named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Adult Conservatory
Program offering professional-level acting training for adult students
Junior Program
Training program for younger students in acting and performance, preparing them for advanced study
Meisner Technique Training
Core acting curriculum teaching the Meisner approach to emotional authenticity and spontaneous behavior in performance
Two-Year Acting Program
Full-time conservatory program focused on the Meisner Technique, including training in voice, speech, movement, dance, and Shakespeare
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 5 activities
- Postgraduate and alumni continuing educationOffers continuing education opportunities for alumni and Meisner-trained professionals in New York City, supporting ongoing development in the theatre community.
- Pre-College Conservatory ProgramOffers a three-week summer program for students aged 15–18 focused on Meisner training and professional-level instruction in acting, movement, voice, and performance preparation, providing approximately 37 hours of instruction per week.
- Public student performances and demonstrationsProduces public-facing performances including a Musical Demonstration in February and Final Plays in May for second-year students, as well as filmed scenes and collaborative productions, to apply studio training in professional performance contexts.
- Six-Week Summer Intensive ProgramDelivers a full-time, six-week immersive training program in acting based on the Meisner Technique, including instruction in voice and speech, movement, stage combat, and on-camera performance, with a public performance component.
- Two-Year Professional Actor Training ProgramOffers a full-time, two-year conservatory program in professional actor training based on the Meisner Technique, including voice and speech, movement, Shakespeare, film and television, and performance, culminating in public performances and an industry showcase.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Awarding scholarships to acting studentsProvides scholarships to qualified students based on artistic promise, merit, and financial need, funded by alumni and supporters.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Historical archives and facilities accessMakes historical archives and facilities accessible to students and scholars as a cultural resource.
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Admissions and Enrollment Support Services 1 activity
- International student servicesProvides information and guidance to international applicants on the F-1 Student Visa process, requires proof of finances and evaluated academic records, and issues the I-20 SEVIS Form after acceptance and full payment verification.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- Outreach and professional development for Meisner-trained actorsOperates an outreach program that supports graduates and Meisner-trained actors, serving as a development resource for emerging playwrights and directors.
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- Student recruitment and admissions supportHosts Open House events, campus tours led by alumni, and virtual "Lunch Hour" Zoom sessions for prospective students; accepts applications on a rolling basis until capacity is reached.
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Military and Veteran Educational Support 1 activity
- Support for veteran studentsProvides dedicated support to veteran applicants throughout the application, admissions, and benefits process, including assistance with G.I. Bill® education benefits and a designated administrator.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.25M
Contributions & grants$486K22%
Program service revenue$1.44M64%
Investment income$315K14%
Other revenue$14K
expenses
Total expenses$2.18M
Program expenses60%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.37M
Grants paid out$58K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.93M
Cash$206K
Investments$6.91M
Liabilities$577K
Net assets$8.36M
Liquid reserves39.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -47.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAMELA MOLLER KAREMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $180K |
board members · 10
- ARTHUR A GRAY — TRUSTEE
- EMILY WACHTEL — TRUSTEE
- HEATHER RANDALL — TRUSTEE
- JAMES G HIRSCH — TRUSTEE
- MATT MCCOY — SECRETARY
- MICHAEL MCCULLEY — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT FRAINA — PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
- ROBERT J BENOWITZ ESQ — TRUSTEE
- STEVEN ROGERS — TRUSTEE
- THOMAS STEWART — TREASURER
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- 59E59 Theatres Partner — Venue for recent off-Broadway productions directed by Pamela Moller Kareman, including Brownsville Bred and The Clearing.
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Partner — Faculty member Christine Dakin teaches at the Ailey School for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II.
- Education Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) Partner — Approved credential evaluation agency that partners with the school to evaluate international academic records.
- Harvard University Partner — Faculty member Christine Dakin served as a Visiting Lecturer and was awarded a Fellowship at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
- LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts Partner — Pamela Moller Kareman serves on the drama department advisory board.
- Long Island University Partner — Has an articulation agreement allowing graduates of the Two-Year Conservatory to transfer into LIU Brooklyn as third-year students to complete a BFA in Acting for Theatre, Film & Television.
- Martha Graham Dance Company Partner — Faculty member Christine Dakin, former principal dancer and Artistic Director, has re-animated Martha Graham’s tradition of dance performance and collaborations at the school.
- National Association of Schools of Theatre Government — Pamela Moller Kareman serves on the Commission on Accreditation.
- National Association of Schools of Theatre Network — Accredited member institution of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
- New York City Council Government — Presented a Proclamation in 2018 honoring the school and Sanford Meisner for 90 years of outstanding work.
- Sanford Meisner Partner — Joined the faculty in 1935 and became Head of the Acting Program by 1940, developing the Meisner Technique at the school.
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Government — Issues I-20 SEVIS forms for international students in compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security requirements.
- The Evaluation Company Partner — Approved credential evaluation agency that provides services for assessing international academic credentials.
- The Juilliard School Partner — Faculty member Christine Dakin was on the faculty for a decade.
- The Manhattan Theater Club Partner — Pamela Moller Kareman directed and acted in a comedy group at its cabaret for two seasons.
- The Schoolhouse Theater Partner — Pamela Moller Kareman served as artistic director from 1997 to 2014, directing and producing over 40 productions.
- U.S. Department of Education Government — Complies with federal financial aid regulations including Title IV and R2T4 requirements.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Government — Accepts G.I. Bill® education benefits for eligible students.
- Zoom Partner — Uses Zoom to host virtual admissions events including "The Lunch Hour."
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Specialist-Led Conservatory Trainingmethodology: specialist-led_integrated_trainingBy combining discipline-specific instruction in acting, voice, movement, and speech taught by working professionals and specialists, the program develops a fully integrated and individualized artistic instrument, because this multidimensional approach ensures holistic, practice-based development aligned with professional standards.
- Meisner Technique as Core Training Methodologymethodology: meisner_techniqueBy using the Meisner Technique as the foundation of actor training, the school cultivates truthful, moment-to-moment performance through repetition, active listening, and emotional responsiveness, because this approach eliminates habitual behavior and fosters authentic engagement under imaginary circumstances.
- Progress-Based Advancement with Selective Continuationmethodology: progress-based advancementBy advancing students to the second year only by invitation based on artistic progress and mastery of first-year curriculum, the school ensures high standards and developmental readiness, because this selective continuation model reinforces commitment, quality, and long-term growth in professional training.