Being an actor/singer takes time, dedication and persistence.
The interesting thing about being an actor/singer is that you do not need a educational degree to be one professionally. When an actor or singer is auditioning, where that person went to college matters as much on a resume as would special interests: it may be a conversation piece but it likely will not make or break the decision of the director in hiring you. Despite that, seeking an education as an actor or singer plays a large role in the forging of talent.
Conservatories
There are many conservatories in the United States that offer Bachelor's of Fine Arts degrees. One of these institutions is synonymous with the dramatic arts and is located in the acting hub of the east coast: New York City.
The Juilliard Drama Division was founded in 1968 near the Lincoln Center in Manhattan, NY. Founded by American director, producer, and theater administrator John Houseman and the French director, teacher and actor Michel Saint-Denis. Around 1,000 young actors audition yearly for one of the 18 spots in a Juilliard class. Classes at Juilliard continue for four years and culminate in a B.F.A. Degree. The curriculum revolves around Dramatic Interpretation, Dramatic Technique, Shakespeare, Prose and Poetry, and Theatre History.
The Juilliard School
60 Lincoln Center Plaza
N.Y.C., NY
212-799-5000
www.juilliard.edu
Liberal Art Colleges
Liberal art colleges offer a more rounded education for its students, including double majors, minors and taking classes that are non-theater related. These institutions are often referred to as hybrid-institutions. They are the most numbered amongst institutions in the country.
DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvaniae, was formerly known as Allentown College. It offers a Bachelor's in the Arts in Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Communications and Musical Theatre. Their curriculum centers on Dance, Singing, Acting, Directing, History of Theatre, Playwrighting, Theatre Analysis and TV/ Film Acting. DeSales University also has a partnership with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival; they hire 14 students a year to fulfill the Festival's intern company offering professional pay and Equity Membership Points, which are a big help for young actors join the Actor's Equity Association.
DeSales University
2755 Station Ave
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-282-1100
www.desales.edu/
Graduate Schools
Those who would wish to eventually teach or expand upon their Undergraduate education would look for a graduate school. There are many Graduate schools around the country and some of the institutions that offer M.F.A.s will pay you to go there through fellowships and apprenticeships or in the form of a stipend. One of the most renowned Graduate Programs for Theatre is the Old Globe in San Diego, California.
The Old Globe is a joint venture of the Old Globe Theatre and the University of San Diego. Their course schedule is a two- year, year round schedule that studies classical theatre. Students there are often in Old Globe performances in a professional atmosphere during their stay. Hundreds compete annually for one of the seven positions available in a class. The students at the Old Globe are also sent, in their second year, to research and study in London, England. The Old Globe also offers each student a full-ride and monthly stipend during their two years of classes and performances. The two years culminates with an industry showcase which is a launch-pad to getting signed by agents and attracting the attention of industry professionals in Broadway, film and the West End.
Old Globe Graduate School
USD Graduate Admissions
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
www.globemfa.org
Acting Classes
Acting classes are offered in most major cities in the United States; of course, there is a greater concentration of them in New York City and Los Angeles. Acting Classes range in structure, scope and scale so it is up to the actor to decide what class is the best investment of his or her time, money and effort. Breakdowns of acting classes are regularly put out on Backstage-- the Acting periodical which best serves as an almanac for the actor on everything from classes, to auditions, to articles on "the biz".
Singing Teachers
Voice teachers are something else commonly found in every major city. The most important part of finding a good singing teacher is research. Ask fellow singers, ask teachers, ask fellow actors--they can give you some good leads. Backstage also offers breakdowns of singing teachers. Be warned though that some singing teachers in New York City or Los Angeles will have you pay over three-figures for a single lesson so it is best to look around for someone who charges under $80 an hour, who can play piano well, has credentials, has a regular student base and their own rehearsal space.
