Ithaca College Theatre

Ithaca College's Department of Theatre and Dance Arts has been developing performing artists since 1897, making it one of the oldest theater training programs in the United States. The college is located in the stunning Finger Lakes region of New York State, perched on a hill overlooking Cayuga Lake in a town known for its natural beauty, gorges, and vibrant academic community. The BFA in Acting program was formally established with a separate concentration in 1984, building on decades of strong theater education at the college, and Ithaca was among the first institutions in the country to receive NAST accreditation in 1976-77. The program is known for its supportive, close-knit community, dedicated faculty who teach all classes directly rather than relying on graduate assistants, and a strong production schedule that gives students extensive performance experience. As a primarily undergraduate institution, Ithaca College is wholly dedicated to the education of its undergraduates, meaning acting students receive a level of personal attention and faculty mentorship that is difficult to find at larger universities where graduate programs compete for resources. The college's overall performing arts culture is strong, with nationally recognized programs in music, dance, and film alongside the theater department.

In 2025, Ithaca College's BFA in Acting operates as a conservatory-style program within the context of a smaller, student-centered liberal arts college. The program combines intensive acting training with the intimate class sizes and personal mentorship that define the Ithaca experience. Training covers acting technique through multiple methodologies, voice and speech, movement, stage combat, and on-camera work, with numerous performance opportunities each year across the college's well-equipped theater facilities. What distinguishes Ithaca from larger university programs is the level of individualized attention each student receives — faculty know every student personally and tailor guidance to individual strengths and growth areas. The college's commitment to undergraduate education means there are no graduate students competing for stage time, faculty attention, or production opportunities. Cross-departmental collaborations with Ithaca's music, dance, and film programs provide interdisciplinary experiences that broaden students' artistic perspectives. The college's location in the Finger Lakes region offers a focused, beautiful training environment that is conducive to deep artistic work without the financial pressures of urban programs.

Admission to Ithaca's BFA in Acting requires an artistic audition alongside the standard college application. Applicants prepare contrasting monologues and may participate in callbacks that include exercises and interviews with faculty. Ithaca's overall acceptance rate is approximately 70%, but the BFA Acting program is significantly more selective due to limited class sizes and the audition requirement. The program looks for students who demonstrate genuine talent, emotional openness, and the potential for growth within a supportive training environment. Academic credentials are considered alongside the audition, as Ithaca values well-rounded students who can engage with the college's liberal arts curriculum. Financial aid is available to approximately 61% of students, with average packages of approximately $47,282 — an unusually high figure that reflects the college's commitment to making quality education accessible. Merit scholarships and talent awards are also available and can significantly reduce the cost of attendance.

The four-year BFA curriculum progresses from foundational technique through advanced performance and professional preparation, with a structure designed to develop each student's individual artistic voice alongside their technical skills. Training covers acting technique, voice and speech with dialect work, movement including stage combat, and on-camera technique that prepares students for the realities of the contemporary entertainment industry. Students perform in numerous faculty-directed productions each year, gaining experience across classical, contemporary, and experimental work. The intimate class sizes ensure that every student receives substantial stage time and personal feedback throughout their training. The college's commitment to undergraduate education means that students work directly with experienced faculty members in every class, not with graduate teaching assistants, ensuring a consistently high quality of instruction. The program provides professional development support including showcase opportunities and career guidance that help students navigate the transition from school to the profession. Cross-departmental collaboration with music, dance, and film students adds interdisciplinary breadth to the training experience.

Ithaca College attracts actors who value a close-knit, mentorship-driven educational environment and who thrive when they receive individualized attention and support. The program has produced several notable alumni who work at high levels in the entertainment industry, including CCH Pounder, the Emmy-nominated actress known for Avatar and The Shield, who graduated in 1975; Jharrel Jerome, who won an Emmy Award for his performance in When They See Us; and Ben Feldman, known for Superstore and Silicon Valley. The college's alumni network, while smaller than those of large universities, is tight-knit and supportive, with graduates helping fellow Ithaca alumni navigate the industry. The Finger Lakes location creates a unique training environment that combines natural beauty with intellectual and creative energy — the town of Ithaca is home to both Ithaca College and Cornell University, creating a dense academic community that values the arts. Students at Ithaca benefit from the college's strong overall performing arts culture, with fellow students in music, dance, and film enriching the creative ecosystem on campus.

Tuition at Ithaca College for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $65,542, though the average net cost after financial aid drops to approximately $34,297 — a reduction of nearly 50%. Approximately 61% of students receive financial aid, with average packages of approximately $47,282 that reflect the college's genuine commitment to affordability and access. Merit scholarships and talent awards are available for talented applicants, and the college's financial aid office is known for working creatively with families to make attendance feasible. The gap between the sticker price and the average net cost is one of the most dramatic among peer institutions, meaning that the published tuition significantly overstates the actual cost for most families. Compared to peer private programs like Syracuse ($61,000-$63,000) or NYU Tisch ($104,000+ total cost), Ithaca's net cost after aid is competitive, particularly given the quality of the training and the level of personal attention students receive. The Finger Lakes cost of living is also significantly lower than Boston, New York, or Los Angeles, further reducing the overall financial burden.

Ithaca College is the ideal choice for actors who thrive in a close-knit, mentorship-driven educational environment and who value the personalized attention and supportive community that a smaller college provides. If you learn best when faculty know you personally and tailor their guidance to your individual needs, Ithaca's approach will serve you exceptionally well. The program is particularly well-suited for actors who appreciate the combination of rigorous training with the natural beauty and focused atmosphere of the Finger Lakes region. Actors who need to be in a major city during their training should consider programs in New York, Boston, or Los Angeles. If cost is a primary concern, public university programs like UNCSA or SUNY Purchase offer comparable conservatory training at lower prices. For actors who want a small-college experience but with stronger industry name recognition, consider how Ithaca's actual outcomes compare to higher-profile programs before making your decision.

When evaluating Ithaca's cost, look beyond the sticker price to the average net cost after aid — the $47,282 average aid package means most students pay significantly less than the published rate. Build strong relationships with faculty from your first year, as their personalized mentorship and advocacy will be among the most valuable aspects of your Ithaca experience. Take advantage of the college's interdisciplinary performing arts culture by collaborating with music, dance, and film students on projects that broaden your skills and artistic perspective. Embrace the Finger Lakes environment as a creative asset — the focused, beautiful setting allows for deeper artistic exploration than the distractions of a major city might permit. Develop a plan for transitioning to New York or another industry market after graduation, including building connections and researching the professional landscape during your training. Connect with Ithaca alumni who are currently working in the industry, as the tight-knit community is generally generous with mentorship and support.