<p>My kid too is in Strasberg and we are very happy. First off, we really wanted her to be placed in one of the time-tested studios, and Strasberg, Adler, Atlantic and Meisner fit that bill. She is an actor, not MT person, and to learn the Strasberg method is what countless other classically trained actors have done. </p>
<p>We did a little research about why Tisch and Strasberg separated for a couple of years. It seems to be for financial reasons. Strasberg was an NYU studio for 30 years and Cap/21 (part of Strasberg) for like 15 years. NYU found it very expensive so they moved it “in-house” creating The New Studio. I guess they missed having the Strasberg Studio or maybe it was made more fiscally positive to them. I don’t know. Whatever the reason, they went back to it for a reason.</p>
<p>I also looked back several years on the threads here on CC and kids were VERY happy in Strasberg and were crushed when they separated. Luckily Strasberg allowed the kids already in their program to continue. </p>
<p>From other research I have done, Strasberg is considered very prestigious training. It is also training for film and TV which may not be what everyone wants, but it is exactly what my kid wants. I hope this helps a little.</p>
<p>My understanding was that the separation of Tisch from Cap21 and Strasberg was for economic reasons.</p>
<p>In post #10 of the “NYU Tisch vs Pace MT” thread on this forum, claydavisdbc suggests that the decision to restore the relationship between Strasberg and Tisch was also an economic one.</p>
<p>Perhaps setting up the New Studio was expensive but now that it has been done, having Strasberg as a studio option makes economic sense again.</p>
<p>MOMMY5, that’s interesting that your daughter wanted one of the “time-tested” studios. Some students prefer a studio that does not focus on one single approach to training.</p>
<p>Time tested doesn’t always mean better either. Getting into NYU is a major fete that many others would die for. They really do know what they are doing with their studio placements and you can always audition for a different advanced studio for your last two years- many people do that.</p>
<p>I have no idea whether the decision to split with CAP21 was for economic reasons, or because Tisch wanted to make its own name in MT. The school is the sponsor of the National High School Music Theater Awards and provides a full scholarship to the male and female winners (subject to meeting NYU admissions requirements). The school also established a top-notch advisory board and faculty, with connections to amazing people in the field, such as having Sutton Foster teach (when she’s not otherwise engaged, eg., performing on Broadway!). </p>
<p>I heard that the class of 2014 was its biggest class, so that’s one reason they are added more advanced training, including extending Meisner beyond two years. I don’t know that it means that Tisch is accepting a higher percentage of students or that its yield is higher or that it has so many more applicants than in the past and is keeping the same percentage of admits, but it translates into more students. </p>
<p>Expanding the studio options to meet the increased enrollment is a good thing, since the other option would be to make class size bigger.</p>
<p>Supposedly the Chair of Tisch went to see two Strasberg productions this year and was very impressed with the work, so they approached Strasberg about re-starting their relationship.</p>
<p>A friend of mines D graduated from Strasberg last year. She LOVED her time in Strasberg Studio. Wasn’t a big fan of NYC but was happy otherwise…</p>
<p>For more information you should go to <a href=“http://www.strasberg.com%5B/url%5D”>www.strasberg.com</a>, the information on the Tisch Drama pages are really inaccurate for all the studios, not just Strasberg. Tisch Drama is just really bad at keeping their website updated.
You can also find videos on YouTube posted by Creative Director David Lee Strasberg on the institute and its teachings.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s because I’m a not a theater person, but when I look at Strasberg’s website it looks like a commercial acting studio. Aside from the academics on Tuesday and Thursday, what’s the difference if you are an NYU student at this studio?</p>
<p>Glassharmonica, I don’t think there is a lot of difference. The outside studios teach drama to the NYU students but since it is through NYU the students take the academics and get the degree from NYU.</p>
<p>As I understand it, they outsource the performance component. However, the students are not in classes with non-Tischies. In addition, there are required academic drama classes for everyone that are taught at Tisch rather than in the studios.</p>
<p>Glassharmonica, that is a great question that we asked a while back. You are right about what you said about the Strasberg website, but it is exactly that way too for Stella Adler and Atlantic. But those 2 you’ve been reading about for the last 2 years, so maybe you feel more comfortable with those. But taking classes at any of those studios is NOT the same thing as being a Tisch student. Yes, our kids take academics 2 days a week ( lets remember there are NYU caliber professors teaching those classes!) but it is more than that. First off, if your daughter wants to, she can double major and can walk out with a BFA in drama and a BA in English (let’s say) in 4 years. If your daughter took Strasberg classes directly thru the studio she would not be with the same caliber of student. Remember what your kid had to do to get into NYU. Audition, essays, high Sat scores, plus a high gpa, etc, etc etc. Not to be a snob, but the class from NYU would be VERY different than the class that went directly to the studio not through NYU. And I’m sure I will get attacked for this… but the Tisch degree will also open up doors and help our kids make connections. I have seen it already, just the fact that my kid got INTO Tisch, people are looking at her a little differently. Connections, etc will be a HUGE benefit to our kids, and could make or break a career. I have not been to one straight drama play on Broadway or off Broadway in the last 2 years that did not have 1 cast member list Tisch as their education. I am serious.</p>
<p>I am not trying to sell NYU to you or try to persuade your daughter into this school over another. I don’t know her, and maybe this is not the right place for her. I just wanted to share what i know. If you find out more please let us know.</p>
<p>I agree 100% with Mommy5 – what you are getting in your Tisch class is a guarantee that you are in a room with smart people. That’s blunt, but it’s true. And alot of these kids picked Tisch because of the combination of conservatory training with academic intensity. </p>
