Last Updated: September 09, 2022
Best Drama Schools in New York
New York City, home to Broadway, is one of the few internationally acknowledged places for theatre, music, dance, and arts. Candidates who wish to take up a study program in any field under the fine arts will find plenty of orthodox and unorthodox institutions that deal with different kinds of art programs. Fifty-nine colleges in New York deal with drama and theatre arts, offering around 3,278 degrees in theatre and other degree programs in music, dance, and film.
Candidates can take certification programs in their field of interest or pursue an associate's, bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctorate degree in that field. Most of the programs offered in these schools allow candidates to take internships and participate in workshops that can be highly beneficial for their future careers.
Choosing the Best Drama School
Choosing from the long list of drama schools available in New York can be daunting since each school will be better than the others in different aspects. It will ultimately depend on the candidate and their career goal more than the rank the institution is holding. Some institutions may offer better master’s programs that focus on the practical side of the program rather than the theoretical side. In contrast, others may lean toward traditional methods of teaching fine arts.
A few factors that one must consider before joining a program include the institution's reputation, the approach to acting, the class sizes, the mode of teaching, and the internships provided. The techniques and approaches the institutions have must ideally align with the learning styles of the candidate for the program to yield the best results.
10 Best Drama Schools in New York
| Institution | In-State Fee | Out-of-State Fee |
| The Julliard | $52,250 per year | $52,250 per year |
| American Musical Dramatic Academy | $42,000 per year | $42,000 per year |
| Tisch School of the Arts | $50,000 per year | $50,000 per year |
| The American Academy of Dramatic Arts | $35,000 per year | $35,000 per year |
| The Maggie Flanigan Studio | $25,000 per semester | $25,000 per semester |
| The New School | $53,000 per year | $53,000 per year |
| Actors Studio at Pace | $46,000 per year | $46,000 per year |
| William Esper Studio | $18,000 per year | $23,500 per year |
| HB Studio | - | $12,000 per year |
| Columbia University | $5,500 per year | $5,500 per year |
The Julliard
Location-60 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
This music school in NY focuses on performing arts of all kinds at undergraduate and graduate levels. It was established in 1905 and has three core areas: music, dance, and drama. The main programs offered under music include instruments, vocal arts, jazz studies, conducting, etc., whereas the main programs for dance include a BFA in the subject.
Candidates can also choose from a BFA or MFA in Acting, both of which are internationally acclaimed programs. The college here has over 800 artists from 44 countries, and these artists perform in around five theaters.
The best programs provided here are-
- MFA in Acting
- BFA in Dance
American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Location- 211 West 61st Street, New York, NY 10023
This non-profit institution is located in New York, Los Angeles, and California, and the degrees offered are recognized internationally. It was established in 1964 and has approximately 1,600 students. Candidates can take BFA degrees, BA degrees, associate of occupational studies degrees, etc., and certifications in different fields of study. The areas of study offered here include acting, acting for the camera, musical theatre, dance theatre, performing arts, and theatre arts.
The best programs offered at the New York campus include-
- Studio Certificate to BFA-Acting for Stage
- Dance Theatre Certificate to BFA
Tisch School of the Arts
Location- 721 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
This institution is known for providing professional training in performing arts. It was established in 1965, and candidates must undergo a rigorous two-part admission process to enroll in programs here. The school offers undergraduate programs in collaborative arts, dance, drama, open arts, and performance studies. They can also take graduate programs in fields like art & public policy, design for stage & film, grad acting, graduate musical theatre writing, and performance studies.
The best programs offered here include-
- BFA in Drama
- BA in Performance Studies
- BFA in Game Design
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Location- 120 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
This is the first acting school in the country, and it was established in 1884. It is a private institution with around 500 students on its NY campus and around 300 students on its LA campus. They have a two-year conservatory program in acting, which is nationally accredited. The institution also offers associate degree programs and bachelor’s degree options compared to other institutions nationwide. Candidates can also take a certificate of advanced studies in acting from this institution.
The best program offered here is-
- Two-Year Conservatory Program
The Maggie Flanigan Studio
Location- 153 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001
Like other studio acting schools in the state, the Maggie Flanigan Studio is considered to be a great place for beginners to learn Acting. The acting programs offered here include a two-year acting conservatory, a summer acting program, and a professional actor training program. Candidates can also join the core acting program or the Meisner acting-only program at this institution. Though the programs typically last two years, candidates often take three years to learn at their own pace.
The best program offered here is the â€"
- Professional Actor Training Program
- Two-Year Acting Conservatory
The New School
Location- 72 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10011
Established in 1919, this institution has around 10,000 students and over 2,200 academic staff. This university has seven schools, including fields of study like design, liberal arts, music, performing arts, drama, jazz & contemporary music, social research, and public engagement. The drama school offers degrees like BFA, MFA, and MA, all internationally acclaimed. This school has around 90 drama faculties, 240 students, and 11 mainstage productions.
The best programs offered here include-
- BFA in Dramatic Arts
- MA in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
Actors Studio at Pace University
Location- 1 Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038
This university was established in 2006 and is known for its graduate programs in subjects like acting, dancing, playwriting, etc. The MFA programs offered here are highly collaborative and are rooted in the theatrical ideals of Stanislavski’s work. Being affiliated with the Actors Studio organization, the degree offered here is internationally acclaimed.
The best programs here include-
- MFA in Playwriting
- MFA in Directing
William Esper Studio
Location- 208 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018
This drama school was established in 1965 and is based on performing arts, as discussed by Sanford Meisner. It is considered one of the top 25 drama schools in the country for learning an MFA program in acting. It offers a two-year program and a summer intensive program in acting. The two-year program has different formats based on whether the candidate is taking it part-time, core program, or full-time.
The best program offered here is the
- Full-Time Two-Year Conservatory Program
HB Studio
Location- 120 Bank St, New York, NY
This studio offers plenty of programs in acting for beginners in the field, including aspects like scene study, acting with a camera, etc. Established in 1945, it is situated in Greenwich Village. The programs here are taught through lectures, workshops, theatre productions, etc. A few of the popular programs offered here include-
- The Hagen Core Training
- Design Your Studio Class Program
Columbia University
Location- 602 Dodge Hall, Columbia University, 2960, NY 10027
The drama school under Columbia University has been listed as one of the top 10 drama schools in the state. The MFA programs offered here are for subjects like acting, playwriting, dramaturgy, theatre management & production, directing, etc. Candidates who take the MFA program can choose any of these subjects as their concentration based on which they will receive their final degree.
The best programs offered here include-
- MFA Stage Management
- MFA Acting
- MFA Theatre Management and Production
