Acting schools


 

These are acting schools as a listing..

In Oklahoma from https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/rankings/top-ranked/southwest/oklahoma/

A degree in acting is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #323 out of 1506 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

There was only one school in Oklahoma to review for the 2024 Best Acting Schools in Oklahoma ranking.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Acting Rankings by Degree Level

The acting school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Acting Schools in Oklahoma. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Acting in Oklahoma

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Oklahoma Schools in Acting

25 Top Schools in Theater

1
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
118Theater Degrees Awarded
$23,935Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts has to look into Northwestern University. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 118 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the theater program make an average of $23,935 for their early career.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Northwestern University

2
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
175Theater Degrees Awarded
$29,827Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat University of Southern California if you wish to pursue a degree in drama & theater arts. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 175 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from University of Southern California receive an earnings boost of around $6,665 over the typical income of drama & theater arts majors.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Southern California

3
Bachelor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
68Theater Degrees Awarded
14.7%Growth in Graduates

University of Notre Dame is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were approximately 68 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from University of Notre Dame receive an earnings boost of approximately $18,720 above the typical earnings of drama & theater arts majors.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Notre Dame

4
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
58Theater Degrees Awarded
70.7%Growth in Graduates

Yale University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. Located in the midsize city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were about 58 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts degree program at Yale University get $10,118 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Yale University

5
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
542Theater Degrees Awarded
16.4%Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 542 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Those drama & theater arts students who get their degree from New York University receive $12,582 more than the standard theater student.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from New York University

6
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
72Theater Degrees Awarded
$26,994Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were roughly 72 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts major at Carnegie Mellon University get $3,832 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Carnegie Mellon University

7
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
12thMost Popular In GA
55.0%Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 20 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Emory University

8
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
81Theater Degrees Awarded
48.1%Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 81 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts program at Columbia University in the City of New York make $7,906 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Columbia University in the City of New York

9
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
32Theater Degrees Awarded
$31,067Median Starting Salary

UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 32 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts major at University of California - Berkeley make $7,905 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of California - Berkeley

10
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
88Theater Degrees Awarded
$29,583Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 88 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts program at The University of Texas at Austin make $6,421 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from The University of Texas at Austin

11
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
76Theater Degrees Awarded
$25,859Median Starting Salary

Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Boston. This university ranks 6th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 76 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts major at Boston University make $2,697 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Boston University

12
Bachelor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
61Theater Degrees Awarded
$24,105Median Starting Salary

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. This university ranks 1st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 61 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theater program report average early career wages of $24,105.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

13
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
94Theater Degrees Awarded
3.2%Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were about 94 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles earn a boost of around $2,004 above the average earnings of drama & theater arts graduates.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of California - Los Angeles

14
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
33Theater Degrees Awarded
$31,019Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were approximately 33 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from University of Connecticut get an earnings boost of about $7,857 over the average income of drama & theater arts graduates.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Connecticut

15
Bachelor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
752Theater Degrees Awarded
36.0%Growth in Graduates

American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

There were roughly 752 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at American Musical and Dramatic Academy in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theater program report average early career income of $18,417.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from American Musical and Dramatic Academy

16
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
151Theater Degrees Awarded
25.8%Growth in Graduates

Loyola Marymount is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 20th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 151 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount in the most recent data year. After graduation, theater degree recipients typically earn an average of $23,556 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Loyola Marymount University

17
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
103Theater Degrees Awarded
$25,083Median Starting Salary

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 15th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 103 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the theater program report average early career earnings of $25,083.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of California - Irvine

18
Bachelor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
4thMost Popular In NH

Dartmouth is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the town of Hanover. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.

There were roughly 3 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Dartmouth College

18
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
114Theater Degrees Awarded
7.9%Growth in Graduates

Chapman is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Orange. This university ranks 32nd out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 114 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from Chapman University receive an earnings boost of around $3,217 above the typical earnings of drama & theater arts graduates.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Chapman University

19
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
76Theater Degrees Awarded
10.5%Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 76 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, theater degree recipients generally make around $24,814 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Florida

20
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
66Theater Degrees Awarded
7.6%Growth in Graduates

UCSD is a very large public university located in the city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 66 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the drama & theater arts program at University of California - San Diego make $5,958 above the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of California - San Diego

21
Doctor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
3rdMost Popular In WI
32Theater Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 32 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Wisconsin - Madison

22
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
51Theater Degrees Awarded
15.7%Growth in Graduates

Iowa is a very large public university located in the small city of Iowa City. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were about 51 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from University of Iowa earn a boost of around $2,761 over the typical income of drama & theater arts majors.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University of Iowa

22
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Bachelor's DegreeHighest Degree Type
19thMost Popular In NC

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 3 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Duke University

23
Master's DegreeHighest Degree Type
$49,235Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of New York, Juilliard is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

There were about 21 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Juilliard in the most recent data year. Drama & Theater Arts degree recipients from The Juilliard School get an earnings boost of around $26,073 above the average earnings of drama & theater arts graduates.

