Good theater Schools in NYC or Chicago?

[skb2010]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 12:14am

What are some good schools for musical theater/music education? Next year is my junior year, so i need to start the college fun stuff. I would prefer to go to NYC or Chicago (or anywhere in a big city). I've heard a lot of good stuff about Columbia.

[star2be]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 11:47am

columbia for theatre........wouldn't recommend it
at least columbia in chicago

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:55am

Yeah, if you're talking about the Ivy League school Columbia (in NYC), that would be a resounding NO for theatre. If you're talking about Columbia in Chicago, I've heard mixed responses from various friends of mine who have friends who go there.

Well, of course I have to toot my own school's horn (rightfully so, though!). Northwestern (which is 12 miles north of Chicago) is a great theatre school. I've realized more and more upon coming here (well, there, really, since I'm currently in Florida for break) that it was the PERFECT choice for me. So many opportunities to be involved in student theatre. AND the musical theatre certificate program is great. The best thing, though, is that you don't have to be involved in the MT program to get classes in MT. (It's just a lot easier if you are, apparently.)

Anyway, also...The Depaul Theatre School, which is in Chicago. Hah, it was hands-down the most fun I've ever had at an audition, especially an audition for a school. And I've heard nothing but great things about the program. Something that I've heard about both Depaul and Columbia (in Chicago) is that the theatre program is great but the academics might be a little less than challenging. That might be okay for you; different strokes for different folks.

Of course, NYU Tisch. Renowned program there, for sure. Also, Juilliard is in NYC...if you wanted to give that a go, although their reputation seems to be declining at least a bit. Marymount Manhattan is where a few of my theatre friends go...and they LOVE it. AMDA is an option. Basically what I've gathered about AMDA is that your success really depends on what you make of the training they offer. But...isn't that really true about all schools? SUNY Purchase has a good theatre program, although it's not necessarily IN the city. I think it's about 30 minutes outside of it (or something?).

I think that the only school of the ones I've talked about that you don't have to audition for is Northwestern. I guess they just assume that their academic standards are high enough that, if they accept a certain amount of students, most of those students will have the common sense to have determined if they could honestly excel in a given field. (I don't know; I've wondered about it a lot, and that's what I came up with.)

Good luck!

(And that's, by all means, not an exhaustive list. I'm sure there are many more schools in NYC and Chicago that deserve to be looked at. These are just the ones that came to mind first.)

[LovinGoodMusicals]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:45pm

Just a little side note about Northwestern: You do have to audition for the Vocal Performance program--and for the Music Ed program.

ALSO, another big Chicago Theatre school that lovelyspotlight forgot to mention is Roosevelt University: Chicago College of Performing Arts.

It's a conservatory and has a great program musical theatre and theatre program--which is becoming increasingly more popular and stronger every year. You have to audition to get in.

[skb2010]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:46pm

Thank you so much! I would LOVE to go to Northwestern, but isn't it expensive?

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 10:04am

skb, it IS a bit expensive...but they're really good with financial aid. My EFC was a certain amount, and they provided me with ALL but that amount. If your parents are super wealthy and can (according to FAFSA) afford the entirety of the tuition, I would say hop on getting some outside scholarships to help you out, because Northwestern awards financial aid based on need alone. That is, unless you're a National Merit Scholar and get that $2,000 a year. But that's $2,000 of about $50,000 each year.

SO, basically, if you need money, you'll get it from Northwestern. If you don't, your parents will be stuck paying $50,000 a year...or having you take out loans galore and have a nightmare to pay back when you graduate.

And, lovingoodmusicals, sorry about my Roosevelt omission.

ALSO, just a note...since you're entering your junior year, you still have some time to alter this if you need or want to. For Northwestern - or for any school, for that matter - you're going to need to show serious involvement in 1-3 extracurricular commitments. So, get involved! Also, grades are no small thing. I know you probably realize this; I'm just reiterating for extra motivation. =]
Updated On: 3/26/08 at 10:04 AM

[MM2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 2:17pm

Has anyone attended The Theatre School at DePauL? Would be interested in comments.

[Juliash]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 4:45pm

All college is expensive...I'm learning...

[ThatBroadwayBitch]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 1:57pm

Don't go to AMDA. If you have to do that, just make some money and move to NY and audition. That's the last resort beyond last resorts. I went to NYU Tisch. It was okay.

