The Hollywood Walk of Fame may be in Los Angeles, but some of the big actors attended the best acting schools in New York City.
Becoming a professional actor involves acquiring the skills for the big screen or stage. Some of the actors we see on screen today and admire their performances were students of drama and art institutions.
These institutions are designed to equip students as actors. A talent might not be enough to get you into that position you dream of, but attending an acting school directs your future career on the right path.
It’s a competition out there when it comes to having a breakthrough in acting as a career. If you are to accomplish your dream and ambition in acting, you need to attend the best drama schools.
Getting into the best acting schools in New York City requires a bit of talent. So is always about possessing a talent from the beginning before making it to the big screen.
New York City is a place with a lot of opportunity, and we are looking at the best acting schools in the big apple.
What Is a Drama School?
A drama school is also called a stage school or theatre school. It’s an undergraduate and graduate school or department at a college or university. Or a free-standing institution that specializes in pre-professional training in drama and theatre arts.
An example of a free-standing institution is the drama section at the Julliard School in New York.
Assuming a drama school is part of a degree-granting institution, students take an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Science.
On the other hand, graduate students can take a Master of Art, Master of Science, Master of Fine Arts, Doctor of Philosophy degree, Doctor of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Arts.
Also Read: 15 Best Schools For Business In New York
Why Should I Attend a Drama School?
Drama schools are institutions that prepare and equip young talents with proper skills.
If you are good at acting and you wish to make a career out of it, you need to attend the best acting schools to acquire more knowledge. Performing in dramas while in high school is not good enough if you want to become a professional actor. You need more experience, and you can only acquire them by attending a drama school.
Courses offered at drama schools are full-time and they usually last for three years. Within this period, you will acquire the skills and knowledge to match the competition out there.
What Is the Cost of Getting an Acting Coach?
On average, an acting teacher charges clients from $50 to $80 an hour. This is the fee charged by acting teachers. However, getting an acting teacher from T. Schreiber Studios in New York costs more.
Getting an acting teacher from T. Schreiber Studios will cost about $80 to $180 an hour.
Other studios charge more. If you want a private coaching session with Margie Haber Studio, it’s $130 per hour for studio members, while non-members pay $180 an hour.
What Is the Cost to Attend Acting Classes?
The cost of attending acting classes is between $150 to $2,000. However, there are several factors to consider when it comes to the cost of attending these classes.
Firstly, the location of these acting classes is something to consider. Who is the instructor at these acting classes, and what is their reputation in theatre art?
These are the factors that affect the cost of attending these acting classes.
In places like Los Angeles and New York City, the cost for group acting courses ranges from $20 to $80 an hour.
What Is the Cost of Attending Acting Classes in New York?
In this guide, we have discussed the cost of getting an acting teacher from T. Schreiber Studio in New York. If you want a private session with instructors from T. Schreiber Studios, it costs $80 to $180 an hour.
Attending acting classes is important and part of the process of becoming a professional. As a young talent with aspirations, you need to acquire the right skills in acting.
You can acquire the best skills by attending acting classes, and seminars or getting private acting lessons.
10 Best Acting Schools in New York City
Here is our list of best-acting schools in New York City. Some of the actors in Hollywood attended these institutions before fame.
#1. New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is the first on our list of best acting schools in New York City.
It’s a private acting college located in New York City and established in 1980. NYCDA is one of the finest institutions in New York. The New York-based acting college has graduated some of the young talents in Hollywood.
The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is an institution that prepares young talents for a career in film and television acting. Students at this acting college study the Meisner Technique which emphasizes repetition and emotional preparation.
NYCDA is an institution with a small student enrolment. It’s a nice place to study considering the student-faculty ratio is 18 to 1 and the acceptance rate at this acting college is 92%.
With an acceptance rate of 92%, NYCDA accepts more students and if you apply, you have a better chance of studying there.
Now let’s look at the cost of attending the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
NYCDA is a great acting college for young talent, but the cost to attend might be steep for some students. The tuition at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is $32,742.
But not to worry, students at NYCDA can receive financial aid. So that a bit of a relief to attend one of the best acting schools in New York City.
Just so you know, NYCDA has a faculty where young talents can learn from film and television starts. Some of the big names at NYCDA include Neal Lerner and Becky London.
#2. Pace University
Founded in 1906, Pace University is a private institution in New York City. Although Pace University was first established as a business school, it’s included in our list of best acting schools in New York.
The University’s acting program became popular when the interview show “Inside the Actors Studios” started recording in the institution’s Michael Schimmel Centre for the Arts.
#3. CUNY Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a public institution and part of the City University of New York. This New York-based college was established in 1930 and currently has a student enrolment of over 18,000.
Brooklyn College offers a variety of academic courses. It also offers a Bachelor in Fine Arts and the likes of James Franco and Obba Babatunde are graduates of Brooklyn College.
