bfw611

Does anyone have any information about the theater program at Eugene Lang College at the New School? Also, how challenging are the academics.
I'm not sure why this college doesn't seem to be listed on College Confidential.

stagemum

I liked Eugene Lang, when I visited it, but it is not a conventional Acting program. They have an interesting assortment of courses for their Theater major, and stage a variety of performances (including student works). It is part of the New School, which has always had a strong, progressive, community mission, and they incorporate that philosophy throughout their curriculum. It is a small college: imagine placing Bard or Bennington on lower Fifth Avenue. The classes are all set up as symposia. I was disappointed (and, frankly, somewhat surprised) when they rejected my son. He would probably have preferred UArts, where he's going, nevertheless. Lang's price-tag is very steep, like almost all the Manhattan-based colleges. I'm not sure how much financial aid is available. One of my son's closest friends is going there. I thought it was a very attractive alternative to NYU (they are just a few blocks apart), for students who are not committed to a strict conservatory program. As somebody said on the tour, "we are not the right choice for someone serious about sports or science." Writing is a major part of the curriculum, and the application.

northdad

Agree with stagemum... and I would add that it seems to require a certain initiative on the part of the student to put together the kind of program he or she wants. There is a good deal of interesting theater stuff happening there. A lot of community-engaged theater. Here's an example, out of many, of theater faculty member:
Cecilia Rubino - Assistant Professor of Theater

glassharmonica

Last year, I strong-armed my daughter into applying to Eugene Lang (their application is due a little later than most in January) in those dark moments when I worried she might not have any choices in April (if you don't know the feeling now, folks, get ready!) She is a writer and literature-y kid so she liked the application questions, which were more interesting than the usual "Why College X?"

It seemed to us, on paper, that you could do a lot there as an energetic, creative theater major. She is a self-starter type of kid (had already launched her own Fringe show at 17), so a school that allows kids to initiate projects seemed like a good fit. She is also very much into social justice and community engagement.

She preferred an auditioned program, though, so although she was accepted, she did not look further at Eugene Lang. She did get a decent merit scholarship, but not enough to change the school's ranking on her list.

bfw, I agree that there seems not to be much written about ELCNS on CC. We searched for it last year and did not come of with anything recent of substance. The reason it came to mind for us is that one of her sisters had toured it a few years ago. I knew that the seminar-based classes would appeal to my daughter, and that it would be a good alternative to her other safety school if none of her auditioned schools came through. I also thought the NYC location would be preferable (to her) than some of the other small liberal arts schools we looked at.

I was under the impression that Eugene Lang's admissions are not extremely competitive, so like stagemum, we were surprised her son was not admitted (a kind of moot point because he had already received great offers to schools higher on his list.) I think that just serves to illustrate how unpredictable college admissions can be. Many people we know who has been through this process has received some odd results-- rejections from what they thought were safeties and acceptances at much more selective programs. I guess that's why I made my daughter apply to "just one more school."

MTTwinsinCA

My boys used Lang as a safety last year. But just met someone from the New School and they have just launched a new BFA in Dramatic Arts. Don't know if I can post a link here, but will try: Drama Major | BFA | The New School for Drama

If the link is removed, simply google: The New School BFA Drama and you'll find it.

stagemum

I think this could be a very exciting alternative in NYC. It is just a few blocks away from NYU, but much smaller and more intimate. The affiliation with other divisions of the New School - especially Parsons, Lang, and the music schools (Mannes, for classical, and The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music) will probably allow for some exciting creative cross-pollination.

MTTwinsinCA

Agreed -- my boys DEFINITELY would have applied had this been an option last year.