The goal of acting programs and colleges is to prepare students for success in their chosen field. To help aspiring actors find the best programs in the country, we’ve listed them in an orderly order so that they don’t get ruffled.
One of the most important factors that you should consider when it comes to choosing an acting school is choosing one that’s right for you. There are plenty of great acting schools out there, so go with your gut instinct and visit them.
- Boston University School of Theatre
This program is a hybrid of a traditional acting school and a more relaxed approach to the work. It features a wide variety of techniques that you can use in your chosen field, which is different from the methods used by schools such as NYU and Meisner. The staff members are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making sure that students are getting the best possible education.
- California Institute of the Arts
The LA-based institute is known for its avant-garde and experimental approach. It’s also regarded as a center for global studies. Around 40% of its courses are called critical studies, which are designed to enhance the actor’s perspective.
- Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama
The Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama is regarded as one of the best acting schools in the country. It was the first university-based program in the country to establish a comprehensive acting program.
The school’s acting program begins with the freshman year, which is known as the Discovery Year. It involves introducing basic skills such as voice, mind, and body.
The school has around 1,200 applicants per year, and 28 of them are accepted. Most of the admissions are based on the students’ audition, with the other 20% coming from their academic record.
- The Juilliard School, Drama Division
The school is located in New York City’s Lincoln Center. It can be very helpful for aspiring actors in making connections in the industry.
The school’s acting program is regarded as top-notch. It features a rigorous program that’s designed to prepare students for success in their chosen field. Unlike other schools, the Juilliard doesn’t focus on one technique. Instead, it encourages students to develop their own process.
- New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
After you’re accepted, you’re placed in a studio, where various methods of acting are taught by different studios. Some of these include Strasberg, Meisner, Atlantic, and CAP21, which is a musical theatre studio. Throughout the first two years of their program, the students are allowed to try out for another studio.
One of the main factors that the school considers when it comes to choosing an acting school is the student’s academic record. In addition to regular classes, the students also spend a lot of time training in various studios.
After finding the best acting schools in the U.S., it’s now time to start looking for the other programs that will allow you to excel in your chosen field.