Colleges for Acting Majors

Hey! I dream of becoming an actor and am starting my college search. Could anyone suggest the best colleges for Acting majors? Any details about their programs or experiences if you're familiar would really help me.

Sure, absolutely! There are many wonderful acting programs out there, but some of the best are found at Juilliard School, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and University of Southern California's School of Dramatic Arts.

Juilliard probably needs no introduction. Its Drama Division offers a four-year, conservatory-style BFA program that emphasizes rigorous technical training, with classes in voice, speech, and movement. The program also includes a lot of performance opportunities, from studio projects to fully-staged productions.

NYU's Tisch has a BFA in Drama where incoming students undertake primary training in one of seven different studios, ranging from the Meisner Studio, which focuses on Sanford Meisner's approach, to the New Studio on Broadway, which specializes in musical theatre. The great thing about Tisch is its variety – it allows students to explore a range of acting styles.

Then we have USC's School of Dramatic Arts, which offers both a BFA in Acting and a BA in Theatre. The BFA program is more performance-intensive, while the BA program allows for more general exploration of theatre. Both programs offer lots of opportunities to perform in shows.

Just keep in mind that all these programs are quite competitive, so try to get in as much practice and experience as possible in preparation for your auditions. And remember, fit matters too, both in terms of the style of training and the overall university environment. It might be helpful to reach out to current students or alumni to get a sense of what it's really like to study there. Good luck!