▶ The Academy and The Profession

When the Academy began, to work as an actor meant only one thing: going on stage, in a theatre, before a live audience. Motion pictures and television were still years away. Today, it is likely that much of an actor's working life will be spent before the camera, rather than on the stage. (It should be noted, however, that actors who have had the greatest success in films and television are those who have had stage training and experience.) The Academy's goal is to fully prepare its students for any professional opportunity. Once they have mastered the basic discipline of truthful behavior in imaginary circumstances in acting classes, students learn to adjust their skills to the needs of the camera.

Inspiring Guest Speakers

Throughout its history, the Academy has had a rich tradition of inviting distinguished members of the acting profession to share their professional experience and advice with Academy students. In recent years, guest speakers have included among others: Alec Baldwin, Gil Bellows, Roberto Benigni, Eve Best, Ellen Burstyn, Kim Cattrall, David Eigenberg, Danny Glover, Bob Gossett, Neil Patrick Harris, Dennis Haysbert, Jill Hennessy, John Leguizamo, Matthew Lillard, Alfred Molina, Phylicia Rashad, Lynn Redgrave, Gena Rowlands, Paul Rudd, Susan Sarandon, Kyra Sedgwick, Fiona Shaw, Adam Scott, Kevin Spacey, French Stewart, Patrick Stewart, Eric Szmanda, and Richard Thomas.

Alec Baldwin	Kevin Spacey	Gena Rowlands	Jill Hennessey at The Academy New York Library	Maggie Gyllenhaal and Roger Croucher
Phylicia Rashad	Gil Bellows	Ellen Burstyn	Kim Cattrall	Danny Glover
Dennis Haysbert	Cherry Jones	John Leguizamo and Roger Croucher	David Suchet	Paul Rudd
David Eigenberg	Roberto Benigni and Roger Croucher	Fiona Shaw	Patrick Stewart	Michael York and Roger Croucher

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