ATTENTION - Current BA/BFA Theater/Acting/Drama Students

Alexxmichele
Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:54:07 +0000

Hey! I’m a current freshman at NYU Tisch in the Strasberg studio- i’ll try to answer these quickly because I know when I was applying this would’ve helped out a lot.

How did you pick this school?
NYU was my dream school- I applied early decision. I did a lot of research, and I loved everything about the school. I wanted a school that focused on academics as well as training, but in a conservatory setting, because I think that the more you know about life in general, the more it will help you develop yourself as an actor. Also, with NYU’s unbelievable alumni list, how could it not be on the top of your list?

What other schools did you apply to?
I was planning to apply to many schools, but withdrew or cancelled my apps once I was accepted to NYU. The few schools that I actually submitted applications to/auditioned for before NYU, I was accepted to.

Where did you get in?
CCM, Milikin, Indiana University, Coastal Carolina University

What classes are you taking in the BFA?
Vocal Production, Ballet, Tai Chi, Speech, Method Acting, Improv, & Stainslovsky to Strasberg (basically a history of acting class)

-these classes of course differ by studio

What are you learning in those classes?
everything… , sense memory, international phonetic alphabet, speaking on voice, improv… but a lot of basics too. It gets more complicated as your time goes on.

Do you enjoy those classes?
Yes, very much so. As a freshman, some of the aspects of being a freshman and having to do very basic work can be really frustrating, but overall I’m loving it.

How are the teachers?
The teachers are absolutely fantastic. They are geniuses. They’ve all pretty much been on Broadway and have amazing stories and life experiences to tell us about. One of my acting teachers was Alec Baldwin’s acting teacher… and just the little golden pieces of knowledge they will drop on you is so brilliant you can’t even fathom it.

Are they knowledgeable and well informed?
^see above

Are there certain teachers that students don’t get along with?
No

Are your classmates talented?
Extremely. I’m blown away every time my friends perform.

Are there opportunities to perform?
As a freshman, you aren’t allowed to perform in the shows, but you can do student run productions and such.

How much time do you spend doing things directly related to your major?
Well we have studio for 9 hours 3 times a week… so a lot haha

How is the school setting you up with agents and managers and what not?
They aren’t concerned with that right now, I’m a freshman, so I’m not really sure.

Do you have a life outside of the BFA program?
Yes, very much so. I’ve become so close with people in my studio, because it is so small, and living in New York City is such an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Are people able to minor or double major in something else?
Yes, it’s quite common at NYU actually

Are the academic classes difficult?
Yes, but in a good way.

Does the school have a reputation for having good, bad, or average academics? Does this seem to be true based on your personal experience?
Good, and yes.

Do you know anyone doing a double major or minor in the BFA program?
Yes I do, and I’m actually considering double majoring in psychology.

What’s the campus like?
There’s not a typical “campus” and while this is a turn off for a lot of people, it’s actually one of my favorite things about NYU. You get to explore the city and it’s in the best part of the city- the village. It’s so beautiful and so wonderful. Everyday I wake up here and can’t believe this is actually my life.

What’s the city/town like?
Amazing. Like i said. Amazing amazing amazing.

What is your general impression of the students there?
There are some weirdos. There are some nerds. There are just a wide wide variety of people at NYU. But there’s 22,000 people here, you will definitely be able to find normal people; especially if you go into drama, since you’ll be with such a small community.

How do you spend your free time?
We go see shows, we walk around new york, we shop, people go to bars and clubs… theres a million things to do.