<p>While some of the studios are “outsourced,” I don’t believe they run the programs entirely independently; I’m pretty sure the contract has to meet certain Tisch requisites. ETW and NSB are run entirely in-house. Playwrights Theater School is just for Tisch. Adler and Strasberg do have their own acting schools that also are open to the public (by audition, I believe). I’m not sure about Meisner. I looked on the website, and it looks like it is just for Tisch. </p>
<p>What you get for all these programs are faculty who are working professionals in the theater industry and so alot of creative energy that is tied to what’s happening in the industry. My D has been to several shows in the city that her teachers have been involved in – one currently on Broadway (and the teacher got them free tickets!), another at BAM. </p>
<p>I am pretty sure that at all these studios, there are some faculty who have been there a long time and are mainstays, and others who are brought in as needs change, people leave, whatever, but in all cases, these are really cool people who are teaching these kids!! I say that based on what my D’s said about some of her teachers, and what I’ve seen on the times when I’ve seen the faculty in action.</p>
<p>What I find with the Tisch name is this: for the average person on the street, it’s like telling them your kid goes to Harvard. For the theater world, I’m not sure it’s really any different than coming from any other theater school in terms of the wow factor. But, for the long term, having Tisch on a diploma is really powerful, at least I think – my D hasn’t moved into the real world yet! – for a student who wants to move into different directions ln life, whether it’s in the arts but not necessarily on stage or in another field entirely.</p>
<p>Also, in terms of the connections – my D is building up a huge network of very creative and talented friends. While this might or might not lead to job success, I do think that it will be a very helpful support system for a young adult trying to make their way in the world as an artist. </p>
<p>And that’s the other thing about Tisch, is that it explores life as an artist, and theater as an art form that exists in the world – the seven semesters of theater studies is also what differentiates it from the typical BFA program. Also, “Writing the Essay,” (which all the kids hate, I have to say!), but it does make them take a year to think critically about “art in the world” and “the world through art” and learn how to express their thoughts cogently on this…</p>
<p>A CC member who rarely posts here anymore, but you could try to send her an email through CC’s system is mamalu and her D is a junior in Strasberg studio. I know her D is very happy there as the mom is a Facebook friend of mine and we have met in person as well, and I hear updates from time to time. Her D is doing a semester in London right now. She has a MT background. </p>
<p>My D had some friends who did Strasberg…including a former boyfriend (though he did CAP21 for advanced studio) and he was very recently in an Off Broadway musical. My D was in a musical at Strasberg studio in her sophomore year. </p>
<p>The best course of action is to contact the studio and get contact names of current Strasberg students to learn more and also get a curriculum. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that after two years, your child can do a different studio for advanced studio. For instance, ETW sounds like a good fit for your D’s interests (my D did ETW for her final three semesters at Tisch). </p>
<p>As others wrote, the NYU students in Strasberg studio are NOT in classes with studio students at that studio who are not enrolled at NYU. </p>
<p>alwaysamom, just to mention, several years back when CAP21 studio was discontinued for Tisch, they eventually ended up allowing current Cappies to finish out their four years in CAP21, but just didn’t take in new students, just as was done at Strasberg studio. I know they were not going to let them do this at first but it caused discontent (understandably so) and in the end, they DID let the CAP kids finish out their four years in that studio.</p>
<p>one thing for you D to be aware of at Tisch: the first year the academic program is proscribed, and they encourage students not to add on more credits so they can get adjusted (and I think it’s good advice). Freshman have to take a year of “Writing the Essay” (and there is NO option to place out of it) and a year of theater studies (one intro semester of literary / analytical history and one semester of intro to production). </p>
<p>The choice in the academic studies begins sophomore year, although an additional five semesters of theatre studies is required, but there are alot of options to fit a variety of interests. There is a minimum of liberal arts distribution, which a student can place out of – not the number of credit hours, but the distribution itself, eg., the science / math one if a student is so inclined.</p>
<p>Also, students are also required to take six semesters of studio (aka professional) training (the first four have to be consecutive, ie the primary training), students can take totally academic semesters in their upper class years if they want (or they can take more studio if they want).</p>
<p>Some study abroad counts in the professional training. For example, there are some acting summer study abroad programs (eg., Commedia del’Arte in Florence) and some semester study abroad (eg., RADA in London). Some are by audition though (Florence didn’t used to be but now is).</p>
<p>There are also internship options that students can get theater studies credit for I believe.</p>
(20 pts) in Electives
Student should finish with enough credits in Professional Training, Theatre Studies, General Education
and Electives to total 128 points.</p>
<p>The Electives are where students can add on more professional training and / or more academic courses. And, as I said above, the first two years of primary training (the studio new admits are placed in) must be done consecutively. </p>
<p>A semester of studio (or a summer abroad) counts as 8 points; a regular course is 4 points and then other courses, whether in the drama department or anywhere in NYU might be 2 or 3, depending on how many credit hours they are. (The points are credit hours).</p>
<p>NYU offers academic classes year round, so students can stay in the city if they want during the summer and take some classes.</p>
<p>I’d just like to add that I auditioned for Tisch this year and I WAS asked if I had a first choice studio, and ended up being placed in that studio. I think whether you get asked about studio choice or not just depends on who is watching your audition.</p>