<p>Can anyone give me some insight into the interview process for Neighborhood Playhouse? Why do they not require an audition?</p>
<p>I am unfamiliar with the interview process at the Neighborhood Playhouse, but from my own experience with that type of interview for entrance, it’s a rather simple process designed to just get to know you and how you will fair as a student in their program. You shouldn’t be worried about acceptance, just speak truly.</p>
<p>Some schools (yes, even very respectable ones) do not require an audition because they believe that auditions do not showcase the student’s true potential. Acting is after all, much more than an audition. However, be wary of schools who do not have a standard for quality students, as many schools dedicated to the arts accept a great number of first year students regardless of their background as a money generating tool, and then cast them away when they are not invited back. It’s very sad to see this, but there are SO MANY schools like this that exist.</p>
<p>Also, if you are considering the Neighborhood Playhouse because you’re interested in the Meisner technique, I’d suggest Esper Studio or even Maggie Flanigan Studio over that place. The Playhouse isn’t as prestigious as it used to be, but Esper has a very strong reputation for training quality actors, and the program used to be based off Rutgers’, since Bill Esper founded the acting program at Rutgers before leaving. Flanigan used to teach under Esper but now has her own thing going on that is more affordable. Esper studied directly under Meisner and taught with him for a time and is considered one of the few first generation master Meisner teachers still around. Of course, you may end up studying with someone else other than Bill himself at Esper, but all have been trained by him. From the talk I hear, the Neighborhood Playhouse gets along mostly on Meisner’s old reputation.</p>
<p>I have heard of esper and flannigan. However, I need a school that is accredited for financial reasons and I didn’t see anything about that on their sites. NP isn’t in the same ball park as AMDA is it? I am also considering Circle in the Square. I am interested in musical theatre so that’s the route I would chose there. However, I’ve heard it is more competitive. Does anyone have any information on that audition process. It’s just interesting to hear from people who are students or have auditioned.</p>
<p>Like you’ve found, Esper and Flanigan wouldn’t be accredited for any sort of financial aid nor do they give out scholarships so you are out of luck there.</p>
<p>I don’t know what you mean by NP and AMDA being in the same ballpark. In terms of quality training, AMDA is generally frowned upon by those who frequent these boards and backstage.com. I’m not sure if Meisner work is done there.</p>
<p>Circle in the Square has always offered consistent quality training, but yes, it is extremely competitive to get in to compared to NP and AMDA or even any other 2-3 year conservatory in NYC.</p>
<p>Check out backstage’s forums for information on Circle in the Square. You will probably find more folks who can help you out. Very few people on this board are knowledgeable about 2-3 year conservatory programs.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. Yeah I meant if NP was looked at the same way amda is. I auditioned for amda a couple years ago but was very uninterested after doing research.</p>
<p>Also, have you considered Cap 21? I’m not sure if it is still affiliated with NYU, but they do have their own conservatory program. It costs quite a bit more than the other schools you are looking at, but they do make mention that they give out scholarships. For MT, that may be one of the best places you can attend in NYC as they are highly regarded (at least in their program with NYU).</p>
<p>I also hear that AMDA gives out big scholarships pretty easily.</p>
<p>Yes but they won’t be accredited until 2012 I do believe. They are not with NYU anymore, according to what I have heard.</p>
<p>Is anyone familiar with the cost of the two year conservatory at William Esper? It doesn’t seem to be on their web site.</p>
<p>Esper’s full time program is about $11,000 per year, which is the average price of 2-year conservatories in NYC. That includes every single class they offer. I am in this program. They also offer a core program, which is only Acting, Movement, and Voice and Speech, and it costs much less. You’d have to call them about how much that would be. You can of course take Acting only, and add whatever other classes you want to supplement that with, and you can also do this in their core program.</p>
<p>You won’t get any MT training at Esper, but you will develop a HUGE foundation for yourself in ever other aspect of the craft.</p>