Why Is Acedemic Excellence Important for an Art College
Attention a performing arts college is a big conclusion—you're committing to focusing exclusively on your art for iv years. One time you lot've fabricated this selection, you demand to observe a school that'll permit you to reach your career goals.
In guild to aid you lot detect the correct school for you, I've compiled a list of the best performing arts colleges in the The states. Keep reading to meet what these are!
How Is "Performing Arts Higher" Defined for This Listing?
This list includes schools that exclusively offer drama and trip the light fantastic toe degrees. Since music schools tend to differ dramatically (I'm then punny) from drama and trip the light fantastic schools, I've left them out of this article; if yous desire to read more about the best music schools in the Usa, here is the place to find that information.
Furthermore, I've focused on schools where drama and/or dance is a priority. These schools only offering performing arts degrees or have specialized performing arts schools at the larger academy.
Going to a performing arts college has many advantages for students. Yous will exist surrounded past like-minded artists who volition inspire you, help you with your creative pursuits, and besides likely be your colleagues when you graduate. Additionally, you'll exist at a school that doesn't view your fine art equally a mere extracurricular activity.
Although information technology's possible to get a performing arts degr ee f rom other colleges, this list of all-time performing arts colleges is designed for students who know 100% they exclusively want to written report interim or trip the light fantastic toe and are looking for an environs that fully supports them in their ambitions.
How Did I Decide on These Top Performing Arts Colleges?
Don't ever take rankings of the acme performing arts colleges every bit absolute fact—non even those from Backstage or The Hollywood Reporter. Instead, y'all should use these articles equally a starting point for your own enquiry. Whenever you lot expect at a list of the all-time performing arts colleges, try to see how the rankings were determined.
Here, I'll explicate how I came upward with this unscientific listing of schools. I started past limiting my search to schools that prioritize dance and drama by only offering performing arts degrees or by having a specialized program inside the larger university.
I then took the following three criteria into consideration:
- Ranking: I used a variety of ranking lists from respected industry sources such every bit Backstage and The Hollywood Reporter equally a starting point for my research.
- On-Campus & Off-Campus Extracurricular Opportunities: It's important as a performer to have the take chances to actually perform. Does the school provide opportunities? Practise you have the option to intern off-campus with a local theatre or dance grouping? Can you study abroad at premier programs? Do you lot get to perform in an manufacture showcase?
- Notable Alumni: How many alumni have risen to the top of their fields? If there are a lot of notable alumni, the plan they attended likely contributed to their success, either past providing them with superior skills or superior resources (such equally internships, manufacture connections, etc.).
I carve up this list into tiers instead of rankings since rankings are usually not that meaningful. Tier one schools are the foam-of-the-crop performing arts colleges; they provide students with the most extracurricular opportunities and have the longest lists of notable alumni. Tier 2 schools are yet excellent simply don't have the same opportunities or every bit many notable alumni as the Tier 1 schools do.
Note that not all of these schools are fantabulous for both dance and drama. Really, some of these schools just offer a dance or a drama plan. Within each schoolhouse description, I've noted whether it's a meridian school for dance, drama, or both.
At Tier 1 schools, you can perform in first-rate productions.
All-time Performing Arts Colleges: Tier 1
We'll start our listing with the Tier 1 schools, or the best performing arts colleges in the country.
The Juilliard Schoolhouse—Drama and Dance
Always listed near the top of both drama and dance rankings, Juilliard boasts an unbelievably long listing of notable alumni who accept won more than 105 Grammy Awards, 62 Tony Awards, 47 Emmy Awards, 26 Bessie Awards, 24 University Awards, 16 Pulitzer Prizes, and 12 National Medals for the Arts. That'southward quite a full-blooded!
The schoolhouse is extremely exclusive, selecting only eight to 10 students for the BFA Acting Programme, viii to ten students for the MFA Acting Plan, and nearly 24 students for the BFA Trip the light fantastic Programme.
