ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP
A COMMUNITY TO GROW ALONGSIDE
The Actors Center is thrilled to open applications for its 2025-26 Mentorship Program for emerging artists. This innovative 8-month initiative is designed specifically to support artists who are in the early stages of their acting careers.
The program offers a cohort of 16 participants a unique opportunity to help bridge the crucial gap between their training and a sustainable, fulfilling career by providing artistic development and mentorship from an unparalleled network of seasoned professionals from our esteemed Resident Company.
The program encourages actors to begin thinking as artists—inviting them to ask deeper questions of themselves, their peers, and the industry, while cultivating a dedication to process, artistic integrity, and defining their own set of values to work from over the course of their career.
Navigating the early stages of an acting career can be daunting, with challenges often exacerbated by significant disparities in economic privilege, issues of student debt, and historical barriers to access and inclusion in the industry. Our mentorship program is not intended to be a training program. Rather, it runs parallel to participants’ early career and auditioning work, emphasizing self-discovery, critical thinking, and personal growth alongside exploring practical questions of entering the business.
The Actors Center has long stood as a beacon for creative and artistic development. This program builds upon the diverse, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary dynamic of our existing Resident Company. It takes what we do exceptionally well and offers it to a new demographic, empowering artists to forge careers that are not only successful, but sustainable and deeply fulfilling. It’s an exciting opportunity for actors to deepen their understanding of themselves and their artistic point of view, ensuring that they emerge not only as skilled performers, but as thoughtful individuals, generous collaborators, and visionary creatives, primed to shape the future of the arts.
Application Deadline
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Program Dates
September 29, 2025 – June 8, 2026
Program Fee
$600 (or $75/month)
with need-based scholarship support available
Applications for the 2025-26 Mentorship Program have now closed.
HEAR FROM 2024-25 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
“This program legitimately changed my life. It helped me find my footing as an actor, creative, and person in the world. Meeting so many incredible artists every single week, and in workshops and events with company members, really expanded my idea of how you can have a fulfilling career as an artist.”
“It’s hard to put into words just how diverse the teachers that came in were. I always felt as though this program was tailored to our needs. The transition from drama school to early career can be so daunting and leave you with so many questions. This mentorship program helped make this transition as seamless as possible.”
“The cohort was exceptional. With such a diverse range of personalities and styles, it was amazing how everyone shared an incredible open heart and willingness to collaborate, surrender to the work, and lead with generosity. From the very first day, it was clear that this group would be a supportive and trustworthy community, and overtime, that has proved more true than I could have imagined.”
“My mentors helped me see my strengths more clearly and challenged me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. Having someone in my corner who believes in me, offers honest feedback, and shares their own experiences has been incredibly motivating. It’s made me feel more confident in my choices and more grounded in my identity as an artist. Their guidance has not only sharpened my skills but also reminded me that I don’t have to figure everything out alone.”
About the Program
Weekly Programming on Monday Afternoons
- The program meets weekly for a series of workshops, panel discussions, and group conversations exploring a variety of artistic disciplines and perspectives on topics essential to the life of an actor.
- Sessions will take place every Monday afternoon from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Houghton Hall Arts Community (22 East 30th Street) and are led by our resident company members and other industry professionals.
- Discussion and panel topics will touch on a broad range of subjects, including: self-care and advocacy; craft and artistry; developing new work; engaging with agents, managers and casting directors; survival jobs and finances; auditioning; working on sets; pursuing graduate training; and navigating the dynamics of the industry.
- Acting workshops explore a variety of approaches to voice, movement, play, ensemble building, auditioning, devising, and creativity.
One-on-One Mentoring
- Each emerging artist is matched with members of our company who will provide them one-on-one mentorship. Each mentor is paired according to the emerging artist’s individual needs, background, artistic goals, and personal interests.
- Having multiple mentors allows for each individual to develop relationships focusing on different aspects of one’s life or career, while exposing each artist to a variety of perspectives and areas of experiences.
- Emerging artists also have the opportunity to interact with Resident Company members at various events, gaining access to the expertise of 300 professional actors across all facets of the industry.
Artist Development Workshops
- Additional development workshops exploring scene work and offering a deeper dive on relevant acting techniques are scheduled with guest artists and teachers throughout the year according to their availability.
- These workshops offer the opportunity to learn from some of our country’s best teachers and practitioners, encouraging emerging artists to implement the ideas, tools, and techniques being discussed throughout the program.
