FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LEE STRASBERG INSTITUTE FAQ
Do you have any well known alumni?
Yes! Actors such as Al Pacino, Sally Field, Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Claire Danes, Chris Evans, Rachel Brosnahan, Miles Teller, and Ranbir Kapoor have trained at the Institute or with Lee Strasberg. To find more of our notable alums, check out our Alumni Page.
What is the difference between the New York and Los Angeles campus?
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute® is one cohesive school, founded by Lee Strasberg with the same educational mission and the same high standard of actor training. Both campuses teach Lee Strasberg’s Method in its purest form and offer the same core classes. Elective classes, however, will vary at each campus and are subject to change. Each campus has unique features and offerings reflective of the cultures of New York (Broadway) and Los Angeles (Hollywood).
Do you have auditions for admission?
No, we do not audition prospective students. In fact, there have never been auditions for admission in our entire 50 year history. Instead, there is an admissions interview. Why don’t we audition? Lee Strasberg did not believe that auditions were the best way of assess a prospective student. Auditioning is a skill in and of itself that can be learned and it isn’t a fair means to assess a brand new actor. Instead, our admissions interview is a conversation in which we explore the applicants aptitude for studying Method Acting and readiness for a committed and intense learning experience.
What qualifications do I need to be admitted to The Institute? Am I likely to be admitted?
We look for applicants who show a strong aptitude to study Method Acting and who have the requisite attributes needed: curiosity, emotional intelligence, passion, and the true readiness to commit to learning the craft. While many students do come to us with a background of prior training or professional experience that they want to build on, no prior acting experience is required. Admission to our Institute programs, however, is selective and not all who apply are admitted. Institute programs include the 12-Week Program, One-Year Conservatory, Two-Year Conservatory, and the Associates of Occupational Studies.
We also have class offerings that are open to all without an interview, such as the Two-Week Intensive in Los Angeles or our month-long Online Classes.
I just completed High School/Lyceum, but am not 18 years old yet. Can I still apply to the adult programs?
Yes. If you have already completed high school, you may apply for and enroll in an adult program with parental consent.
What is the average age of students? Will I fit in?
Students range in age from recent high school graduates to retirees. Most students are college/graduate school age, but those with the requisite aptitude of any age may be admitted.
What are the class sizes?
Most classes are 12-16 students but can range from 10-18.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes! Our New York and Los Angeles campuses both offer multiple scholarships that are need and merit based. The offerings and scholarship application process differ at each campus.
Learn more about our New York, Los Angeles, and Young Actors Scholarships on our Scholarships Page.
Do you accept international students?
Yes, we welcome international students. We provide assistance with the documents needed to apply for a student visa and guidance and advising on how to maintain your student status. Please see either the New York Campus or the Los Angeles Campus International Students pages for further information.
Will you help me find work as an actor?
Our mission is to provide artistic training, including how to navigate the business of acting. We do not provide employment. Developing a career in any artistic field is extremely competitive and challenging. With that said, see what our Alumni are doing for an idea of what is possible!
Can I start with the 12-Week Program and extend into the One or Two Year Program?
Yes, the 12-Week Program is designed for integration into the One or Two Year Conservatory, and the hours count toward the Conservatory requirements. If you are making progress and receiving positive evaluations in the 12-Week Program, you are eligible to extend your training into a longer program. Conservatory credits are not transferable to the AOS Degree.
Do you offer a degree program?
Yes. The Los Angeles Campus offers an Associate in Occupational Studies in Acting Degree. Enrollment in the Two-Year Degree Program begins each Fall Term. This is the only place in the world to obtain a degree in Lee Strasberg’s Method Acting Technique.
What is the difference between the Two-Year Conservatory and Associate Degree Program (Los Angeles)?
The Conservatory is a Certificate program, while the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) is a Degree program. The AOS Degree Program was designed from the Two-Year Conservatory curriculum but features more class hours, guaranteed theatre and film productions, and explores the technical sides of production as well. The AOS Degree program only enrolls in Fall and has limited admissions spots.