More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from The Juilliard School

In New York from https://collegegazette.com/best-acting-schools-in-new-york-city/

New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

What do Spider-Man’s best friend Jacob Batelon, Riverdale’s favorite pop star Ashleigh Murray, and Jumanji athlete Ser’Darius Blain have in common? They all attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. 

Located in Manhattan’s Chelsea/Flatiron district, NYCDA prepares students for a career in film and television acting by studying the Meisner Technique, which emphasizes emotional preparation, repetition, and improvisation. 

Although NYCDA maintains a relatively small student body of 257, resulting in an 18:1 student to faculty ratio, its 92% acceptance rate means that most who want to study there will get a chance. The $32,742 tuition might sound a little steep, but 100% of students receive some financial aid.

With a faculty that includes film and television stars such as Becky London, Neal Lerner, and Lane Binkley, the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of acting greats.


Pace University

Pace University
Benjamin Kraft, Pace UniversityCC BY-SA 2.0

Although it was established as a business school in 1906, Pace University has become one of the country’s premier acting schools. Pace’s Acting program grew in prominence when the popular interview show Inside the Actors Studio began recording in the school’s Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts. 

Taught by industry professionals such as Julie Lawrence-Edsell and Jorge Luis Cacheiro, Pace’s acting program bills itself as “both a nurturing and rigorous environment.” Of particular interest is the unique International Performance Ensemble (IPE), which trains students in the style of ensemble theater and provides opportunities to study in the UK, Brazil, and Thailand.  

The school’s downtown location earned it the 28th spot in Niche.com’s list of Best College Locations in the U.S. (and #71 on their list of Safest College Campuses in America), making Pace University one of the best places for young actors to learn their craft. 


CUNY Brooklyn College

CUNY Brooklyn College
Beyond My Ken, Brooklyn College West Quad CenterCC BY-SA 4.0

As part of the City Univesity of New York, Brooklyn College earned a reputation as “poor man’s Harvard,” with alumni that include Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt. But its BFA in Acting program deserves particular acclaim, developing talents such as Obba Babatunde, James Franco, and Jimmy Smits. 

The highly competitive accepts only 10-12 students into the program each year. But those who make it in receive personalized training, with opportunities to perform in 8-10 shows produced annually. Directors include MFA directing candidates, Brooklyn College faculty, and guest directors. 

As part of a college ranked #15 in Top Public Schools and #6 Top Performers in Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report, CUNY Brooklyn gives top-notch training for a wide range of applicants. 


New York Film Academy (NYFA)

New York Film Academy
Nynyb!, New York Film Academy, campus building, WhitehallCC BY-SA 4.0

Founded in 1992 by producer Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy trains over 5,000 students every year with all experience levels. Rather than theory, NYFA emphasizes practical experience. With a faculty of working professionals such as actors Bill Duke and Matthew Modine and directors such as Nag Ashwin and Michael Zelniker, NYFA gets its students acting on the stage and in front of the camera as soon as possible. 

NYFA gives its students that experience in part by partnering with the Brooklyn and Whitney Museums, MOMA, and even NASA to create and display their work. Their special two-year musical theater program stages two main stage productions every year, equipping graduates with “numerous on-camera clips, a voiceover reel, and extensive on-screen experience.”

Some of their best-known alumni include creator Issa Rae, actor Bill Hader, and actresses Aubrey Plaza and Lana Condor. 


The New School

New School
Beyond My Ken, New School University CenterCC BY-SA 4.0

Ranked #1 in Niche.com’s list of Best College Locations in America and #6 on their list of Most Diverse Colleges in America, The New School is one of the most innovative and respected colleges in the country. The New School’s School of Drama promises “rigorous training” focused on “authenticity of expression.” 

