Acting • Purchase College

Acting

BFA

Acting Company 48 in Machinal (Written by Sophie Treadwell / Directed by Budi Miller) with Theatre Design/Tech students

There’s no such thing as a typical Purchase actor.

But they’re all daring.

What they have in common is raw talent, creativity, and daring. Your cohort is your “company,” sharing the intensity of the four-year sequential program that will test the depths of your instrument—your body, voice, and personality—to reveal your essence as an artist.

Department co-chair:
Liam Joynt

Department co-chair:
Maggie Surovell

Ready to apply? Start here:
Application Details

Be ready to work...hard.

The program’s intensity is by design. The physical, mental, and emotional demands have a single purpose—to prepare actors for the unique demands of the profession.

It takes physical strength to perform eight shows a week on Broadway, confidence to believe in your artistic integrity when it seems no one else will, and resiliency to persist in the face of repeated rejection.

We impart a set of skills, and we also train the whole person. It’s preparation for life.

“When someone goes to Purchase, I assume that they’re the kind of actor who won’t sit around and wait for someone to make a choice for them and who will create a roaring fire from very little tinder.”

—Micah Stock ’11

Purchase Repertory Theatre

Each year, the conservatory presents several seasonal productions—exciting and bold interpretations of classic and contemporary plays that bring to the stage for the first time the next generation of actors, designers, and technicians. All conservatory productions are designed and produced exclusively by students under the mentorship of faculty and staff.

Previous Seasons

Showcase Your Progress

At the end of their final semester, senior acting students perform a showcase of theatrical scenes for industry professionals in New York City. They also collaborate with Film BFA students to capture their scenes in a performance reel. Take a look at last year’s reel.