other day, in hopes of making sure those candidates are aware that transferring to another studio after 2nd year is not a given. Indeed, transferring into NSB is extremely rare, and it looks like ETW has gotten similarly competitive (though they allow people to transfer basically every semester rather than once a year, so I expect my D will audition there again in the fall…):
“I have a student currently in her 2nd year at Tisch (Adler) who has just completed the audition process for transfer/absorption into the advanced training program at other studios…thought I’d share her experience for anyone who is wondering - be aware that there is no guarantee of transferring to another studio after 2 years - but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing (unless your student is placed in a studio they really don’t feel is right for them). Not all of the studios have transfer tracks (Adler doesn’t), and this year NSB took only 6 of the 50 students who auditioned to transfer, and ETW also took a very limited number & said they had a record number of students auditioning for their transfer track. My D auditioned for both and neither she or any of her friends were selected to transfer. She will be in Adler for her 3rd year, and although she’s disappointed b/c she really wanted to explore other studios, she has been told by everyone she knows in 3rd/4th year that the 3rd year (in Adler at least) is when it all really starts to come together (mainly b/c performance opportunities are more frequent) & is looking forward to that. Also note that students can take classes in other studios as electives to see what they are like, so it’s not like they are truly stuck with just one studio or another - D took a class in Stonestreet this semester and loved it (she didn’t audition for transfer track this year b/c she still wants to focus on stage acting, but thinks she will prior to her senior year). She has taken voice lessons most semesters as well (2 w/Steinhardt instructors & 1 w/Tisch), and has learned a lot. Good luck to everyone awaiting news of placement & in making this decision!”
Finally, I pretty much defer to anything that @toowonderful, @halflokum, and @alwaysamom have to say. They helped me soooo much in the beginning of this process, and @toowonderful has been the voice of reason for me more times than I can count when I verge on going helicopter on my kid. Our kids need mentors to navigate the very different landscape of Tisch studios & the career they’ve chosen, but I’ve learned that I do to!
@WTXMom Thank you for this post! Wow came off of waitlist prior to April 1st. I hate that you lose the $$. Thank you for explaining your experience with transferring studios. My S is a bit nervous about the studio placement but I think we will know in just a couple of days.
I am curious about the transfer in. If everyone had probably received their studio placement by the time you came off of the waitlist, was your daughter just put in a studio that had an opening? My wonder was if they place the student in the studio that they believe fits them so if you’re waitlisted, hopefully, they will still use the same discernment (I’m speaking for those who may be waitlisted) Thanks again for sharing your experience! I agree all of the above and @jbcat22 has helped tremendously this season especially with NYU
@actingdreams thank you so much! I am so grateful that I can share my D’s experience here and that it can be of help to some people. We all need each other!
@WTXMom wow, your D was very brave to decide to give NYU a chance and I’m sure she must miss MT. I hope she doesn’t regret her decision and that she is enjoying her time at Tisch. I wish that all of her dreams come true!
