Both musical theatre programs at NYU offer unique, creative experiences for aspiring artists.
October 10, 2020
So you want to study musical theatre and be on stage, right? Let’s do it! I spent a decade of my childhood performing Indian dance in regional competitions. And as an active member of my school’s thespian club, I also performed in my high school’s rendition of 42nd Street. Ultimately, I followed a different path in life, though my passion for theatre never faded.
NYU is one of the best for theatre. And there’s no question about it. But with two musical theatre programs at NYU, which is the best fit for you? Both are equally reputable and well-respected, pre-professional programs in the industry. Read below to learn more about the differences.
Steinhardt: Vocal Performance (BM)
NYU’s Vocal Performance major at Steinhardt offers three concentrations: music theatre, contemporary voice, and classical voice. So when you apply to Steinhardt’s program, select Vocal Performance as your major, and then select one of the concentrations.
NYU Steinhardt students study with distinguished faculty in private lessons, studio/workshop classes, lecture classes, and master classes. In addition, you’ll perform in productions under the guidance of professional directors, choreographers, conductors, and designers from Broadway and major regional theatre communities. There are weekly, hourlong voice lessons with Steinhardt professors and adjunct faculty who are dedicated to seeing you succeed. Above all, the school prepares you for a career in music theatre.
Steinhardt’s program is not a conservatory program. It’s a liberal arts degree that is far more comprehensive than any BFA program in the country. The program focuses on music (music theory courses include aural skills, history, keyboard skills and so on). During your time at NYU, you will take music theory classes as well as a significant liberal arts curriculum. This allows you to study across the university and pursue multiple interests.
Check out Steinhardt Music Theatre curriculum.
Audition Process
Applicants to Steinhardt’s program must submit a video prescreen (which may lead to an additional audition). Rather than a single long video, the department recommends three shorter clips: the introduction, the first song, and the second song. It’s easier for us to review and easier for you to shoot!
Below are the requirements and suggestions for Steinhardt’s Music Theatre artistic review. Note: The professional quality of the video, lighting, or studio conditions will not influence the review.
Introduction
- Please clearly say your name, the city you are from, and the pieces that you are going to do
- Include the specialization (music theatre) and the degree level (freshman, transfer)
Two songs
- Complete and contrasting songs, no longer than four minutes
- Choose material from music theatre repertoire (avoid rock, pop, country, and jazz) and from two different timespans (pre-1965 and post-1965)
- Demonstrate proficiency in head-voice style of vocalism using legato lines in one of the selections
- Preference for a live pianist accompanist, but due to the current circumstances a recorded track can be used
- No a cappella singing and no accompanying yourself
- Make sure your voice can be heard above the accompaniment
These pieces should demonstrate your vocal, interpretive, and stylistic knowledge. You’ll also upload a résumé and a headshot or photograph along with your prescreen video.
Tisch: Drama (BFA)
Tisch Drama’s musicaltheatre concentration combines conservatory training, equally focused on acting, singing, and dancing, with a challenging academic education. It’s a program where musical skills are viewed as an essential element of an actor’s expressive vocabulary. The New Studio on Broadway offers NYU’s most concentrated musical theatre program, but students attend voice, music, and dance classes throughout Tisch. Students also participate in full-length musicals at other studios.
To clarify, on your application you will apply to NYU Tisch Drama, not to a particular studio.
Curriculum
Upon getting into NYU Tisch Drama, the department assigns you into one of eight different primary studios to begin intensive conservatory training towards a robust artistic foundation. Students remain in their primary studios for two full years.
Year one includes foundational courses: acting, dance, speech, spoken voice, and music. Year two builds upon these courses and open up opportunities for collaborations. In addition to the curricular studio classwork, in year two all students perform in a full-length rehearsal project so that they can apply what has been learned in the first two years of training. Students are also eligible to audition for Tisch Drama productions.
Year three and four projects are typically more challenging and may include world premiere productions of collaborative work written by master’s students in the Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program. Most importantly, an essential goal of year four is providing a bridge from the actor-training environment to the industry and profession.
