Juilliard School - Drama Division

The Juilliard School's Drama Division was established in 1968 under the leadership of John Houseman, the Oscar-winning actor and producer who served as the founding director of the division's Acting Program. The school itself traces its roots back to 1905 as the Institute of Musical Art, but the Drama Division was a distinctly new venture that brought theatrical training to a conservatory already renowned for music and dance. Houseman's vision was to create an actor training program modeled on the great European conservatories, emphasizing classical technique, voice, speech, and physical discipline. The Drama Division quickly established itself as one of the premier acting programs in the United States, producing graduates who would go on to define American theater and film for decades. Located at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City since 1969, Juilliard occupies a purpose-built facility that places drama students alongside the nation's top musicians and dancers. The program's reputation has only grown over time, consistently ranking among the top drama schools in the world.

Today, the Juilliard Drama Division offers both a four-year BFA and a four-year MFA in Acting, making it the only major conservatory in the United States to offer a four-year graduate acting program. The program admits approximately 18 students per year — roughly 8-10 for the BFA and 8-10 for the MFA — creating an exceptionally intimate training environment. BFA and MFA students train together in integrated studio classes, allowing younger actors to learn alongside more experienced peers. What sets Juilliard apart from virtually every other program is the depth and rigor of its classical training, with an emphasis on voice, speech, movement, Alexander Technique, mask work, stage combat, and scene study that few programs can match. The school's position within Lincoln Center provides unparalleled access to the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and New York City Ballet, fostering a uniquely interdisciplinary artistic environment. Juilliard's acceptance rate for drama hovers between 2% and 9%, making it one of the most selective performing arts programs in the world.

Gaining admission to Juilliard's Drama Division requires navigating one of the most competitive audition processes in the country. Applicants must submit a prescreened video audition, and those who advance are invited to callback auditions held in New York City. The BFA program requires applicants to be between 18 and 25 years old, while the MFA program accepts students with a bachelor's degree who bring substantial prior training or professional experience. Audition materials typically include two contrasting monologues — one classical and one contemporary — and the callback process may include additional exercises, cold readings, and interviews with faculty. No prior degree in theater is required for BFA applicants, but the program looks for raw talent, intellectual curiosity, physical expressiveness, and a deep commitment to the craft. The application deadline typically falls in December, with auditions conducted in January and February.

The Juilliard curriculum is built on a progressive model where the first two years focus intensively on foundational technique — voice, speech, movement, and acting fundamentals — while the third and fourth years shift toward performance, including fully staged productions in Juilliard's on-campus theaters. Students work with a dedicated acting faculty in small ensemble groups throughout their training, building deep ensemble bonds that many graduates cite as the most valuable aspect of the experience. The program emphasizes classical text work, with significant attention paid to Shakespeare, Chekhov, and the Greeks, though contemporary plays and new works are also part of the production season. In their final year, BFA and MFA students participate in a high-profile industry showcase in New York that is attended by agents, managers, and casting directors. The conservatory model means there is little room for electives or outside coursework — Juilliard demands full-time, immersive commitment to the craft. Advanced training includes on-camera technique, which has become increasingly important as Juilliard graduates move fluidly between stage and screen.

Juilliard's Drama Division attracts some of the most talented young actors in the world, drawing applicants from every US state and dozens of countries. The BFA program typically enrolls students straight out of high school or with minimal college experience, while the MFA program draws actors who have completed undergraduate degrees and often have professional credits. The alumni list reads like a who's who of American acting: Robin Williams, Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Christine Baranski, Val Kilmer, Adam Driver, Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac, and Viola Davis all trained at Juilliard. The program's reputation is particularly strong in the theater world, with Juilliard graduates regularly appearing on Broadway, at the Public Theater, and in major regional theaters across the country. However, an increasing number of graduates have transitioned successfully into film and television, with alumni like Adam Driver and Jessica Chastain becoming major movie stars. The prestige of a Juilliard degree opens doors at every level of the industry.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, BFA tuition at Juilliard is approximately $59,385 per year, with the total estimated cost of attendance — including housing, meals, fees, and personal expenses — reaching approximately $88,772. In a landmark decision, Juilliard made its MFA in Acting program entirely tuition-free starting in Fall 2024, covering full tuition through scholarships for all admitted MFA students. Over 90% of all Juilliard students receive some form of scholarship assistance, and approximately 26% of students pay no tuition at all. The average need-based scholarship for first-year students is approximately $45,910. While the sticker price for the BFA is steep, the school's generous financial aid packages mean that many students pay significantly less than the published tuition rate. Compared to peer institutions like NYU Tisch or Carnegie Mellon, Juilliard's financial aid generosity — particularly the tuition-free MFA — makes it one of the more accessible elite programs for those who gain admission.

Juilliard is ideal for exceptionally talented actors who are deeply committed to classical training and thrive in intensely structured, demanding environments. If you want the most rigorous voice, speech, and movement training available and aspire to work in both theater and film at the highest level, Juilliard should be at the top of your list — particularly the tuition-free MFA program. Actors who prefer a more flexible, self-directed training approach or who are primarily interested in commercial acting, comedy, or improv will likely find Juilliard's rigid conservatory model frustrating. If you want a broader university experience with electives and social life outside theater, consider programs like NYU Tisch or Carnegie Mellon instead. For actors drawn to Juilliard's rigor but seeking a more affordable option, UNCSA offers a similarly intense conservatory experience at public university tuition rates.

Start preparing your audition materials at least six months before the deadline, and choose monologues that showcase emotional range, physical expressiveness, and genuine connection to the text rather than flashy technical displays. Attend Juilliard's open house events and campus visits if possible — familiarity with the school and its faculty can help you feel more comfortable during the high-pressure callback process. If you are applying to the MFA, strong prior training and professional experience will strengthen your application significantly, so consider building credits at regional theaters or completing a BFA program first. Research Juilliard's faculty and their teaching philosophies to ensure their approach aligns with your goals as an artist. Be prepared for the callback to involve exercises and group work that test your ability to listen, collaborate, and take direction — Juilliard values ensemble players over individual stars. If you do not gain admission on your first attempt, many successful Juilliard students applied more than once, so consider reapplying after gaining additional training and experience.