- What is unique about Tisch Undergraduate Drama?
- Do the studios only offer classes in acting?
- I have heard about “the studios” in the Drama department. Can you please explain the studio system and list the studios?
- Do I choose my studio?
- Do I stay in one studio for four years?
- What are my professional training options after Primary Studio?
- May I audition for shows as soon as I begin at Tisch?
- What kind of performance opportunities does the department offer?
- Tell me about your faculty.
- How do I apply to your program?
- If I audition for Musical Theatre, can I be considered for an acting studio as well?
- Do I have to audition in New York City?
- Can I audition by video?
- How should I prepare for my Artistic Review?
- Do you have any tips about the audition and interview components of the Artistic Review?
Undergraduate Drama FAQ
What is unique about Tisch Undergraduate Drama?
The Department of Drama at Tisch School of the Arts is unique in the nation for its combination of rigorous conservatory training and broad-ranging academic education. Using the incomparable theatrical resources of New York City as well as the superb intellectual resources of New York University, the department has created a uniquely balanced B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts) program that aims to establish the artistic and intellectual foundations for a successful professional life in the theatre and allied disciplines.topDo the studios only offer classes in acting?
No. In addition to acting classes in the particular technique offered by each Primary Studio, acting students study movement and voice as part of their training. In addition, we have studios for Directing, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre (design, production, and stage management).
topI have heard about “the studios” in the Drama department. Can you please explain the studio system and list the studios?
In order to manage the size of the Drama department, we have created a studio system comprised of the eight professional training studios listed below. Once accepted, each student is placed in a studio to complete two years of primary professional training. In the interview, each applicant will be asked about his or her own studio preferences, but the placement decision lies with the Drama department.
The following are the eight Primary Studios. All are acting studios except where noted.
Stella Adler Conservatory
Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School
Collaborative Arts Project 21 (musical theatre)
Experimental Theatre Wing
The Meisner Extension
Playwrights Horizons Theatre School (also directing)
Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute
Technical Production Track (design, production, stage management)
Do I choose my studio?
No. Students audition for admission into the Drama department, not for a particular studio. In the interview, each applicant will be asked about his or her own studio preferences, but the placement decision lies with the Drama department. Accepted students are placed in a Primary Studio based on their audition, interview, training background and interests.topDo I stay in one studio for four years?
No. Students are required to remain in their Primary Studio for the first two years of the program. Once they have completed their Primary Studio training, they have a number of options to complete additional professional training requirements. These are outlined below.topWhat are my professional training options after Primary Studio?
After two years in Primary Studio, students may continue at their original studio, transfer to another to learn a new technique or train in one of our advanced programs: Stonestreet Studio for Film and Television (to gain on-camera experience), Classical Studio (to work with Shakespeare and other classical texts) or Style and Character (to work with several different styles such as Chekhov and Restoration). Students may also study abroad or take on an internship.
topMay I audition for shows as soon as I begin at Tisch?
No. First-year students must wait one year before they are eligible to audition for department or studio productions. Transfers must wait one semester to audition. We think it is important for you to take time to embrace the new techniques of your Primary Studio training and to adjust to living in New York City. You must be in good academic standing in order to audition.
topWhat kind of performance opportunities does the department offer?
Each year, the department offers over 150 productions, including department mainstage productions, studio workshops, directing projects and independent student productions. Please note the restrictions on performing for first-year and transfer students above.
topTell me about your faculty.
Our professional training faculty is composed of accomplished, working artists. Internationally recognized theatre studies scholars and theorists lead the academic faculty.
topHow do I apply to your program?
Admission is based on both an academic application and an artistic evaluation. Academic application guidelines may be found on the NYU Undergraduate Admissions page. Artistic evaluation guidelines and scheduling information may be found on the Drama Artistic Review page. It is to your advantage to submit your application and schedule your artistic review as early as possible. All application deadlines are strictly enforced. Both the academic application and the artistic review are evaluated as a whole in order to determine admission. Therefore, both parts must be complete before an admissions decision can be made.
topIf I audition for Musical Theatre, can I be considered for an acting studio as well?
Yes. When you audition on the Musical Theatre track, we assume CAP 21 is the studio in which you are most interested. Due to its size, we cannot place all accepted musical theatre candidates there. In your interview, you will be asked if you would like to be considered for an acting studio as well. You may have the option to apply to transfer into CAP 21 after your first two years in another primary studio, if you were still interested in pursuing some more comprehensive musical theatre training at that point.topDo I have to audition in New York City?
Early Decision candidates must audition in New York City. In addition to New York, the department visits San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston to hold artistic reviews for Regular Decision and Transfer candidates.topCan I audition by video?
In extenuating circumstances, videos may be submitted for artistic review, but students must follow specific guidelines. (Please refer to the Drama Video Guidelines PDF. Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will not be considered.) Also, please understand that while videos are weighed the same as live auditions, they are more difficult to evaluate and do not allow for personal interaction during the interview. Only use the video submission option if you absolutely cannot make it to one of the six cities listed above for a live artistic review or in the event that all available audition appointments have been filled.topHow should I prepare for my Artistic Review?
When you request your Artistic Review appointment, you will be asked to select one of four entrance tracks: Acting, Musical Theatre, Directing or Technical Production. Each has its own requirements for Artistic Review, as outlined on the Drama Artistic Review page.
All applicants are required to bring a résumé and photograph to the artistic review. A professional headshot is not necessary. Your evaluator will not accept additional material beyond the résumé and photo. All monologues and songs must be from published plays.
It is imperative that you fully research all of the studios associated with the Drama department. Once accepted, each student is placed in a studio to complete two years of primary professional training. In the interview, each applicant will be asked about his or her own studio preferences, but the placement decision lies with the Drama department.
Do you have any tips about the audition and interview components of the Artistic Review?
Please visit the Drama Artistic Review page for comprehensive information regarding artistic review requirements.
For the audition portion of the Artistic Review, please choose material appropriate for you. Our concern at the audition is your natural ability as a performer and how it would be served by the training we offer. Therefore, select monologues carefully (with characters that are close to your age and experience) to allow yourself to shine through the material. Be sure to read the entire play from which your monologue is taken.
After your audition, there will be an interview. This is your time to tell us about yourself -- your background, professional and academic goals, and studio preferences.
