Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre Recently Updated

The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre: Home of the Meisner Technique is a private, non-profit conservatory program located in the heart of NYC providing excellence in actor training since 1928. We are an accredited institution of higher education offering post-secondary education in Dramatic Arts Acting.

The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre offers intensive, full time conservatory training rooted in the acting techniques taught by Sanford Meisner and focused on developing the skills necessary for a career in acting. Located on East 54th Street in New York City, The Neighborhood Playhouse is the perfect place to nurture your talent while gaining the skills to launch your career. Admission to the school is by application only.

Two-Year Certificate: Professional Actor Training Program

The first year is devoted to developing the actor’s instrument through both improvisational and text-based work. Students take courses in Meisner Technique fundamentals, vocal work, and movement, as well as an academic course in contemporary theater history and coursework in technical theater skills. Over the first year, technique is emphasized as misconceptions and habits are shed. The actor emerges a more honest human being, ready to act truthfully. First year courses include: Acting Techniques, Voice and Speech, Singing Technique, Stage Combat, Mime and Physical Theatre, Modern Dance, 20th Century Theatre History, and Stage Techniques.

Over the second year, the work moves into more advanced improvisational work, character work, and script analysis of increasingly complex and emotional modern texts. Students continue to deepen their work in voice & speech, music, dance, and physical theatre, as well as adding courses in acting for camera, the business of acting, Shakespeare, and more. The second year culminates in the application of performance techniques in a public presentation. Programs range from scene nights to three-act plays. Each production is costumed and set by students under the guidance of professional designers. Admission to the second year is by invitation only. The invited back decision is made by faculty and administration. We invite back the students who we believe will benefit from what we have to offer.

How to Apply to the Neighborhood Playhouse

Admission is on a rolling-basis until each program is full to capacity of accepted and enrolled students. Limited spaces are available. Once we have reached capacity for a program we close admission to that program stop accepting applications. Applying early is recommended.

The admission review process has two components: academic (application and supporting materials) & artistic review (interview/audition).

• Step 1: Submit a complete application: NP Application Form, Photo, (2) Letters of Reference, Essay, HS Diploma or College Transcript, $75.00 Application fee, & Resume (optional) via email, fax, mail, or online submission.

• Step 2: Once your application is complete and materials have been reviewed you will be contacted to schedule your Artistic Review (Interview/Audition) with the Executive Director. You may audition In Person or via Skype. In Person auditions are held at various high school and college festivals throughout the fall and spring. Visit the How to Apply Page of our website for dates and locations!

Student body: approximately 75-100 students from all across the USA and around the world. Avg. Female/Male Ratio: 50/50

Class sizes: 12-18 students/class

Curriculum: 31.5hrs/week or more (Meisner Acting 15.5hrs/week)

Faculty: Are master teachers with expert knowledge and professional experience in their field of instruction.

The mission of The Neighborhood Playhouse School is to provide a multi-dimensional and practical education in the dramatic arts to young theatre students who seek a professional life in acting and related employment. It also seeks to serve the New York City community at large and especially the theatre community in Manhattan that includes former students and former similarly trained exponents of the Meisner way of work by offering support for postgraduate continuing educational growth experience in practical ways as well as academic.