Why does every actor in a play seem to come from NYU MFA or Yale or Juillli

[Leadingplayer]

Not everybody can afford schools like that.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

What school is MFA?

[Leadingplayer]

Imeant NYU Masters of Fine Art (the grad school as opposed to the undergrad.)

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Where did you got to school?

[broadwaydevil]

This is far from true (I won't even attempt to list all of the endless counterexamples) but what you listed are some of the best theatre programs in the country. They receive a huge number of applicants and select only what they perceive to be the cream of the crop. Given this fact and their strong programs, it makes sense that they will breed many successful Broadway stars. If they didn't, then they wouldn't be the top schools and other schools would fill the gaps and the most talented/sought after performers would go elsewhere.

It's the same logic that explains why it seems that all the CEO's and most successful people in finance went to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, or Columbia (in most cases they did.)

By the way - by MFA I think you mean Master of Fine Arts? That's what I think of when I read MFA lol unless it stands for some school that I'm not thinking of?

[chewy5000]

It's a conspiracy

[egghumor]

During the years I worked in New York theater (and some film) casting (1984-90) actors from those schools did get a measure a preferential consideration (not necessarily unjustly) -- Yale in particular, in my memory. Not only are those named programs competitive, selective, etc., the are also expensive and imply/guarantee a bit more bang for buck for graduates. A leg up, yes, but also rigorously earned in most cases.

[dramamama611]

Those are the three most competitive and highly regarded programs. For a reason -- they turn out a huge percentage of very well trained actors.

It isn't a job requirement, and LOTS of folks that are on b'way went to lot of other schools -- not all noteworthy enough to talk about. In your bio you talk about the most important things you can -- not everything you can.

[yankeefan7]

broadwaydevil - Excellent point and I will give example like you mentioned. In my state, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts has turned out many Broadway performers. Their alumni include people like Gary Beach and Terrance Mann. Their is a young man who my daughters went to HS with that is graduating from there this year and it would not shock me if he is on Broadway one day. (he has already appeared in the Broadway touring company of shows like "Beauty and The Beast")

[Borstalboy]

They're excellent schools, and graduation from them hardly guarantees success. On a more cynical note: They're also brand names and New York City culture is all about brand names.

[nasty_khakis]

In my experience it's because the schools have connections with top agencies in the city and get better showcases, etc. I worked for a casting director who was a U Mich alum and told me she prefers to see/cast from her school.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

^ I AD'd a director who said when working a show if they graduated from Michigan Juilliard Yale or *Miami* ( I don't know if she meant Miami Florida or Miami Ohio, either way of the four that was odd) they would most likely automatically get a callback.

I thought that was odd and I never understood it.

But the more prestigious the school the better chances of getting through other doors.

[Kad]

These schools, while expensive, also tend to be generous with scholarships for graduate students.


There are a great many other equally impressive MFA programs: Brown, FSU/Asolo Rep, ART, etc.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

^ I plan on getting my MFA soon and Brown and FSU are top on my list, with Yale and Penn State. (directing though, not acting.)

[Leadingplayer]

From reading the responces I now kind of believe dramaman answered the question. It probably just seems like everybody went to NYU because those people always mention it in the bio. They people who went other places don't mention it is much maybe.

[nygrl232]

nasty_khakis made a great point. It's about the connections. Great actors from other programs might not get that advantage. Harvard et al are the same way--connections to alumni are a big reason why people compete to get into those 'name brand' schools.

[dramamama611]

It's about ALL the things mentioned:
Training
Prestige
Connections
And what is mentioned and what is not.


Let's not forget: TALENT. Also: if the reader has a chip on their shoulder ABOUT that possibility, then they will notice it even more.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Having an MFA myself (not from one of the "top three", but still a program in the "top ten" probably), and having been in show business a few years now, let me say this: ultimately, no director or casting director (at least in Chicago) gives a sh*t where you went to school. All they care about is how good you are, and whether you're right for what they're casting. In New York, maybe it's different. But that is my experience in Chicago. If an MFA from a top school was such a huge asset I wouldn't be sitting here typing this post at my day job!

[Gothampc]

Theater is not the only industry that hires in this manner.

I worked for awhile in Recruiting for investment banks. Many of the recruiters had the mindset that it was easier to hire ten Harvard graduates because they had already spent the last four years working together as a team and they could hit the ground running.

On another note, I have found many of the Juilliard students to be strong in technique but severely lacking in the ability to create the internal emotional life of a character. Juilliard produces beautiful shells of humanity, but does not fill them with life.

[AC126748]

There is also the matter of many directors/playwrights/actors/designers etc being full-time or adjunct faculty in these programs. They tend to funnel their students from the MFA into their own projects, productions, theatre companies.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Gothampc--I'm not surprised to hear that opinion, because all a drama school can really do is teach technique. You can't teach talent, although both are required for successful theater careers. That and lots of friends capable of hiring you.

[Mister Matt]

Because they are the 1%.

[PalJoey]

Which one of those did Kelli O'Hara go to?

Which one of those did Kristin Chenoweth go to?

Which one of those did Megan Hilty go to?

Which one of those did Norm Lewis go to?

Which one of those did...?

[PalJoey]

Which one of those did Kelli O'Hara go to?

Which one of those did Kristin Chenoweth go to?

Which one of those did Megan Hilty go to?

Which one of those did Norm Lewis go to?

Which one of those did...?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

I think the OP was talking about actors in straight plays.

[Kad]

To my knowledge, there are no musical theatre performance MFA programs.