Stella Adler Studio Curriculum

Stella Adler Studio Class

Stella Adler Studio Class

In 1972, the Stella Adler Studio of Acting became the first professional training school affiliated with New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts undergraduate drama department. The program leads students to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, combining academic studies at NYU with professional training at the Studio. This is a four-year training program.

The First Year

The first year of the program focuses on providing students with a foundation from which to grow through a firm acting technique, voice and speech work, movement and physical exploration, as well as contemporary and classical scene work. Students will develop a facile responsive body, a strong and clear voice, and a clear understanding of the technique developed by Stella Adler.

The Second Year

The second year concentrates on applying the tools learned in the first year with a deeper investigation of the craft through intense contemporary and classical scene work, with continued voice and speech work and an exploration of physical acting. The year ends with a rehearsal performance of a play directed by faculty or other industry professionals.

View courses offered in 2nd year

Scene Study

Classical Scene Study

Physical Acting

Voice and Speech

Acting Technique

Movement for Actors

Verse and Text

Script Interpretation

Acting a Song

The Third Year

During the third year, students devote most of their time to rehearsal and performance of a play (classical first semester, modern realism second semester) directed by faculty or other industry professionals. Students also create interpretive work through a Language Project and a Movement Project. Students partake in a classical intensive, which includes master classes in voice with Andrew Wade, former head of voice at the Royal Shakespeare Company; stage combat with J. Steven White, one of the most respected fight choreographers in the industry; and Classical Scene Study with head-of-acting James Tripp. Students will also begin exploring audition techniques and on-camera training.

View courses offered in 3rd year

Classical Intensive

Contemporary Scene Study

Shakespeare

Physical Acting

Voice and Speech

Audition Technique

Acting for Film and Television

Self-Generated Theatre

The Fourth Year

In the fourth year, known as the Company, students devote all of their studio time to rehearsal and performance. They perform two plays each semester directed by industry professionals. Each production is supported by a movement coach, voice coach, and acting panel. At the end of the second semester, students participate in industry meetings and have the opportunity to audition for the showcase. Students also have a class on preparing for the acting profession with director Peter Flynn, as well as former Bernard Telsey + Co. Associate Casting Director Stephanie Yankwitt.