When people think of performing arts at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development’s prestigious theater programs typically come to mind. If you aren’t in these programs, the opportunity to continue your artistic passions may feel out of reach. But don’t worry, students devoted to performing can be found at every corner of NYU, from Rory Meyers College of Nursing to Stern School of Business. If you’re ready to dive into NYU’s vibrant arts scene, here are five great ways to get involved with the performing arts as a non-major.
The Vocaholics
If you’re a “Pitch Perfect” fan, then NYU’s a cappella scene is for you. NYU has several a cappella groups, from competitive groups to identity-based collectives. The Vocaholics is a great option for singers from all corners of the university, as it is open to all students and voice types.
Affectionately called “The Vocs,” the group has an impressive range in its repertoire, from Ariana Grande to Florence and The Machine. In addition to multiple performances a semester at the Kimmel Center for University Life and at other gigs around NYC, every spring The Vocs compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. The group also collaborates with other a cappella groups on campus through its annual “Aca-Brawl.”
“As a non-music major, I don’t really get to perform a lot, so this is a great opportunity for me to sing with other people who have a passion for music,” Brennan Clarke, The Vocaholics President, said. “It’s fun to bond with everyone, and that’s when I feel like the group really clicks.”
For audition information, submit an application on The Vocaholics’ website.
Pulse Dance Project
From contemporary to hip-hop, Pulse Dance Project has it all. Originally for Tisch dancers, Pulse transitioned to an all-university organization in 2015, featuring performers of all majors and backgrounds.
Pulse is an auditioned club featuring student teachers, choreographers and, of course, dancers. The organization hosts a showcase every semester displaying members’ choreography in addition to creating concept videos, called Pulse Projects, in which student choreographers select Pulse members to produce themed dance videos.
If dancing isn’t your thing, there are many other creative partners Pulse is looking for. The group works with videographers, photographers and graphic designers throughout the semester. During its performing season, Pulse collaborated with show day stage managers, crew and other backstage volunteers.
“The beautiful thing about Pulse is that there are people from everywhere,” Pulse member Clotilde Severin said. “We have nurses, chemists, truly a little bit of everything … when you’re a lifelong dancer and you’re not pursuing dance, it’s so nice to still be able to connect with dance on that level.”
To get involved, look out for announcements on Pulse’s social media, or reach out directly.
Lamplighters
While NYU offers a plethora of musical theater opportunities, Lamplighters is the only collective on campus that caters to K-12 audiences.
Lamplighters put on a wide variety of lively student-run musical theater productions, like “Footloose” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” The group performs at the Kimmel Center and at public schools throughout the city. Though the collective focuses mainly on its K-12 audience, its performances are enjoyable for all ages, including adults. Lamplighters’ primary goal is to inspire young audiences; beyond simple performances, the group invites them into the theatrical space through games and exercises.
“[Lamplighters] felt like my first college theater production. It’s something I had really been missing from high school — just performing with people again and being in that process,” Caroline Ritacco, Lamplighters President, said. “Lamplighters is really good if you miss that sort of community.”
Keep an eye out for information about the group’s annual fall auditions on its website.
FalseSettos
If you’re more into musical improv than musical theater, the FalseSettos are calling your name. This is the only comedy group at NYU that combines musical improv and sketch comedy. Members of the troupe feature students in Steinhardt, Liberal Studies, Tisch and College of Arts and Science.
Founded in 2024, this group has expanded to feature many talented students who perform all over campus. The FalseSettos have an eclectic, hilarious array of performances, like the recent sketch comedy series “Who’s Your Daddy?” where members played different “Star Wars” characters. To get involved in its next project, stay up to date with the FalseSettos socials and look out for performance announcements.
“It’s a wonderful community,” Yohann Parasnis, FalseSetto’s co-founder, said. “We are very insistent on having a certain percentage of our participants be non-drama because they bring a different perspective to our shows and what we do.”
Knife Dog Play Festival
If musicals aren’t your thing but comedy still is, then Knife Dog Play Festival may be more up your alley. This one-act comedy play festival features student directors, actors, writers and producers from all schools.
Founded in 2023, Knife Dog hosts a festival with up to five short comedic plays once a semester. While they typically perform in the Tisch building, many of the students involved are non-Tisch students who use the festival as their creative outlet.
From a show titled “Science FanFiction,” which satirized a “Harry Potter” fanfiction, to comedic mysteries like “The Crochet Burglar,” the festival’s performances cover a variety of themes and topics. It even features a bit of puppetry, with “A Normal Interrogation In Which No Puppets are Involved.”
“During warmups for my first ever performance for Knife Dog, I was really scared because I knew little to nobody,” AJ King, Knife Dog’s marketing assistant, said. “But I was like, ‘Wait, this is so chill, everyone is so nice, and we are all going to put on this show and perform!’”
Stay up-to-date with Knife Dog’s Instagram to learn more about joining.
Contact Aria Ramnath at [email protected].