The New School’s BFA in Dramatic Arts equips students with stage and camera acting techniques, culminating in a senior industry showcase. The three-year MFA in Contemporary Theater and Performance receive individualized instruction to develop their on-camera and stage performances. 

Past artists-in-residence at the New School have included actors Mark Ruffalo and John Turturro, as well as playwrights Jon Robin Baitz and John Patrick Shanley. The school’s current faculty includes Kathleen Searle, Shannon Stowe, and Dennis Hilton-Reid. 


Marymount Manhattan College

For those who want intensive training in a variety of acting styles, from contemporary theater and Shakespearean drama, the BFA in Acting major at Marymount Manhattan is the program for them. “Acting, voice and speech, and movement training” are at the center of the program, which culminates in a fourth year of study in Advanced Topics. 

Students begin auditioning for faculty and guest-directed productions in their first year, which involve a mix of repertory works and new creations, dramas and musicals. Its classes of 10-20 students provide learners with a focused experience among a tight-knit group of fellow learners. Marymount Manhattan faculty includes veteran director Patricia Hoag Simon, playwright Kenneth Finkle, and Shakespearean actor Mark Ringer. 

Located in central Manhattan on a campus ranked #69 in Niche.com’s list of Safest College Campuses in America and #76 in the list of Best College Locations in America, Marymount trains actors in an exciting environment. 


New York University Tisch School of the Arts

NYU Tisch
atp_tyreseus, Tisch School of the Arts NYUCC BY 2.0

The Drama program at NYU Tisch prides itself in its “rigorous conservatory training with a broad and empowering academic curriculum.” That’s a compelling claim, but one look at the school’s impressive list of alumni proves that they can back it up. Any program that produces talents as diverse as Rachel Bloom, Alec Baldwin, Rául Esparza, and Lady Gaga deserves all of its acclaim. 

As part of a school that U.S. News & World Report ranks #30 in National Universities and #30 among Most Innovative Schools, Tisch is one of the country’s most impressive universities. Unsurprisingly, it is a highly selective school, accepting only 17% of those who apply to study. 

But those who do get accepted will have the opportunity to study under legends. Scholar Awam Amkpa, actor Nathan Flower, and award-winning Broadway star Timothy Oliver Reid. 


Columbia University

Columbia University
Andrew Chen (Achen33), Butler LibraryCC BY-SA 3.0

Columbia University is one of the most respected colleges globally and the only Ivy League school on this list. But its Acting Program is in a class by itself. 

With faculty that includes casting director James Calleri, Hollywood screenwriter David Klass, and award-winning writer James Schamus, Columbia University gives future actors a solid foundation for their careers. It’s no wonder that Niche.com ranked the school #6 in its list of Best Performing Arts Colleges in America.

With a very competitive acceptance rate of only 3.7%, not many applicants make it into Columbia’s Acting Program. That selective percentage allows the school to keep a 6:1 student to faculty ratio, which means that each student in the program gets individualized attention. 

While this focused approach makes for intensive experience, every single student who graduates from Columbia’s Acting Program leaves ready for a career on stage and screen.


Juilliard School

When it comes to the arts, Julliard needs no introduction. For over 100 years, the private conservatory has trained the world’s most talented musicians, actors, and dancers. Despite that sterling reputation, Julliard prioritizes expression and vulnerability, encouraging students to share “intellectual and imaginative daring, generosity of spirit, and a fierce commitment to truthful play.”

The school offers a BFA and an MFA in Acting, each consisting of four years. Undergrads take classes in specialized acting and liberal arts during their first three years, with their fourth years building to a performance presentation. Those in the Master’s program take unique drama courses for their first two years and give performances in their third and fourth years. 

Unsurprisingly, Julliard accepts a mere 8% of those who apply. But those who graduate include greats such as Wendell Pierce, Viola Davis, and Alan Tudyk. 


American Musical Dramatic Academy

A conservatory that promises small class sizes and daily in-studio practice, the American Musical Dramatic Academy is one of the best acting schools throughout the world. Founded in 1968 by acclaimed director Philip Burton, AMDA has made its name by training actors who define their generation. Alumni include musician and actor Janelle Monáe, film legend Paul Sorvino, and Broadway star Anthony Ramos. 

