Reputation in Theatre World- USC School of Theatre vs SUNY Purchase

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>I am an international student who has been fortunate enough to have been accepted at the theatre design programs at these two wonderful schools. I have some understanding of how both schools stand in the acting field, but have less knowledge about design. I plan to focus on scenic design. I'm sure someone will mention something about the schools' access to Hollywood and Broadway respectively, and how this may affect my potential career plan after graduation, but to be honest, I haven't decided what I would prefer, that is, designing for films and television, or for the stage.</p>

<p>Obviously I have my own ideas about the social and physical environments of these schools (these two schools are at polar opposites!), but I really want to hear from the CC community about the two programs themselves. How they are similar, and how they differ. I'm interested in learning about the workload, work opportunities and connections, and how the rest of the theatre communities at these schools may affect my time at either school. Which is more reputable? USC School of Theatre, or SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theatre Arts?</p>

<p>If you were given my opportunity to decide between these two schools solely based on the courses alone (no geographical, social, cost considerations), which one would you choose?</p>

<p>Thank you, I look forward to your comments and answers!</p>

2

<p>I can’t be very helpful unfortunately, as I don’t know much about our TD program here at USC, but I know a few people in it, and it seems to be a great program. They are very involved right off the bat, so that’s pretty awesome. Sorry I can’t tell you more!</p>

3

<p>One thing to look into is the attrition rates at the two schools. In other words, how many freshmen start the four year BFA and how many graduate.</p>

4

<p>NotMamaRose, attrition rates are a good thing to think about, but you also have to take into consideration the reasons the numbers would change. </p>

<p>SUNY Purchase takes 20 freshmen, and has evaluations four times a year. At these evaluations students meet with the faculty to discuss their process. After being put on Probation, a student may be asked to leave the program. This usually has to do with work ethic and professionalism. Purchase graduates anywhere from 12-16 kids usually, but there is no set quota. In this situation, the retention rate is not at all a reflection on the school, and rather a reflection of an individual student’s work ethic. </p>

<p>Emeralds, I am a first year student at Purchase who is just beginning to dip my feet into the New York Theatre scene. I can tell you that the students above me, and those that have graduated, have an easier time getting auditions because of the prestige of the program. People know the reputation of Purchase, and trust that the actors that come out of the program will be talented, so casting directors/directors/theatres are willing to look at them. I know off the top of my head of many graduated Purchase alum who are my friends/friends of upperclassmen that are working in New York, Off Broadway and at Lincoln Center right now. I’m sure if you looked into it, you could find more. </p>

<p>Another good thing about Purchase is that our faculty work in the theatre world in New York City right now, and have good reputations and solid contacts there. To name a few, my speech teacher coaches for The Good Wife, my acting teacher was voted Best Private Acting Coach In NYC a few years ago, etc. </p>

<p>I’ll say nothing of USC since I know that’s a great program as well! Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me. </p>

<p>Eimc2010 you seem to reflect the positive and helpful attitude of the students which I interacted with when I visited Purchase. Much of what you have said I have already heard from others, so it is wonderful that you are backing them up. The students there seemed very hardworking and extremely dedicated to their craft. You say that USC seems to have a great program as well. Do you, your peers or even professors have any opinions on it further? I’m hoping that you being an actual student in the theatre program versus a new undergraduate applicant would have a bit more insight on how other schools are. Would you think highly of a USC theatre student? Thank you :)</p>

6

<p>Glad you had a positive experience at Purchase:) </p>

<p>Since you are asking my opinion, I honestly don’t hear much about USC here. That’s not to say that it isn’t a great school, as I know I considered looking there when I was auditioning at schools and have a friend in the program. it just doesn’t seem to be on the “radar” amongst my peers/professors/friends in the city. The schools I typically “hear of” are Juilliard, Carnegie, Rutgers BFA & MFA, Yale School of Drama, NYU’s Grad Program, North Carolina, BU, and of course, Purchase. But that’s just my own personal experience, and my opinion is one of many. But, successful people come out of every program and I’m positive that USC actors do great work. Good luck!!</p>

<p>(I hope I’m not offending anyone, I was asked my personal opinion and I acknowledge that I don’t go to the program and don’t know much about it! I’m only offering that it is not among the programs that my faculty/friends/peers typically discuss.)</p>

7

<p>Thank you. After much consideration, I’ve decided to attend USC. I thought it was much more compatible for me with other factors included. I have the utmost amount of respect for the students and faculty at Purchase, and will continue to. From your theatre peer on the West Coast :D</p>

8

<p>Welcome to the Trojan family! :)</p>

9

<p>2010,
My family has lived on both coasts. Sometimes people may not recognize certain programs…no matter how good they are…just because they are far away. Yes, USC has produced some fine actors, designers and producers. I think you may have heard of these individuals:</p>

<p>Kevin Mambo
Starred in “Fela”</p>

<p>James Snyder
Starred in “Cry Baby”-Drama League Award nomination
Guest roles in CSI, An American in China, etc.</p>

<p>Deborah Ann Woll
Starred as Jessica in “True Blood” on HBO-Screen Actor’s Guild Nomination
Roles in ER, CSI, The Mentalist and Law & Order</p>

<p>Stark Sands
Tony Award nomination for Journey’s End-Best Featured Actor in a Play
Currently on Broadway as Tunny in Green Day’s “American Idiot”</p>

<p>Tara Smith
Two time Tony nominee for producing Xanadu and You’re Welcome America
Co-Produced Cubby Bernstein starring Nathan Lane and Patti Lupone</p>

