Studio Policy Regarding Letters of Recommendation: From time to time students request letters of recommendation. Letters of student recommendation are prepared for a fee of $100 and are issued only in cases where the student has a perfect attendance record, no absences no tardiness, and is exemplary in his/her class participation, class work and overall attitude. MFA recommendation letters are granted only to those students who have successfully completed the full-time 6-Week Acting Conservatory or the 2-year Acting Conservatory Program.
Having strangers come in and out of the classroom on a regular basis is disruptive and therefore auditing is rarely permitted. However, it may be permissible in a certain class at a certain point prior to enrolling but only after an applicant has been properly interviewed and admitted to the class by the studio director. Although the concept of "shopping around" for the right class or teacher may be touted in the trade papers as a good idea it is a lousy one for the actors in training. The very nature of acting is highly personal and students must feel safe in their environment as they are encouraged to live outside their comfort zone. Please inquire of the studio director at the time of your interview if this would be possible.
In some cases, yes. Many students in the past have received college credit for their participation in certain classes in the acting program upon submitting a letter of proof from the studio director attesting to their satisfactory participation and/or completion. However, it does depend on the college or university. Please check with your college or university as to their requirements.
Yes, we offer various financial aid options for qualifying students at the Studio. However, please note that full-ride scholarships are typically unavailable. Financial aid and partial tuition scholarships are awarded based on both merit and need. We also provide special payment arrangements with zero-interest financing, reduced tuition for a select number of key students, and work/study positions. Scholarships such as the Rose Arrick Memorial Scholarship, Scott Griffin Scholarship, and the Dream Royale Foundation / Altagracia Moquete-Feliz Acting Scholarship may be available to eligible students, whether they are newcomers or more advanced at the Studio. To be considered for work/study opportunities or scholarship aid, students must have been associated with the Studio for at least two months, currently be enrolled in classes, and maintain good standing. Partial scholarships may be available for students in the two-year Acting Conservatory Program, depending on individual needs. These scholarships can be discussed prior to registration but only apply to final installment payments. Even if you do not meet these criteria, it’s always worth inquiring. Please note that the Studio is able to keep tuition rates lower than many other institutions because we do not have a large advertising budget and do not incur significant expenses related to maintaining a prime New York real estate location. This allows us to keep fees reasonable without sacrificing the quality of training.
In instances where professional paid work is offered to an actor while enrolled at the Studio, we are happy to attempt to work out a special schedule to enable the student to do the job and continue with their training. In cases where this is not possible, then the point in the work at which you leave the program is frozen and you may resume at a future date at that re-entry point in an future session. Where money has been paid, your payments remain on your account for use at a future date. However, these funds are not transferable to another student.
Yes, we do. The studio offers a good variety of classes outside the Acting Program curriculum. These classes and even some conservatory program classes are offered to non-program students. Most of these classes are offered by seasonal sessions every spring, summer, fall and winter terms.
Yes, of course. The Studio is dedicated to providing a home for those people who are serious about learning the craft. The Studio is equally dedicated to maintaining a level of professionalism which is expected from everyone involved at the studio. We are here to help you achieve mastery in acting, directing, and play writing and to provide you with a forum to gain practical experience through performance. Having stated such, we still do not subscribe to any elitist attitude to discriminate against others whose life circumstances may necessitate suspending their studies for a time. An uninterrupted period of study and development is a more effective approach to training, but not feasible in all cases. The length of your commitment is up to you and the seriousness of your commitment.
Prospective students seeking admission may contact the studio via email or telephone. Applicants undergo a pre-screening with a studio administrator via telephone and, if successful, are given an appointment with the Studio Director. For a complete list of admissions requirements, please see our Admissions page.
Make a good first impression. It speaks well for those prospective students who become better acquainted with the studio and what we do by reading this website before scheduling an interview. The professionalism of your approach speaks volumes to us. Start by properly filling out the application form in its entirety. Be sure to schedule your acting class interview appointment at a time you are sure you can make AND BE ON TIME. If you are an experienced actor with a headshot, bring it along with your acting resume attached. Beginners need not present a resume or headshot. Be prepared to articulate your goals and how studying at the studio may help you attain them. And please be sure you have the class time(s) free and the means to participate prior to scheduling an appointment.
Most classes have a new session beginning every term. Terms are seasonal; spring, summer, fall and winter. There are exceptions with three of the evening acting program classes which are presently only offered once per year;Technique 1 and Technique 2 which begin in the fall only and Performance Workshop in spring only.
No, not at all. Supplemental classes in the other disciplines outside of acting are available to any qualified applicant who wishes to participate. However, studio actors who are currently enrolled and graduates of the Studio will be given first preference.
Applicants who are new to the Studio are in most cases required to make full tuition payment or installment in advance of attending their first class at the studio. Tuition fees are used for securing a space in the class and are not pro-rated or adjusted for classes missed except in special unique cases. Tuition payments may be made by personal check, money order, cash or by credit card online only and through PayPal. A special payment arrangement with zero-interest funding may be possible in some cases if discussed with the studio administrater, Aong Pakin, at the time of registration. Non-compliance to a special payment schedule will result in studio dismissal.
Yes. The studio offers a highly respected, 10-week class in the Principles of Acting - Introduction To Meisner class. For beginners this class also serves as an audition for admission to the Studio's acting program. Morning, afternoon, late afternoon, and evening sessions in this class is offered every season. During the summer a 6-week Meisner M-W-F afternoon intensive is offered starting late June.
Yes. Anyone may request coaching with a faculty member for a particular audition or role and the studio will do their best to accommodate them on an hourly basis at the studio. Some of our teachers also do extensive coaching with working professionals. The Studio also provides private one-on-one acting training in technique, monologue and scene work to those who cannot commit to a classroom structure. This can happen in person at the Studio or on Zoom. However, please understand we feel that acting is best learned when taught and practiced in a classroom group setting.
Yes, this may be possible in some cases but is not a certainty in all cases. Unfortunately, the term Meisner technique is often used by many schools and teachers who in actuality are teaching their own approach and using other exercises and approaches instead of adhering to Meisner's original curriculum of developmental exercises. During the interview an assessment will be made by the director as to whether it would be proper to attempt incorporating that student into the studio's Meisner program. The Meisner teachers in our studio are carefully chosen and trained by Mr. Price in accordance to adhering to Sanford Meisner’s own approach to training actors. In many cases, we have been able to successfully incorporate others who received a sufficient level of Meisner training elsewhere into our program. There are a few rare exceptions where this was unsuccessful because the student's prior teacher or Meisner training strayed away from the original core of Meisner's work by following a different vision. The Studio director, James Price, was a personal friend and protege of Sanford Meisner and was privy to where Mr. Meisner's work had taken him during the last 15 years of his life.
We have both options. Acting classes in the Meisner technique are taught in morning, afternoon, late afternoon and evening sessions. Enrollment in the 6-Week Acting Conservatory and the Summer Acting Conservatory at The Acting Studio - New York will require you to attend classes daily, Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.
Yes. Students who graduate from the 3-level, part-time, 2-year program, The Acting Conservatory Program (Acting For Film & Theatre) receive a certificate of completion in the disciplines of theatre & film arts.
