Guided by the methodology that has its roots in the “system” set forth by Constantin Stanislavski in his three groundbreaking books, An Actor Prepares, Building a Character and Creating a Role, the Actors Studio Drama School involves three years of intensive study in the dramatic arts. Continuously evolving, the “system” informs the curriculum of this unique dramatic arts degree program. Whether an aspiring actor, director or playwright, you will begin your three-year exploration by studying the actor’s craft and developing a shared language. In the first year you will be consumed with learning the methodology and language, as well as training in your craft. In the second year, you and your fellow MFA candidates will immerse yourselves in unique and specialized training. Working together as an ensemble—actors, directors and playwrights—in your third year, you will apply your knowledge and skills in a Repertory Season.

ACTING OPPORTUNITIES Throughout the three years actors, directors and playwrights learn to collaborate with each other in classes in which the actors act, the directors direct and the playwrights write. Collaboration among these three tracks is the heart of the MFA program and the Repertory Season at the end of the third year. In addition to their work in the acting classes, acting students also participate in the projects of the directing classes and in the projects of the Playwrights and Directors Unit that consist of original plays written by the student playwrights. Throughout the three years the best work of these classes is presented for the public in what we call the end-of-semester “Festivals.” During the Third-Year Repertory Season, acting students appear in a series of professionally produced plays for the general public and the theater profession... DIRECTING OPPORTUNITIES During the three years of their training, directing students experience many directing opportunities. In their directing classes they work on established dramatic material and in the Playwrights and Directors Unit they work on original work by their fellow playwrights. Their best work in their directing classes and in the Playwrights and Directors Unit is presented to the public in end-of-semester “Festivals.” During the Third-Year Repertory Season, directing students direct a series of professionally produced plays for the general public and the theater profession. PLAYWRITING OPPORTUNITIES Their work is staged by their colleagues in Directing and Acting, in class and for the public. In the third year, their best work is presented in a professionally produced Repertory Season for the general public and the theater profession. In the last month of their training, their full-length play is professionally presented as a staged reading open to the public.