Acting Colleges in New Jersey

Centenary College

• Established in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary College is in Hackettstown, an urban area approximately 55 miles from New York City. Among the programs available for the school's more than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students is a Bachelor of Arts in Theater degree with a concentration in acting. Auditions are not necessary for enrollment. Students in the program study drama, voice, movement and technical theater as part of the required courses and have the option to spend one semester or a year studying acting in New York City.

  Centenary is the only acting college in New Jersey to offer an Equity Membership Candidate, which allows students to obtain points toward an Actor's Equity Union Card while performing and taking classes at the college. The school's Centenary Stage Company produces at least two student shows per year. Approximately 75 percent of freshmen and 83 percent of continuing students at Centenary receive some form of financial aid, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."

  Centenary College
  400 Jefferson St.
  Hackettstown, NJ 07840
  800-236-8679
  centenarycollege.edu

Ramapo College of New Jersey

• A public institution, Ramapo College of New Jersey is in Mahwah, a suburban area 25 miles northwest of New York City. Home to more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate students, the college features a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Theater with a concentration in acting. Students wishing to pursue a degree in acting typically spend their first year at the college completing general education requirements, meeting with an adviser and then auditioning for the program during the course of the year.

  Courses required for the major include acting, voice, movement, scene study and clowning, explains the program's website. The college also offers classes in auditioning to help students land roles after graduation. All students participate in the college's annual productions, which typically include at least four shows. Around half of all students benefit from financial aid, explains the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." New Jersey residents receive tuition discounts.

  Ramapo College of New Jersey
  505 Ramapo Valley Road
  Mahwah, NJ 07430
  201-684-7300
  ramapo.edu

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

• Located in the suburban community of Ponoma approximately 12 miles northwest of Atlantic City, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is a public institution with more than 7,300 students. The college features a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts with a concentration in theater performance or acting. Auditions are required for entry into the program. Performance majors complete classes in producing, voice, stage movement, dance, technical theater, directing and theater history.

  Students undergo annual reviews by faculty to evaluate their overall success in the program and determine their eligibility to continue toward the degree. In addition to performing in the college's productions, acting majors must work on a technical crew for at least one show prior to graduation. Approximately 77 percent of freshmen and 90 percent of continuing students benefit from financial aid while attending Richard Stockton College, reports the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." New Jersey residents are eligible for reduced tuition rates.

  Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
  P.O. Box 195
  Pomona, NJ 08240-0195
  609-652-4261
  stockton.edu