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:03pm

ThatBroadwayBitch, what studio were you in?

[ThatBroadwayBitch]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:48pm

Playwrights Horizons, home of Raul Esparza.

[LovinGoodMusicals]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 10:39pm

If you don't mind me asking, ThatBroadwayBitch, why was Tisch just "okay?"

[ThatBroadwayBitch]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:24am

It's very big, most of the students are very annoying and the level of training isn't up to par as a result. I personally didn't like going to a school where I'm constantly wondering why 10% of my class "even got in here." Standards are sinking and fast. That's not to say I didn't have some incredibly talented and successful people in my classes. But they would have been talented anywhere, just off the bus from NYC or spending $40,000 a year. It had nothing to do with the school.

[takehomeazak06]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 5:41pm

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University is a great option with a great program that has really taken off in these past few years.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:28pm

On the subject of AMDA, its a good school with a bad reputation. If anything, you'll get a lot of dance experience. I will say that they accept a lot of people (except every year its less and less) that don't seem very focused or serious. But by the time you graduate, they should be rooted out. But every school has their weakenesses so don't count AMDA out! And now you can get your BFA!

Circle in the Square Theater School is good too, or so I hear. I don't know from experience, but its another two year school.

[skb2010]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 2:30am

Oh. I'm looking for a 4 year school, and yeah, I have been looking in to Roosevelt. This website, careercruising.com, has this school selector and it came up as a match for me. I'm in all-and-a-half clubs at school, and my grades are like a 3.6/3.7/3.8 average. It varies alot, because some of my classes grade weird.

[skb2010]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 2:31am

"but they're really good with financial aid. My EFC was a certain amount, and they provided me with ALL but that amount. "

what does that mean?

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:46am

When you complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile, your EFC (Estimated Financial Contribution) is determined. That amount is the amount your family should be able to pay this coming year towards your college tuition. Northwestern subtracted that amount from the tuition and room and board costs and awarded me with the entire amount I needed.

To give you a better idea...my EFC was around $12,000. Tuition, etc., was around $48,000. $48,000 - $12,000 = $36,000, which is the amount Northwestern gave me. In other words, they provided me with all that I needed.

[icantbelive]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 11:07am

Northwestern is such a good school all around and since there is no audition you are judged solely on your grades.

Good Luck!

[skb2010]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 2:20am

oh. ok thanks. =]

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 10:35am

Lovelyspotlight,

Let me ask you something...

I'm seriously considering Northwestern, and I'm trying to figure out what I need to strengthen on my application.

Was there some common denominator among students, something that they really look for?

Also, do you feel you're getting an adequate theatre education there?

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 3:02pm

Scaryclowns -

1) At our convocation, President Bienen talked about our incoming class being the best for many reasons. He mentioned a higher average SAT score...and that's something I noticed among my peers at Northwestern. Most SAT scores are pretty high. If you go to collegeboard.com and look up Northwestern's stats there, you get a pretty accurate picture of the SAT stuff. But, I would say try to strengthen those to the best of your ability. Also, try your best to be unique and interesting in your essays. If you really care about the application, don't do anything to jeopardize your admission. If there is room for an attachment (i.e., a theatre resume or something), do it. Another thing is dedicated involvement in some activities. Also, volunteering. Northwestern is big on that stuff. GPA too, yes. And taking more challenging courses is a must. If you show you tried, a few B's aren't going to stop them from taking you.

Another bit. When you get guidance recommendations, try to get them from people who you really know/have spoken with extensively. Make friends with the guidance counselors and guidance secretaries. They can really help you out during crunch time. With teacher recommendations...when you ask them to write them, I would provide your teachers with some points about yourself that you might suggest they talk about. For instance, you could try to get them to emphasize your involvement in a certain activity...or your leadership skills...etc. I find that it's MUCH better to do that than to leave them with an open-ended "Could you write me a letter of recommendation?" This is just so they don't put your batter (name) in a common cookie cutter mold.

2) I LOVE the theatre department here. I haven't begun actual acting classes yet (those don't start until sophomore year), but my required freshman courses have been great. And student theatre here is amazing and so so so awesome to learn from. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to ask.

I hope that was at least mildly helpful. The application stuff might have been a bit broad, but I think that, really, kind of the same advice can be given for applicants to most top schools.