Acting Classes in Houston, TX with School Information
The Houston area has six colleges that offer acting classes. Learn about the programs, admission info and program requirements for three of these schools to make an informed education decision.
Comparison of Houston Acting Schools
Formal training is not required to become an actor and to work in theatrical productions; however, students can find programs in Houston that offer acting courses and prepare them for careers in the entertainment industry. Acting classes can teach students to develop characters, to create voice and personality traits, to memorize lines and to work with directors.
San Jacinto Community College, a 2-year college located in the nearby suburb of Pasadena, offers several acting classes through an associate's degree program, while the University of Houston provides acting programs at both the bachelor's and master's degree levels. This 4-year university is located right in downtown Houston. Texas Southern University, another 4-year university located in downtown Houston, offers a performance specialization option within its Bachelor of Art in Theatre program.
| San Jacinto Community College | University of Houston | Texas Southern University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acting Classes Offered | Associate of Arts in Drama - Actor | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre - Acting Master of Fine Arts in Theatre - Acting | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Performance |
| Related Programs Offered | Associate of Arts in Drama - Technician | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre - Design and Technology Bachelor Fine Arts in Playwriting and Dramaturgy Master of Fine Arts in Theatre - Costume | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Technical Theatre |
| School Type | 2-year; public | 4-year; public | 4-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2011) | 29,392* | 39,820* | 9,730* |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Large city | Large city |
| Tuition & Fees (2011-2012) | $1,182 in-district; $1,782 in-state; $2,982 out-of-state* | $7,513 in-state; $15,025 out-of-state* | $7,442 in-state; $16,762 out-of-state* |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2011) | 54%* | 80%* | 96%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2011) | N/A Open admissions | 63% | 39% |
| Retention Rate (2011) | 66% for full-time students; 51% for part-time students* | 81% for full-time students; 66% for part-time students* | 61% for full-time students; 27% for part-time students* |
| Graduation Rate (2011) | 11%* | 46%* | 12%* |
| Relevant Facilities | Powell Arena Theatre; Richard S. Slocomb Fine Arts Building | Proscenium and black-box theatres | Ollington Smith Playhouse; Sawyer Auditorium (black-box) |
| Noteworthy | Produces 5-7 productions each season | Acting showcase offered during the final semester of undergraduate studies; graduate students have the opportunity to act with a professional theatre company | Annual theatre retreat |
| Distance from Downtown | 4 mi. | N/A - Located in Houston | N/A - Located in Houston |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
Program at San Jacinto Community College
San Jacinto Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Pasadena, a nearby suburb of Houston. The San Jacinto Community College Department of Theatre and Film offers students a chance to write, direct and perform stage productions. In addition to acting, students can also focus on career opportunities in theatre education and technical theatre.
Associate of Art in Drama - Actor
Aspiring actors and actresses can learn the theory behind their craft and acquire applied acting experience by enrolling in San Jacinto Community College's Associate of Art in Drama - performance program. Through three acting classes, students have the opportunity to learn numerous techniques and methods for various styles of theatrical performance. Additionally, the school offers a course that focuses on film acting during the final semester. Some of the other courses in the program include stagecraft, stage makeup, costuming and television production. Students also can participate in the drama department's annual dramatic productions.
Programs at the University of Houston
The University of Houston (UH) has the largest theatre department in Houston and offers theatrical educational opportunities through its School of Theatre and Dance. Acting specializations are available at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. Additional specializations in the BFA in Theatre include playwriting and dramaturgy, design and technology, stage management and theatre education. In addition to acting, MFA in Theatre specializations are available in scenic, costume and lighting design.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre - Acting
Acting is one of several available concentrations in the university's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre program. Earning this degree requires completion of 120 credit hours; 84 of these must be from courses related to theatre and acting. The latter group of courses provides in-depth education in various areas of theatrical theory and practice. The program requires that students take an acting course during each of the eight semesters.
Opportunities are also available for students to receive instruction on vocal projection and how to stay in character while moving seamlessly across stage. To gain applied acting experience, students participate in an acting showcase during their final semester of the program.
Master of Fine Arts in Theatre - Acting
This 2-year, MFA program provides students with an intensive education in the theoretical and applied components of acting. The program focuses on five different aspects of acting and performance, including imagination, speed, agility, precision and passion. All accepted students participate in an in-depth acting workshop the week before beginning the academic program. Acting classes in the program itself focus on personalization, action/objection and characterization, Shakespeare and Greek ritual theatre and comedy.
Program at Texas Southern University
The Department of Fine Arts at Texas Southern University offers students the opportunity to pursue programs in theatre, art and music. While the Bachelor of Art in Theatre offers two specializations in performance and technical theatre, the Bachelor of Art in Art offers seven specializations in such areas as design, art history, painting, drawing and sculpture. For students who seek to pursue a degree in other academic areas, minors also are available in theatre, art and music.
Bachelor of Art in Theatre - Performance
The Bachelor of Art in Theatre with a performance specialization offers students the opportunity to learn about acting through classroom study and to perform at the Ollington Smith Playhouse. Student-created productions take place at the campus black box theatre. Faculty members and visiting actors and directors also teach classes. The program requires 122 credits, and, in addition to acting classes, students take courses in costume, makeup, technical design and theatre history.
Other School Options
The University of St. Thomas is located in Houston and offers a bachelor's degree in drama. Lee College and Alvin Community College both offer associate's degree programs in drama and are 18 and 21 miles from Houston, respectively.
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3 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MA in English and Creative Writing - Screenwriting
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma in Artist: Comprehensive
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Other Related Schools:
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School locations:
- Texas campus Huntsville
Areas of study you may find at Sam Houston State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
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School locations:
- Texas campus Beaumont
Areas of study you may find at Lamar University include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
National Schools:
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School locations:
- Michigan campuses Ann Arbor, Flint
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
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School locations:
- Florida campus Tampa
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
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School locations:
- Texas campus Lubbock
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Acting
- Playwriting and Screenwriting
- Theatre Arts Management
- Theatre Design and Technology
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
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School locations:
- Michigan campus Allendale
Areas of study you may find at Grand Valley State University include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
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School locations:
- Arizona campus Flagstaff
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
