FSU School of Theatre ranked among the Top 25 College Drama Programs by The Hollywood Reporter

Cast of “The Dead Man’s Cell Phone”. Photo by Frank Atura.

Florida State University School of Theater’s acting program has been named one of the top 25 college drama programs in the world by The Hollywood Reporter, a well-established online professional magazine.

The list is compiled through surveys of academic professionals, drama program graduates, and industry professionals.

“It is wonderful to see the School of Theater alongside other nationally and internationally recognized programs,” said James Frazier, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “This latest recognition represents the high standards that the FSU / Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, our acting degree in Sarasota, has set. We are proud of this recognition and of the education that all of our students receive, which the success of our alumni proves. “

Considered one of America’s premier acting schools, FSU / Asolo Conservatory is part of the School of Theater and offers a Master of Fine Arts in acting, which trains actors of the highest caliber in a professional theater environment through classroom work and production experience.

“We are delighted to have been named one of the best acting education programs in the country by The Hollywood Reporter,” said Greg Leaming, director of the FSU / Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. “Our unique relationship with the Asolo Repertory Theater and our internationally renowned faculty have come together in such a valuable program that attracts some of the best young artists from around the world. It is very gratifying that our work is recognized in this way. “

FSU / Asolo has also been recognized by the New York Times, US News & World Report, and The Princeton Review through national rankings and articles on top graduate education programs in recent years.

Every year the conservatory tests more than 1,000 actors nationwide at four locations for 12 places in the program. MFA candidates receive a full tuition fee waiver from FSU as well as an assistant scholarship from the Asolo Repertory Theater. The Asolo Repertory Theater also funds second year studies in London.

In the past year, students and teachers used virtual rooms for performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to learn to use technology to their advantage and create performances that would still captivate an audience, even when that audience was on the other side of a computer.

“This ranking is a big deal, especially at a time when the performing arts have been badly hurt and we all need validation,” said Kris Salata, chairman of the School of Theater.

As a result of their work with the Asolo Repertory Theater, each student is also eligible to be a member of the Actors’ Equity Association, the union that represents live theater performances.

“It is an incredible honor for the School of Theater to be recognized as a Top 25 Education Program by The Hollywood Reporter,” said Brad Brock, director of the FSU School of Theater. “This recognition speaks to the caliber of our faculty and the education our students receive in the MFA acting program. We are very proud of our program in Sarasota and our continued partnership with the Asolo Repertory Theater. “

For more information, see theater.fsu.edu or asolorep.org/conservatory.

source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/fsu-school-of-theatre-ranked-among-the-top-25-college-drama-programs-by-the-hollywood-reporter/