Invitations to Events, Artist Talks & Workshops
- Emerging artists are invited to Actors Center events such as artist talks with leading directors, actors, teachers, and filmmakers, as well as film screenings, play readings, and evenings sharing works in process.
- Emerging artists also have the opportunity to observe select development workshops featuring the Resident Company.
- These events provide a window into the wider world of theater and film, offering inspiration and practical exposure to industry practices, as well as insights into the creative process of seasoned professionals.
Community & Collaboration Opportunities
- The cohort serves as a collaborative artistic community, encouraged and supported to form writing groups, assist with each other’s auditions, produce play readings, and explore other avenues for collaboration and providing peer support.
- Cohort members are invited to share work in our Resonance Room series, a works-in-process evening presented multiple times throughout the year.
Program Fee
With the help of supporters, grants, and volunteers, The Actors Center is proud to underwrite nearly all of the cost of the mentorship program. The program fee is $600 (or $75 per month for 8 months) with need-based scholarships available.
The fee helps cover programmatic costs separate from the mentorship provided, including studio rentals for workshops and operational expenses. The Actors Center is committed to making this program financially accessible for all participants.
Program Support
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council.
Questions
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! You can contact Executive & Artistic Director Alex Birnie at alex.birnie@theactorscenter.org.
Previous Workshop Leaders & Guests:
Celeste Arias
Lisa Arrindell
Ken Barnett
Ato Blankson-Wood
Vivienne Benesch
Anne Bogart
Bethany Caputo
Caitlin Nasema Cassidy
Crystal Dickinson
Brandon Dirden
Peter Jay Fernandez
Stephen Adly Guirgis
Lynn Hawley
Liz Hayes
Jason Kravits
Jeff Hiller
Joe Holt
Mel House
Stephen McKinley Henderson
Ann James
Peter Francis James
Raja Feather Kelly
Nancy Lemenager
Erik Liberman
Sita Mani
Rebecca Martinez
Beth McGuire
Kathleen McNenny
Ben Mehl
Lila Neugebauer
Tonya Pinkins
Emma Ramos
Fay Simpson
Ron Van Lieu
Justine Williams
Welker White
Christopher Windom
Madeline Wise
Jessica Wolf
Tamilla Woodard
Damian Young
“The early years of launching a career as a professional actor are the most fraught. The danger the actor faces is one of loss: loss of sense of purpose; loss of belief in one’s ability; loss of faith in the uniqueness of each actor’s singular talent.
The Mentorship Program for Emerging Artists provides the space to be truly seen and heard and guided toward strength and away from loss… heart, soul, and artistry intact. It is a heartfelt privilege for me to be a participant and guide in this innovative program.”
— RON VAN LIEU
Former Head of Acting at Yale and NYU, Faculty Member at Columbia
About the Application
Application Process
The application process occurs in two stages. The first stage requires actors to submit materials online by August 24, 2025. In the second stage, a select number of finalists will be invited to interview and audition in person in early September 2025.
Stage One: Online Application
Your application should include the following materials:
Your personal statement should address as many of the following prompts/questions as possible:
- What about this program interests you particularly at this moment in your development?
- Tell us more about your personal and artistic background than your resume might reveal. What was your path to acting?
- Where are you coming from and where would you like to go? From your vantage point, how might this program act as a bridge?
- What questions or challenges are you encountering in your artistic work at the moment? How do you envision this program might help you navigate them?
Stage Two: Interview & Audition
A limited number of finalists will be invited to interview and audition in-person in early September 2025, with the program slated to begin September 29, 2025.
All applicants will be notified of their application decision by email, which will be sent to the address included on their application.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the program is intended for early career actors, we’ve intentionally left out any eligibility requirements. There is no age limit or minimum or maximum education. We encourage any person who is interested and feels they could benefit from this opportunity to apply.
Yes. The program is for any individual currently pursuing acting as a profession, regardless of whether they went to college or what they studied.
No. Participants should, in general, be available to attend Monday afternoons, but the program is meant to support actors while working and auditioning, which means inevitably conflicts will arise. One-on-One mentorship, additional workshops, and events will also take place outside of Monday afternoon sessions.
One-on-One mentorship can take place on Zoom or phone, if you book work or have to leave town for any period of time.
No. This program is for individuals who are out of school and pursuing a professional career in acting.
The Actors Center is committed to making this program accessible to all individuals. We’ve underwritten the cost of the program in an effort to do so, but can offer additional need-based scholarship support.