Visiting NYC area schools...any input?

<p>My D and I are going MT program "shopping" in NY over the next 2 weekends. This week, it's Tisch, Fordham, and Julliard, while next week is Montclair state, Wagner, and CW Post. Though there is a ton of info on NYU and Julliard Drama, does anyone have any feedback on any of the others?
Thanks.</p>

<p>What kind of feedback are you looking for? At our house, we are also in the visiting stage, and one thing that I was told (and am trying to do) is to time your visits so that you can see a drama or musical theater production. It doesn't always work out, but when it does, it's great. I also would imagine that going on the weekends precludes your D from sitting in on any classes, which also can be a good thing to do.</p>

<p>I guess I am very curious about Fordham, because I find the academics appealing. We will be seeing a production by 3rd year Julliard student, Cabaret at Montclair state (would love more info on this program), and Grand Hotel at Wagner. We have no tour at Wagner...audition weekend, but will visit a friend in school there for feedback. MSU has their theater program day then, and that will get her into some classes. Not sure about the others, but I'm figuring it's just a tour. I am curious about scholarship opportunities, especially since NYU is her first choice, should she get in!</p>

<p>Mom,</p>

<p>I agree with Mama; sitting in on classes and seeing a performance is a huge glimpse into what actually is going on. There was a school on our “short list” that we visited and based on a performance we saw the school was taken off our list. </p>

<p>BTW Julliard is not an MT program.</p>

<p>We do know that...she would look at Drama there, with an option to take vocal and dance, so she needs to explore the reality of this. Dance is a weak area for her, and so the dance they offer may begin at too high a level for her. But, while in the city (I'm coupling it with a conference I have), she thought she'd like to check it out!</p>

<p>Fordham doesn't have a musical theatre program. I don't think it even teaches a single MT class any more.</p>

<p>Thanks! i guess that would be the drama program, then. We've been assuming that schools that have drama have vocal and dance to take as electives, but perhaps this is not the case!</p>

<p>Sarahlsmom,</p>

<p>Regarding Juilliard: If your D begins in the drama program, she will not be 'allowed' to take voice and dance as well. When my D auditioned at Juilliard (for voice) she asked about taking crossover classes in acting and dance and they said absolutely not.</p>

<p>From what I have heard, Juilliard is VERY intense and VERY focused and kids are completely busy in their one arts area.</p>

<p>The actors at Juilliard do take wonderful singing classes specific to their curriculum, however - I know the 2nd years' class is taught by the MD of the current Bway COMPANY, and the 3rd years' class is taught by actor Malcom Gets! :) Dunno about dance, but they take VERY intense mask and movement classes.</p>

<p>I think all of you are correct in your Juilliard advice. My understanding is that the students in one area do not cross over to take classes taught in the other majors. Your entire schedule is very specific with little free time. We understood from Juilliard that the drama students take 3 years of voice, but it is probably not from the same teachers who teach the music vocal majors. We knew about the movement classes for the actors but were told that to really dance, one must go to other dance studios in NYC. This can be done, but it is very difficult to fit it into the schedule.</p>

<p>I don't know a lot about the program... but PACE has a MT program and they are in NYC.. so is Marymount.... as far as Julliard goes, I have heard similar information as those who have posted above about crossing over into different disciplines.</p>

<p>Marymount offers a minor in MT only (that goes with either a theatre or dance major). Read the Marymount thread for details.</p>

<p>People have also posted some this year about the Pace MT program, which sounds like it may be rather new.</p>

<p>I don't think Juilliard is different from some of the other conservatories about not crossing over among majors - examples being NCSA and SUNY Purchase.</p>

<p>You are right about conservatories not always allowing a lot of crossover between degree programs... I had a friend who started at Ourchase as a voice major, and when he switched to the theatre conservatory ended up spending another four years in college to complete the degree... not any crossover.. he ended up spending six years in colleg getting his undergraduate degree. :)</p>

<p>I copied this from the Marymount thread.. again... I do not know much about the program toerh than I had a few frineds who went there years ago...</p>

<p>"MMC is indeed a musicial theatre minor, but it the training they receive is just as much as if it were a major. They take dance everyday at a well known studio in New York with teachers that teach at both MMC and NYU. They take private voice lessons (my daughters voice teacher is amazing. She is a tony nominated actress and my daughter's voice has grown tremendously) I will say that her schedule is FULL. She also made their musical this year. If you have any questions, let me know."</p>

<p>Pace and NYU are the only schools in NYC that offer MT as a major.</p>

<p>Basically, here are the options for musical theater in NY:</p>

<p>In Manhattan:
NYU/Tisch/CAP21 - BFA in Musical Theater (technically the degree is called BFA Drama but it is in a Musical Theater studio, CAP21 and is considered a BFA in musical theater training)</p>

<p>NYU/Steinhardt - BM in Musical Theater</p>

<p>Pace - BFA in Musical Theater</p>

<p>Marymount Manhattan - BFA Acting with Musical Theater Minor, BA Theater Arts with Musical Theater Minor </p>

<p>Right outside of Manhattan:</p>

<p>Wagner College - BA Theater Performance with Musical Theater emphasis</p>

<p>Montclair State College - BFA Musical Theater, BFA Acting, BM Musical Theater</p>

<p>Manhattanville College - BA in Music w/ concentration in Musical Theater</p>

<p>ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS REQUIRE AUDITIONS.
This doesn't include straight theater programs in Manhattan or right outside. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Ithaca College upstate NY offers a BFA in Musical Theatre. </p>

<p><a href="http://departments.ithaca.edu/theatre/programs/mustheater/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://departments.ithaca.edu/theatre/programs/mustheater/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Just to clarify, my list was addressing the question of Musical Theater college programs in NYC which is what the thread is about. Surely, there are many more programs in musical theater if discussing the entire state of NY....such as Ithaca, Syracuse, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Fredonia, Nazareth, etc. </p>

<p>Also, there are two year programs in Musical Theater in Manhattan such as AMDA and Circle in the Square.</p>

<p>I recently read that the Manhattan School of Music is planning to add a musical theater program. You might want to check it out.
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/arts/music/07scho.html?ex=1328504400&en=29baf1895c8c0106&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/arts/music/07scho.html?ex=1328504400&en=29baf1895c8c0106&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Pam, that is interesting to read. Thanks for posting it.</p>