The Best Acting Colleges in the United States
Higher Education Articles November 16, 2012In the United States, majority of the acting schools that top the list with conservatory training where students work hand in hand with instructors to obtain the required knowledge in the arts and crafts of acting by attending classes, performances, and workshops. This article has compiled essential information on various top acting schools in the United States.
The Best Acting Schools in the United States
The State University of New York (SUNY)
According to the rankings from the National Liberal Arts Colleges, The State University of New York was at the top for best public schools during 2012. The college offers a bachelor of Fine Arts and acting programs that are provided via the Conservatory of Theater Arts and Film. This program takes four years to complete and the training involves theater history, dramatic, literature, voice, speech, as well as movement training.
Besides, students who pursue this program take part in a wide range of study areas in acting that includes acting for the camera, Lecoq technique, and improvisation. The program is meant for a professional actor in training and the program’s agenda is designed to support students who are preoccupied with rehearsals and classes that last about 12 hours every day. The bachelor of Fine Arts ends with the best students chosen to audition for casting directors, agents, as well as a group of producers from both New York City and Los Angeles.
New York University – New York, NY
The U.S. News in 2012 ranked New York University as 33 overall compared to all other national universities. At the New York University’s Tisch School of Arts, the bachelor of Fine Arts offers conservatory training in acting. New students upon arrival are placed in one of the seven primary studios like the Meisner Studio and the Stella Adler School of acting. Students will remain in the primary schools for the first two years of the training. Students are given an option to choose other studios during the two year term of training. The studios offer studies in theatre management, directing, design, and musical theater. In addition, students in the first year of training may audition for a number of performances such as experimental theater pieces and full-scale productions.
American Conservatory Theater – San Francisco, CA
Although this theater have been a small school since 1965, those actors who are willing to improve their talent, this is an award-winning American Conservatory Theater. It has a black box studio theater as well as 10 studios where performances are normally conducted. Besides, these theaters usually serve as part of a classroom experience. Each year, thirty-five students are admitted to pursue the master of fine arts
The study of graduates are segmented into contemporary and classic works of the theater and it ends with the master of fine arts showcase. In addition, the school offers summer courses via the Summer Training Congress which takes two to five weeks of intensive training.
Top Ten Acting Colleges in the United States
| School Name | Location |
| American Conservatory Theatre | San Francisco, CA |
| Boston University | Boston, MA |
| California Institute of the Arts | Valencia, CA |
| The Juilliard School | New York, NY |
| New York University | New York, NY |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL |
| SUNY – Purchase College | Purchase, NY |
| University of California – Irvine | Irvine, CA |
| University of Miami | Miami, FL |
| University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