Although AMDA’s 30.8% acceptance rate seems high, the school still has a student to faculty ratio of 8:1. These smaller class sizes ensure every acting student gets significant 1-on-1 attention with faculty, maximizing their talents and capabilities for professional opportunities. Students in the acting program get the chance to study under the likes of Christopher Giordano, Gail Dennison, and Sheila Head. 

It’s no wonder Niche.com ranks AMDA #1 in Best Performing Arts Colleges in America

In L.A. from https://collegegazette.com/best-acting-schools-in-los-angeles/

Here are 10 of the best acting schools in Los Angeles.


California State University, Northridge

CSU Northridge
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

CSUN’s Theatre Department offers young thespians a well-rounded undergraduate education in theatrical production, theatre history, literature, and criticism, as well as the ins and outs of the acting profession. 

All theatre majors are required to participate in theatre and production activities through the department each semester. Given that the department puts on seven or more full-length productions of stage dramas, musicals, and operas each year, theatre students have no shortage of opportunities to stand in the spotlight. These productions are like a living laboratory for theatre majors: this is where students test out the theories, methods, philosophies, and skills they learn in class. 

In addition to the wide-ranging B.A. in Theatre, CSUN also offers a number of specialized Theatre minors for students who want to pair their study of theatre with a major in another field. Theatre minors can concentrate on acting/directing, design/production, history/literature, or musical theatre. 


California State University, Los Angeles

California State University Los Angeles
Justefrain, CSULA Student Union BLDGCC BY 3.0

Cal State LA’s Department of Theatre and Dance invites aspiring actors to pursue a liberal arts undergraduate degree in Theatre with a specialization in Performance. Cal State LA’s program aims to help aspiring thespians “discover and develop their own unique voices in a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, community-centered, and enriching learning environment.”

Situated in the heart of the entertainment industry, Cal State LA not only offers students interdisciplinary learning opportunities within the university, but also matches students with exciting opportunities in the bustling artistic community of LA. Students study performance theory, putting their knowledge into practice with live productions. Participating in department productions is mandatory. Theatre majors with an interest in movement arts can also pursue a minor in Dance within the department.


Occidental College

Occidental College
Geographer, Johnson Student Center and Freeman College UnionCC BY 1.0

At Occidental College, a.k.a. “Oxy”, the Theater program is on a mission to help students “Find your voice.” Oxy welcomes students into the study and practice of the art of Theater by challenging them to explore themselves and others “through theory, production and performance — over time, across cultures, and technology.” 

Oxy Theater majors get a comprehensive education in the theory, practice, history, and current and future trends in production and performance. 

Oxy makes frequent use of all the theater-related opportunities present in Los Angeles, the world’s entertainment capital, by connecting students with industry professionals and production companies. The theater program is multifaceted, consisting of the stage, studio, and classroom work under the guidance of highly regarded professors and visiting artists who are successful in the fields of film, television, and theater. Within the theater program, students can elect to concentrate on nearly a dozen different aspects of theater, including acting. 


Loyola Marymount University

The Theatre Arts program at Loyola Marymount views theatre as a “laboratory for the study of life,” a way to learn more about what it means to be human through performing drama. Students benefit from small, intimate classes in everything ranging from acting, directing, and design to theatre technology, playwriting, history, and criticism. In addition to training students for careers in film, television, and theatre, LMU’s program emphasizes highly applicable and transferable communication and leadership skills that can help students make a positive impact in the world. 

Some notable LMU alumni include Chris Sullivan, best known for his role as Toby on the wildly popular TV show This Is Us, and Linda Cardellini, who many people recognize from her roles in the Scooby-Doo films and Legally Blonde. Amber White, production stage manager for Hamilton: An American Musical on Broadway, is also an LMU alum. 


American Musical Dramatic Academy

American Musical Dramatic Academic begins with the premise that “acting is a calling, an aspiration to the extraordinary […], the purest examination of human nature.” In order to prepare students to make a career out of their calling, the Acting program helps aspiring actors cultivate discipline, discernment, and a foundation of strong acting technique. AMDA acting graduates go on to work in stage, film, and television. 

AMDA’s BFA Acting program is pre-professional in nature and geared towards each student’s individual interests and talents. As students advance in their degree, they can take highly specialized and practical courses on topics like stage combat, dialects, and dance and movement. The program also integrates coursework in entrepreneurship, audition techniques, and networking to ensure that students graduate ready to meet the professional performance industry’s competitive demands. In their final term, students collaborate on an original showcase that incorporates the strengths of each performer. 


