Theatre performance program
Your Stage. Your Story. From Page to Performance.
The Theater Performance Program is a transformative experience that prepares you to be both an artist and a business savvy professional. Become your own unique 21st century storyteller and develop your craft to create performances that are believed, understood and compelling to behold. You will be mentored by experienced industry professionals, meet casting directors, make important networking connections, and learn how to build a successful, sustainable career in the business of acting on stage and beyond.
Program Pathways
The Theatre Performance Program is offered as:
A Two–Year Associate Degree Program with classes starting every September and January
Click here to learn more about the Theatre Performance Two-Year Associate Degree Program
Click here to apply for the Theatre Performance Two-Year Associate Degree Program
Can be added to your Two-Year Degree in Film & Television Performance, Musical Theatre, or Media Production for the Actor as a Plus One Degree Program with classes starting every September
Click here to learn more about the Theatre Performance Plus-One Degree Program
Click here to register for the Theatre Performance Plus-One Degree Program
A Four–Week Summer Intensive with classes starting every June and July for students 14 and older
Click here to learn more about the Theatre Performance Summer Intensive Program
Click here to register for the Theatre Performance Summer Intensive Program
Program Focus
Theatre Performance: Practical training for the 21st century theatre professional.
Theatre is a life-long pursuit. There is always more to learn. More skills to acquire.
Our goal is to provide aspiring theatre performers with the training needed to emerge as a working artist. We use the form to teach the form.
Our students are always rehearsing, always applying the skills learned in class to diverse types of theatrical performance – ranging from classics to contemporary devised work and immersive experiences.
Our Theatre students are treated as athletes with in-depth focus placed on training their bodies and voices to tell stories that authentically reflect the wide spectrum of human experience.
We use New York City as our classroom and theatre professionals as our teachers.
Students are given opportunities to develop meaningful relationships and networks with working artists and industry professionals.
Students are respected as unique performers. Plays, scenes, texts, and materials are chosen in concert with students to both reflect and grow the unique ensemble in the room.
Two-Year Associate Degree Program Overview
In the first year, the focus is on building each of the foundational skills and practices that strong theatrical performances are built upon. You will experience a personalized teaching approach to Meisner, Voice and Speech, Actors Lab, Movement, and Improvisation.
In the second year you will prepare for the professional world of theatre. Course work includes: Theatre history to root your performances and augment your understanding of how the past effects the present, audition classes focused on monologues, cold reads and self-tapes, and advanced acting styles that push away from naturalism and expand your range as a performer. A focus on the business of theater rounds out your training with practical information that will help you build a sustainable career. Master classes taught by visiting industry professionals, and a main stage production at a reputable NYC theater venue finalize the two-year program.
Main Stage Production
An opportunity to participate in a professionally produced production of a contemporary, classic or devised play in a reputable NYC Venue or immersive space.
Jury
An opportunity to perform a prepared scene for a jury of casting directors for feedback on your material selection, performance and presentation. Selected students move onto "Super Jury," a call-back for industry professionals looking for new talent.
Business Class
A practical opportunity to develop a clear business strategy for your unique actor brand. Classes focus on preparation of materials: resumes, reels, websites and social media platforms, how to network, get an agent or manager and do your taxes.
The Theatre Performance Program is also available as a Plus-One Degree Program
Now, more than ever, it’s essential for professional actors to be multifaceted in their training: you’ll want to be ready to sing, dance, act, produce, create, promote, and more.
At the New York Conservatory, you can evolve your brand, diversify your training, build your actor’s toolbox and add on to your two-year Associate Degree.
We have designed the Plus One Degree Program to build upon the training in your first two years at The New York Conservatory. Once you complete an initial two-year Associate Degree in any of our programs, you can continue your education to earn a second Associate Degree by adding on one year of Film & Television Performance, Media Production for the Actor or Theatre Performance.
The Plus One Theatre Performance Program prepares you for the professional world of theatre, including: theatre history, monologues, cold reads and advanced acting styles, and a focus on the business of the business. Master classes taught by visiting industry professionals, and a main stage production finalize the program.
Four-Week Summer Intensive Program Overview
The Summer Intensive Program in Theatre Production offers actors of all levels an invigorating experience that will prepare them to fully embody characters and thrive on-stage. Course work includes: Theatre history to root your performances and augment your understanding of how the past effects the present, audition classes focused on monologues, cold reads and self-tapes, and advanced acting styles that push away from naturalism and expand your range as a performer. An Industry event with a casting director and agent/manager are included during the four-week session.