ACTORS STUDIO MASTER OF FINE ARTS
IN ACTING, DIRECTING AND PLAYWRITING

James Lipton, Dean Emeritus and founder, The Actors Studio Drama School

Welcome

In 1994, the leadership of the Actors Studio set out on a revolutionary path, proposing for the first time in 47 years to translate the world-famous Method it had honed in its private precinct to an academic, degree-granting program.

The resultant three-year master’s degree program succeeded beyond our greatest expectations, quickly becoming America’s largest graduate drama school, unique in  training its acting, writing and directing students side-by side for three years, with a guiding central methodology, under the instruction of a faculty composed, by definition and mandate, of experienced, distinguished life-members of the Actors Studio in every core course, leading to a third-year Repertory Season designed to present our graduating students to the professional world and the public in fully-realized productions of the work they have created during their three years with us.

Alone among America’s drama programs, the Actors Studio MFA offers its students the privilege of observing the Studio’s private sessions, and confers on its graduates the status of Working Finalist at the Studio, a privilege that has led to admission to Studio life-membership of many of our alumni.

All of our students participate in the craft seminars, known to the world as Inside the Actors Studio, that have brought more than 200 of the world’s greatest artists to our stage for intense, in-depth, face-to-face encounters that no other academic institution can offer its students.

If you’re reading these words, you know that this entire body of experience, knowledge and craft has been brought to our new home at Pace University as the University celebrates its 100th year of academic excellence, and that the Actors Studio Drama Program is waiting here to welcome you to an exciting and challenging world.

James Lipton
Dean Emeritus and founder
The Actors Studio Drama School