{"id":225706,"date":"2025-03-19T09:41:51","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T13:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=225706"},"modified":"2025-03-19T13:20:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T17:20:29","slug":"2025-college-rankings-montclair-state-university-named-one-of-the-best-acting-schools-in-new-jersey-by-backstage-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/03\/19\/2025-college-rankings-montclair-state-university-named-one-of-the-best-acting-schools-in-new-jersey-by-backstage-magazine\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 College Rankings: 精品成人福利在线 University Named One of the Best Acting Schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>精品成人福利在线 University\u2019s Theatre\/Acting program has been ranked No. 2 on the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.backstage.com\/magazine\/article\/best-acting-schools-in-new-jersey-78207\/\">\u00a0<em>Best Acting Schools in New Jersey<\/em><\/a> list by <em>Backstage Magazine<\/em>, which praised the university\u2019s rigorous curriculum and professional faculty.<\/p>\n<p><em>Backstage <\/em>also cited the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/\"> College of the Arts<\/a>\u2019 dance theater program and the success of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/alumni\/2024\/11\/18\/joshua-dela-cruz-11-from-montclair-musical-theater-major-to-blues-clues-host\/\"> Josh Dela Cruz<\/a>, host of <em>Blues Clues &amp; You!<\/em> and Montclair&#8217;s proximity to New York City in its ranking.<\/p>\n<p>The recognition highlights Montclair&#8217;s success in launching alumni into thriving careers on Broadway, television and film.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re pleased that <em>Backstage<\/em> has recognized our program and the accomplishments of our alumni,\u201d says Associate Professor Heather Benton, head of Montclair\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/theatre-and-dance\/academic-programs\/undergraduate\/bfa-theatre-acting-concentration\/\">BFA Acting<\/a> program. \u201cOur professors are working actors and directors with strong reputations among casting professionals. We believe there isn\u2019t just one way to work as an actor \u2013 and we train our students accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/03\/written-by-phyllis.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/03\/written-by-phyllis.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Kira Player, \u201919, onstage in the play \u201cWritten by Phillis.\u201d\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px\">Kira Player \u201919, onstage in the play <em>Written by Phillis<\/em>. (Photo by Linda Johnson)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMontclair allowed me to stress-test my process and set me up to handle the life of a professional actor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">~ Kira Player \u201922, cast member of <em>Harry Potter &amp; the Cursed Child<\/em> o<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">n Broadway<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>What Sets Montclair\u2019s Acting Program Apart<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Students at Montclair benefit from a dynamic, holistic program designed to prepare them for the demands of today\u2019s entertainment industry:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Diverse Training: Techniques include Meisner, Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Viewpoints, Suzuki and the Lucid Body method, in which Benton received certification.<\/li>\n<li>Film &amp; TV Readiness: Classes in acting for the camera, opportunities for self-taping and for direction and feedback through a collaboration with Montclair\u2019s School of Communication and Media.<\/li>\n<li>Career Prep: Mock auditions, workshops and a senior-year showcase featuring panels of NYC casting directors and agents who provide feedback.<\/li>\n<li>Physical and Vocal Training: Emphasis on movement (including clown, combat, world dance, Viewpoints and Suzuki) and the actor-friendly Miller Voice Method, taught by two MvM-certified teachers.<\/li>\n<li>Industry Access: Located just 12 miles from NYC, students work with professional playwrights, directors and casting agents. Partnerships include a three-year residency with the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2024\/09\/20\/royal-shakespeare-company-residency-at-montclair-offers-students-an-immersive-theater-experience\/\"> Royal Shakespeare Company<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The BFA program is curated\u00a0 so that students are introduced to the many aspects of training that are strongest for actors. \u201cThe philosophy behind that is that students go through these immersive techniques so that by the time they get to their senior year, they have this enormous toolbox of techniques. It gives students the agency to learn, to choose and to curate their own unique individual process,\u201d Benton says. \u201cThe reason that this is important is because that&#8217;s the business right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Alumni Success on Stage and Screen<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"prpl-row\"><div class=\"prpl-column three-fifths\">\n<p>The rigor of Montclair\u2019s curated curriculum is evident through the success of its alumni, including proud alumni<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kiraplayer.com\/bio\"> Kira Player<\/a>, who is currently a cast member in <em>Harry Potter &amp; the Cursed Child<\/em> on Broadway.