As the president and artistic director at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, I’ve found that there are a few questions prospective students must ask themselves (and discuss with their parents) before deciding if the conservatory route—and a career in the dramatic arts—is right for them.
Do you really want to be an actor?This one is for you and your family. It’s one of the toughest questions and requires deep, honest reflection. A lot of my time with families is spent talking about their child’s education as an investment because an acting conservatory, particularly a two-year conservatory, is designed for students who know they want to be actors. Not students who like acting, not students who are interested in acting, not students who aren’t sure what they want to do—students who know they are going to be actors.
The conservatory environment is tailored to maximize the deep desire of students who know in their core that they want to be actors. If you are determined to be an actor, your next step should be to invest in your training. Investors can be you, your family, your community, outside corporations, and the school you wish to attend. It can be difficult to
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