Pepperdine University

Pepperdine is a Christian university perched on the gorgeous hills of Malibu. Theatre Arts majors can choose to specialize in one of four areas, including Acting. Students on the Acting track learn to put Stanislansky’s acting principles into practice, study tried and true voice and movement techniques, and participate in engaging masterclasses led by professional teachers and performers. 

Pepperdine’s Theatre Arts program is small by design, ensuring that students get tons of hands-on learning opportunities and valuable feedback from their professors and mentors. Students are encouraged to “create art that has the power to change lives, hearts, and minds.”

Theatre Arts majors have the unique opportunity to spend a summer in Scotland through the Edinburgh Summer Program/Pepperdine Scotland, where they travel throughout Scotland, learn to mesh British and American styles, and perform at festivals such as the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 


California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts
Bobak Ha’Eri, CalArtsCC BY 3.0

The Acting Program at California Institute of the Arts exists to support students in becoming diversely talented theater artists capable of recognizing and capitalizing upon their creative and professional passions. CalArts attracts imaginative, fervent, innovative aspiring actors who want to share their voices and stories with others. 

CalArts’ BFA in Acting is craft-oriented and designed to prepare students to be working actors. Students in the Acting program are viewed as actor-artists, and are encouraged to pursue what calls to them, particularly if it is experimental or outside-the-box. CalArts wants students to push the boundaries of what they think they are capable of actor-artists, and also push the boundaries of the art form itself. 

The BFA draws on the best of classical actor training but brings all lessons up to the present day and keeps a finger on the pulse of where the art form is headed in the 21st century. The curriculum places “a strong emphasis on movement and physical expression as a means to unlock the imagination” and progressively builds towards more professional performance experiences in line with the student’s individual goals and interests. 


Chapman University

Chapman University
Tom Arthur, Chapman UniversityCC BY-SA 2.0

In Chapman’s Department of Theatre, aspiring actors can choose one of three paths: a BA in Theatre, BFA in Theatre Performance, or BFA in Screen Acting. The BA track is a broad liberal arts program with a major in Theatre. The BFA degrees are more pre-professional in natural, focusing on performance and industry readiness. Interestingly, the BFA in Screen Acting is offered in collaboration with the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. 

Regardless of which path students choose, they benefit from a strong, vibrant theatre community and curriculum. Students take part in high-quality performances and enjoy the close-knit camaraderie and access to faculty that a small university provides. Theater majors also get to experience real-world production first-hand by working onstage and backstage with organizations like Shakespeare Orange County. 

The Department of Theatre aims to ready students for the profession by emphasizing strong professional ethics and career preparation.


University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA
Alton, Royce HallCC BY-SA 3.0

UCLA is known as one of the most prestigious public universities in the United States, with an overall acceptance rate of just 14%. US News and World Report ranks UCLA #20 nationally (ahead of famous rival UC Berkeley), and the acting program definitely lives up to UCLA’s luminous reputation. 

UCLA offers a Theatre major with an emphasis in acting. Students who choose the acting specialization are exposed to various techniques and methods in acting, vocalization, and stage movement under the guidance of accomplished faculty. 

The UCLA Theatre program emphasizes that this is not a conservatory training program; this is a liberal arts degree program with a focus on theatre. UCLA Theatre majors are simultaneously scholars and artists who want to not only study and practice theatre, but also benefit from the wide-ranging resources of a top research university. 

Famous alumni of UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television include Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Black, Jim Morrison, James Dean, James Franco, and Ben Stiller.


University of Southern California

University of Southern California
Padsquad19, DohenyCC BY-SA 3.0

The University of California offers aspiring actors the best of all worlds: it’s located in the heart of LA, it’s a nationally top-ranked university (#24) with worldwide renown, it’s home to household name actors, and it’s cultivated many notable alumni. 

Some successful actors who call USC their alma mater include Suits’ Patrick J. Adams, Roswell’s Shiri Appleby, Pretty Little Liars’ Troian Bellisario, and renowned Hollywood producer Todd Black. 

Within the School of Dramatic Arts, students have many avenues to customize their experience and play to their strengths. Students can pursue a traditional BA degree or a more practice-oriented BFA, and can specialize in anything from musical theatre to sound design to tech. USC truly combines the best of tradition with the best of progressive, forward-thinking, hands-on education. 







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