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe gifts from my training at Montclair that I most consistently use are the focus on diligence and the familiarity with most major acting techniques,&#8221; says Player, BFA \u201919. \u201cMy professors instilled in me the importance of finding a process for yourself, of being specific and granular in that process, of being adaptable and imaginative.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, she said, &#8220;Montclair&#8217;s approach of learning a new technique every year allowed me to stress-test my process and set me up to handle the life of a professional actor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Recent graduate<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_isaiah_robinson\/?hl=en\">\u00a0Isaiah Robinson<\/a>, who is touring nationally with <em>Stomp!, <\/em>agreed that Montclair faculty prepares students by challenging them to work hard and anticipate the inevitable challenges of an acting career.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"prpl-column two-fifths\">\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/03\/Kira-104-9.16.08\u202fAM.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/03\/Kira-104-9.16.08\u202fAM.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Kira Player\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kira Player currently stars in <em>Harry Potter &amp; the Cursed Child<\/em> on Broadway. (Photo by Anthony Chapman.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-row\"><div class=\"prpl-column three-fifths\">\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/03\/Robinson_isaiah_headshot.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/03\/Robinson_isaiah_headshot.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Isaiah Robinson\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isaiah Robinson is among Montclair alumni finding success as well-rounded actors. (Photo by Sub\/Urban Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><div class=\"prpl-column two-fifths\">\n<p>Robinson, BFA &#8217;24, earned a coveted spot on the <em>Stomp!<\/em> tour after multiple auditions and beating out an initial pool of more than 1,000 actors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe program prepares you,\u201d Robinson says. \u201cSo, when I hear about all of the alumni success that comes from the school, it makes sense because the teachers really do light that fire in their students.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other distinguished alumni of the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/theatre-and-dance\/academic-programs\/undergraduate\/bfa-theatre-acting-concentration\/\"> acting program<\/a> include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/2024\/01\/16\/graduate-spotlight-from-classes-to-broadway\/\">Nathan Angelo<\/a> \u201924 \u2013 Broadway debut in <em>Here Lies Love<\/em>, the first all-Filipino cast on Broadway.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ethanedwardmetz.com\/\">Ethan Metz<\/a> \u201922 \u2013 Appeared in the 2023 film <em>No Hard Feelings!<\/em> with Jennifer Lawrence.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mishaosherovich\/?hl=en\">Misha Osherovich<\/a> \u201917\u2013 Actor and filmmaker known for <em>The Girl in the Woods <\/em>(2021), <em>Freaky<\/em> (2020) and <em>The Goldfinch<\/em> (2019).<\/li>\n<li><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/alumni\/2024\/02\/21\/breaking-barriers-on-broadway\/\">Nicole D\u2019Angelo<\/a> \u201917 \u2013 Assistant Music Director on Broadway\u2019s <em>How to Dance in Ohio<\/em>; 2024 Drama Desk Award winner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With an ever-evolving curriculum that blends tradition with innovation, 精品成人福利在线 University continues to be a top destination for aspiring actors looking to build lasting careers in theatre, film and television.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Are you a\u2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Prospective Student or Parent? <\/strong>Learn more about the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/theatre-and-dance\/bfa-theatre-acting-concentration\/\"> Theater\/Acting<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/theatre-and-dance\/bfa-musical-theatre\/\"> Musical Theater<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/theatre-and-dance\/theatre-studies-teacher-education-concentration\/\"> Theater Studies<\/a> or\u00a0 or other<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/\"> College of the Arts<\/a> programs or plan a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/visit-us\/\"> visit to our campus<\/a> and take the first step in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/\"> applying to become a Red Hawk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Journalist?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Contact the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/contact-media-relations\/\"> Media Relations team<\/a> for assets or to schedule an interview with a graduating student.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/ Output tags as a list for Google Analytics custom dimension\nwindow.MSU_TagList = [];\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Citing success of alumni on Broadway, TV and film, magazine ranks Montclair No. 2 in the Garden State<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":396,"featured_media":225708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,1,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-225706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-press-releases","category-uncategorized","category-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/396"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225706"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":225767,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225706\/revisions\/225767"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}