You can learn more about Tisch’s Musical Theatre curriculum here!
Audition Process
When scheduling your artistic review, the department will ask if you which studios you are interested in applying to. You can choose all studios or musical theatre only. Your answer does not impact your eligibility. All studios: We’ll evaluate you for musical theatre first. If we think you are a good fit, we’ll place you in musical theatre. If not, we may place you in one of the acting studios. Musical theatre only: This option is for those students who want to study musical theatre. If we do not feel you are a match for our musical theatre program, we will consider you you any other alternate programs you listed on your application.
There are three components of your Tisch Musical Theatre artistic review: acting, singing, and dancing.
ACTING
Two contrasting monologues
- Both contemporary (1900 to present), under 90 seconds in length, and presented in English (in your natural voice—no accents!)
- From a published play (no musicals, film/TV scripts, or original material); each monologue should be written as such, not a dialogue pieced and edited together
- Gender of the character need not be a determining factor, and props and costumes are not permitted
- Choose material that is within your age range (roles you would be cast in now)
SINGING
Two contrasting 32-bar song selections
- One 32-bar cut must be from the published musical theatre canon (standard Broadway repertoire)
- One 32-bar cut may be from either musical theatre or a published contemporary piece (may be from rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, gospel, country, opera, classical, etc.)
The evaluator may test your vocal range. Be prepared to sing additional selections if requested.
DANCING
The purpose of this evaluation is to learn where you are in your own dance/movement life. Are you a serious dancer with years of experience and training? Have you never taken a dance class but like to groove to your favorite song on the radio? Or perhaps you learned some choreography for a musical at school. We want to know where you are right now.
Career Outcomes
NYU continues to produce successful graduates in the country. Both Steinhardt and Tisch have access to NYU’s Wassermen Center for Career Development. You’ll have access to these resources for life! Tisch also provides additional mentors through the Tisch Center for Career Development.
In terms of alumni, both programs have plenty! Our Alumni star in Broadway productions such as Book of Mormon, Hello Dolly, and The Phantom of the Opera. Not to mention award winning movies such as The Big Sick, Frozen, and 50 First Dates. They’re also playing on your TV at home, in shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,Modern Family, andSaturday Night Live. Off-screen, alumni are choreographing dance routines. They’re writing screenplays, producing shows, and composing music. Alumni span every corner of the theatre and art industry.
No matter which program you choose, youwillsucceed. NYU supports you in your academic and professional career, and we’ll work our hardest to make your dream a reality.
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Application Help Majors Musical Theater Musical Theatre Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development Tisch School of the Arts
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FAQs
What is the difference between Tisch and Steinhardt? ›
What is the difference between Tisch Music Theatre and Steinhardt Music Theatre? Steinhardt offers a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Vocal Performance, with a Concentration in Music Theatre. Tisch offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Drama with a Concentration in Music Theatre.
How hard is it to get into NYU musical theater? ›Widely considered one of the three or four most prestigious musical theater programs, NYU Tisch's drama department reportedly accepts less than 15% of all applicants. Their New Studio On Broadway program, a musical theater intensive program, is among the most selective MT programs in the entire country.
Is it hard to get into Tisch School of the Arts? ›Admission to the Tisch School of the Arts is a highly selective process. Applicants are held to rigorous academic and artistic standards, and evaluated through a two-part admissions process, which includes submitting both the Common Application and an artistic review.
Is NYU good for musical theater? ›NYU is one of the best for theatre. And there's no question about it. But with two musical theatre programs at NYU, which is the best fit for you? Both are equally reputable and well-respected, pre-professional programs in the industry.
Is Steinhardt hard to get into? ›programs at Steinhardt have some of the highest acceptance rates in the country. Steinhardt's undergraduate acceptance rate hovers around 42%, while the Master's and Advanced Certificates acceptance rates at NYU Steinhardt historically average 50%.
