Acting Conservatory: Stage, Film & TV

Launch your professional journey with The NYPAA 1-Year Acting Conservatory: Stage, Film & TV — a conservatory-level program designed for serious artists ready to work in today’s entertainment industry.

Taught by acclaimed actor Karina Arroyave and our expert faculty, this immersive program delivers comprehensive actor training across stage, film, and television — all in a format built for working students. With small class sizes, weekly mentorship, and real-world outcomes like filmed reels and showcases, students graduate with both artistic depth and industry readiness.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Acting Technique
Scene Study
Voice & Movement
Script Analysis
On-Camera & Audition Labs (alternating weekly)
Faculty Mentorship Practicum
Industry Showcase & Filmed Reels

The NYPAA 1-Year Acting Conservatory is a professional-grade program tailored for today’s actor. Students gain rigorous training in core disciplines, medium-specific technique, and industry-facing outcomes — all while receiving individualized attention and career guidance through our Mentorship Practicum.

Train with purpose. Perform with power. Graduate with a plan.

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CURRICULUM BREAKDOWN:

Acting Technique

Meisner, Stanislavski & Hagen-based Principles
- Grounding in the psychological realism of Stanislavski, the emotional spontaneity of Meisner, and the introspective techniques of Uta Hagen
- Training the actor to respond truthfully under imaginary circumstances
- Emphasis on personalization, substitution, and sensory connection
- Encouraging organic behavior over “performance” through structured repetition and inner objective work
Emotional Truth, Impulse Work, and Personalization
- Accessing genuine emotional states through active listening and instinctive response
- Using moment-to-moment awareness to build authenticity in character development
- Techniques that help actors relate personally to material while maintaining character integrity
Improvisation, Active Listening, and Moment-to-Moment Awareness
- Improvisation games and scene prompts to heighten spontaneity
- Training in deep listening and reaction without anticipation
- Cultivating vulnerability and presence in unscripted interaction
Exercises to Unlock Range, Presence, and Vulnerability
- Partner and solo work to expand vocal, physical, and emotional range
- Breath and grounding exercises to increase stage presence and connection
- Challenging habitual behavior to unlock honest, repeatable vulnerability

Scene Study

Partnered Work from Stage, Film, and Television Scripts
- Guided work on scenes from a range of genres and formats, from classical theatre to contemporary film and TV
- Emphasis on adapting performance style based on medium, tone, and pacing
- Learning to interpret and embody character relationships in realistic settings
Character Objectives, Obstacles, and Tactics
- Breaking down scenes using action-based analysis: what the character wants, what stands in their way, and how they try to achieve it
- Encouraging active, playable choices that create dynamic performances
- Reinforcing the actor’s responsibility to drive the scene through intention and adjustment
In-Depth Scene Rehearsal with Instructor Feedback
- Ongoing rehearsal and refinement of assigned scenes
- Regular instructor direction and in-class notes to strengthen instincts and sharpen craft
- Peer observation and group discussion to develop critical analysis skills
Exploring Dramatic Relationships and Emotional Connection
- Exercises to deepen actor-to-actor connection and reveal authentic emotional interplay
- Techniques for building believable intimacy, tension, or conflict
- Strengthening the emotional stakes of each scene through relationship clarity

Voice & Movement

Breath Support, Vocal Projection, and Clarity
- Techniques to develop diaphragmatic breathing for vocal endurance and control
- Training in vocal projection to ensure presence and power on stage without strain
- Clear articulation practices to support clarity across various performance spaces
Resonance, Tone, Diction, and Emotional Intention
- Exploring vocal placement and resonance to enhance richness and character voice
- Adjusting tone and rhythm to suit character psychology and emotional beats
- Refining diction for both theatrical and on-camera performance
- Aligning vocal choices with the emotional intention behind the text
Body Awareness, Posture, and Physical Storytelling
- Increasing awareness of alignment, gesture, and movement as tools for character expression
- Releasing physical tension to allow truthful embodiment
- Using posture and spatial relationship to communicate nonverbal storytelling
Neutral Mask Work and Movement for Character
- Employing neutral mask work to eliminate habitual mannerisms and reveal raw impulse
- Developing a physical vocabulary to differentiate characters
- Exploring rhythm, weight, and space to embody psychological and emotional states

