named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Acting I: Moment to Moment Truthfulness
Foundational course teaching Sanford Meisner's repetition exercises and improvisation to develop truthful, spontaneous presence in contemporary scene work.
Acting for Film, Television & Theatre BFA
Intensive conservatory program offering a 120-credit Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through 3-year or 4-year tracks, with training in acting, movement, voice, screen performance, and industry preparation.
Movement I: Freeing the Instrument
Course focused on releasing physical tension, building coordination, strength, and flexibility to enhance kinesthetic awareness and physical presence for performance.
Screen Acting I: On Set Fundamentals
Introduction to the technical and artistic demands of performing on film and television sets, including industry language, on-camera technique, and truthful engagement with the lens.
Voice & Speech I: Finding Your Voice
Training in breath, phonation, resonance, and articulation to develop a free, expressive, and coordinated speaking voice grounded in anatomical understanding.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 6 activities
- Awards Associate of Occupational Studies degree to conservatory graduatesConfers an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree upon successful completion of the Conservatory program, reflecting the institution's accredited vocational training in acting.
- Conducts annual theatrical performances by advanced studentsProduces a new season of theatrical performances each year featuring third-year students in challenging roles, performing classic and contemporary plays for an invited audience of industry professionals such as agents and casting directors to support career advancement.
- Delivers intensive conservatory training in acting for stage and screenProvides a two-year, performance-based conservatory program offering full-time training in foundational acting techniques including Strasberg, Meisner, and Hagen, combined with movement, speech, voice, sensory work, script and character analysis, and studies in history, culture, and story theory. The program prepares students for careers in film, television, and theatre through daily performance opportunities and constructive feedback from the first day of class.
- Offers Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in ActingProvides 3-Year and 4-Year BFA programs in Acting for Film, Television & Theatre requiring 120 credits, with summer terms available to accelerate completion. The curriculum integrates liberal arts and sciences education with professional actor training.
- Operates on-campus and online summer programs in actingOffers customized summer programs in acting and performing arts, including on-campus housing in Midtown Manhattan for participants, excluding remote formats. Programs are led by industry professionals and designed to develop foundational and technical skills in performance.
- Provides specialized instruction in performance disciplinesOffers core and advanced training in acting, directing, musical theatre, stage combat, Alexander Technique, voice and speech, audition monologues, camera technique, and movement through full-time faculty and industry-respected instructors at the New York campus.
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Performing Arts Archival Preservation 1 activity
- Preserves and provides access to historical theatre archivesDigitizes and maintains vintage class and production photos, archival documents, and graduation records from the early days of American theatre, and offers public access to these materials through an online, mobile-friendly document viewer.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Supports student and alumni career developmentProvides individual career counseling, business skills training—including strategic marketing, time management, audition techniques, and online promotion—and hosts the Industry Insight Series and professional seminars with agents, managers, and directors to connect students and alumni with working industry professionals.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$16.36M
Contributions & grants$221K1%
Program service revenue$15.95M98%
Investment income$-232K-1%
Other revenue$414K
expenses
Total expenses$21.01M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$8.90M
Grants paid out$3.62M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$76.14M
Cash$10.03M
Investments$10.91M
Liabilities$51.18M
Net assets$24.95M
Liquid reserves12.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -27.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN ZECH | PRESIDENT | 40 | $360K |
| JOEL BLOCH | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $201K |
| DAVID SULLIVAN | VP OF ACADEMICS | 40 | $186K |
| PETER TUFEL | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $139K |
| ROBERT DEMPSEY | DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SERVI | 40 | $135K |
| DANIEL DESHURLEY | SR. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $133K |
| BARBARA RUBIN | FACULTY ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $130K |
| BENDA BECK | FACULTY ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $130K |
board members · 16
- ALAN FISCHER — TRUSTEE
- BRIAN MPRELAND — TRUSTEE
- CHRIS DEFARIA — TRUSTEE
- CLAUDIA FARIS — TRUSTEE
- DAVID SHERMAN — TREASURER
- DOUGLAS CARTER BEANE — TRUSTEE
- E ROBERT GOODKIND — SECRETARY
- FREDRIC ROSEN — TRUSTEE
- JAMES FULLER — TRUSTEE
- JOLYON STERN — VICE-CHAIRMAN
- KANDI BURRUSS — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL PRICE — TRUSTEE
- RICHARD POCCIA — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT E WANKEL — CHAIRMAN
- STEVE SANDERS — TRUSTEE
- WARREN CARLYLE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Clint Eastwood Partner — Guest speaker and industry expert connected with Academy graduates; recent graduate Ary Katz worked with him on a feature project.
- Daniel DeShurley Government — Vice President of Operations at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
- David Belasco Partner — Early theatrical luminary who backed Sargent’s vision and contributed to the founding support of The Academy.
- David Sullivan Government — Vice President of Academics at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
- Frohman brothers Partner — Entertainment figures who supported Sargent’s vision during the founding of The Academy.
- Henry DeMille Partner — Early supporter of Sargent’s vision and part of the New York theatre elite who helped establish The Academy.
- Industry Insight Series Partner — Program providing students access to leading industry professionals through guest lectures and workshops.
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education Partner — Accredits the institution and reaffirmed its accreditation status on November 17, 2022.
- National Association of Schools of Theatre Partner — Accredits both campuses of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
- New York Academy House Partner — Provides student housing for on-campus summer program participants.
- Steele MacKaye Partner — Early theatrical luminary who supported Franklin Haven Sargent's vision for establishing The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
- Susan Zech Government — President of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, providing executive leadership.
- film and commercial talent agents Partner — Engages film and commercial talent agents as seminar leaders for career development programming.
- independent film directors Partner — Hosts independent film directors as guest professionals in seminars for Company members.
- managers Partner — Engages managers as seminar leaders for career development programming.
- theatre directors Partner — Hosts theatre directors as guest professionals in seminars for Company members.
strategies · 4
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.
- Holistic and Embodied Actor Developmentmethodology: holistic_actor_trainingBy integrating inner emotional work, physical expressiveness, sensory awareness, and diverse acting techniques, the Academy cultivates a complete artistic instrument because sustainable performance requires alignment of mind, body, and emotion.
- Mentorship-Enhanced Professional Preparationmethodology: industry_engagement_mentorshipBy connecting students with working professionals and alumni through intimate sessions and small-group instruction, the Academy bridges training and career entry because exposure to real-world practice and personalized guidance increases readiness and industry integration.
- Practice-Integrated Conservatory Trainingmethodology: practice_integrated_trainingBy immersing students in continuous rehearsal, performance, and practical application within a structured conservatory model, the Academy develops professionally ready actors because sustained doing—rather than theoretical study alone—builds mastery and industry readiness.
- Truth-Centered Acting Methodologymethodology: truth_in_performanceBy training actors to pursue emotional truth, vulnerability, and authentic behavior in imaginary circumstances, the Academy fosters transformative artistic development because this focus enables deeper character connection, audience engagement, and personal growth.