New York Acting Schools – Everything The Big Apple Has To Offer To Student Actors

Are you thinking of moving to the Big Apple tooffers a two 4-semester program which
study acting? Good move. New York actingcombines acting classes with singing and dance.
schools are located in the biggest theater town inOne of the great things about studying the craft
the country. Even if you don't necessarily want toin New York is that many acting schools are
be a stage actor, New York training is very wellaffiliated with professional theaters and
looked upon by agents and casting directors inperformance spaces where students can
Los Angeles and throughout the country.sometimes rehearse and perform. One such
But where do you study?school is Circle in the Square, a non-profit acting
There are a myriad of New York acting schoolsschool in NYC that shares a space with the
to choose from, from the prestigious Juilliardfamed Circle in the Square Broadway theater,
School to the Actors Studio. If you already havewhere students get to perform. That's a
your heart set on a specific acting technique,wonderful opportunity if you want to be a stage
choosing a New York acting school will be easy.actor, but you can also find acting schools that
You can study "The Method" at the Leefocus on film acting in the city, like New York Film
Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, "TheAcademy and The New York Conservatory for
Meisner Technique" at the Neighborhood PlayhouseDramatic Arts.
School of the Theatre and "Adler Technique" atIf you're looking to get an acting degree, several
The Stella Adler Studio of Acting.NYC acting schools allow students to get a BFA.
The NYC acting schools mentioned above teachJuilliard is one of these schools (but be warned, it
popular acting methods most beginning actorshas a highly selective drama program where only
have heard of, but there are some great18-20 applicants are accepted out of 1,000 each
lesser-known approaches to acting that areyear!) If you want to get a Bachelor's Degree,
taught around the Big Apple. For example,you will have to take additional courses beyond
students at HB Studio learn "Presentationalacting classes. Actors in the NYU Undergraduate
Acting", a technique developed by legendary stageProgram take these courses at the university
actress and teacher Uta Hagen to help actors usewhile training at an acting studio of their choice
their unique selves in roles.three days a week. Choices include the Stella
Some people go into acting because they haveAdler Studio of Acting, the Lee Strasberg
been told they have a gift. Others have a passionInstitute, the Atlantic Theater Company and
and just want to do it. If you're one of thosePlaywrights Horizons. You can also get a BFA in
who think that acting is a craft that can beActing or Musical Theater at Pace University.
learned rather then a talent one is born with,New York Acting Schools also offer good MFA
Practical Aesthetics may be the acting methodprograms for college graduates interested in
for you. At its core is the notion that anyone whoacting as well as experienced actors ready to
works hard can be an actor. This practicaltake their career to the next step. These 3-year
approach to acting is taught at the Atlantic Actingprograms allow students to work in professional
School in New York, a conservatory programproductions while making strong contacts in the
affiliated with the renowned Atlantic Theaterindustry. The two major New York universities,
Company that counts among its members DavidNYU and Columbia, both offer an MFA in Acting.
Mamet, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman.The New School for Drama downtown also has a
If you can't really decide on an acting method,graduate program (based on Stanislavski and the
you may want to choose a New York school thatAlexander Technique). And of course, there is the
draws from many acting techniques so you canActors Studio Drama School, a 3-year MFA
develop your own method or at least have aprogram presided by Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel
wide set of tools when you start working as aand Al Pacino. Students in this program take an
professional actor. Schools like The Americanintensive master class taught by a distinguished
Academy of Dramatic Arts and Michael Howardguest of the profession (the interview part of this
Studios have full-time programs and short-termclass can be seen in the TV show Inside the
classes that embrace several differentActor's Studio).
approaches to acting and are inspired by manyThis is just a quick glance at where you can train
school of thoughts.in the city. The Big Apple abounds with acting
Many actors choose to study acting in New Yorkclasses, workshops and coaches!
to become stars on Broadway and there areTo learn more about a school you're interested in,
plenty of New York acting schools that arebrowse our detailed listings of New York acting
known for training triple threats. The Americanschools . You can also research acting classes and
Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) is one ofprograms throughout the country by visiting our
them. Located right next to the Lincoln Center, itmain page on acting schools.