What is NYU Steinhardt acceptance rate? ›In general, our Master's and Advanced Certificate admissions are criterion-based (meaning we admit as many people as we think are qualified). Historically we have averaged around 50% acceptance.
How many people get accepted into Tisch? ›History of NYU Tisch School of Arts
It's no secret that NYU Tisch is one of the most selective schools when it comes to admissions. Their acceptance rate is only about 15% of applicants each year.
- Meghan Gaber '11. Costume Designer/Dresser. ...
- Lady Gaga. Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Musician. ...
- Jenn Gambatese '96. Actor. ...
- Gina Gershon '83. Actor, Writer. ...
- Clark Gregg '86. Actor, Writer, Director. ...
- Arjun Gupta '07. Actor, Producer.
Enrollment for Spring at Tisch Programs is limited. Acceptance is based on: Your academic record. Satisfaction of the prerequisites, including a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement.
Whats the lowest GPA you can have to get into NYU? ›- Score at least a 1365 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT.
- Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.62.
Can I get into NYU with a 3.0 GPA? ›
What GPA Do I Need to Get Into NYU? Most students admitted to NYU have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or higher, which means that you'll want to achieve at least a 3.7 to be seriously considered as an applicant.
Does NYU care about GPA? ›Most students admitted to NYU have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or above, so you'll need to have at least a 3.7 to be seriously evaluated. To meet the NYU GPA requirements, you'll have to score primarily A's and A-'s on your high school courses.
What is NYU Tisch looking for? ›What are some of the main qualities you look for in your incoming class? At Tisch Drama, we're looking for passionate, creative, thinking artists who have the desire to ask questions and find answers, tell stories, and engage with all kinds of collaborators—creatively, intellectually, and professionally.
What can I do with a musical Theatre degree? ›...
Job opportunities
- Songwriter.
- Session Musician.
- Music Manager.
- Music Producer.
- Music Journalist.
- Tour Manager.
NYU Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
Ranked at #5 in College Factual's most recent rankings, NYU is in the top 1% of the country for visual and performing arts students pursuing a bachelor's degree. It is also ranked #1 in New York.
Grade point average (GPA) provides a numeric measurement of high school performance by averaging all final grades. A 3.7 GPA means that you've earned an average of an A- for your academic performance.
What is Northeastern's acceptance rate 2022? ›Northeastern received 90,989 applications for its 2022-23 freshman class and accepted only 6,179—an acceptance rate of 6.7%.
What kind of students does NYU look for? ›How NYU Rates Applicants. There are five factors that NYU ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: 1) rigor of secondary school record, 2) class rank, 3) GPA, 4) standardized test scores, and 5) talent/ability.
What are my chances of getting into NYU? ›The acceptance rate at NYU is 16.2%.
For every 100 applicants, only 16 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.
In the application review process, they will take freshman (and senior) year course choices into account, but will use only grades received in sophomore and junior year when calculating students' GPAs.
How many students are accepted to NYU each year? ›
| Overall Applications Accepted | Overall Applications Received | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,520 | 67,232 |
| 2020 | 19,000 | 63,702 |
| 2019 | 18,500 | 60,322 |
| 2018 | 19,000 | 52,000 |
| On/Off Campus Student | Commuter Student | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Mandatory Fees | $58,168 | $58,168 |
| Room and Board | $20,272 | $2,658 |
| Estimated Total Direct Costs | $78,440 | $60,826 |
| Books and Supplies | $752 | $752 |
NYU Tisch has just been ranked the #1 film school by The Hollywood Reporter. Their announcement highlights the school's accomplished alumni network and ability to mount student film productions in these unprecedented times.
What school has the most celebrities? ›Here's a few findings from our analysis: The most common celebrity alma maters are New York University and UCLA. The most common education level for a celebrity is high school graduate.
Is NYU an Ivy League? ›Although NYU is not an Ivy League school, it is often considered on par with the Ivies due to academics, research, and athletic prestige. In fact, the school was declared as a “New Ivy” by Newsweek due to its impressive admissions statistics and quality education.
