Department FAQs

Tisch Drama 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.

Internationally recognized theatre studies scholars and accomplished, working teaching artists provide a rich, vibrant and diverse curriculum for our students.

Upon acceptance into the Department and after a student deposits, students are placed into one of eight different primary studios where they begin intensive conservatory training towards a strong foundation in technique. Students remain in their primary studios for two full years (four consecutive semesters). Once primary training is completed, students have many options for advanced training (see question below).

• It is important to understand that you are applying to Tisch Drama and not to a particular studio.
• The studio placement decision lies with the Department. 
• Studio placement notifications are sent in late-May after a student deposits.

The eight primary studios are listed below. Six are acting studios, one is a musical theatre program and one is dedicated to production and design.​ Our directing program is housed at the Playwrights Horizons Theater School. Our concentrated musical theatre training program lives at the New Studio on Broadway.

• Stella Adler Studio of Acting
• Atlantic Acting School
• Experimental Theatre Wing
• The Meisner Studio
• New Studio on Broadway
• Playwrights Horizons Theater School
• Production & Design Studio
• Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute

When applying as a musical theatre candidate and schedule your artistic review, we will ask if you want to be considered for ALL STUDIOS or MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY. Your answer will not impact your eligibility for the musical theatre program.

IF YOU SELECT "ALL STUDIOS"
This option is for those students for whom Tisch Drama is their overriding objective. These candidates will be considered for placement in the musical theatre studio first. If we feel they are an appropriate fit, we will place them there. If not, we will place them in one of the acting studios. If applicants select this option and are admitted to Tisch Drama, they will receive their studio placement after they have accepted the offer of admission and deposited.

IF YOU SELECT "MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY"
This option is for those students who want to use their undergraduate experience to study musical theatre only, and not be considered for placement in one of the acting studios. If we do not feel they are a match for our musical theatre program at this time, they will not be accepted into NYU. If applicants select this option and are admitted to Tisch Drama, these candidates will be placed in the New Studio on Broadway.

Tisch Drama offers a range of programs where musical skills are viewed as an essential element of an actor’s expressive vocabulary. Our most concentrated musical theatre program is offered through the New Studio on Broadway, but students attend voice, music and dance classes throughout the Department and participate in full-length musicals at other studios, including Playwrights Horizons, Strasberg and ETW. At least one musical is traditionally chosen as a core element of the Department’s produced season and the departmental curriculum offers cabaret classes, which culminate in produced final projects. Also, countless musical theatre and cabaret performances are staged by Drama students both in student-produced productions and as part of the directing program at Playwrights Horizons Theater School. 

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, musical theatre, and design, production and stage management.

No. The studio placement decision lies with the department. 

• It is important to remember that you are applying to Tisch Drama and not to a particular studio. 
• Studio placement notifications are sent in late-May after a student deposits.

No. You are required to remain in your primary studio for the first two years of the program. Once primary training is completed, you will have many options for advanced training, including continuing on in your primary studio. See question below for more details.

Once primary training is completed, you will have many options for advanced training during your remaining semesters.

You may stay in your primary studio to delve deeper into the technique or you might try advanced training at another primary studio to learn a different approach to creating performance.

Some studios are only available at the advanced level, as they are more specialized in training, like our Classical Studio, Stonestreet Studios Conservatory of Screen Acting and Production or The Innovation Studio, for example.

You may also choose to do an internship or study abroad to continue your professional training. 

Each year, the department provides all sorts of performance opportunities, including departmental productions, studio workshops, independent directing projects and student-generated work.

The department offers a comprehensive production season, with projects ranging from full-scale, fully-realized productions to smaller workshops and even more intimate cabaret and avant-garde performances. The season is an extension of the curriculum, providing learning opportunities for students as both participants and audience members.

Please note the restrictions on performing for first-year and transfer students below.

No. New incoming students must wait one year before they are eligible to audition for departmental 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.

You can view a budget here that approximates the current cost of your education for the academic year, which includes the amount of tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other related expenses. To be considered for financial assistance, NYU requires the CSS Profile application (for all new freshmen and returning international students, to be considered for institutional [non-government] financial aid), the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (for eligible new freshmen and continuing students, to be considered for federal financial aid), and, for residents of New York State, the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application.

Freshman and new transfer applicants apply for financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal aid review and the CSS Profile for scholarship consideration. Deadlines are strictly observed.  

All students who file the FAFSA and CSS Profile are automatically considered for federal, state and NYU scholarship aid. Returning students must file a new FAFSA (but not the CSS Profile) every year to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid.

More information on paying for your Tisch Drama education can be found here.

For questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.