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American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York

New York, NY

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Acting for Film, Television and Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•AADA’s first bachelor’s-level offering is a 120-credit BFA in Acting for Film, Television and Theatre, approved by New York State and included within AADA’s Middle States accreditation scope

Training

•Choose an accelerated three-year path with two hybrid or virtual summer terms or a standard four-year path; both use the same curriculum and lead to the same degree

•Complete a seven-course acting sequence grounded in Meisner, Hagen, Adler, and Strasberg alongside voice, speech, movement, Alexander Technique, and actor-focused liberal arts study

•Perform in six professional-level stage and screen productions

Professional Development

•Progress from on-set fundamentals through sitcom, procedural, short-film, and streaming work, including an original web-series pilot developed, performed, and edited by students

•Graduate with a professionally produced demo reel and take part in a digital showcase and Industry Launch presented to agents and casting directors

•Build career skills through coursework in branding, business, financial literacy, producing, and new media

School Info

Snapshot

92%

Admit Rate

school-wide

96%

Grad Rate

187

Enrollment

$27K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$43,100

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$70,196

Before aid

Average Net Price

$55,553

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 46m ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•AADA’s first bachelor’s-level offering is a 120-credit BFA in Acting for Film, Television and Theatre, approved by New York State and included within AADA’s Middle States accreditation scope

Training

•Choose an accelerated three-year path with two hybrid or virtual summer terms or a standard four-year path; both use the same curriculum and lead to the same degree

•Complete a seven-course acting sequence grounded in Meisner, Hagen, Adler, and Strasberg alongside voice, speech, movement, Alexander Technique, and actor-focused liberal arts study

•Perform in six professional-level stage and screen productions

Professional Development

•Progress from on-set fundamentals through sitcom, procedural, short-film, and streaming work, including an original web-series pilot developed, performed, and edited by students

•Graduate with a professionally produced demo reel and take part in a digital showcase and Industry Launch presented to agents and casting directors

•Build career skills through coursework in branding, business, financial literacy, producing, and new media

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•AADA’s first bachelor’s-level offering is a 120-credit BFA in Acting for Film, Television and Theatre, approved by New York State and included within AADA’s Middle States accreditation scope

Training

•Choose an accelerated three-year path with two hybrid or virtual summer terms or a standard four-year path; both use the same curriculum and lead to the same degree

•Complete a seven-course acting sequence grounded in Meisner, Hagen, Adler, and Strasberg alongside voice, speech, movement, Alexander Technique, and actor-focused liberal arts study

•Perform in six professional-level stage and screen productions

Professional Development

•Progress from on-set fundamentals through sitcom, procedural, short-film, and streaming work, including an original web-series pilot developed, performed, and edited by students

•Graduate with a professionally produced demo reel and take part in a digital showcase and Industry Launch presented to agents and casting directors

•Build career skills through coursework in branding, business, financial literacy, producing, and new media

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$50

Deadline

Winter Application & Audition DeadlineNov 1, 2026

Winter Enrollment DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Application Enrollment Deadlines · aada.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Opens later

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Audition Requirements · aada.edu

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues

•Prepare two fully memorized monologues, 60–90 seconds each

•At least one monologue must be from a published play

•The second may be from a published play, musical, film, or television program

Material Selection

•Contrast the pieces by comedy and drama, or by classical and contemporary material

•Choose material that represents your current age, type, or character range

Preparation

•Read the complete scripts or screenplays because the reviewer may ask contextual questions

•Perform at least one monologue standing when physically possible

•Avoid direct eye contact with the reviewer; imagine the person your character is addressing

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

•Upload a recent audition photo through the Applicant Portal after applying

•Used solely for identification at the audition, not for acceptance determination

Transcript (Required)

•An unofficial transcript may be uploaded with the application

•An official school-issued transcript is required before enrollment if admitted

Letters of Recommendation (2 Required)

•Enter each recommender’s contact information in the Applicant Portal

•AADA sends a recommendation form to each recommender automatically

•Letters should be from a high school or college theatre department member, director, producer, or another theatre professional familiar with your artistic potential

Personal Essay (Required)

•The Selection Committee considers the essay with the transcript, recommendations, and audition

•No essay prompt or word limit is published on the admissions requirements page

Audition Requirements · aada.eduVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•The new BFA launches in 2027

•The dedicated BFA page says applications and audition appointments open in Fall 2026, but it does not publish an exact opening date or BFA deadline

Eligibility

•A high school diploma or completed GED is required

•A minimum 2.5 GPA is required for admission consideration

Important Notes

•As of August 1, 2026, AADA’s approval to issue F-1 visa documents for the BFA remains pending

•International applicants may apply, but admitted students could experience a delay in receiving required visa documents

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Submit the AADA admission application before scheduling an audition in the Applicant Portal

Audition Expectations

•Audition in person at the New York campus or a selected regional event, or live virtually by video conference

•A short faculty interview takes place before or after the monologues

•Be ready to discuss your interest in acting and AADA, performance experience, and creative or artistic interests and goals

•Announce the title of each work and the character before performing

•A cold reading may be requested during the audition

•The reviewer may ask you to repeat a monologue with adjustments to assess how you take direction

Decisions

•The Selection Committee reviews the audition together with the completed application materials

•BFA decision timing depends on the application submission period and intended start term

Scholarship Info

Academy Scholarships

•All applicants accepted to AADA are automatically considered for scholarship funds

•Awards may be up to $15,000 and are based on the application and audition materials

•Scholarship decisions are provided with the admission decision

•Funding is limited and early financial-aid applications are encouraged

School Info

Snapshot

92%

Admit Rate

school-wide

96%

Grad Rate

187

Enrollment

$27K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$43,100

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$70,196

Before aid

Average Net Price

$55,553

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•AADA’s first bachelor’s-level offering is a 120-credit BFA in Acting for Film, Television and Theatre, approved by New York State and included within AADA’s Middle States accreditation scope

Training

•Choose an accelerated three-year path with two hybrid or virtual summer terms or a standard four-year path; both use the same curriculum and lead to the same degree

•Complete a seven-course acting sequence grounded in Meisner, Hagen, Adler, and Strasberg alongside voice, speech, movement, Alexander Technique, and actor-focused liberal arts study

•Perform in six professional-level stage and screen productions

Professional Development

•Progress from on-set fundamentals through sitcom, procedural, short-film, and streaming work, including an original web-series pilot developed, performed, and edited by students

•Graduate with a professionally produced demo reel and take part in a digital showcase and Industry Launch presented to agents and casting directors

•Build career skills through coursework in branding, business, financial literacy, producing, and new media

Updated 46m ago