FAQ About Our Department

What are the distinctive strengths of Tisch Undergraduate Drama?

The Department of Drama at Tisch School of the Arts combines rigorous conservatory training with a challenging and enriching academic education.  Using the incomparable theatrical resources of New York City as well as the superb intellectual assets of New York University, the department has created a B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts) program that aims to establish the artistic and intellectual foundations for a successful and sustained life in the professional theatre and allied disciplines. top

Who makes up your faculty?

Our professional training faculty is composed of accomplished, working artists.  Internationally recognized theatre studies scholars lead the academic faculty. top

I have heard about “the studios” in the Drama department. Can you please explain the studio system?

Upon acceptance into the department, students are placed into one of seven different Primary studios where they begin intensive conservatory training towards a strong foundation in technique.  Students remain in their Primary studio for four consecutive semesters.  

It is important to understand that candidates apply to the Department of Drama at Tisch School of the Arts and not to a particular studio.  The studio placement decision lies with the Department of Drama. Once Primary training is completed, students have many options for Advanced training (see question below).  

The following are the seven Primary studios.  All are acting studios except where noted.

Stella Adler School of Acting
Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School
Experimental Theatre Wing
The Meisner Studio 
New Studio on Broadway: Music Theatre and Acting
Playwrights Horizons Theatre School (also directing)
Technical Production Track (design, production, stage management) top

Do the studios only offer classes in acting?

No. All performance-based Primary studios offer foundations in areas such as acting technique, vocal technique, dance and movement, script analysis, scene study, improvisation and often singing.  In addition, we have studios for directing, music theatre, and design, production and stage management. top

Do I choose my studio?

No.  Candidates apply to the Department of Drama at Tisch School of the Arts and not to a particular studio.  The studio placement decision lies with the Drama department. top

Do 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 Primary training is completed, students have many options for Advanced training.  These are outlined below. top

What are my professional training options after Primary Studio?

Once Primary training is completed, students have many options for Advanced training.  They may stay in their Primary studio to delve deeper into the technique or they might try another studio to learn a different approach to creating performance.  We have several studios available only at the Advanced level, whose focus areas include classical training, Viewpoints theory and acting for the camera.  A student may also choose to do an internship or study abroad to continue their professional training. top

What kind of performance opportunities does the department offer?

Each year, the department provides over 200 performance opportunities, including departmental productions, studio workshops, independent directing projects and student-generated work.  The department offers a proposal-based system of choosing the season, with projects ranging from full-scale, fully-realized productions to smaller workshops and even more intimate cabaret and avant-garde performances.  Please note the restrictions on performing for first-year and transfer students below. top

May 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 training and to adjust to college life and living in New York City.  You must be in good academic standing in order to audition.