What college produces the most actors? ›Producing nearly double as many professionals in the entertainment industry as any other school, New York University takes the top spot.
Does NYU look at senior grades? ›Records of all college work that you have received academic credit for. The Common Application Mid Year Report with updated academic record if mid-year grades are available. This should show your first semester senior year grades.
Can I get into NYU without SAT? ›NYU Will Be Test Optional for the 2021-2022 Application Cycle.
What is a B in GPA? ›| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | 4.0 Scale |
|---|---|---|
| B+ | 87-89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79 | 2.3 |
What GPA is needed for Harvard? ›
In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class.
Is a B+ good in graduate school? ›At most graduate-level institutions, a "B" or higher GPA means the student is in academic good standing.
Is D passing in college? ›In fact, a “D” is considered passing in both high school and college, as it's above 60%. While a passing grade may be as low as 60%, you will want to aim higher for many reasons. As a college student, you don't want to aim to barely pass a class.
Is a 3.5 GPA good for NYU? ›Is your high school GPA good enough for New York University (NYU)? The average high school GPA for admitted students at New York University (NYU) is 3.62 on a 4.0 scale.
How good is a 3.7 GPA? ›A 3.7 GPA, or Grade Point Average, is equivalent to an A- letter grade on a 4.0 GPA scale. This means is equivalent to a 90-92%. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 3.7 is well above average. A 3.7 GPA can be hard to raise as it's already so high, but if you're really determined you can make it happen.
Is getting into NYU easy? ›In fact, approximately 27 percent of students who apply are admitted, meaning about 27 students of every 100 who apply are accepted into NYU. However, do not despair! If NYU is your dream school, you can definitely prepare yourself properly to apply and succeed.
Can I get into NYU with a 3.8 GPA? ›The unofficial NYU GPA requirements range between 3.62 and 3.8. In addition, most of the first-year students in the NYU enrollment rank in the top 10% of their schools.
Is Columbia or NYU better? ›Ranked seventh in the US this year, Columbia has been a consistent presence near the top of the world rankings over the past decade. It ranks well across all the indicators, narrowly beating NYU in three categories: research impact, learning experience and employability.
Can I get into NYU with a 1300 SAT? ›NYU SAT Scores
New York University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 6 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1370 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 1280.
Tisch Drama is dedicated to giving you the artistic and intellectual know-how for a successful life in the performing arts and beyond. What makes Tisch Drama unique? Our undergraduate program matches rigorous conservatory training with a broad and empowering academic curriculum.
What is unique about NYU Tisch? ›
We have the distinct privilege of being part of NYU — this diverse, global university that thrives in great cities. You can join clubs, be an athlete, and take courses that complement and broaden your interests. You can also learn about cultures around the global network university.
What SAT score do you need for NYU Tisch? ›In a recent admissions cycle, when the overall acceptance rate was 21%, the middle 50% of those admitted scored between 1370 and 1540 on the SAT and from 31 to 34 on the ACT. According to the Princeton Review, out of 80,210 applicants in a recent year, the average high school GPA was 3.71.
Is a theatre degree worth it? ›1. Diverse Career Options: There is so much more to the performing arts than acting, directing, dancing or designing. From technical roles to working in wardrobe, check out all the amazing jobs you can pursue with a theater degree. Moreover,many careers in theater are showing promising growth.
How much do actors in musicals get paid? ›In the United States, Broadway actors earn an average of $127,367 per year, with salaries ranging from $26,069 to $708,331 per year. Over 86% of top-paid actors earn more than $708,331 per year. In the United Kingdom, actors earn an average of £26,400 per year, or £13.54 per hour.
Which degree is best for acting? ›- Communication Degree. A degree in communications is a smart choice for an individual who is looking to become an actor or an actress. ...
- Drama Degree. ...
- Film Degree. ...
- Musical Theater Degree. ...
- Costume Design Degree. ...
- Stage Management. ...
- Screenwriting Degree. ...
