• What is the Tisch Graduate Acting Program?
• What are your admissions requirements?
• What do you look for in your admissions process?
• Should applicants have majored in drama or theatre?
• Is Financial Aid available?
• What are the application and audition dates/deadlines?
• Can I send in a tape/be admitted without attending one of the auditions?
• After I audition, what is the next step in the admissions process?
• Does Graduate Acting offer any part-time or summer courses of study?

Graduate Acting FAQ

What is the Tisch Graduate Acting Program?

Tisch Graduate Acting is a three-year conservatory program resulting in a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. Classes are held five days a week, and most evenings and weekends are scheduled with rehearsals. The training is divided into three disciplines: acting; voice, speech, and text; and movement. Each year has a unique focus. In your first year, you spend time getting to know how your body, voice, imagination, and feelings are released through the elimination of tension/muscular holding. The second year is solidifying that training and discovering your true self as an actor; the third year is training and preparation for a professional acting career.

What are your admissions requirements?

Each applicant to Graduate Acting must have received a Bachelor's Degree, or be scheduled to receive one prior to Fall admission (on RARE occasions, exceptions to this rule may be made). Applicants must apply via Graduate Admissions, pay the application fee and audition at one of our scheduled audition dates.

What do you look for in your admissions process?

Since acting is an artistic rather than an academic discipline, our admissions process is geared to finding the most unique, talented and dedicated students of acting who would best benefit from our rigorous training program.

Should applicants have majored in drama or theatre?

An undergraduate major in drama or theatre is not a requirement for admission. Many of our students come from schools without such a major. Any experience, whether in school, extracurricular, or professional, is beneficial.

Is Financial Aid available?

Graduate Acting is fortunate to have a large pool of aid available to incoming students. Several students receive full-scholarships each year, while others receive a package of grants, loans and workstudy. All financial aid packages are made upon acceptance to the program. Additional grants are awarded over the three year course of study. We encourage all prospective applicants to apply, regardless of financial status.

What are the application and audition dates/deadlines?

The application and application fee are due to Graduate Admissions by Jan. 7 of each year. Please check the Graduate Admissions page for more information. We encourage all applicants to apply at least 4 weeks prior to the deadline, so they may get their audition date scheduled quickly, and make any necessary travel arrangements. Auditions are held in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, in January and February of each year.

Can I send in a tape/be admitted without attending one of the auditions?

All applicants, both U.S. citizens and international, must audition in person at one of our scheduled audition dates. No tapes are admitted and no other dates can be scheduled, even for extreme circumstances.

After I audition, what is the next step in the admissions process?

At the end of the audition tour, approximately the end of February, Graduate Acting invites between 40-50 actors to our March Callbacks, to partake in classes, meet current students and re-audition for our faculty. From the March Callback attendees, 18 are selected for the fall incoming class.

Does Graduate Acting offer any part-time or summer courses of study?

Graduate Acting does not offer any training beyond the three-year MFA program. Those interested in part-time or summer training can check the Tisch Special Programs page, or inquire into the many acting studios throughout the New York area.