July 9, 2019

The Two-Year Conservatory at the Tom Todoroff Studio is an in-depth professional training program located in the heart of New York City. Our training, led by a faculty of accomplished industry professionals, equips actors to work professionally in television, film, and theatre.

A line of actors and actresses standing on stage looking out at the audience

We know that choosing and auditioning for an acting school can be overwhelming, so we've compiled a list of 5 things we think you should know:

  1. Visit a class
    Acting training is not a one size fits all experience.  The work is intimate and personalized and based mostly on in-person performance, rehearsal and collaboration.  When you visit the class, consider: does this approach to acting resonate with me? Does it challenge me? Do I see the actors improve as the teacher coaches them?  Are the students excited about the training?
     
  2. ​Consider Your Options:
    College vs. Conservatory
    You may choose a traditional degree program; however, if you know you want to pursue a career in the acting industry, then immersive Conservatory training in scene-study, movement, voice and speech with peers who are eager to train in an professional setting, may serve you best!
     
  3. Study with practitioners
    Regardless of the program you choose, keep in mind that you're best served by finding instructors who are part of the film / ​TV​ / theater acting scene now so they can teach you practical skills that will be applicable to your life and your work immediately when you graduate.
     
  4. Location, location, location
    When you train in the same city where you'll be working, the relationships you'll build in that city will allow you to hit the ground running when you graduate. Relationships with faculty, mentors, and fellow students can provide the ideal bridge from studying to working professionally.
     
  5. Broaden your horizons
    Make sure the program you choose has a strong foundation in techniques that originated in theater, but also allows you hands on experience in front of and behind the camera, working on commercial copy, voice-over, writing and producing your own films. Develop skills that put you in the position of "Artistic Entrepreneur", working on several artistic endeavors at all times.

We hope this information offers some helpful perspective when deciding where ​to ​train as an actor!

Emily Moulton​

Emily Moulton is the Executive Director of the Tom Todoroff Acting Conservatory in New York City.