Looking for Virginia acting schools? Below are detailed listings of theater colleges and acting classes in Virginia to get you started.
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Shenandoah University
This Virginia acting program offers classes for both actors and musical theater actors. The acting training in grounded in the Stanislavski technique and exploring different acting styles through various periods, including a strong emphasis on Shakespeare’s plays.
Classes and electives include acting techniques, improv, script analysis, scene study, voice, speech, singing, dialects, accent reduction, movement, dance, mime, stage combat, costumes, directing, theater history and theater production classes (lighting, stagecraft, etc.) Musical theater students have additional dance classes (ballet, jazz, tap), a musical theater and sight-singing class, and study dance styles and music, including piano.
All students, including freshmen, audition for mainstage shows. Conservatory students can audition first for one of the four productions of the university’s professional theater company, the Summer Music Theater. Actors can also join the improv troupe on campus.
Classes are taught by professionals and include presentations on the business of acting by guest speakers. There are opportunities to take workshops and see plays in New York and Washington.
BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theater.
In addition to other financial aid, there is a Conservatory Scholarship for performance students that can be renewed yearly.
First, complete the application process for the university, then register for an audition at least 2 weeks prior.
www.su.edu
Washington and Lee University
Actors study drama techniques and text analysis, musical theater, modern dance, ballet, costuming, playwriting, lighting, scene design, drama history and directing, among other things.
The Lenfest Center for the Arts houses a 300-seat concert hall, a 415-seat theater and a black box theater, along with rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, scene and costume shops.
There are plenty of opportunities to perform, including mainstage musicals & plays, one acts directed by students and a playwright festival, as well as studio productions.
All theater majors must work on a school production for at least 50 hours.
Students have opportunities to work on their craft with guest artists.
Professional internships are available.
Theater majors can study Swedish Theater abroad.
BA in Theatre.
Prospective students can apply for merit or need based scholarships, as well as other forms of financial aid.
Application, test scores and grades, transcripts, report forms, 2 teacher recommendations and school counselor recommendation.
www.wlu.edu
The Actor’s Place
Among Virginia acting schools, this one focuses on teaching screen acting. Acting classes are based on Meisner and include beginner classes, scene study, auditioning for the camera and voice-over technique, as well as acting for kids. The school offers its acting classes in Virginia Beach.
Classes are taught by experienced/working actors and professionals. Students are taught the business of acting along with acting skills.
www.beanactor.com
More Virginia Acting Schools
- Hollywood Theater Lab – www.hollywoodtheatrelab.com
This VA acting school with 2 different locations (Charlottesville and Earlysville) offers classes for adults and kids as young as 5, special workshops and a summer camp. - University of Virginia – www.virginia.edu
The Department of Drama offers a range of classes for those who want to major in Acting. - James Madison University – cvpa.jmu.edu
The School of Theatre and Dance offers a Bachelor of Arts program for aspiring actors and musical theatre actors. - Emory & Henry College – theatre.ehc.edu
The Theatre Department offers a BA in Acting or Musical Theatre. Students benefit from the Theatre Department’s associating with the Barter Theater, a professional theater in Abingdon, VA. - Virginia Tech – www.theatrecinema.vt.edu
The School of Performing Arts and Cinema allows actors to get a BA in Theater with an emphasis on Performance. - Radford University – www.radford.edu
The College of Visual and Performing Arts offers a BA in Theater with an emphasis on Performance. - Richmond University – http://www.richmond.edu – Aspiring performers can major in Theater or Dance at this university.