Should I go to NYC for college if I want to be a musical theater performer?

I am very fortunate to have many students who love and want to perform musical theater.  After asking what college they should attend, the #1 question I get asked is - Do I need to be in NYC for a performing career?

The answer, like most things in life: It depends.

For a high school student looking into colleges, what matters most is the training you get at your university: most 18-22 years are simply not ready to audition for the big shows in New York.  In each region of the country, there are superb universities just as good as those in NYC that turn out wonderful graduates who go on to have performing careers.  Many of these universities are located in large cities that also have ample opportunities to perform and teach while you attend school - Houston, Chicago, and the California region are particular standouts.  And perhaps the most tangible benefit in living outside NYC - the cost of living.  If you go to school in NYC, expect to have substantial student loans and living expenses.

So, if you were my student - go ahead and audition for the NY schools as well as the standout universities in your region.  See what they offer in financial aid, have a few lessons with the voice teachers, meet the professors, and then sit down and ask yourself - where will I get the best training for the right price?