Getting into Brooklyn College’s BFA in acting program is quite challenging, as the institution only accepts 10 to 12 students every year. Successful students receive special training and they also have the opportunity to perform in shows each year.
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#4. Marymount Manhattan College
Marymount Manhattan College is a private institution with a small student enrolment. This private college was established in the 1930s and it’s located on the Upper East Side of New York City.
The majority of the students at Marymount Manhattan College are women.
If you are interested in intensive training in various acting styles, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting offered at Marymount Manhattan College is the perfect program for you.
The program focuses on acting voice, speech and movement training.
Marymount Manhattan College is one of the best acting schools in New York City. The institution allows students in their first year to start auditioning for faculty as well as guest-directed productions.
Students at Marymount Manhattan College learn in classes with just 10 to 20 students. It’s more conducive and comfortable to learn with few students in attendance and the best part is you get to concentrate on your craft.
#5. Columbus University
Now, we have one of the Ivy League on our list of best acting schools in New York City. Columbia University is one of the most highly recognized private institutions in the world.
The University offers a variety of academic courses, but we are looking at the acting program offered at Columbia.
Columbia University is an institution with a selective acceptance rate. However, the university has some of the biggest casting directors in Hollywood on its faculty.
Although it’s difficult to gain entry into Columbia University, the institution is one of the best places for young talent to nurture their career. The student-faculty ratio at Columbia University is 6 to 1. This means learning at Columbia is the best option for students.
#6. Julliard School
Julliard School is regarded as one of the best drama, dance and music schools in the world. The New York-based private conservatory was established in 1905 and it remains one of the best worldwide.
Julliard School has trained some of the most talented musicians, actors, and dancers the world has ever seen. Julliard is a private conservatory that prioritizes vulnerability and it also encourages students to take necessary bold steps in their careers.
The private conservatory offers a Bachelor in Fine Arts and a Master in Fine Arts. Each of these programs offered at Julliard School last four years.
In the first three years of study, undergraduates take classes in specialized acting and liberal arts, while the fourth year of study involves performance presentation.
Students in the Master’s program take special drama courses in the first two years of study, and their third and fourth year of study involves performances.
The admission process a Julliard School is quite competitive. The acceptance rate at Julliard School is 8%. Viola Davis and Wendell Pierce graduated from Julliard School.
#7. American Musical Dramatic Academy
The American Musical Dramatic Academy is a private conservatory established in 1964. It’s one of the best acting schools in New York City with an acceptance rate below 35%.
The American Musical Dramatic Academy is also located in Los Angeles, California. With an acceptance rate of 30.8%, AMDA has a student-faculty ratio of 8 to 1. That’s interesting because it allows students to engage closely with instructors.
#8. New York University Tisch School of the Arts
Founded in 1965, the New York University Tisch School of the Arts is the performing and media art school of New York University.
The New York University Tisch School of the Arts offers a drama program and has graduated some of the big names in entrainment.
However, the acceptance rate at New York University Tisch is below 20%. This means getting into the drama program offered at NYU Tisch will be quite challenging.
#9. The New School
Found in 1919, The New School is a private institution located in New York City. The New School is regarded as one of the most innovative universities in the United States.
It offers a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Dramatic Arts. Students studying at The New School are equipped with camera and stage acting techniques.
The university also offers a Master’s in Fine Arts, and the program can be completed in three years.
Also Read: NYU Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, Tuition, Ranking
#10. New York Film Academy
The New York Film Academy completes our list of best acting schools in New York City.
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, The New York Film Academy is a private film school and acting school located in New York City. NYFA is also located in Los Angeles, California and Miami, Florida.
Every year, The New York Film Academy trains over 5,000 students. The institution’s faculty has some of the best actors and directors to engage students in intensive sessions.
The Best Acting Classes in New York
Below are the best acting classes in New York City.
- HB Studio
- Kimball Studio
- Michael Howard Studio
- T. Schreiber Studio
- The Barrow Group
- The Maggie Flanigan Studio
- Ted Bardy Acting School
- Actors New York Connection
- Michael Howard Studios
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are frequently asked questions about the best acting schools in New York City.
Do I need to live in New York City to train in a conservatory?
No! You don’t have to relocate to New York City just to attend a conservatory if you are not a resident. Distance learning is allowed for every student, so you have that opportunity.
Do I need a high school diploma to apply to these acting schools?
Yes! You must present a high school diploma or its equivalent for your application to be considered.
Conclusion
Acting schools are institutions that nurture talent into special professions. Most actors who made it to the big screen were students of these acting colleges at some point.
If you are interested in becoming a professional actor, you need to attend acting classes or hire acting teachers.
We hope this guide on the best acting schools in New York City was helpful.
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