The Summit xxx Higher Acting/Performing Arts Programs for 2019-2020

At the beginning of each new school year, nosotros hither at OnStage Blog like to announce what we experience are the best performing arts for the coming year. For those of you lot wondering how we select these schools, it starts in the previous spring.

Starting in April, we tasked a committee of but over twenty people to enquiry these programs. They consisted of theatre educators, students, alumni, and parents. We wanted people who knew how to evaluate a performing arts programme and what questions to ask. This is what we feel separates usa from every other college ranking article, these folks know what's of import in theatre education.

This twelvemonth we based our criteria on a number of factors including Price vs. Scholarships, Quality of Facilities, Functioning/Production Opportunities, and Postal service-Graduate Support. We also asked questions about the diverseness of students likewise as the faculty.

Each year, we also like to include a new category that factor into our rankings - on/off-campus safety. Nosotros experience this is a factor that is often not made a priority. So in add-on to common cold-calling the schools, we also took a look at their Clery Reports and asked questions most how proactive these schools are when it comes to safety.

This twelvemonth we also decided not to rank the schools 1-30. When looking at the scores, often these schools were separated by i to two points. So rather, this year we're only naming who we feel are the best, in no particular club.

Nosotros must likewise preface this by saying that while these are some not bad schools to start your search with, ultimately the best college theatre program out there is the one yous experience most confident and comfortable attending.

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When it comes to the craft of acting, students today accept plenty of options for the blazon of way they want to be trained. Some prefer the conservatory-style of training while others are looking for something a fleck more flexible. It's great to see and so many performing arts/acting programs that are non only concentrating on stage interim techniques but also acting in front end of the camera, which simply adds to a performer'due south versatility.

Here are 30 college programs that we feel should be top destinations for any performing/acting student.

SUNY Buy College - Purchase, NY

Why we love it: The acting BFA program is i of v in the nation that meets the standards of the Consortium of Conservatory Theatre Training Programs. In the fourth yr, graduating seniors are presented to an invited audience of agents, producers, and casting directors in New York City and Los Angeles.

Muhlenberg College - Allentown, PA

Why we love it: The Acting Concentration gives students opportunities to practice their craft every solar day, aslope talented, experienced working professionals. Coursework, in both the classroom and the studio, is complemented by an all-encompassing and acclaimed Mainstage production flavour, with ample opportunities to put theory into exercise.

UNC School of the Arts - Winston-Salem, NC

Why nosotros love it: During the fourth year, students have office in a year-long project, Keys to the Kingdom, in which the class presents a flavor of contained piece of work aslope the main-stage productions to encourage and explore artistic entrepreneurship.

Northwestern University - Evanston, IL

Why we love it: The senior year focus is spread across a multifariousness of topics including one-act, style, contemporary scene written report, and professional aspects of being an actor besides as the opportunity to take a course with a different acting faculty member for a quarter. In the Acting for Screen Module, students take the opportunity to larn the skills necessary for effective performance in TV and film.

The Juilliard School - New York, NY

Why nosotros dearest it: Students do not audition for roles; all casting is done by the kinesthesia. In the showtime two years, roles are assigned primarily to serve the needs of an private educatee's grooming rather than the demands of the play. In the third and fourth years, nosotros seek to serve both the play and the needs of the ensemble. In add-on to formal productions, actors originate roles in new work by Juilliard playwrights in twice-monthly Playwrights Labs and in more informal PlayTime readings.

SMU - Dallas, TX

Why we love information technology: Courses include Business and Professional person Aspects of Theatre. This place features preparation for graduating actors that includes compiling résumés, photographs, common cold readings, monologues, and scene work with a variety of scripts for repertory or summer theatre casting.

Brenau University - Gainsville, GA

Why nosotros love it: Brenau University, with the combined back up of the University of North Georgia, Theatre Wings, and the Professional Visitor, has on of the height-ranked theatre program in the state of Georgia. This dynamic collaboration is the Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA).

