Steinhardt vs. Tisch

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 3:15pm

At NYU there are two musical theatre majors. I am debating which one to audition for. I know the basics- Tisch is more focused on acting while Steinhardt (sp?) focuses more on the musical aspect. I am a singer who acts, not the other way around. I was just wondering if anyone kind of knows the differences and which one is better or easier to get into or ANYTHING that they can possibly tell me about the two programs. At Steinhardt, are there still acting classes within the musical theatre major? I'm just a little confused. Thanks!

[Blair]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 5:12pm

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.

Posted: 5/14/05 at 5:20pm

Oh, have you opened a can of worms...

Tisch is MUCH more difficult to get into than Steinhardt. Tisch requires an audition, and I don't believe that Steinhardt does. Tisch has a much more musical theatre based program, Steinhardt has a vocal performance program. I'm going to be really obnoxious for a minute: I'm a Tisch kid. Tisch is the better program if you want to go into theatre professionally. That's JUST the way it is. I know I'm going to get backlash for saying that, but really, that's how it is. It's a huge rivalry (think Red Sox vs. Yankees) and each school will tell you that it's the better school. TISCH ALL THE WAY!

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 5:35pm

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.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 5:49pm

It's not about which is better!

It's about acting vs. singing.

Steinhardt Musical Theatre is not an acting-based program. Its students don't even take acting their first year (Steinhardt kids, chime in if you're there - I don't even think you take acting your second year, do you?).

Tisch is for actors. There are many different acting studios within Tisch with different focuses - one, CAP21, is focused on Musical Theatre, and although there are many vocal technique and performance classes it is still an ACTING-BASED program.

Which leaves you with the question: what do you want to be? An actor or a singer? An actor who sings or a singer who acts?

What do you think a musical is? What do you admire most in your Broadway heroes - their soaring voices or the earth-shattering heart they put into every word? Do your eyes flood with tears when Shoshana hits an F sharp? or when Tonya Pinkins convulses in shame at having spoken her hate to a child?

Despite discussions of Defying Gravity riffs, which are lovely in their own right, I think we all know, deep down, where the soul of the musical theatre truly exists.

[YeahRight]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 6:46pm

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.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 6:56pm

Okay, please just read my earlier post. It clearly outlines the differences between the programs. It has none of the biases of a theatre student - only the bias of a lover of musical theatre.

[Caleb]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 7:38pm

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

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 8:44pm

do you know what sucks? you can't audition for both

[Jwei123]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 8:52pm

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.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 8:56pm

Why can't you audition for both?

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 10:05pm

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. :)

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 10:44pm

These are all amazing responses, and I'm so appreciative. Alright, here's the deal. I consider myself a singer. I am completely a musical theatre person. The only thing I'm concerned about is getting a good acting education. Since I consider acting to be not as strong as my singin, I want to improve my acting greatly while at college. So I guess my question would be, does Steinhardt have a good acting program in addition to their singing because it makes me nervous not to. Also, does Steinhardt not give a BFA? Does only Tisch give it? And Steinhardt gives a Bachelor of Music? And does that hurt you in the long run?

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 12:34am

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.

[Chitty]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 2:37am

Steinhardt is way more selective than CAP 21.

If you want to be a real musician (and that's what a musical theater performer is) go to Steinhardt.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 8:54am

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. :)

[Chitty]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 2:45pm

Ashley..PM me if you want to. You're getting innacurate information from people who claim to know NYU.

[babygiraffeboots]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 3:35pm

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.

[itstheM]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 4:55pm

If you really want to go to Tisch, go for graduate work. They have an amazing grad program. Graduates also get cast first in shows. (not all the time, but mostly) My friend is at Tisch film and she has friends in theater and a lot of them are not really happy. My friends in Steinhardt love it!

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 5:00pm

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

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:14pm

babygiraffeboots, your question is even more controversial than the original question :) umm.. i'm not going to push my (or any) studio on you. they all put out a very specific 'type' of actors and each studio has its weak and strong links. i think in order to make an informed decision, you really have to research the studios and read up on acting techniques before you will know. i can't tell you what's the right studio for you. no teachers are more or less qualified, but if one studio has a particular teacher you want to study with you might want to look at that. if one studio has a particular technique you want to study, look at that. no one can give you the answer as to what studio you want to study at.
Updated On: 5/15/05 at 06:14 PM

[Snoopy]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:18pm

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.

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 7:01pm

not to chime in here because I am not a student there. I was accepted into the Strasberg studio 2 years ago but opted not to go and chose another school for my own reasons...which i now regret..recently, ending up for credit at the cap summer studio last summer and again this summer.. anyway not like that matters but, you all have valid points. I just think you should research this stuff yourself. It's great to get opinions from the people who attend the schools but, an authority figure might be best to help you decide what you want. I also loved that comment by snoopy ". 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. "

it's 100% true... at some FINAL callbacks, they might make you sing a song you've never sung before let alone heard...they might not play it for you..they might just assume you can do it on your own based on your training credits. So that really is important. I was told a story about a major show done in NYC and a WONDERFUL talented girl who most of us know..I will not repeat the name here so don't ask, lost the role because she could not sing the song cold.

Sorry again for giving my 2 cents but, I find this sort of helpful for myself too. I just wish this website exsisted when I was going in for college a few years back.

Updated On: 5/15/05 at 07:01 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 8:14pm

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.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 9:24pm

This is a bit off-topic, but speaking as someone who can't read music, do you know of any books or self-teaching programs to learn? I'm afraid I would be a slow learner and embarassed by taking a class.