2 year (or less) Acting Conservatory Programs List

<p>I have noticed that much of the information on this board is geared to four-year colleges for acting that give either a BFA or a BA upon graduation. I think we should also compile a list primarily for acting conservatories that are two years and under. Feel free to add as you see fit, as well as adding key details about the program if you know them. Please add any personal anecdotes about the conservatory/training program if you have trained with them or know someone who has.</p>

<p>Neighborhood playhouse 2 yr conservatory
Atlantic theater company 2.5 yr conservatory
William esper studio
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Circle in the Square 2 yr MT or Acting conservatory
Lee Strasberg Institute (offers summer and spring intensives)
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center 14 week semester program (they have programs in both Connecticut and Moscow</p>

<p>Thanks for starting this list. Many students, whether for financial, academic, or personal interest reasons, are not looking for a 4 year program. Although the next suggestion isn't a conservatory, it is another route.</p>

<p>Santa Monica College is a public junior college in, duh, Santa Monica, CA. It has a well-regarded theater program, and has sent students on to UCLA theater degrees, Julliard, Chapman, and many other fantastic places after completion of the AA degree. </p>

<p>Foothill j. c. in Northern California is also public, has an actual conservatory program, and draws from the professionals in the field in the entire San Francisco area. They also have stage management programs. Graduates get actual jobs in the local SF/ San Jose area.</p>

<p>Add:
Stella Adler Studio of Acting (Summer intensives and 2.5 year conservatory)</p>

<p>One more to add to the list.</p>

<p>The Conservatory at Act One Studios </p>

<p>It's a new program located in Chicago. The faculty is made up of actors working at the highest levels in the city. We have Steppenwolf company Members, actors working at The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, etc. If you are interested check out <a href="http://www.actone.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.actone.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Steve Merle
Director
Act One Studios</p>

<p>HB Studio on Bank St. in NYC.</p>

<p>Great, it looks like we're starting a fantastic list here! I have put them into a list in alphabetical order so it's easier for people to scan and find what they are looking for. If you have a school to add, please copy and past the list into your post and enter the name with regards to the alphabetical order. Your comments/extra information about each school is especially helpful. Thanks!</p>

<p>-American Academy of Dramatic Arts
-Atlantic theater company 2.5 yr conservatory
-Circle in the Square 2 yr MT or Acting conservatory
-The Conservatory at Act One Studios
-Eugene O'Neill Theater Center 14 week semester program (they have programs in both Connecticut and Moscow)
-Foothill j. c. (public college w/conservatory program)
-HB Studio on Bank St. in NYC.
-Lee Strasberg Institute (offers summer and spring intensives)
-Neighborhood playhouse 2 yr conservatory
-Santa Monica College (Junior College)
-Stella Adler Studio of Acting (Summer intensives and 2.5 year conservatory)
-William esper studio</p>

<p>Please Add:</p>

<p>Michael Howard Studios, One-Year Conservatory.</p>

<p>What about the conservatories with B.F.A programs that do last for 4 years? Is there a thread for that? Cuz thats what i'm looking for.</p>

<p>I thought Act One was a graduate program? Every time I discover a program that I think would be perfect for my daughter, it turns out to be an MFA program! She's very keen to study theater in Chicago.</p>

<p>The Conservatory at Act One is a two year certificate program. Therefore it is much less expensive. Only $9500 a year.</p>

<p>Javon -- here is what you were asking about: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/445488-top-theater-schools-not-musical-theater-4.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/445488-top-theater-schools-not-musical-theater-4.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is a 2 years program. Also, AMDA.</p>

<p>On a different note, I have heard good things about Los Angeles City College...they have a conservatory and apparently it is well known in these parts which is good if you want to go into Film/TV.</p>

<p>It might be helpful to differentiate this list into those programs that will take people right out of high school, and those that have a minimum age or undergraduate degree requirement.</p>

<p>I have looked at the Act One website and was wondering if any of your students train in singing/dance either through your training or at nearby studios. I have danced for many years and would like to keep up with this skill. Thanks!</p>

<p>What are the employment opportunities like for the Foothill J.C. and Santa Monica grads? Are these primarily pre-professional training programs? I will turn 26 at the start of training so would like to get a move on.</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know about Neighborhood? Good for dance? I can't find much about their program outside of the info on their website.</p>

<p>Hi MTdancer4 – I just spotted your question. Our program concentrates on the straight acting process. However there are many good singing coaches and dance schools in Chicago, so it is possible t do both. </p>

<p>Take care, Steve.</p>

<p>My s is at AADA- LA. He started at Marymount Manhattan, which didn't work out for a number of reasons, so we have a means of comparison. </p>

<p>He absolutely loves AADA. For people considering it, here are the good and bad, so far.</p>

<p>It is extremely intense, a full conservatory experience. He is really finding his niche there. It is geared only to teaching the craft, it is not the college experience, there are no dorms and the current arrangement they have with Housing Services virtually doubles the cost of an apartment just for a couple of pieces of furniture. There is a lot of reading, exercises to practice, and intense personal growth. There are no "academic" classes, at least not in the traditional "one English, one science, one sociology" type, and I think there's only one elective in the second term of the second year. LA does not give an AA degree unless you take 3 classes outside of AADA, at a community college (the previously mentioned academics) though NYC does. There are 16 people in his "group" and they take all their classes together.</p>

<p>I will check back if anyone posts any questions, and I will try to answer them.</p>

<p>I've just been accepted into the two-year evening conservatory at Stella Adler. Does anyone know how good this program is? Does the studio really live up to its name or does it simply rely on its past reputation?</p>

<p>And how does this course compare to the daytime 3-yr course?</p>

<p>Lastly, how do most people pay for courses like these since they don't qualify for Federal student aid?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>My Daughter is in SA through NYU Tisch as one of their studios. All I can say is that she thinks the training is excellent. She really did not have as much experience going in as most of the other actors in her studio and I have seen many productions she has been in through SA and I can't believe her growth as an actress. I have been impressed with most of the actors there that I have seen. I don't know as much about the conservatory but I think the training is the same and they share the same faculty. If you google the teachers you will see what wonderful back grounds they have and they bring in guest directors to direct the shows.They even offer a six week course in LA for film and T.V. audition only.</p>

<p>Would SA be the best for film actors and is it like Stonestreet?</p>