2 year (or less) Acting Conservatory Programs List

<p>Yes I think that would be a good studio if you were interested in film, but there is a huge classical theatre part of it. They believe in training the total actor. An actor that can do contempary and classical stage work as well as film. A lot of the students who study there go on to LA to try to make it in film and T.V.</p>

<p>Thanks, and when do you go to LA for six weeks? Do you have time for auditions?</p>

<p>It is a summer program so I think it starts in late June. It is all about film and tv acting. You have to be part of that studio and then you audition. I think they take around 10 students and they draw from the NYU SA students and their conservatory students. My daughter was selected to go this summer. Your audition is filmed and then they send it to a casting agent and he picks. This does not get you an agent but you do take some classes with LA agents teaching. It helps you if you want to try L.A. My daughter really just wants to act. She dosn't care where. She would be happy in a little theatre company some where. She just gets a thrill from the process, training, and performing. I want you to understand getting an agent is really, really hard. It is easier for males than females but it is still hard. The odds of making it is 1% out of 100%. So I would hope someone would go through all this for the love of acting and performing. I worked as an agent 25 years ago before I had children. It was a little easier back then but I knew how hard it would be for my daughter.</p>

<p>I didn't answer the second part of your question. It is Monday through Friday 9-5 so I don't think you would have time. But you first have to get into NYU or the conservatory to get in this program. You could always go a couple of weeks early and try to get an agent (almost impossible). I do know one actress that did this program and did get a part on Greys Anatomy and an agent. But thats the exception.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. Would you say this is better than the Stonestreet program? I actually have made some connections with people in LA. I have some contacts in mind. I try to keep up with them. My agents now in the Southeast has some contract with other agents, so I could get one in NYC or LA. Or I could get people I know on a personal level. I had one agent over a year ago, but they went out of business. It took me 4 months to get another agent. So I know how hard it can be. Also, do you know the name of this program? I would like to do more research on this. Can people do this as a transfer student? Also, how did you like being an agent? I think maybe later in my career I would be intrested in it. Thanks so much and I appreciate your help.</p>

<p>The program actressmom describes is only available to those already admitted to the school and even then, it is a small group that is selected to do this summer program in LA. Stonestreet, which you do for a semester, is also by audition once you are already through two years of primary studio at Tisch. So, even if you get into Tisch, it doesn't mean you can necessarily do these two programs. They are by audition and require you to have gone through certain things before you can even audition. </p>

<p>If you transfer into Tisch, and you have had one year of college under your belt, you will most likely get soph standing at NYU but will have to start as a freshman in the studios. You must do two years of primary studio before you can even try to audition for Stonestreet. I would imagine that for the Stella Adler program in LA, that you would be more likely to get into that if you were a rising junior or senior (actressmom can clarify). Thus, being a transfer student would make it harder to get to these junctures but you might if you enter NYU/Tisch in your soph year and do these as a senior (your third year at Tisch). But I believe you are planning on two years at another college before transferring to Tisch and that will make it harder. As well, the admit rate for transfers is very low and harder than for freshmen which is low already. If you are sincerely interested in Tisch, it makes more sense to enter as a freshman. It is a BFA program and you can't skip ahead...you have to start at the first level no matter when you enter.</p>

<p>I would transfer a junior, correct. But I could still graduate in two years I assume. It says on the website you can even double major. Do you learn the same things at Stonestreet than SA in LA?</p>

<p>Please check with Tisch. I do not know that you could complete the BFA degree in two years. It is not like transferring into a BA school. A BFA has a set lock step curriculum and many credits just for the training/studio part that are required to graduate. I have a strong feeling it would take three years to complete the BFA requirements as a transfer.</p>

<p>I also would not apply to Tisch with Stonestreet in mind or the summer SA program in mind. Even if you got into Tisch, you may not be able to do these programs as they are by audition once you are in the school. Also, as a transfer student, before you EVER could even audition for Stonestreet, you will have had to complete two full years in a primary studio. Thus, it would be impossible to even audition for Stonestreet if you attended NYU for two years.</p>

<p>You cannot audition unless you are a Jr or Senior and you must already have studied at SA. I know one student who transfered into SA NYU as a sophmore and she could only be a freshman at the studio but she was a sophmore academically. She graduated in 3 years(took summer school) but only had two years of studio so she could not audition for this program. By the way I just talked to her parents and she has been out in LA for two years and still cannot get an agent. I loved being an agent, I was an actress first and did professional reginal theatre.It even makes me more nervous about my daughter doing it but I do know the pitfalls and hopefully I can give her good advice. I now direct at a childrens theatre and some of our kids have gone on to broadway. So even though I was never famous or made a good living I am able to still do theatre which I love and help other children with their passion.</p>

<p>That's rough for her. Thanks for helping me out! Good Luck to your daughter.</p>

