This renowned New York acting school affiliated with the Atlantic Theater Company was founded by playwright David Mamet and actor William H. Macy when they developed their acting method known as Practical Aesthetics. The long list of alumni includes Felicity Huffman, Jason Ritter, Matthew Fox and Jessica Alba.
The school offers a two and a half year conservatory program and an evening conservatory program, as well as part-time classes, intensives and workshops. Acting classes include script analysis, performance technique, repetition, improvisation, monologues, physical comedy, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Suzuki, Viewpoints and Committed Impulse. Actors also study Voice, Movement, Alexander Technique, Speech, Screen Acting, Directing and Playwrighting.
You can also study at the Atlantic Acting School if you are getting a BFA in Acting at NYU – Tisch School of the Arts.
Performance opportunities: Graduating students can appear in mainstage productions, sometimes alongside Atlantic Theater Company ensemble members. 2nd-year conservatory students perform in a one-act plays.
Career preparation: Conservatory students take casting director workshops and master classes with working professionals to learn audition technique and the business of acting. They also appear in an industry showcase. Some members of the Atlantic Theater Company teach or lecture at the school. This NYC acting school regularly hosts lectures with industry guests artists. Full-time students in good standing can also audition for an on-camera and acting business intensive in Los Angeles.
What you’ll need to apply: Application and fee, headshot and resume, 2 letters of recommendation. An audition/interview is also required for the full-time programs.
Acceptance Rate: Acceptance into the second year is by invitation only.
Website: www.atlanticactingschool.org