<p>Patrick Adams
Received an Ovation Award nomination for Featured Actor in a Play for Equivocation at the Geffen Theatre
Film roles in Old School, RAGE and The Watergirl
TV roles in NCIS Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer and Cold Case</p>

<p>Kristen Guenther
Received Richard Rogers Award for Musical Theatre</p>

<p>Grant Heslov-Writer/Actor
Leatherheads, Good Night and Good Luck</p>

<p>Forest Whitaker
Academy Award Winner</p>

<p>Tate Donovan
Good Night and Good Luck-Shared a SAG Award Nomination
Earned an Independent Spirit nomination for Inside Monkey Zetterland
Was the voice of Hercules in the Disney animated film, Hercules
Won an Ovation Award for Rabbit Hole
Appeared in Lobby Hero by Ken Lonnergan</p>

<p>Michael Pritchard
Recorded more than 500 audio books-Nominated for two Audie Awards
Perfomed in eight productions at the Fremont Centre Theatre</p>

<p>Krya Sedgewick
Won Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Closer
Golden Globe Winner</p>

<p>The late John Ritter
Emmy Award Winner</p>

<p>Paul Comi
Serves on the Foreign Film Committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</p>

<p>Deb Dachinger
Her radio show “Dare to Dream” was an Editor’s Pick</p>

<p>Tim Dowling
Profiled by Variety in the featured article “Ten Screenwriters to Watch.”</p>

<p>Steve Edlund
Asst. Director for Sister Act with director Jerry Zaks</p>

<p>Nick Thurston
Stars in the film The Truth Below</p>

<p>Steve Sobel
Currently writing The Berenstein Bears film for Sony Animation</p>

<p>Carl Smulyan
Event Coordinator at Theatre Communications Group in NYC</p>

<p>There are many who have performed in film or on Broadway…
Ryan Eggold, James Lesure, Grant Heslov, Swoosie Kurtz, LeVar Burton, Sophia Bush, Eric Stoltz, Todd Black, Anthony Edwards and Andy Tennant, among others.</p>

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<p>whoa totally didn’t know Kristen Guenther was an SOT alumnae! I love reading Crazytown! Also Stark left American Idiot a little while back. :(</p>

11

<p>KIRSTEN (not Kristen) did get her BFA at USC, though got her MFA at NYU/Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.</p>

12

<p>whoops, sorry about that! That’s so cool though! :)</p>

13

<p>Thanks for the correction, soozievt. I will spell it correctly in the future.</p>

14

<p>As someone who went to SUNY Purchase Drama Conservatory I’d say be very wary… First off they TELL you that they accept only 18-20 people but low and behold once you are there you see there are 26 or so perhaps they’ve changed over the years but that’s the way it was when I went. And I saw it happen every year of the 4 years I was there. By now they probably take in 35 people or maybe they really do take 20 nowadays who knows? I would check with students that are there first. And by that I do not mean checking this site. This site is rife with staff members of various schools posing as students. You think students in a conservatory program that keeps them busy literally from 8 in morning to 10 pm at night with the show rehearsals have the time to go on here and rant about their school so readily? </p>

<p>I went to this school and when I got accepted I was so happy. And there were many great things about the school when I was there. However all the teachers that originally made this program famous all left by the time I graduated the program. The first two years of the program were fantastic, but if I could do it all over again I would’ve left by the 3rd year when all the famous teachers left. After that it was downhill and the shady things that went down there really left a bad taste in my mouth. During our senior production everyone wondered why the lead role went to a singer who could not hit the notes of the songs she was supposed to sing. The truth was that the songs were tough so only one female in our class had the vocal ability to hit them and she was arguably the most talented actress as well. We all thought she would get that role, but she didn’t and instead it went to a singer who couldn’t hit the high notes. It was discovered later that the person who did get the role was in fact was in fact sleeping with our teacher (who was also the director of the production). The casting couch is something that is a bad enough problem in the REAL theater world, it was completely innappropriate (not to mention disgusting) to find it happening in a college between teacher and student. I won’t say that I didn’t get a lot out professionally from what I learned the first 2 years of the program, but what I witnessed the last two years left a bad taste in my mouth. And I would say with all the famous teachers now gone and the replacement teachers sleeping with students (that is if that teacher hasn’t been fired yet) I would not recommend it as your first choice.</p>

15

<p>In addition to puchase not having an MT component, we were specifically told at our visit that the acting program does no MT shows. Sometimes acting students coordinate on their own to stage one but its not part of the program itself. So call me a bit skeptical as to your post.</p>

16

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>My son recently graduated from Purchase (last week!) the reputation in the theatre world is great! I don’t know WHAT manderin is speaking of. The graduating class was 12! I have been on the phone with my son everyday and his phone is ringing off the hook from showcase. Right out of school he is meeting with Avy Kaufman, NBC, CBS and has been seen my almost everything theatre company in town. He signed with an amazing top legit agency and he is off to a good start. (Which a lot of his class is experiencing) See the class [2012</a> BFA Acting Showcase - Purchase College, SUNY - Conservatory of Theatre Arts](<a href=“http://www.purchaseactors2012.com%5D2012”>http://www.purchaseactors2012.com) </p>

<p>PS - I understand manderin had a bad experience at Purchase but it has changed a lot and there are A LOT of new people there who are making that program great.</p>

<p>The Design Program is wonderful! I saw Mother courage there and was amazed at the quality of production. David Grill is the head and he lights the super bowl and Olympics. Those kids are well connected and working on Broadway right out of school. His roommate from first-year is currently working on Broadway. </p>

<p>Do you research! Look at the faculty and see who they are and what their currently doing. This forum is helpful but can also be harmful…</p>