<p>Okay, so I know they do over a hundred plays a year. And Yale School of Drama's there. But now I have to decide where I'm going to school, and I need more specificity. How's Yale's undergrad theatre department? Do students feel jipped because the good teachers/resources go to the grads? Is there enough practical training in performance? Are the professors accessible? </p>
<p>Any info - especially subjective opinions - would be most welcome and GREATLY appreciated!</p>
<p>THANK YOU!</p>
<p>I have several friends doing theater studies at yale...several love it, several hate it. If you are the kind of personal who sets out and gets what they want, then yale theater is for you. But, things are not going to be handed to you on a silver platter. I wouldn't call it cut-throat, unlike other conservatories like nyu, but is quiet competitive. However, if you get the right prof, yale can be an amazing experience.</p>
<p>Where else are you choosing from? I'm a film major with the same questions...accept in the film program.</p>
<p>I have three friends in the Yale theatre program (and I"ll probably be there myself next year.) All three love it. This year apparently the normal teacher for introductory acting was on leave, but he's back next year. And he's said to be one of the best acting professors in the nation. I saw one undergrad show last time I visited, and I was extremely impressed. It was "A Bright Room Called Day" by Kushner, and the directing and acting were both phenomenal for undergraduates. And Elia Kazan's granddaughter starred, which was just cool.<br>
The impression I get is that there is far too much theatre for any one person. In the last year, two of my freshman friends have been in a combined total of 7 shows, one of which was an original musical. And one of them is now directing Hedwig and the Angry Inch as a Freshman.<br>
What I was most impressed with was how popular shows are among students. The show I saw sold out a large theatre, and most of the audience were students. So basically, everything I've seen of the theatre department has been phenomenal, and that alone is definitely pushing me strongly towards Yale.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for your help! </p>
<p>Safiamilke - what exactly did they hate? I was a little bit confused about your comment. Did they not like it because it was too competitive, or because it WASN'T intense enough and they had to seek out opportunities for learning? </p>
<p>To answer your question, I am also looking at NYU (Tisch), Northwestern, Brown, Columbia, and Princeton. Lots to decide! How about you all?</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>I'll say this: The Yale School of Drama is widely considered the best in the country (I believe Jodie Foster and Meryl Streep are alumnae) and the Yale Repertory Theatre is amazing.</p>
<p>Right. But undergrad? Yale School of Drama profs are exempt from the undergrad teaching requirement... And so I'm not sure that the School of Drama is a perk for undergrads at all. It might even be a downside, because some of the resources for undergrads are used by the grads. Any insights?</p>
<p>Those of my friends who hate it, complain about the relationship between faculty and student. One of my close friends has had a really hard time developing relationships with her acting professors and feels like they are more like high school science teachers, then personal acting teachers. However, yale does offer her huge amount of student directed work, which she loves. Overall, most of my friends have found it competitive but not intense...compared to say carnigie mellon, or NYU. </p>
<p>As for me, I'm 90% sure I'm off to NYU for film. I'm still considering USC, Northwestern, and Harvard...but I'm pretty sure I'll end up in washington square next year.</p>
<p>
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Right. But undergrad?
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I think - in general - undergraduates have access to the graduate schools pertaining to their majors (in my case, it's architecture). Even having access, in my opinion, is a plus. Beyond that, I'm not sure.</p>
<p>bump....................</p>
<p>BUMP! in case anyone wanted to see this thread... or if any yalies have anything to add :)</p>
<p>andy, get off CC, you can't judge me for being here</p>