Exterior the classroom, the dance program holds 15 public performances each year, and the drama program puts on many plays and senior showcases in both New York and Los Angeles for industry professionals such as casting directors, agents, and managers. If y'all're looking for a programme that can put you on the fast track to an amazing career, Julliard is an excellent choice.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts—Drama and Dance
Like Juilliard, NYU Tisch is also ever near the tiptop of the rankings for both drama and dance. And for good reason: the school has a long list of notable alumni, many of whom have performed on Broadway, at Radio City Music Hall, and in movies and on Telly. While the list of notable alums is long, some names yous may recognize include Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Olsen, James Franco, Fasten Lee, and Kristen Bell.
Tisch offers many unlike degrees in different artistic fields, including drama, performance studies, motion-picture show & television, dramatic writing, and cinema studies. The school is as well branching into different operation media, including music production and video game production/design. The school as well takes advantage of its NYC surround by partnering drama students with professional person interim studios where they tin perform in a broad array of productions led by world-famous theatre artists and faculty.
Carnegie Mellon University—Drama
Carnegie Mellon has a long history of top-notch drama education: in fact, it was the kickoff degree-granting drama establishment in the Us. More than importantly, Carnegie Mellon is a drama powerhouse with a faculty of working theater professionals and well-known alumni, including Holly Hunter, Billy Porter, Judith Low-cal, Ted Danson, and Zachary Quinto. This school offers separate acting and musical theatre degrees as well, giving students the option to specialize in different types of performances.
The drama department offers a unique, hands-on instruction that gives students plenty of on-phase opportunities. The section puts on 20 shows per yr, allowing for many performance opportunities. Additionally, the school cancels classes for a calendar week each year to let students appoint in performances of any kind (such every bit original works or adaptations of movies). Seniors become to perform in showcases in New York, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh in front of manufacture professionals.
Additionally, Carnegie Mellon offers students a chance to appoint in interdisciplinary studies through The Studio for Artistic Enquiry and The Center for Arts in Guild. If you're interested in seeing how drama can impact the world both on stage and beyond, then Carnegie Mellon would be a slap-up fit for yous.
Theatre schoolhouse has fun costumes!
Boston Conservatory—Trip the light fantastic
One of the pinnacle trip the light fantastic toe programs in the US, the Boston Solarium boasts a faculty of world-class artists who accept worked with notable choreographers such as Antony Tudor, Robert Joffrey, José Limón, Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and Agnes de Mille, and with dance companies such every bit Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of New York, and Limón Dance Company.
There are many performance opportunities throughout the year, the most prestigious being the power to perform as a member of the Boston Solarium Dance Theater. Alumni perform with trip the light fantastic toe companies effectually the globe as well every bit on Broadway. Keep in listen, however, that the Boston Conservatory specializes in contemporary trip the light fantastic...and then if yous're looking for classical training, you should consider a different programme.
Yale University—Drama (MFA)
No best performing arts colleges list would exist complete without the Yale School of Drama. This schoolhouse is world renowned for its MFA Acting programme; nonetheless, I'd advise against doing the more general BA program, which doesn't give y'all admission to the same faculty or performance opportunities.
The MFA plan offers programs in every aspect of functioning, from on-phase interim all the way to technical design and stage management. The School of Drama also boasts a long list of famous alumni, including Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett, Sigourney Weaver, Paul Giamatti, and Lupita Nyong'o. The school besides invests heavily in students' networking opportunities; students in their final year human action in showcases in both New York and Los Angeles in front of industry professionals.
In the past 10 years, 100% of graduates accept landed agents or managers within the first month out of schoolhouse. So if y'all're serious nearly having a career in the performing arts, you should definitely consider Yale's MFA plan.
Northwestern University—Drama
Northwestern is ane of the few drama schools that doesn't require an audition for access. Still, getting accepted is tough because drama students are held to loftier bookish standards, and the current university credence rate is around 8%. It's not surprising that many of the program'southward alumni go on to accept illustrious careers. Some of the schoolhouse'due south nigh notable alums include David Schwimmer, Stephen Colbert, Anna Gunn, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Zach Braff.
