TheaterMania Guide to New York City Acting Schools
from Billy Elliot the Musical
(Photo courtesy A Class Act NY)
New York City is widely known as an incubator for the arts, and not surprisingly, it boasts some of the most exceptional acting studios in Manhattan. Their mastering of various acting techniques, distinguished teaching faculty and the versatility of their programs are sure to stimulate any actor currently honing their craft — whether an aspiring beginner or a seasoned professional. TheaterMania highlights 15 such schools.
A Class Act NY
A Class Act NY offers one-day weekend workshops and ongoing classes that cater to kids and teens of all skill levels and provides them with the unique opportunity to interact with stars from Broadway, television and film as well as some of the most respected casting directors and talent agents currently working in the industry. The faculty includes such theater stars as Celia Keenan-Bolger, Andrea McArdle, Leslie Kritzer, and Steve Blanchard as well as casting directors Patrick Goodwin and Jennifer Rudin.
For more information, call 212-315-3010 or visit www.aclassactny.com.
Actors Connection
Since 1991, Actors Connection has empowered thousands of actors in achieving their goals through education and networking. They pride themselves on offering the best acting classes at the best possible price. Upcoming classes include a musical theater audition master classes with Merri Sugarman, casting director at Tara Rubin Casting; and a theater intensive with Camille Hickman, associate casting director for Lincoln Center Theater.
For more information, visit www.actorsconnection.com.
Actor’s Movement Studio
The curriculum offered at Actor’s Movement Studio focuses on the essential elements of body movement, allowing the actor to hone a technique that fully develops the body for physical balance and onstage presence. The studio counts such stars as Kristin Davis, Tom Pelphrey, Timothy Olyphant, Kim Delaney, and James Gandolfini among its celebrated alumni.
For more information, visit www.actorsmovementstudio.com.
The Actor’s Studio
The Actor’s Studio was formed in 1947 in New York City to serve as an environment where professional actors could work together between projects or during long runs to facilitate in the further development of their craft. Acclaimed actress Ellen Burstyn is currently serving as Artistic Director in New York. Members of the Studio may only be invited to membership after successfully passing through a series of auditions.
For more information and additional audition requirements, visit www.theactorsstudio.org.
with students
(Courtesty Bova Actors Workshop)
The Barrow Group
From scene study classes and script analysis to director’s workshops and private coaching, The Barrow Group Acting School’s expansive list of offerings are sure to meet the needs of every professional artist. The Barrow Group also offers a two-year Acting Program, which requires a special audition.
For more information, visit www.barrowgroup.org.
Bova Actors Workshop
The exclusive New York training center for the Eric Morris System, this process-oriented actor training program offers beginner/intermediate and advanced weekly classes. Morris’ techniques — popularized in such books as No Acting Please, Being & Doing, and Irreverent Acting — are rooted in the Method, but with his own spin, focusing on acting from a “Being” place. Two introduction-demonstrations will be held at the beginning of January.
For more information, visit bovaactorsworkshop.com.
Einhorn School of the Performing Arts
Primary Stages’ professional training school offers classes in acting, writing, and directing taught by a faculty of established artists from all corners of the theater industry. Among its faculty are David Adjmi, Judy Gold, Daniel Goldstein, Randy Graff, Adam Gwon, Brian Lowdermilk, and Richard Topol. Auditions/interviews are required for most ESPA acting classes.
For more information, visit www.primarystages.org/acting.
HB Studio
HB Studio was established in 1945 by acclaimed Viennese actor/director Herbert Berghof as an outlet to provide professional theatre training and practice for actors from all ages and backgrounds. It is also the home of the The Hagen Institute, which is named after celebrated actress Uta Hagen, and which provides an intense immersion into the techniques that made Hagen one of the masters of the craft. Notable alumni include Candice Bergen, Anne Bancroft, F Murray Abraham, and Bob Balaban. Auditions are required for The Hagen Institute.
For more information, call 212-675-2370 or visit www.hbstudio.org.
(© Edward Wheeler)
Maggie Flanigan Studio
The Maggie Flanigan Studio was created in 2001 to provide a unique conservatory acting program for young artists to achieve the highest quality Meisner training. Flanigan’s former students include Piper Perabo, Calista Flockhart, Sam Rockwell, and 2011 Tony Award nominee Yul Vazquez.
For information, call 917-606-0982 or visit www.maggieflaniganstudio.com.
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
The Stella Adler Studio offers a plethora of programs and workshops led by a world-class faculty, and class sizes are always limited. Students are given the opportunity to participate in various extra-curricular activities which include poetry readings, guest lectures, and classical musical concerts. Alumni include Warren Beatty, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Bryce Dalls Howard, Donna Murphy, and Elaine Stritch.
For more information, call 212-689 -0087 or visit www.stellaadler.com.
TADA! Youth Theater
The Drama Desk Award-winning TADA! Youth Theater offers weekly after-school classes and school-break camps throughout the year. The program is designed to give young people a chance to learn theater arts skills through songs and choreography from original compositions from TADA!’s shows and age-appropriate selections from various Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
For more information, call 212-252-1619 or visit www.tadatheater.com.
Ted Bardy Acting Studio
The Ted Bardy Studio offers a dynamic roster of classes aimed at actors in different stages of their training, whether it is eager beginners or seasoned professionals. The studio is well known for its accelerated program in the Meisner Technique as well as its dedication to keeping class sizes small to allow for more personalized instruction.
For information, call 212-725-7575 or visit www.tedbardy.com.
The Jason Bennett Actor’s Workshop
The Jason Bennett Actor’s Workshop focuses not just on training for acting and singing, but on the business side of acting and helping actors discover more about the world of casting directors and agents.
To learn more, call 212-777-7603 or visit www.jbactors.com.
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute
Over its long history, The Straberg Institute has built a successful curriculum based on an unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching its students and its adherence to the Strasberg technique. Notable alumni from the Institute include Alec Baldwin, Ellen Burstyn, Dustin Hoffman, Estelle Parsons, and Shelley Winters.
For more information, call 212-533-5500 or visit www.strasberg.com.
The T. Schreiber Studio
The T. Schreiber Studio’s acting classes are integrated into its annual season of productions, which allows the distinguished faculty to nurture the growth of each artist. Notable alumni include Edward Norton, Maria Bello, Peter Sarsgaard, and Julie Halston.
For more information, call 212-741-0209 or visit www.tschreiber.org.
