Training For Tomorrow, Today

The Sands College of Performing Arts at Pace University prepares students for careers as performers, designers, and production professionals in today’s ever-changing entertainment industry. Program curricula blend comprehensive training for the worlds of theater, dance, film, and television with a solid foundation in the liberal arts to enrich students’ artistic development.

Academics

We Do Things Differently

When you join the Sands College, you join a diverse, responsive, rigorous, and dedicated artistic community. Courses are taught by more than 175 leading artist-educators across our many disciplines, using the latest technologies and practices in the performing arts. Outside of the classroom, there are numerous local and international productions and networking events each year.

Sands College of Performing Arts professor, jesse carlo with performing arts students

Grow as an Artist and Person

“You are capable of doing whatever you dream of,” says Sands College of Performing Arts student Camila Rivera, who grew up in the countryside of Puerto Rico and is now studying acting in the most connected city on Earth.

Camila Rivera
One of the Top

acting colleges you should know (Souce: Backstage.com)

Top 10

Most Represented Colleges on Broadway for the 2022–2023 season (Source: Playbill)

Top 20

Great Schools for Acting and Theater (Source: The Wrap)

Performing arts students striking poses near the Oculus.

You Can Make It Here

Live, study, and train in one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The Sands College of Performing Arts is located in historic Lower Manhattan, now known as much for its burgeoning cultural scene as its connection to global finance. Imagine yourself walking the Brooklyn Bridge, dining at South Street Seaport, or hopping on a train to take in a Broadway show…or perform in one.

Pace People: Skye Alyssa Friedman

Skye Alyssa Friedman '24 knows how to balance! In addition to studying at Sands College, she’s performing on Broadway in Kimberly Akimbo, which took home five Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical.

Sands College of Performing Arts student, Skye Alyssa Friedman walking near Broadway show posters.
Success Starts Here

Where You've Seen Us

Sands College of Performing Arts students learn to navigate the industry from day one. In addition to designing, choreographing, stage managing, directing, and forming theater ensembles around the world, here’s where you’ve recently seen us.

Sands College of Performing Arts student, jasmine pardue in a voice over recording studio
rendering of the medium-sized performance venue at Pace University

We're Continuing to Grow!

Ten years ago we moved into our seven-floor performing arts building, utilizing our movement and dance studios, our sound stage and screening room, our production shops, and other vital spaces devoted to training and performance production. Coming in 2026 is the exciting next stage for Sands College! With the re-development of One Pace Plaza East, Sands College students will have three new performance spaces, new movement and dance studios, film/TV/media centers, and much more!