Best Acting Classes in New York (Prices Checked)

The best acting class in New York is the one that fits your level and goal. 10-week technique and scene study courses at HB Studio cost $675 to $685, ongoing scene study at Michael Howard Studios runs $265 to $350 a month, and Lee Strasberg's 12-week part-time Method program is $3,100. Every price was read on the school's own site on 10 November 2026, alongside advice from our casting directors and experts.

What are the best acting classes in New York?

Well-known NYC schools by type, each checked on its own site today.

Prices are in US dollars as each school publishes them, read on 10 November 2026. Confirm before you book.

Technique, Meisner and scene study

On-camera, commercials, improv and casting workshops

Our acting class cost guide puts New York beside LA, and acting classes by city has contact details for more schools.

Which acting class should a beginner take in NYC?

Start with foundations. Kym Jackson's order is a foundation class first, often Meisner or Stanislavski based, where you learn to listen and stay in the moment before you lean on the words. Then improv, then scene study, then on-camera work and casting director workshops.

Camera or no camera first? Kym suggests beginners start without one, so they feel less self-conscious. Jess Orcsik's answer is to work out what kind of actor you want to be (drama or comedy, film or TV) and train with teachers who specialise in it. Our acting techniques guide explains Meisner, the Method and the rest, and what is scene study covers the core class.

How do you choose an acting class in New York?

Kym's method works in any city:

1. Shortlist four or five schools within about a 40-minute trip, because you show up less when it's further.
2. Ask each for the price per month or per term.
3. Research the teacher: industry experience, and alumni booking the kind of work you want.
4. Audit two or three classes before you sign up.
5. Pick the room where at least half the actors are better than you.

Kym also says a class should never leave you feeling horrible.

Where can you study improv and comedy in New York?

Magnet Theater runs in-person Improv Level One classes in Chelsea, and The Second City lists Improv 1 and an Intro to Acting class in New York. Jess Orcsik names UCB, The Groundlings and Second City as the comedy schools people recommend, and notes Second City is strongest in Chicago. UCB's site wouldn't load for us today, so check it directly.

Why it matters: Kym says comedy casting directors feel more comfortable seeing a school they know on your resume, especially when you've worked through its levels. More in improv for actors.

Where can you take on-camera and commercial classes?

HB Studio's Acting with the Camera 1 runs 10 weeks, T. Schreiber lists On-Camera 1 and a commercial class, and Actors Connection runs a 3-week commercial class led by a casting director. Kym's case for a commercial class: cutting how many auditions it takes you to book one saves time and makes money. Our commercial casting expert adds that acting is a profession, so you need professional skills to deliver every time. More in commercial acting.

Do casting directors teach classes in New York?

Some do, mostly short workshops. Casting director Gayle Pillsbury told us she teaches at One on One, which is based in New York and also runs in LA: three classes, once a week for three weeks, where she pulls the material apart and explains what casting talks about after you leave the room. Amanda Mitchell teaches about one class a year in-house, Lou Mitchell teaches only screen testing, and Ricki Maslar wasn't teaching when we asked.

Our casting director workshops guide covers when they're worth it.

Are there free or cheap acting classes in NYC?

A few ways in. HB Studio lets you audit a course for $25, and Stella Adler lists drop-in classes you can join without an application. Union members have the best deal: the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Casting Access program offers about 400 free audition preparation classes a year with casting professionals in Los Angeles and New York, plus online, as of November 2026.

What are the best acting classes in NYC for kids and teens?

As of November 2026, TADA! Youth Theater lists musical theatre classes for ages 4 to 13 at $675 to $775 for 13 weeks, with a free sample class. The Barrow Group's 1-Year Teen Ensemble (ages 14 to 18, by application and audition) is $2,625, and the Neighborhood Playhouse's three-week Pre-College Conservatory for high school students is $3,400. Atlantic Acting School and Stella Adler also run kids and teen programs; prices aren't on those pages.

Bonnie J Wallace says major markets like New York offer every option, so let teens try scene study, on-camera and improv. On safety, Karen Workman meets every teacher first and makes sure her kids can always tell her if something feels wrong.

How long should you stay in one acting class?

Our experts split. Jess Orcsik moves around often: no longer than about three months with one teacher, to collect different methods. Kym stays longer, until you can predict what the teacher will say or you're one of the top one or two actors in the room, and suggests a change after about two years at most. Manager Chris Roe's check: watch your audition results, because a new technique can throw some actors off.

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All rates current from hbstudio.coursestorm.com, strasberg.edu, neighborhoodplayhouse.org and michaelhowardstudios.com as of 10 November 2026.