<p>Also, when you apply to Tisch, you cannot pick your studio. You are ASSIGNED a studio. So, even if you are admitted to Tisch, you may not be placed into the Stella Adler studio. Therefore, you may never even be eligible to audition for the SA summer program. However, if you have completed a primary studio (any studio) for two years, you can audition (but not necessarily get into) Stonestreet for your advanced studio as a junior or senior. Thus, I would not pick NYU for these very specific things as you may never get to do them even if admitted to Tisch. You definitely would not get to do them if you entered as a junior in college. I also do not think the BFA can be done in two years no matter what.</p>

<p>The situation that actressmom describes about this other girl who graduated from Stella Adler who doesn't have an agent....is very very very very very common! More students will not land an agent than those who do. That is why many of us here are advising you, early_college, that getting a reputable agent at age 22 in NYC or LA is difficult even for those with significant training such as a BFA degree program provides. It is not as easy as you believe. It is even harder for someone without significant training and experience.</p>

<p>Let me give you another window......Tisch is a very big BFA program with many training studios. As you know, it is quite selective to even be admitted in the first place. Tisch has a Tisch-wide Industry Night (senior showcase for agents and casting agencies) for Acting and another one for Musical Theater. Out of all the many seniors, they only select by audtiion 15 for each showcase. So, the majority of seniors are not even in this showcase. Then, even for those who ARE in the showcase, agents have to select who they are interested in after viewing the showcase. No guarantee of even getting an agent from that after passing through all these selection processes to even get to that point. I say this as a parent whose child is in the Industry Night showcase in a week. No guarantees. Just crossed fingers. Early_college.....the odds in this industry are very low. However, like actressmom, I hope my D will at least work in her field and she luckily has a variety of skills beyond being a performer that should keep her working in theater in some capacity. That much I am confident about. Making it as a performer?...the odds are very difficult, even if I think she has what it takes. :D</p>

<p>Thanks sooz! I understand but I guess I'm lucky that I have made some connections already. I think NYU will be better if Bard at SR doesn't work out. I think I may just transfer to USC and major in print journalism. I could get acting training elsewhere and get an agent and audition for things. Or I could always go to NU and double major. We'll see!</p>

<p>Good luck early_college! In my view, as a freshman in HS, your priorities right now should be to do the best you can at school academically (NYU, USC and Northwestern are highly competitve schools to get into academically), continue your acting training, and perform in plays, and if possible, films. Read about college options but it is early yet to really narrow these options down. Your own preferences may shift since you are still just in your first year of HS. Even now, you are not sure you want a BFA in Acting or to study journalism and that's fine since you are only 15 and do not have to decide yet! Also, for those seeking a BFA, it is more appropriate if they are 100% certain as it is a commitment to a very laid out college program and nothing like a BA that affords more options. As well, most who are in a BFA program do not have a lot of time to audition outside of college and so have to decide if they want to commit to college or else not do college and just audition. It is hard to do both at the same time.</p>

<p>Thanks sooz. It's hard for me to do community theater because I'm on the swim team. I may be going year round in that or getting a job. I'm going to be in Advanced Acting next year, and we do plays in that. I'm actually in all honor classes and one AP class now. I think the best for me is to go to the early college and in spare time audition in NYC. A BFA may not be for me since I would like to audition while in college. I think USC may be the best bet. After college, I would just audition and get experience. I may just be a journalist to pay the bills. Ty</p>

<p>And now, a return to our theme, two year schools.... ;-) My S is completing his first (winter) term at AADA LA. So far, the intensity and professionalism are fabulously overwhelming, and, oddly enough, coupled with a really caring environment. This part was definitely unexpected and not at all apparent during the audition or the second visit he made when deciding to change from MMC... Just passing on a surprising piece of good news. </p>

<p>I would love to hear/see posts from students or parents in other 2 year programs, to help guide the kids who are specifically looking for that.</p>

<p>Checkbookmom--</p>

<p>I just registered and tried to send you a message. Not sure if I did it correctly.</p>

<p>My son was just accepted at AADA-LA. He is coming stright out of high school. I have lots of questions about your thoughts on your son's experience so far and would love some insight on the practicalities of sending a kid off to LA to go through this program. </p>

<p>With an older son at a traditional university (living in a fraternity), I am wondering about the apartment set up, what "support systems" are in place, and generally what the "feel" is for a kid heading to LA for a program like this. </p>

<p>Any insight you have would be most appreciated!!!</p>

<p>Would Stella Adler program be a good choice for someone who auditioned for and was rejected from USC School of Theatre but who wants to pursue acting? (It is too late now to apply to colleges with Theatre programs for my senior D and she needs and wants a plan)</p>

<p>It was posted on a different thread that Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington may still be accepting applications for its BFA Acting program. The Acting degree program at Cornish looks pretty comprehensive and I believe there may be some connection with the Tony-winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle. Best of luck to you and your D! I hope this information helps ...</p>

<p>When auditioning for the two year acting conservatories, what kind of questions do they ask during the interviews?</p>