Top Acting Colleges in the United States
Most top acting schools provide conservatory training, in which students work together as a group to learn the art and craft of acting through classes, workshops and performances. Continue reading for more information on some of the top acting schools in the nation.
Top Acting Schools in the U.S.
1. State University of New York (SUNY) - Purchase College in Purchase, NY
SUNY - Purchase College was ranked among the best public schools in the National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings of 2011 by U.S. News and World Report. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting program, offered through the Conservatory of Theatre Arts & Film, is a 4-year course of study, which includes movement, speech, voice, dramatic literature and theater history.
Students are exposed to a wide variety of other areas in acting including improvisation, Lecoq technique and acting for the camera. Designed as a professional actor-training program, the schedule keeps students busy with classes and rehearsals from early in the morning to late at night. The BFA program culminates in the top students being selected to audition for a consortium of producers, agents and casting directors from Los Angeles and New York City.
2. New York University in New York, NY
New York University was ranked 33rd overall among national universities by U.S. News and World Report in 2011. The BFA program in acting at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts provides conservatory training in acting.
Incoming students are placed in one of seven primary studios, such as the Stella Adler School of Acting and the Meisner Studio, where they remain for the first two years of the program. During the second two years, students may choose another studio, such as Atlantic Acting School, Experimental Theatre Wing and Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. Studios focus on areas including musical theater, design, directing and stage management. After the first year, students may audition for several performances, ranging from full-scale productions to experimental theater pieces.
3. American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA
The Tony Award-winning American Conservatory Theater is primarily a theater; however, since 1965 it has been a small school for actors wishing to develop their craft. The conservatory has ten studios and a black box studio theater for performances, which are also used as part of the classroom experience. A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is offered to the 35 students admitted every year. Graduate study is divided between classic and contemporary works of theater, and it culminates in the MFA showcase. Summer courses are also offered through the Summer Training Congress through 5- and 2-week intensive training sessions.
List of Ten Good Acting Colleges in the United States
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| American Conservatory Theatre | MFA Showcase | San Francisco, CA |
| Boston University | Boston Center for American Performance (BCAP) | Boston, MA |
| California Institute of the Arts | Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT) | Valencia, CA |
| The Juilliard School | The Scholastic Distinction honors program for undergraduates | New York, NY |
| New York University | Classical Studio and six other studios for students | New York, NY |
| Northwestern University | WAA-MU Show | Evanston, IL |
| SUNY - Purchase College | Four schools offered in the Conservatory of Theatre Arts & Film | Purchase, NY |
| University of California - Irvine | Drama/Theater Guild | Irvine, CA |
| University of Miami | Jerry Herman Ring Theatre | Miami, FL |
| University of Texas at Austin | The Performance as Public Practice (PPP) program | Austin, TX |
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6 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Nevada (1 campus)
Classroom-Based Programs
- 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 a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Classroom-Based Programs
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School locations:
- California (2 campuses)
- Florida (1 campus)
- Georgia (1)
- North Carolina (1)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Virginia (1)
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- Master in Film
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- Diploma in Video Skills
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- Must be 18 years of age or older
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- Career Diploma in Artist: Comprehensive
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
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:
- Washington (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Washington 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
- Theatre Design and Technology
- Theatrical Production
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
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School locations:
- Connecticut (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Connecticut include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Acting
- Theatre Design and Technology
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
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School locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Temple University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate, Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Acting
- Theatre Design and Technology
- Theatrical Production
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
