The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (LSTFI) is home to Lee Strasberg’s renowned acting technique, known worldwide as The Method. At its Union Square location, the Institute welcomes students in grades 2 through 12 for training, making professional-level acting instruction accessible to young performers at every stage of their journey.
Through Young Actors at Strasberg, students can participate in Saturday, After-School, and Online classes throughout the academic year, with sessions beginning in the fall, winter, and spring, as well as Monday–Friday day camps during the summer. Students of all levels are welcome, from true beginners to young professionals.
“One of the strongest aspects of Young Actors at Strasberg is its community. Students uplift and support one another both inside and outside the classroom, forming meaningful relationships not only with their peers but also with our faculty and staff,” says Young Actors Program Coordinator Kimberly Davis.
Lights, Camera, Action!
The Young Actors spring term spotlights Acting on Camera, giving students the chance to work closely on scenes, monologues, and original short films. The semester culminates in the highly anticipated Young Actors Film Festival, a black-tie event complete with a red carpet procession and an evening of film screenings. Students have the opportunity to hone their on-camera skills, emerge with footage for professional use, and create lasting memories.
Young Actors Summer Conservatory
In the summer, LSTFI offers the Young Actors Conservatory, a day camp focused on Method Acting. Additional classes include Acting for Film & TV, Audition, Stage Combat, and Creating a Character. The program runs Monday through Friday in July and August, with 3- and 6-week options.
“I learned so much more than just what The Method is. I had fun every single time I stepped through the red doors. The summer programs introduced me to some of my closest friends… it’s like a giant family that bonds in [just a few] weeks,” shares a Young Actors alum who started with a summer camp and then continued year-round training until graduating.
So what exactly is Method Acting?
Method Acting, developed by Lee Strasberg from Stanislavsky’s work, teaches actors to create authentic performances by drawing on their own experiences and imagination.
In class, students begin with “work on the self” through relaxation and sense memory exercises that build concentration and creativity, then move on to “work on the character,” applying those tools to scenes and monologues. Along the way, Young Actors strengthen confidence, focus, and self-expression in a fun, supportive environment.
“Parents and families often notice significant growth in their child’s confidence, focus, and overall maturity,” Davis explains. “Through Method exercises and the creative work we do in class, students develop greater self-awareness and tools for expression that support them on stage and in everyday life.”
Student & Alumni Success Stories
Students at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute benefit whether they’re pursuing a professional path in the arts or simply exploring a creative passion, developing skills that extend beyond performance.
Young Actors students have been admitted to top performing arts high schools, universities, and conservatory programs including Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, USC School of Dramatic Arts, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Notable Young Actors alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Rosario Dawson, and more!
Getting Started
Interested in joining Young Actors at Strasberg? Apply online here. No audition is required for admission, only a brief interview with the prospective student. Discounts are available for siblings, children of official NYC employees, and Open House attendees. In addition, full-tuition scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 Saturday Program are now open.
