4 answers
Destiny
Student
Laurinburg, North Carolina
8
Questions
Asked
924 views
What college do you have to go to to be an actor?
Because I've joined theatre and I've started to grow an interest in acting #professional-development #team-leadership #product-development
Login to comment
4 answers
Brian Munley
Retail Manager
2
Answers
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Don't think that you HAVE to go to college to become an actor. There are many different routes to take to get where you want to go. That being said, one of my colleagues is pursuing acting and attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA.
Roz Mario
Customer Experience and Sales Management Professional
1
Answer
Updated
Roz’s Answer
I would look at schools in and around New York City, NY and Los Angeles, CA. NYU and Columbia (NYC). UCLA, and USC (Los Angeles).
Roz recommends the following next steps:
Jay Hurst
Product Manager
57
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Destiny,
Most universities have a dramatic arts or performing arts programs. However, there are many other avenues that would not require a traditional 4 year degree. It really depends on what aspect of acting you would like to make your career.
Many actors have started their careers by going to specific acting schools, starting with improv, or by doing local theater. As acting is a craft, the important part is to put yourself out there and practice at every opportunity you can. I do tend to agree that larger cities (like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc...) will offer more opportunities to practice.
Best of luck
Most universities have a dramatic arts or performing arts programs. However, there are many other avenues that would not require a traditional 4 year degree. It really depends on what aspect of acting you would like to make your career.
Many actors have started their careers by going to specific acting schools, starting with improv, or by doing local theater. As acting is a craft, the important part is to put yourself out there and practice at every opportunity you can. I do tend to agree that larger cities (like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc...) will offer more opportunities to practice.
Best of luck
Ninos Hanna
Communications Manager
4
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Ninos’s Answer
College isn't required for actors. However, I would recommend NYU. Excellent theater program. Plus, if you change your mind later in life or acting just isn't working out, you'll have a degree from a reputable program.
I agree with Ninos. Although you don't need a degree to pursue acting, there are a number of excellent programs that have theatre majors. I went to Northwestern where a number of my friends were actors. Many have gone on to be professionals on stage, TV and film. Meanwhile, many of my friends, after years of pursuing their "big break", decided to shift gears and follow other paths (professional photography, screen writing, corporate learning and development, etc.). It is a great idea to have a degree behind your belt so that you have a number of other options should you wish to shift gears later in life. There are even companies like The Ariel Group that employ experienced professional actors to teach storytelling and authenticity in corporations. You have so many options!
Anna Schocket