Steinhardt vs. Tisch

I'm looking at Steinhardt, and what I've gathered is that it's a vocal performance major, only you have some acting and beginner dance classes added. You have to do all of the voice stuff that the classical music students learn, plus some musical theatre songs.

If you've never trained classically and don't plan too, chances are you wouldn't like Steinhardt. If you're an excellent dancer, you would probably feel unchallenged there too. I've heard that their dance classes are designed for the vocalist who has never studied dance.

I'm a classically trained singer who acts and moves. That's why I would be best in Steinhardt's program.

oh my. you do need to audition for the steinhardt program. i don't think as many people audition so it is not as selective. supposedly, yes, the steinhardt MT program is more music based with acting and dance. cap 21 is more dance/acting based with music.

i'm at Tisch for drama but not for MT so i'll try to be as unbiased as possible.

if you are talking about the level of the shows, the mainstage musicals at tisch are generally not great. i don't know too much about the process but they always seem to cast the same very weak people over and over, when there are tons of talented MT performers in all of tisch that would do a great job. the steinhardt musicals are absolutely fantastic. there are about 5 people in the musicals that are always right on, top notch. there are very few weak links.

as far as which is most 'prestigious?' tisch. bottom line. it has had more alumni, a bigger following, way more people audition. the school of tisch vs. steinhardt (including other majors/classes), tisch is much more known. but which one is "better?" it's up to interpretation.

Steinhardt is the better of the two.

I love the comment "If you've never studied classical voice you won't like it".

Honey..voice training is VOICE training. Classical (in your world, opera) sinngers use the same kind of tech lessons that Broadway people use. Do you think Chenos classical training has prevented her from being a musical theater star? Kelli O'Hara studied opera and she's starred in two muscials. In fact, if you don't study classsical voice, you aint gonna be able to produce 8 shows a week (ask some of those early "Rent"ers who sang in clubs and could only get through 3 shows a week).

Steinhardt is the serious of the two schools. They excell in voice and acting. Cap 21 puts out some lovely dancers who can barely carry a tune.

I'm in Steinhardt, and though I'm not a musical theatre major, I have several friends who are. They all love it, and everyone I know in Tisch loves it. I think, above all, you'll be happy with wherever you end up, so above all else, you should keep that in mind.

That being said, I think it depends on what you want to focus on. Tisch is acting intensive, and Steinhardt is singing intensive. So, if you want to learn how to sing properly and pick up acting along the way, go to Steinhardt. If you want to study acting intensively and pick up singing along the way, go for Tisch.

Both programs require auditions, and I don't think there's anyone who can really say which one is harder to get into. I'm almost certain Tisch is more difficult, if for no other reason than there are more applicants.

Another thing to keep in mind is what kind of musical experience you would like to during your school years. The Tisch musicals are not very good, and the Steinhardt musicals are incredible. I went and saw Sweeney Todd (Tisch), and it was fairly bad. There were certainly admirable qualities, but it was obvious that the cast was actors who sang a little bit. So when I went to see Parade (Steinhardt), I was assuming it would be singers who could act a little bit. I was wrong! The acting was incredible, and the singing did not fall below my expectations. I was blown away. The show was very close to professional quality.

If you want to be in good musicals while in school, I'd say go for Steinhardt. If you want to be in good plays, Tisch is the only place to go.

This is all my opinion, and I would actually advise you to audition for both. If you get into both, well then we would all be lucky enough to have problems like that. If you only get into one, then your decision is basically made for you.

Caleb

Steinhardt most certainly has an audition, and in addition to the performance aspect of it, there's also a music theory portion of the audition.

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You can't audition for both because they are different colleges within NYU and you can only apply to one NYU college. Period.

Bottom line is that both are good programs. You have to decide whether you want a Bachelor of Music or a BFA. If you have an extensive music background, including theory, go for Steinhardt, if not, go for Tisch. Tisch is definitely the one with the better reputation in the theatre world but that doesn't mean that you can't be successful if you're a Steinhardt grad.

There are many more applicants to Tisch for CAP21. Each year approximately 1500 kids indicate CAP21 as their first choice studio when they audition. CAP21 enrolls a class of 60 incoming freshmen. Steinhardt auditions a fraction of that. It's a personal choice. Good luck with whatever you decide. :)

yes, steinhardt is a BM, tisch is a BFA.

i am not sure if steinhardt uses a specific acting technique ... or how frequently they take acting classes. i would definitely look into that.

i'd say audition for tisch if you want to work on your acting - just keep in mind that tisch will already expect you to be a very strong actor.

ashley, PM me if you'd like more information. You're getting some inaccurate information here and there's really no point in an argument starting in your thread. I'm at Tisch and could put you in touch with someone at Steinhardt if you like to get further information. I'm happy to discuss the different studios at Tisch if that is information you need to make your decision. PM me or email me. :)

I know there is controversy over the vocal training at cap21. Any opinion on the othe studios, individual wise? I'm at the young actors program at strasberg and my voice teacher who I'm pretty sure works with the college kids to is great.

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I am stunned that anyone would think that a "musician" is what "a musical theatre performer is."

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You're stunned? How about misinformed.

A true musical theater performer not only is a singer but also understands and knows how to use music theory..and we're not talking just the basic E,G,B,D,F stuff. They must know how to sight read, know how to interprate the notations and they must be able to commiunicate that to a music director, fellow castmember, ect. They must also have a basic understanding of the piano and be able to play their parts if necessary.

That..my friend..is a true musician. And that is a musical theater performer.

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Oh believe me, I have gotten so much other information as well. Been to information sessions, and talked to faculty too. I was just interested to hear the opinions of students. It's turned out to be great advice.

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