Script Analysis

Character Arc, Beats, and Objectives
- Mapping out the character’s journey across a scene or script
- Identifying key turning points, emotional shifts, and psychological evolution
- Using beat work to mark changes in intention and energy
- Clarifying character objectives and how they evolve moment to moment
Subtext, Themes, and Relationships
- Analyzing what’s unspoken beneath the lines to inform performance choices
- Exploring the deeper themes of the script and how they shape character behavior
- Understanding interpersonal dynamics and power structures within the story
Approaching Classical vs. Contemporary Scripts
- Techniques for unlocking heightened language in classical texts
- Adapting rhythm, diction, and body for Shakespearean or period material
- Navigating realism, pacing, and tone in modern plays, film, and TV scripts
- Finding the common ground between old and new: truth, objectives, and connection
Building a Repeatable Rehearsal Prep Process
- Creating a personal, reliable system for approaching any new role
- Script markup, objective maps, journal work, and emotional preparation
- Strengthening habits that support consistency and artistic integrity across projects

On-Camera & Audition Labs

On-Camera: Eyelines, Framing, Stillness, and Naturalism
- Training actors to work within camera framing while maintaining emotional truth
- Practicing precise eyelines to support continuity and character connection
- Developing stillness and nuance in performance for the intimacy of the lens
- Fostering naturalism without losing clarity or energy
Audition Lab: Monologues, Cold Reads, and Mock Auditions
- Preparation and performance of contrasting monologues for stage and screen
- Cold reading techniques to quickly analyze sides and make bold, playable choices
- Simulated live auditions to build confidence and responsiveness
- Rehearsing self-introductions, slates, and professionalism in the room
Industry Feedback and Redirection
- Receiving direct notes and adjustments as in a real casting scenario
- Practicing flexibility and direction-taking under time constraints
- Building resilience and learning to interpret feedback constructively
Technical Self-Tape Instruction
- Setting up at-home self-tapes: framing, lighting, sound, and background
- Adapting performance for the camera and limited context
- Techniques for creating standout tapes that reflect both professionalism and presence

Mentorship & Career Prep

Weekly 1-on-1 Meetings with a Faculty Advisor
- Consistent, personalized mentorship throughout the academic year
- Space to discuss artistic breakthroughs, obstacles, and next steps
- Ongoing accountability for both creative and professional growth
Personalized Growth Plans, Goal Tracking, and Feedback
- Tailored development plans based on strengths, challenges, and career ambitions
- Structured goal-setting with regular check-ins and strategy adjustments
- Honest, actionable feedback that supports both artistic risk and discipline
Resume, Headshot, and Branding Guidance
- Reviewing and refining resumes to align with industry expectations
- Guidance on selecting headshots that match your casting type and range
- Building a personal brand rooted in authenticity and marketability
- Demystifying agents, unions, and casting directories
Final Showcase and 2–3 Professionally Filmed Scenes for Your Reel
- Participation in a final industry showcase featuring live or filmed performance
- Production of multiple high-quality scenes for use in professional reels
- Coaching, direction, and editing support to ensure reel pieces reflect your best work
- Reel delivered in downloadable format, ready for submissions

PROGRAM INFO

AUDITION REQUIRED

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

PROGRAM AGES 17+

DATES

FALL 2026 PROGRAM DATES & DEADLINES

Early Application Deadline: May 15th
Regular Application Deadline: July 15th
Late Application Deadline: August 15th

Prospective students submitting an application after August 15th should contact the Admissions Dept.
PROGRAM DATES

Orientation: 09/05/2026
Start: 09/05/2026
End: 06/12/2027

PROGRAM FEES

Registration Fee: $25.00 (Non-refundable)
Tuition: $10,000.00
Additional Costs: Course fees do not include travel, housing, or visa costs, which are the responsibility of the student.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
- A student who cancels within 7 days of signing the enrollment agreement, but before instruction begins, will receive a full refund, excluding the non-refundable registration fee and non-refundable program deposit.
- After this period, the following charges apply upon cancellation or withdrawal:
  - Non-refundable registration fee: $25.00
  - Cost of any materials accepted by the student
  - Tuition liability is calculated based on the week during which the student withdrew or was terminated, including any previous weeks completed.
Tuition Liability Schedule:
- Prior to first week: 0% of tuition is due
- During the first week: 25% of tuition is due
- During the second week: 50% of tuition is due
- During the third week: 75% of tuition is due
- During the fourth week: 100% of tuition is due
Please note: For the purpose of calculating tuition liability and refunds, a week is considered to begin on Sunday.

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