jbinca

College alternatives-

If a degree isn't important to you I would suggest you check out the American Academy of Dramatic ARts, very professional training with a great track record. For those who can't bear the idea of two years without credit they now have an agreement with St. John's University in Tribeca, who accept all the Academy's credits toward a degree in a related field-I believe it's communications or production . The collaboration benefits the Academy as St. John's has wonderful facilities that I've heard the Academy makes use of. The AADA is also on the West Coast but I'm not sure it's of the same quality.
Many of the acting studios have progressive full time programs, such as Neighborhood Playhouse, etc. And HB is still a top notch place for the serious actor to study. The challenge in NYC is of course housing. San Francisco has some good choices too though I'm not familiar enough to recommend.

jYPAS10

Thank you so much.

I've been looking at AADA for a while actually, but I've heard mixed reviews about it. What do you (or anyone else) know about programs such as Stella Adler and other programs that just offer a CC?

ProudDadFL

jYPAS10, I am not too familiar with AADA, however, you might check out Circle in the Square Theatre School 2 year program. There's an acting track and a MT track. Admission is limited to 25 students each track per year and the teachers very experienced professionals. My son is most likely attending in the fall and is looking forward to it. He has spoken with graduates and they all have said the training is excellent but also very intense and challenging. While many of the students have some previous college experience, CITS accepts a few recent HS grads. You can check out their website to see the courses and alumni. Many of the grads are working on Broadway, Regional Theatre, TV, Film, Casting and so on.

Stella Adler is also an excellent conservatory with a 2.5 year program and a great reputation. Stella Adler also accepts some recent HS graduates. Both CITS and Stella Adler seem to have great reputations. At Stella you will train in the Adler method. At CITS, I believe it is mainly Stanislavsky based.

A big consideration for both of these schools is housing is tough to find but can be found in NYC. There are no dorms. Also there is no campus and no feel of a college whatsover. CITS is located in a Broadway Theatre and Stella Adler is located in a couple floors of an office building. It should be mentioned that the 2 year route is not for everybody. NYC can be very lonely and overwhelming without some familiarity and support system in place.

Both of these programs have auditions and interviews up until May or June for the fall. Admission is selective at both schools. CITS auditions 800 and accepts 25 per track. per year.

HB was also mentioned. It is also a very reputable place to train. Many students train their for individual classes but I do believe they offer a F/T program where specific classes are selected.

Many of these studios offer individual classes and summer programs too.

My son and I are both in agreement that regardless of the 2 year track, it is still in his best interest to earn a BA degree whether he takes classes over the summer, online or at CUNY. Earning a degree is an individual choice but in my opinion a good choice.

jbinca

And some other thoughts...

AADA will give you some help with housing suggestions, and they have an agreement with at least one residential hotel.
Any theatre program should be visited, just like a college, NY has many excellent ones to offer, you would have more than one choice. Quite a few offer the ability to audit classes, , so you can see if it "feels" right for you
A full time program such as AADA will offer structure and support much as a college would, minus the dorm experience[I know this from personal experience], but even as a college student NY can be overwhelming for some. Above post makes a good point as far as summer programs, a very good way to get a feel for the experience-it isn't too late for this summer and a great way to test it out.

fishbowlfreshman

I don't have any first hand knowledge of AADA, but like other programs that have recently been discussed, anyone considering it should get some first hand information on their cuts. Based on various discussions on the MT forum, they apparently accept somewhere between 130 and 160 students and cut down to between 80 and 100 for second year depending on whom you ask. Then there is apparently a possible third year that very few make it into. I've also seen very mixed reviews on the quality of the training; but, like always, do your own research and make up your own mind.

holly06

Has anyone heard from Marymount about the April 13 transfer auditions?

checkbookmom

AADA was one of my son's choices, and it's terrific out in California. Their LA facility has one of the most amazing costumes workshops ever, and the library is great. They don't have dorms, but the apartments looked good. Of course, in LA you need a car, but that's just a fact of life! They also have a full time counselor, who provides guidance and that security that young people need, someone to ask if they need a doctor, or even just to talk.

As to the training, what we saw looked good, and the students seemed happy. It is a diverse group, which is very good, too. Different ages and backgrounds. Like a wise person in a post above said, the training is only part of it: it's the fit that's so important. Good luck with your choices!

jbinca

jYPAS10-I'd be happy to help you with your monologue question posted elsewhere but when I tried to reply to it it wouldn't post, this site can be very tricky. If you know how to PM me, do so and I'll answer that way, I think I can help at least a little, I coach auditioning students.

TheatreMom2009

TRal55, thank you so much for the insight regarding De Paul's admission change. We visited DePaul earlier this year and my daughter really liked the program but I was a little concerned about the cut program after reading these boards for the last year. She is planning to apply, but, I will feel a little more comfortable if the acceptance rate falls each year so that there is a much smaller cut percentage after freshman year. The inflexible 50% was just so high in my opinion. Ultimately, though, it will be my D's decision where to apply and where to accept.

By the way, this is my very first post to the boards even though I've been reading them for a while. I'll be going through all the acceptance angst with the board next year. Thank you to all who share their experiences on this board. It's so helpful to me to understand what my D will be going through next year. Neither my husband or I are in the entertainment field, so this was all very new to us when our D decided years ago that theatre was her passion. It's been an exciting ride so far!






TRal55 wrote:
As a side note, it is getting progressively more difficult to get into DePaul. Apparently, the admissions office is trying to slowly rid themselves of the cut program and thus accepting less students every year. For the 2007-2008 school year, they accepted 52 and will cut 26. In 2008-2009 they are accepting 47 (not sure how many will get cut but it is less than 26 obviously).

actingkiddchi

Has anyone heard from Purchase yet? I heard like two weeks ago they were still sending out letters.

actingkiddchi

ABOUT DEPAUL - I auditioned for this earlier at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. They seemed very interested but, I found out they accepted 47 freshmen..then they cut half. I feel as though they are wasting half of the freshmen's time.

NotMamaRose

actingkiddchi, I know quite a few students who auditoned for Purchase and EVERYONE knows by now if he is accepted, rejected or waitlisted, which Purchase calls being an "alternate." If you auditioned and have not heard, please call the school IMMEDIATELY.

travellinghopefully

We just got back from the admitted students weekend at the conservatory at DePaul. The cut program seems to be based on pretty clear factors-like not showing up to class. it is clearly not just arbitrary. The second year students we met with said primarily the kids who were cut expected it. Some kids drop out as well because the program is so intense. It is an absolutely extraordinary program and a number of the students accepted have turned down other prestigious programs to attend DePaul.

DefyingGravity04

Travelling- Congrats on Depaul! If I remember correctly from last year, did your D. go to Drew? Why did she decide to transfer?

alwaysamom

I guess I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that cuts are based on things "like not showing up for class". Attendance is required at the BFA programs with which I'm familiar. It just doesn't happen that half the class chooses not to attend their classes. If this is happening at DePaul, I think I'd want to ask some questions as to why.