What is the BFA program? How do I apply for it?
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York is a partner studio of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. We have proudly been part of this program for more than 40 years. Applications for the NYU BFA Program can only be made directly with the NYU Tisch admissions office.
What is the difference between Credit and Clock Hours (Los Angeles)?
Clock hours refer to the actual number of hours spent in the classroom. The phrase “credit hours” refers to the number of credits a student receives for enrolling in (and successfully completing) a given course. AOS hours are calculated as credit hours. Other programs are clock hours.
Can I visit the school? Can I audit a class?
New York and Los Angeles have different options for visiting the campus and trying out a class.
Los Angeles: Class audits are highly encouraged for prospective students. Most Method Acting classes are available for a free audit and can be scheduled online.
New York: Open House events are held approximately every 8 weeks and include free sample classes in Method Acting, Movement, and Improvisation taught by LSTFI faculty, as well as a Q&A with the admissions staff. No class audits are available at the New York Campus.
What kind of performance opportunities are there?
New York Campus:
Current students are eligible to audition for productions in the Fall and Winter terms – an Institute Show in the Fall and a joint NYU-Institute musical in the Winter. Students of all levels are encouraged to audition for these shows.
Students also have the opportunity to audition or submit for various Performance Spotlights and moderated Scene Nights throughout the year.
There is a curricular Musical Theatre Class, which culminates in a curated evening of ensemble, duet and solo musical theatre performances.
In the summer term, there is a student-developed StrasbergWORKS Production that offers students a crash course in creating and producing their own work. Students are called upon to assemble a team of designers, producers, stage managers and actors (made up of their peers) in order to mount an original student-written work.
The Two-Year Conservatory Program offers a final culminating Conservatory Performance with invited industry guests.
Los Angeles Campus:
The Institute offers a variety of classes with performance elements including but not limited to Triple Threat, Short Film Production, and Guerrilla Filmmaking. Additionally the Institute has an annual 3×5 Film Festival.
All first semester students are required to perform a Mid-Term Review.
All Two-Year Conservatory students are required to have a Culminating Performance.
All AOS Degree students will complete both a theatre production and short film production.
The Institute also partners with an in-house theatre company, Sixty-Six Theatre, where students have the opportunity to audition for any of the three shows during the year.
Do you provide assistance with housing? Do you help with finding a roommate?
New York Campus: We provide admitted students with a housing resource list and access to a private Facebook group where they can meet prospective roommates. Students are responsible for finding their own housing and usually live within 45 minute commute in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey. There are excellent mass transit systems in NYC and no car is needed.
Los Angeles Campus: Students are responsible for finding their own housing. Admitted students will be provided with access to a private Discord group for students with housing suggestions and an opportunity to connect with other students and find a roommate.
What will I receive when I complete the program?
New York Campus: The Two Year Conservatory Program offers a Certificate of Merit. The One Year Conservatory offers a letter of completion. The Intensives offer a letter of participation. For all programs you may request an academic transcript and/or letter confirming participation.
Los Angeles Campus: All students will have access to transcripts in their Campus Cafe account showing all courses and their status (complete, incomplete, withdrawn, etc.) courses. Students who successfully complete all program requirements will receive: 2-Week Intensive (Certificate of Participation), 12-Week Program (Certificate of Participation upon request), One-Year Conservatory (Certification of Completion), Two-Year Conservatory (Certificate of Merit), Associate of Occupational Studies in Acting (Method Acting) Degree(AOS Degree)
Do you offer financial aid?
The Lee Strasberg Institute does not participate in federal or State financial aid programs.
At this time, the Institute does not work with any lenders for student loans. If you need financial assistance, please contact your bank for a private loan. If you do not have a bank account, your parents or legal guardians may request a private loan from their bank on your behalf. If you obtain a private loan to pay for your program of study at The Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, you are responsible for repaying the full amount of the loan plus interest.
See available Scholarships