What Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute teaches

Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is a private acting conservatory in New York City and Los Angeles that focuses on the Strasberg Method, a specific approach to acting technique. The school teaches scene study, monologue work, script analysis, and emotional preparation for roles — all built around the idea that actors should draw on their own emotional memory and personal experience to create authentic performances.

The institute offers full-time conservatory programs for students who want to train intensively, as well as part-time evening and weekend classes for people working other jobs. Classes are taught by working actors, directors, and coaches who use the Strasberg Method in their own careers. The school also runs a film studio where students work on camera and produce short films as part of their training.

Unlike some acting programs that teach multiple methods side by side, Strasberg focuses almost entirely on one approach. If you enroll, you are learning the specific technique that Lee Strasberg developed and taught for decades — not a survey of different acting schools.

Key Takeaways

  • Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute teaches the Strasberg Method, which emphasizes emotional memory and personal experience as tools for creating authentic character work.
  • The school operates conservatory programs in New York City and Los Angeles, with both full-time and part-time class options available.
  • Classes are taught by working professionals who use the Strasberg Method in film, television, and theatre.
  • The institute includes on-camera training and film production as part of the curriculum, not just stage work.
  • Admission typically requires an audition where you perform monologues and demonstrate your interest in the method.

Full-time conservatory programs and what they cover

The full-time conservatory program runs for one or two years, depending on which track you choose. Students attend classes five days a week and study scene work, monologue technique, script analysis, voice and movement, and on-camera acting. The program is designed for people who can commit to training as their primary focus.

The curriculum emphasizes repetition and depth rather than breadth. You work on the same scenes and techniques over weeks or months, building skill gradually. This is different from programs that rotate through many different plays and styles quickly. The goal is to internalize the Strasberg Method so thoroughly that it becomes your instinctive approach to any role.

Full-time students also participate in student productions and film projects. These are not performances for a paying audience — they are training exercises where you practice the technique in a structured setting with feedback from instructors.

Part-time classes and evening programs

If you cannot attend full-time, the institute offers evening and weekend classes in scene study, monologue work, and on-camera technique. These classes meet once or twice a week and are designed for working actors, people with other jobs, or students in college or other programs. You can take individual classes or enroll in a sequence that builds over a semester or year.

Part-time students learn the same Strasberg Method as full-time students, but at a slower pace. You might spend a semester on scene work before moving to monologues, rather than covering both in a few weeks. The trade-off is that you have more time to absorb the technique, but you also spend more total time reaching the same level of training.

How auditions and admission work

To enroll in either full-time or part-time programs, you must audition. The audition typically involves performing two contrasting monologues — one dramatic and one comedic — that you have prepared beforehand. The instructors watch your performance and ask questions about your choices, your emotional process, and why you want to study the Strasberg Method.

The audition is not a test you pass or fail in a binary sense. The school is looking for students who show genuine interest in the method, who can take direction, and who demonstrate some basic acting ability. You do not need professional experience or a background in theatre to audition. Many students come to Strasberg with little or no formal training.

Auditions can be done in person at the New York or Los Angeles location, or you can submit a video audition if you cannot travel. The school reviews video submissions and contacts you if they want to move forward.

Cost and financial information

Tuition for the full-time conservatory program varies by location and program length. Part-time classes are charged per class or per semester, with costs depending on how many classes you take. The school does not publish exact tuition figures on its main website — you need to contact the admissions office directly for current pricing.

Lee Strasberg is a private institution, not a public university, so it does not participate in federal financial aid programs like the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some students use private loans or pay out of pocket. The school may offer payment plans or scholarships in some cases, but you should ask admissions directly what options exist for your situation.

The Strasberg Method: what makes it different

The Strasberg Method is based on the idea that the best acting comes from genuine emotional experience. Rather than pretending to feel an emotion, you recall a time from your own life when you felt that way, and you use that real memory to fuel your performance. This technique is sometimes called "emotional memory" or "affective memory."

Other acting methods — like Meisner, Stanislavski, or Chekhov — take different approaches to the same problem. Meisner emphasizes living truthfully in imaginary circumstances. Stanislavski focuses on character objectives and given circumstances. Strasberg says: use your own emotional truth. Each method has practitioners who swear by it and critics who think it is limiting or emotionally risky.

If you study at Lee Strasberg, you are committing to learning this one approach deeply. The school does not teach multiple methods or encourage you to mix techniques. This is a strength if you want to master one system thoroughly, and a limitation if you want exposure to many different acting philosophies.

Location, schedule, and how to contact the school

Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute has two main locations: one in New York City (in Manhattan) and one in Los Angeles. Each location runs its own classes and programs, though the curriculum is based on the same Strasberg Method. If you live on the East Coast, you would attend the New York location; if you are in California, you would go to Los Angeles.

Classes run year-round, with new sessions starting at different times depending on the program. Full-time conservatory programs typically start in the fall, while part-time classes may have rolling enrollment. You can contact the admissions office at either location to ask about current class schedules, audition dates, and tuition costs.

The school's website includes information about class offerings and contact details for both locations. You can also visit in person to observe a class before you audition, which many prospective students do to get a sense of the teaching style and the method in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need acting experience to audition?

No. Many students come to Strasberg with no formal training or professional experience. The audition is designed to see whether you are interested in learning the method and whether you can take direction, not to judge your current skill level. Beginners and experienced actors both study there.

Can I study the Strasberg Method online?

The institute primarily offers in-person classes at its New York and Los Angeles locations. Some workshops or special sessions may be offered online, but the core programs are designed for in-person training. You should contact the school directly to ask about any remote options that may be available.

How long does it take to learn the Strasberg Method?

The full-time conservatory program is one or two years. Part-time students may take longer, depending on how many classes they take per week. However, many actors continue studying the method throughout their careers. The technique is something you can deepen indefinitely, not something you "finish."

Is Lee Strasberg accredited?

Lee Strasberg is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This means the school meets certain standards for curriculum, instruction, and student services. Accreditation does not mean credits will transfer to a four-year university, so you should ask about that if you are considering it alongside college.

What do graduates do after finishing the program?

Graduates pursue careers as actors in film, television, and theatre. Some move to Los Angeles or New York to audition for professional roles. Others continue working day jobs while auditioning part-time. The school does not place graduates in jobs — it trains you in technique and leaves career decisions to you.