subject: Two Year Acting Program - A Safe Place For Vulnerability [print this page] Also known as the conservatory method, the two year acting program in NYC is one of the most successful forms of acting school. These programs are highly sought after by professionals who recognize that being a successful actor requires continuous improvement through study. The tradition of a master training an apprentice has been in practice for centuries. A two year program is a wonderful choice for both new as well as experienced actors who wish to correct their weaknesses and enhance their career.
Any successful actor must realize that they can never know everything. Years of training are the only way to become a "natural" actor. There is no doubt that it takes a great deal of strength to dedicate a significant period of time to studying your craft. In order for professional actors to separate themselves from the hobbyists, two year acting programs are a must.
The Meisner technique fits in quite nicely to two year acting programs. This method is a sequential one, meaning that the students first learn basics and then build their skill sets from there. Meisner training can have almost a boot camp feel. An essential part of the training is the breaking down and analysis of each student's personality and identity.
The military strives to give the soldier an identity that will survive difficult situations and be an asset to the armed forces. Long-term programs in New York that teach Meisner require student actors to learn more about themselves. Actors are then better able to control their own emotions and become one with their portrayed character.
Emotions and desires are an integral part of the human person. These qualities can be both an advantage as well as a disadvantage to actors. Being aware of these personal characteristics is essential to being an successful actor.
Unfortunately, actors are prone to falling into poor habits. These habits can partially be addressed in short-term classes. However, two year programs are far more successful in doing so because the actors have more time to break down their bad habits and build better ones. Correcting bad habits and forming new ones is not an easy chore and doing so requires that the actors make themselves vulnerable and truly bare their souls and true personalities. Creating relatable characters for an audience is the goal of the two year acting program and, in order to do so, actors must be willing to strip away their tough exterior to reveal and analyze themselves as they truly are. Coaches in quality two year programs work with the student actors to help them to rid themselves of their poor habits and build better ones, allowing them to create better characters and work well with the other actors in the production.
