The American Academy of Dramatic Arts presents acting degrees at two industry-centric locations, New York City and Los Angeles. Founded in 1884, this school was the first acting conservatory in the English-speaking world. According to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts official Website, the program prepares actors for careers in theater, television and film through a conservatory approach that utilizes workshops, guest speakers and intensive in-class and on-stage scene work. In addition to professors, casting directors, agents, playwrights and other industry professionals often view student performances.
Four-year degrees, summer programs and internships offer training in voice, movement, theater history, stage combat, on-camera technique, improvisation, makeup, dialects, Shakespeare and career preparation. AADA alumni include Kirk Douglas, Robert Redford and Grace Kelly. Prospective students apply online or by mail. They must then audition in person on campus or at touring auditions hosted in major U.S. and world cities.
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York Campus
120 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
800-463-8990
aada.org
At the Purchase College State University of New York, acting students undergo conservatory training in film and theater acting. This selective program hosts only 70 students annually, who work with faculty from 27 to 40 hours per week. Purchase's intense program offers a Bachelor of the Fine Arts degree in Acting, providing four years of training in voice, speech, movement and dramatic literature. Courses are offered in stage combat, improvisation, Alexander technique, Lecoq technique, acting for the camera, makeup and audition strategies.
According to the Purchase College Website, the first two years focus on developing the actors' inner emotional and imaginative resources. The final two years present acting content across varying styles, engaging students in rigorous rehearsal and performance. Successful Purchase alumni include actors Parker Posey, Stanley Tucci and Wesley Snipes. Interested students apply online and audition in person on-campus or at audition tours.
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
914-251-6000
purchase.edu
The Mason Gross School of the Arts at New Jersey's Rutgers State University offers Bachelors and Masters of the Fine Arts degrees in Acting. The school's acting program, according to Rutgers' Website, ranks among the top five undergraduate conservatory actor training programs in America. Over the course of four years, small classes of students study subjects of voice, speech and movement. Courses in clown, script analysis, performance ensemble, dialects and acting for the camera accent these core classes. Junior year acting students have the opportunity to study at the Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare's Globe in London, England, before the school helps them into careers in film, television and stage work. Budding actors apply online and audition at Rutgers in New Jersey, or at any five major U.S. cities covered by the school's B.F.A. Acting National Audition Tour.
Mason Gross School of the Arts
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-932-9360
masongross.rutgers.edu