ACADEMY audition spaces are limited and are scheduled in the order they are received. The sooner your application is received in our system, the more likely it is that you will receive an audition invitation. Auditions are held throughout the open application period. Applicants who audition early will have the opportunity to receive an early admissions decision. Please see The ACADEMY Logistics for this year’s audition dates.
THE ACADEMY FAQs
If I submit an application am I guaranteed an audition?
Do you offer Financial Aid? If I don’t receive Financial Aid, can I pay in installments?
We do offer Financial Aid in the form of both scholarships and extended payment plans. We work with each accepted candidate who applies for financial assistance on an individualized plan. To apply, visit The ACADEMY Financial Aid Application.
Accepted candidates who do not receive aid will have the option to pay their tuition in one, two, three, or five installments over the course of the program. While these plans are pre-set, each candidate will have the opportunity to personalize their full-tuition payment plan if necessary with the Admissions Department.
How is The ACADEMY different from The STUDIO?
The ACADEMY is a regimented, five-month conservatory program designed for actors pursuing or jumpstarting professional careers. This comprehensive training program runs five times a week, demands a high level of commitment from its students, offers more intensive and individualized training, and provides a significant amount of time to study, practice, drill and apply The Black Box Method. The curriculum for The ACADEMY spans every aspect of the industry from Classics to TV/Film and culminates in an Industry Showcase.
How are students selected for The ACADEMY ensemble?
Acceptance to The ACADEMY is based on an application, interview, and audition.
What experience do your Instructors have?
All Black Box instructors are working actors as well as practicing students. They are individually invited to the Black Box Instructor Training Program. After graduation, instructors continue their education through ongoing training. Black Box instructors hold themselves to the same standards as their students, so don’t be surprised to see them in class with you. For a more detailed look at our instructors, visit our TEAM page for bios and testimonials.
Will I be able to work while I’m a member of The ACADEMY ensemble?
Yes. While the training in The ACADEMY is a substantial time commitment that we expect you to prioritize, nearly all of our students continue to work while completing their training. Please note that we do require that you book out with your agents during class time.
What is the Black Box Method?
The Black Box Method follows a regimented and streamlined curriculum based on the Meisner Technique and Viewpoints. The Black Box Method unleashes physical and emotional impulses, frees the imagination, and builds stamina, focus, and endurance while training actors to live truthfully and fearlessly under imaginary circumstances. The Black Box Method trains actors to uphold integrity, honesty, and bravery at all times.
What are Meisner and Viewpoints?
Sanford Meisner’s technique is designed to train you to live truthfully in scene work as yourself under imaginary circumstances. Viewpoints is a physical technique based on work by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau and gives you the tools to discover how your body can fuel your acting process.
Simply put, at Black Box we use the Meisner Technique and Viewpoints to teach you how to “not act.” By combining these techniques, you will learn to live fully on stage as yourself, to follow physical impulses, and to commit 100% to the given circumstances of a script.
What if I have additional questions?
We’re always here to help you, so please don’t hesitate to email our Admissions Department at admissions@blackboxacting.com with any questions you don’t see answered here! Our ACADEMY Logistics Page is also a great resource.
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