Undergraduate students at Northwestern accept many opportunities to perform in both school-sponsored and student-run shows. Equally many as 40 shows a year are staged at the Wirtz Center for the Performing arts, and another 40 student-led shows happen across campus. Additionally, seniors are invited to participate in showcases in New York and Chicago in forepart of manufacture professionals.
Limited yourself.
Best Performing Arts Colleges: Tier 2
In this section, we take a look at other neat performing arts colleges that we've classified as Tier 2. These schools are withal excellent, but they aren't quite as prestigious as those listed in Tier 1. Having said that: you're still setting yourself upwards for a great career if you earn a degree from any of these universities!
UNC School of the Arts—Drama and Dance
UNCSA is dwelling house to exceptional drama and dance programs. Alumni of the dance program have gone on to perform with the American Ballet Theatre, the New York City Ballet, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, the Paul Taylor Dance Visitor, Alvin Ailey American Trip the light fantastic Theater, and the Martha Graham Ensemble. Others have danced with performers such as Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, and Beyoncé. UNCSA'south notable alumni include include Mary-Louise Parker, Lucas Hedges, Anthony Mackie, and Dane DeHaan.
Drama and dance students at UNCSA have many performance opportunities including a senior showcase for industry professionals in New York. Drama students too perform their showcase in Los Angeles.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)—Drama and Trip the light fantastic toe
CalArts is considered the all-time trip the light fantastic toe school on the West Coast and i of the top drama schools in the state. The Schoolhouse of Dance boasts distinguished faculty and brings in guest artists to requite students manufacture and expert perspective. Some recent visiting artists include Gerard & Kelly (mixed media performers) and Benjamin Millepied (former chief dancer with the New York City ballet and Natalie Portman'southward husband).
The school too offers several functioning opportunities, such as in American Higher Trip the light fantastic Festivals; information technology likewise has an International Substitution programme with the London Contemporary Dance Center which allows students to gain international dance experience.
CalArts also boasts a top-notch drama program as well. The drama school is a nifty pick for actors who know they desire to pursue film or boob tube acting since, during the terminal year, students enroll in Interim Studio for the Camera. This course specifically trains students for acting and auditioning for picture show and Boob tube. Additionally, at the end of the final semester, students get to perform in an manufacture showcase in Los Angeles. The drama school has a bunch of famous alumni including Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, and Alison Brie.
Take the leap and apply to a performing arts school!
Rutgers University—Drama and Trip the light fantastic toe
Rutgers' Stonemason Gross Schoolhouse of the Arts has earth-class drama and trip the light fantastic programs. Thank you to its proximity to New York City, the dance programme offers students opportunities for main classes and workshops in globe trip the light fantastic toe forms with international artists. It besides has two tremendous programs abroad, DanceJerusalem in State of israel and the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London.
Rutgers' drama program is unique and well rounded. Classes run the gamut from Shakespeare to modernistic TV. Students spend their 3rd year at the Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare's Globe in London, which culminates with a functioning on the Globe stage. The terminal semester is focused on an effective transition into the professional interim globe with classes in On-Camera Technique, Auditioning, and Introduction to the Life of a Working Thespian. The drama plan has some famous alumni, including Kristen Davis and Calista Flockhart.
Fordham University—Dance
Fordham is located in the Bronx, which means students volition be steeped in dance culture and history from the moment they footstep on campus. Known primarily for its partnership with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Fordham offers students a liberal arts education and collaboration with a earth-famous modern dance company. Additionally, the plan and visitor call Lincoln Center dwelling, which is pretty astonishing!
Many alumni proceed to perform with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater subsequently graduation, while others take gone on to trip the light fantastic for prestigious companies and on Broadway. Some of Fordham'southward incredible dance alumni include Ephraim Sykes (who performed in Hamilton on Broadway), Anne Souder (Martha Graham), and Victoria Guajardo (Momix).