UCONN - Storrs, CT

Why we love it: BFA Acting majors also put their studio training into do through the many performance opportunities available at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Although first-semester freshmen are not eligible for casting in CRT productions, from their second semester on, acting majors must audition for all CRT shows. In that location are also many casting opportunities available to undergraduate actors in the two CRT Studio Works productions that are done every year in our smaller Studio Theatre. In improver, the Section of Dramatic arts unremarkably produces two or three student-directed "D-Series" productions each yr, with undergraduate acting majors performing most of the roles.

DePaul University - Chicago, IL

Why we beloved it: Learning does not stop in the classroom. Each yr The Theatre School produces more xxx public productions of varying shapes and sizes to give students ample opportunity to synthesize what they are learning in the classroom.

SCAD - Savannah, GA

Why we love information technology: Increase your exposure and experience at auditions hosted by the SCAD Casting Office, the only on-site, professionally run casting office in college education. In recent years, SCAD students have won the Kennedy Centre Irene Ryan Interim Scholarship, the nearly prestigious performing arts competition and acting prize in higher education.

Emerson College - Boston, MA

(Craig Hayes)

Why nosotros love it: The Big Li'fifty Due east Mentorship Plan (with the "E" standing for "Emersonian") is the outset resources offered to incoming Performing Arts students. Current Performing Arts student mentors (Big Eastward's) are selected to mentor incoming undergraduate and graduate Performing Arts students (Li'50 E's) equally they begin their degree program at Emerson. The goal of the program is to guide incoming Performing Arts students through their starting time Bookish Year, and beyond.

Drew University - Madison, NJ

Why we dearest it: Courses include "The Thespian'due south Voice". Here, students of acting will explore techniques to costless and enhance the natural speaking phonation for performance in a full range of classical and modern drama. Classes volition employ a rigorous technique such as the Linklater system to promote relaxation, breath command, production, articulation, and emotional connection.

Azusa Pacific University - Azusa, CA

Why we love it: In the 4th year of training, seniors act in a high-quality film with a professional person director and product squad. The students and then participate in an industry screening in Los Angeles, ensuring that they graduate the BFA program with relevant feel, connections, and a professional reel.

University of Miami - Coral Gables, FL

Why nosotros dearest it: Faculty include Jennifer Shush. Ms. Shush'due south recent projects include performing at the Kennedy Middle in the prize-winning, Jasper Lake by John Kuntz and serving equally vocalisation/accent coach for the New England premiere of David Hare'due south Stuff Happens.

Webster University - St. Louis, MO

Why we honey it: The third yr of Conservatory is about application. The work in contrasting styles becomes fifty-fifty more ambitious. Skills acquired in the previous two years are applied to Shakespeare, Restoration' and Edwardian drama. Voice and movement classes develop fifty-fifty more specific skills in dialects, catamenia move, and phase combat. A directing class is added to the basic core.

Nebraska Wesleyan University - Lincoln, NE

Why we love information technology: Nebraska Wesleyan has hired HDR, an international architecture firm based in Omaha, to renovate McDonald Theatre. The project focuses on new seats, a new stage, and a new lobby.

Pace Academy - New York, NY

Why we love it: Coursework includes "The Manufacture for the BFA Actor". This grade prepares students for the business organization side of the amusement industry and what information technology takes to be a working actor in New York. Students learn how to prepare for auditions every bit well as general meetings with agents and casting directors and how to effectively market themselves.

Wright Country University - Dayton, OH

Why nosotros love it: The Honors program in Acting provides superior students with further opportunity to demonstrate excellence and receive special recognition in their senior yr. Honors students create a capstone project, such equally a self-written monodrama, a solo recital, directing a production, or other projects that are mutually agreed upon with the student'due south advisor.

