Recruiting Young Talent From Across the Country, School for Film + Television Becomes The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

Recruiting Young Talent From Across the Country, School for Film + Television Becomes The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

NEW YORK, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major step designed to attract promising students to New York to prepare for careers both in front of and behind the cameras, the venerable School for Film + Television has expanded its downtown facilities, its faculty and its nationwide recruitment process. The two-year accredited school is now The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. The announcement was made jointly by the Conservatory's CEO, David Palmer, and its founder and Artistic Director, Joan See, an accomplished TV and film actress who has served as VP of the NY Screen Actors Guild.

Originally launched in 1980, when professional schools like the Neighborhood Playhouse taught only stage acting, Ms. See perceived a need for teaching acting skills focused on film and television. "Acting for the camera is distinctly different from acting for the stage," Ms. See explained. Palmer added, "Today, the feedback we get on the end results, from the students as well as the managers, agents, casting directors and others who come to see our students perform, is overwhelmingly enthusiastic."

Past graduates of the School for Film + Television include Mathew Fox, Lauren Graham, and countless other film, TV, commercial, and voiceover artists.

The Conservatory now occupies 30,000 square feet of space at 39 West 19th Street including four multi-camera rooms and two 40 to 50 seat spaces that can showcase productions, including the school's acclaimed Final Reel, that features scenes performed by the school's graduating class.

"The biggest change we made," says See, "was to add seven new master teachers with great credentials and allow them the freedom to really give their all to the students."

Admission is by audition only. Joan See and her staff audition some 4,000 candidates each year and eventually select just 180. The two-year program requires no previous experience or training, but many are not invited back for the second year. Those who finish the program earn the equivalent of 60+ college credits that are accepted by more than 1,700 colleges and universities, including specific arrangements with the theater programs at Adelphi University, the University of Northern Colorado, and the GSA Conservatoire in London.

The Conservatory also runs a four-week summer program for high school students as a foundation, should they decide to pursue careers in film and television.

For more information, visit www.sft.edu

Source: The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

CONTACT: Samantha Lambert, +1-212-580-8833, Judy Katz, +1-212-489-5595,
both for The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

Web site:

http://www.sft.edu/

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