Syracuse University—Drama
Syracuse offers separate degrees in acting or musical theatre, allowing students to specialize in a particular field. Students too have the opportunity to study "away" in New York, Los Angeles, and London, which are some of the best cities for the dramatic arts in the world. The program has developed a number of famous talents, including Taye Diggs, Jerry Stiller, and Vera Farmiga.
Students tin as well perform with the Syracuse Stage, an outstanding Equity theater company, and gain Equity points while nonetheless in school. Equity points are one way performers tin earn membership into the Actors' Equity Association, which is the union for professional stage actors and managers. In other words, graduating with a degree in drama from Syracuse gives you a leg up in the theatre earth.
University of Southern California—Drama
The University of Southern California is known for its movie program, simply it has a fantastic drama program every bit well. Information technology'southward probably not a huge surprise given that the school is located in Los Angeles, the heart of the film industry. Because of that, the school invites many visiting artists to work with students to develop their arts and crafts. Former visiting artists include Lisa Kudrow, Bryan Cranston, and Tony Shalhoub.
The program prides itself on tailoring programs to fit each educatee'due south individual needs and goals. While all students get a solid foundation in the dramatic arts, they likewise get to accept highly specialized classes like Stand Upwardly One-act and Medical Clowning. That allows students to focus their studies to fit their future careers. Famous alumni from the USC Schoolhouse of Dramatic Arts include Forest Whitaker, Troian Bellisario, Deborah Ann Woll, and Brook Bennett.
Oklahoma City University—Dance
Oklahoma City University is well-known as an arts school, but its dance plan stands out from the crowd because of its focus on American trip the light fantastic forms. The school teaches tap, jazz, and musical theater trip the light fantastic toe at the highest levels. Students can also major in arts direction, a unique degree that teaches students how to exist professional person managers that aid direct performers' careers. Famous grads performing on Broadway include Sara Edwards (trip the light fantastic toe captain, Foilles) and Marie Danvers (Christine in Phantom of the Opera). If you specialize in American trip the light fantastic, Oklahoma City university would exist a bully fit for y'all.
So many schools, but where should Yous utilize?
Which of the Top Performing Arts Colleges Is Best for You?
Just because Juilliard is an incredible school doesn't hateful you should want to go there. It's a tiny school with a very intense program which might not be the best fit for all students. Hither are some questions to ask yourself when trying to pick 1 of these best performing arts colleges.
What Exercise You Want to Specialize In?
If you're interested in dance, practise yous want to do ballet or contemporary? If you lot're interested in acting, do you desire to perform in plays, musicals, tv, or film?
Look into the programs and encounter what courses are offered. Try to avoid picking a school specializing in ballet if you desire to do gimmicky dance. Similarly, avert picking a musical theatre program if you want to act in TV (and vice versa).
Hip-hop is awesome.
What Opportunities Are There Exterior the Classroom?
I touched on this above, but be sure to go to a performing arts schoolhouse where the opportunities align with your interests. For example, if you want to practise Shakespeare, then Rutgers—which offers a year abroad in London working at the Globe Theatre—might exist a better fit for you than CalArts or Northwestern would exist.
Extracurriculars are where you lot get your experience, so make sure you'll be getting experience in your chosen specialty.
What's the School Similar?
Is it a big school or a small school? Is it a conservatory or is it at a larger university? If you hate big schools, just don't cull one. Yous don't want to dread being surrounded by tons of students or being forced into auspicious for the basketball team.
If you get overwhelmed by intensity, a solarium (such as Juilliard or the Boston Conservatory) might non be a great option for y'all since they're both small programs where competition is fierce. On the other hand, at a school like Syracuse, you lot could take breaks from your theatre customs by hanging out with other students who are majoring in journalism, engineering, pre-med, etc.
In short, pick a school where you will be near comfy so that you can thrive.
What'south Side by side?
Are you interested in pursuing a performing arts degree in a specific region? Check out our lists of performing arts colleges in New York and performing arts colleges in California.
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As an SAT/Human activity tutor, Dora has guided many students to exam prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you lot get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the Human action. She is too passionate about acting, writing, and photography.
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