- Directing/Theater Production.
Widely considered one of the three or four most prestigious musical theater programs, NYU Tisch's drama department reportedly accepts less than 15% of all applicants. Their New Studio On Broadway program, a musical theater intensive program, is among the most selective MT programs in the entire country.
What is the hardest performing arts school to get into? ›The Juilliard School (New York, NY)
Offering degree programs in drama, music, and dance, Juilliard is highly selective in its admission process, including an in-person audition for all students. Founded in 1905, Juilliard is located in the heart of Manhattan, in New York City.
Admission to the Tisch School of the Arts is a highly selective process. Applicants are held to rigorous academic and artistic standards, and evaluated through a two-part admissions process, which includes submitting both the Common Application and an artistic review.
Is NYU and NYU Steinhardt the same? ›The New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (commonly referred to as Steinhardt) is the secondary liberal arts and education school of New York University. It is one of the only schools in the world of its type.
Can you apply for Tisch and Steinhardt? ›Applicants to programs in Steinhardt and Tisch School of the Arts that require an audition or portfolio are not required to submit standardized testing for consideration and doing so is entirely optional. For other programs where an audition or portfolio is optional but not required, testing is required.
What is the Steinhardt scholarship? ›
Steinhardt Graduate Scholarships
We offer this scholarship to on-campus full-time master's and advanced certificate students who are academically talented and show a need for financial assistance. Meet all admissions and FAFSA application deadlines, and you will be automatically considered for this scholarship.
NYU Steinhardt has held a spot among the top 10 schools of education in the United States for the last five years and is currently the highest ranked school of education in New York.
What is the hardest music school to get into? ›As of 2019, the Curtis Institute of Music was the hardest music school to get into. Curtis has a tiny 4.5% acceptance rate. In comparison, Harvard has a 4.7% acceptance rate and Stanford has a 4.4% acceptance rate.
Which NYU school has the most students? ›...
New York University.
| Latin: Universitas Neo Eboracensis | |
|---|---|
| Mascot | Bobcat |
| Website | www.nyu.edu |
Ascending from the #20 ranking in 2015, NYU Steinhardt has held a spot among the top ten schools of education in the United States for the last four years – also currently the highest ranked school of education in New York.
How many people get accepted into Tisch? ›History of NYU Tisch School of Arts
It's no secret that NYU Tisch is one of the most selective schools when it comes to admissions. Their acceptance rate is only about 15% of applicants each year.
NYU undergraduate students are ineligble to apply. If you are a current NYU student interested in taking Tisch courses, we encourage you to register for Courses for NYU Non-Majors. You must have a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. You must not be on academic or disciplinary probation.
What GPA do you need to get into NYU Tisch? ›If you are a current NYU student interested in taking the Tisch program, we encourage you to enrol in the NYU non-major program. You must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. You must not be on academic or disciplinary probation.
How do I get a full scholarship to NYU? ›To get a scholarship to NYU, one should have high GPA and test scores, meaningful extracurriculars, and convincing personal essays. Taking advanced classes, demonstrating financial need, applying to programs with high funding, enrolling full-time, and taking at least 12 credits are recommended, too.
Does NYU give full scholarships to international students? ›NYU is able to offer scholarships for non-U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents applying as first-year students. Students qualify for need-based assistance based on the information presented in their CSS Profile. You must submit the CSS Profile successfully by the deadline to be considered for scholarships.
How much does tuition cost at NYU? ›
Is NYU a top 10 school? ›New York University is ranked #25 out of 443 National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
What makes NYU Steinhardt unique? ›Academic Excellence
Our academic programs rank among the country's best and our faculty and alumni regularly earn national and international recognition in their fields – from Pulitzer Prizes to Grammy Awards. Learn about our rankings and community's accolades and accomplishments.
Like Ivy League schools, NYU is ranked well in major publications. US News ranks the school as #30 among national universities based on 17 factors, including graduation rates, social mobility, faculty, selectivity, and financial resources.