Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 7/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi! I wanna be an actress, but unfortunately I don't live in America. I'm studying in one of the Universities in Norway. But I'm eager to study in America after my graduation. I'd like to study performing arts. Can you recommend me the best american universities (according to the rating or something like this) with this programme?

ANSWER: Dear Maria, Becoming an actress is a life long process and very very few of those who try ever succeed at it because the field is so very very overcrowded. Performing arts and acting are two different topics, so I have to guess you want to study acting. When I hear from people in other countries, I feel compelled to let them know that they cannot act professionally in the US unless they are a citizen, have a green card or are an imported star. Thus, I usually recommend that they achieve some success in their own country and wait for Hollywood to come calling. Now, the very best college in the US for acting is Julliard in NYC. Like most of the better schools they only take a small number of new students each year. But have you considered training in the UK? The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art remains a world wide school of renown.  Finally I must say that I believe that natural talent and acting experience is far more important than classes and training to an actors success. Best wishes and God bless, Doc

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QUESTION: Thank you very much for your answer! Sorry for inexact information! I'd like to be a film actress. I'll be very glad, if you write me the names of some Universities, connected only with cinematic art.

Answer
Well, Julliard is the creme de la creme of collegiate acting schools in the US. I don't know what you mean by connected only with cinematic art> but Julliard and the others all teach acting which can be used on stage or screen.(the only differences are size and duration of performance).  There is only one university in the US that I am aware of which has a film acting major and that is Chapman University in California.  Why do you want a university? There are lots of professional acting academies. But I think both are a waste of time and money for the talented actor and for the beginner. You should have some reason to believe you have enough talent to be a professional actor before spending thousand of dollars on it, besides all these schools that are any good have auditions you have to pass.  Best wishes, Doc