Looking for acting schools in Massachusetts?
Start with these listings of Massachusetts acting schools and MA acting classes.
Each listing comes with information on classes, performance opportunities, how actors are prepared for the working world, and how to sign up.
A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training
This acting training program established by the American Repertory Theatre is not for beginners. Actors study and perform for 2 years at Harvard University and spend 3-months in residency in Russia with the school of the Moscow Art Theater.
Among the acting schools in Massachusetts, this demanding program boasts a long list of successful alumni and working actors.
Classes include acting for the stage and screen, voice and speech, Shakespeare, singing, choral work, movement, dance, stage combat, fencing, yoga, Alexander Technique, rythm, drama history and Russian language in preparation for the Moscow trip.
Institute students have access to the campus facilities of Harvard University.
Actors perform at the Loeb Drama Center, which has a 550-seat theatre and a 150-seat theatre, as well as other venues.
There are about 8 institute productions each year and advanced students also appear in the regular season of the renowned American Repertory Theater.
Students become AEA-eligible by the time they complete the training, which allows them to audition for union theater work and work in Equity shows (provided you are a legal resident and pay initiation fees).
Toward the end of their MA acting training, students appear in a showcase in Cambridge, New York and Los Angeles.
Certificate of Achievement from the ART Institute for Advanced Theater Training.
Masters of Fine Arts from the Moscow Art Theater School.
In addition to the financial aid application, the institute offers a few need-based scholarships. There are a few work study programs, as well as small employment opportunities on campus.
Post-secondary or high-school transcripts, application and fee (plus financial aid application), acting headshot and resume, short written statement, 2 letters of recommendation form theater teachers or professionals, and an audition (one classical and one contemporary monologue, plus a song if you sing).
About 23 students (including actors, dramaturgy and voice pedagogy students) are accepted into the program.
www.americanrepertorytheater.org/institute
Williams College Theater Department
Among the art colleges in Massachusetts, Williams college offers a BA in Theater in Williamston, about a 2 hour drive from Springfield, MA.
Theatre classes include acting technique, staging and design, theater technology labs, costuming, directing, playwriting, producing, classical drama, theater criticism and theater history.
Students perform at the ’62 Center for Theater and Dance, a state-of-the-art venue that houses 3 theaters and a dance studio. 8-12 productions are put up every year. Student-run productions are often encouraged.
Students take part in an 8-week summer lab where they have the opportunity to take master classes and work with guest artists from the industry. Workshops often include audition preparation work.
BA in Theatre.
Students admitted can get 100% of need-based aid.
Applications & fees, test scores, teacher evaluations, school reports, resume, recorded audition (2 contrasting monologues).
The college at large accepts only about 20% of applicants.
62center.williams.edu/theatre/
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