Elite conservatory training actors for stage, film, and television since 1884.
The Academy offers a two-year intensive conservatory program in acting, with students required to audition for invitation to the second year. The curriculum emphasizes self-discovery, self-discipline, and individuality across theater, film, and television. Graduates receive an Associate of Occupational Studies degree, and the Academy now offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting available in 3-year or 4-year pathways. Select third-year students are invited to join the Academy Company, which showcases emerging talent through public performances.
Founded in 1884 by Franklin Haven Sargent, a Harvard graduate and professor of speech and elocution, the Academy was established to train professional actors for the stage. Originally housed in the Lyceum Theatre, it relocated in 1963 to a landmark building designed by architect Stanford White for the Colony Club. The Academy expanded to Pasadena, California in 1974, moving to Hollywood in 2001. In April 2024, the Academy announced the closure of its Los Angeles campus after the 2024–2025 academic year due to declining enrollment and financial pressures.
The Academy's New York campus is located in a historic landmark building in Manhattan, designed by renowned American Renaissance architect Stanford White. The Academy House provides student housing adjacent to the main campus. The school maintains an urban campus environment in the center of American theatre. Current enrollment at the New York campus is approximately 524 students, with faculty totaling 39 (31 part-time).
The Academy conducts auditions at over 50 locations worldwide. Full-time program applicants must audition and meet admissions requirements. The Academy also offers summer intensive programs and welcomes international students. Admissions are competitive, with students evaluated on performance potential and artistic merit through the audition process.
Academy graduates have achieved unprecedented recognition in entertainment, with alumni earning 113 Oscar nominations, 361 Emmy nominations, and 102 Tony nominations. The school maintains an active Actors Society for alumni networking and career development. Graduates work across film, television, and theater globally, with the Academy providing industry insight series and career development resources during training.