Actors Studio Drama School
More than 25 years ago, under the auspices of the leadership within the Actors Studio, an academic, degree-granting program was created based on the method honed by members of the Actors Studio since 1947.
This initiative resulted in a three-year master’s degree program that is unique in its side-by-side training of acting, directing,and playwriting students. Classes are taught by experienced, distinguished Life Members of the Actors Studio in a course sequence that culminates with the Repertory Season.
Unique Aspects of the Actors Studio Drama School:
- This is the only MFA program officially sanctioned and supervised by the legendary Actors Studio.
- The entire curriculum has been designed and supervised by the leadership of the Actors Studio through its Curriculum Advisory Committee, including the Presidents Ellen Burstyn, Alec Baldwin, and Al Pacino.
- The faculty is selected and approved by the leadership of the Actors Studio.
- Throughout the program, all students—actors, directors, playwrights—train side-by- side as actors. All students participate in the Craft Seminars known to the world as the television series Inside the Actors Studio, now on Ovation TV, America’s only arts network, where the most accomplished members of the Actors Studio and the professional community share their knowledge and experience. MFA students also participate in the Observership program at the Actors Studio.
- For one year after graduation, all students are granted the status of Working Finalist at the Actors Studio, which allows them to attend sessions and have a final audition for Studio membership, bypassing the usual preliminary audition. If they successfully pass their final audition, they will become Life Members of the Actors Studio.
- After graduation, all directing and playwriting students are invited, for at least one year, to be part of the Playwrights and Directors Workshop at the Actors Studio, a unit especially created for the continuation of the training of our directing and playwriting graduates.