UCLA - Los Angeles, CA

Why nosotros honey it: Coursework includes Articulation, Pitch, and Vocal Choices. Focus on articulation: work consonants, nasal continuants, plosives, fricatives, continuants, laterals, and glides, likewise as pitch and safest expanding vocal range and pitch. Exploration also of warm-ups, actions with vocal choices, and exercises with monologues.

High Point Academy - High Point, NC

Why we love it: The Theatre Section offers a Maymester titled "Shakespeare in Performance" that combines a semester'due south classroom study of Shakespeare and his works with a two-week study away to London and Stratford-on-Avon. The run a risk begins with travel to London, England to bring theater to life. The grade will include travel to Stratford-upon- Avon, and at to the lowest degree five-play performances in some of the most famous theaters in the world including the Royal Shakespeare Visitor Theater and Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Along the way, encounter the sites in London and visit Shakespeare'southward birthplace.

CalArts - Valencia, CA

Why we love information technology: The Actors Showcase is an almanac program of graduating actor performances for theater, moving picture and television industry professionals. Developed through a class in their last semester, the showcase is a vital span for graduates entering the professional person field. Presented in Los Angeles and New York.

Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ

Why nosotros honey information technology: A kinesthesia of outstanding chief teachers and professional artists track each pupil's progress. Interim, Voice, Speech, and Motility constitute the plan's integrated core, augmented by courses in Clown, Script Analyses, Functioning Ensemble, Dialects and Acting for the Camera.

Ball State University - Muncie, IN

Gabi Glass,Photo

Why nosotros love it: Professors will assist in finding internships, professional work, and summer grooming opportunities all over the globe. Recent placements include Actors Theatre of Louisville, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Drury Lane Theatre, Heed the Gap in the U.K., Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Williamstown Theatre Festival, among many others.

Boston University - Boston, MA

Why we beloved it: Guaranteed casting in the School of Theatre'south 35+ Productions each flavor, twice a semester get-go in the sophomore year. These rehearsal and performance opportunities provide students the opportunity to utilize the dynamic work of their classes in practice.

Ithaca Higher - Ithaca, NY

Why we honey it: Many students take advantage of Ithaca College'due south London Centre and spend the autumn semester of their junior year studying British drama and culture. In the senior twelvemonth, opportunities include workshops and masterclasses that help facilitate the transition to the profession.

NYU Tisch - New York, NY

Why nosotros love it: Tisch Drama has x professional training studios. Each studio teaches a unique approach to creative work—encouraging students to explore and develop a technique based on their individual needs and aspirations.

Milikin University - Decatur, IL

Why we love it: Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre is an exciting concept in undergraduate pedagogy. In partnership with the Millikin Center for Entrepreneurship, the School of Theatre and Trip the light fantastic has created a laboratory surround where students can "play, experiment, and explore." Through grade work and practical application, students' skills are put to the test in this student-run business concern venture. From selecting a season to directing, designing, and performing, from marketing and audience development to managing fiscal responsibilities, students engage in all aspects of running a small-scale theatre visitor.

Fordham University - New York, NY

Why nosotros love it: The performance track is centered in Stanisklavski's belatedly work with physical actions. The training also includes vocalisation work with Linklater and Fitzmaurice techniques, and motion work in disciplines such as Alexander, Feldenkrais, and Butoh.

Bennington Higher - Bennington, VT

Why nosotros love it: Kinesthesia include Dina Janis, a lifetime fellow member of the famed Actors Studio, currently led past Ellen Burstyn, Al Pacino, and Harvey Keitel. Every bit an actor, she trained directly with Kim Stanley, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, and Sanford Meisner.

Oberlin College - Oberlin, OH

Why we dear it: The Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater is an accessible and highly adaptable operation space that tin adapt up to 300 seats. This medium-sized theater is the 3rd performance space for Oberlin'due south trip the light fantastic, theater, and song studies programs. Kinesthesia and students akin will be able to present student-produced, experimental, and modest- and total-scale plays and operas.