Guided by the methodology that has its roots in the ''system'' set forth by Constantin Stanislavski in his three groundbreaking books, An Actor Prepares, Building a Character and Creating a Role, the Actors Studio Drama School involves three years of intensive study in the dramatic arts.Continuously evolving, the ''system'' informs the curriculum of this unique dramatic arts degree program. Whether an aspiring actor, director or playwright, you will begin your three-year exploration by studying the actor's craft and developing a shared language. In the first year you will be consumed with learning the methodology and language, as well as training in your craft. In the second year, you and your fellow MFA candidates will immerse yourselves in unique and specialized training. Working together as an ensemble-actors, directors and playwrights-in your third year, you will apply your knowledge and skills in a Repertory Season.<br><br>During the three-year Directing program, our directing students are trained according to the principles of the Stanislavski-Actors Studio directing process, which addresses all the elements of stage directing, from the first reading to opening night. Through theory and practice, directing students study the relationships of the director to the play, the playwright, the actor, the designers and the audience, They learn to tell the story, to create the events, to develop moment-to-moment behavior in order to convince the theatergoer of what takes place on the stage, They are trained to solve acting problems, to conduct improvisations and to make the most creative use of their rehearsals, Through a deep and intense process, directing students learn how to work with the actors in order to bring the characters to life in a profoundly personal way, To support their understanding of the actor's art and the acting process, all directing students study acting throughout their three years. In addition, the voice and movement training of our program is available to the directing students as electives, Through the Design program, directing students learn to develop their ideas with the designers, to prepare production designs, to run technical rehearsals and to direct in a variety of theater spaces, Through a two-semester course in the History of Directing, students will examine the central issues in the development of the principal innovative theater directors of the modern period and Through many directing projects, directing students learn to lead and collaborate with actors, playwrights and designers.