American Conservatory Theater

Mission Statement

The M.F.A. Program curriculum is designed to train actors to respond imaginatively, emotionally, intellectually, and physically, in the moment, to others and to text. A.C.T. actors learn to be sensitive to the nuances of language in a variety of texts, and to incorporate physical characterization and textual clues in their work in ways that give audiences a visceral experience of dramatic literature. The entire M.F.A. Program curriculum is compulsory, with no elective subjects. Classes in speech, voice, movement and acting are taught by core faculty members who guide each student toward achieving his or her fullest potential, and who provide ongoing evaluation of all students' work. Faculty and other artists affiliated with A.C.T., as well as guest artists, direct student actors in performance projects during each year of study.