Julie Lawrence-Edsell received her MFA from the Yale School of Drama and her BA from the UCLA she is an actress, director, intimacy choreographer and audiobook narrator he works has been recognized Sundance and GLAAD Media Award.
Acting, BFA
Where artistry meets industry, immerse yourself in the heart of theater and film with Pace’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, study in New York City under the guidance of working professionals, participate in studio classes and performances, and take advantage of game-changing opportunities like our Los Angeles senior semester.

New York City
136
Fall
Yes
No
Study, Perform, and Launch Your Acting Career with an Acting BFA
The BFA in Acting at Pace University’s Sands College of Performing Arts is an immersive degree that is focused on both fundamental training and cutting edge industry experience. This conservatory style program goes beyond fundamental acting technique, combining rigorous multi-disciplinary hands-on opportunities in stage combat, film and television, musical theater, comedy and more. Students receive individualized mentorship from industry professionals and gain real-world performance experience. With a focus on creativity, versatility, and artistic resilience, the program prepares students to thrive in the highly competitive acting world.
Located in New York City, students are at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic theater and film hubs. This program along with the BFA in Film and Media provides a unique and collaborative senior semester in Los Angeles for an intensive industry immersion, connecting with agents, casting directors, executives and other gatekeepers of film and television. This experience is unparalleled for actors seeking to navigate a bi-coastal entertainment industry. Throughout their studies, students work on productions, receive mentorship, and collaborate with peers on original projects, preparing them to meet the demands of any medium or role.
Our graduates have launched careers across theater, film, and television, performing on stages around the world, and booking roles in major productions. Equipped with training in multiple performance styles, students are ready to create opportunities, build lasting industry relationships, and navigate the ups and downs of life as a professional actor.
Did You Know?
one of the Top 27 acting colleges in America of 2024 (Source: Backstage.com)
named one of the best college dance programs for 2024 in America (Source: DanceUS.org)
one of the 13 best musical theater colleges in America of 2025 (Source: Backstage.com)
Curriculum
With studio classes, multiple performance opportunities, and personal attention all in the heart of New York City, our BFA program offers a unique and thrilling experience for the young actor.
Take Courses Like
- PAAT 312 Acting VI: Verse/Heighten II-One Hour Shakespeare Project
- PAAT 233 Vocal Prod III for the BFA Actor
- PPAT 353 Stage Combat II
Artistry Meets Industry
Fourth-year students travel to Los Angeles to meet and work with leading industry professionals in on-camera acting technique as well as how to navigate the Hollywood scene.
Past guests of the annual LA Intensive include:
- Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i (EVP of Entertainment Diversity, Inclusion, and Communications at CBS)
- Mary Lou Belli (Emmy Award-winning director, writer, and producer)
- Candido Cornejo (Casting Director)
- Iris Grossman (Echo Lake Entertainment)
- Ron Butler (Bunheads; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
- David Marshall Grant (executive producer and writer: Brothers & Sisters; Nashville; Smash; Code Black)
- Gary Marsh (CEO of Breakdown Services)
- Mike Page (Director of Casting, TNT and TBS)
- Tim Payne (Payne Casting)
- Jonathan Prince (Producer and Writer)
- Aimee Rivera ((VP Motion Pictures, Skydance)
- David Rubin (David Rubin Casting)
- Shaan Sharma ((SAG-AFTRA union leader)
- Candace Stewart (DDO Artists)
- Mark Teschner (Teschner Casting)
- Kevin Turner (Daniel Hoff Agency)
- Seth Yanklewitz (Casting).
- Lisa Zambetti (Casting for Television, Film, New Media, Commercials, and Video games)
Careers
Our graduates perform on stages across the country and abroad. Many are also starting their film and TV careers. Others are creating their own work. Our graduates are also equipped with the tools on how to stay active in their careers even when they are not performing.
As a Pace student, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with our robust career services team to develop a career plan that best fits your goals.
Where You've Seen Pace Graduates Shine
- The Pitt (MAX)
- Kimberly Akimbo (Broadway)
- Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount)
Featured Faculty
Jamibeth Margolis is a director and casting director who has been casting for 20 years. Previous credits include the Broadway and National Touring Companies of such mega hits as Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Miss Saigon, Cats, and Jane Eyre.
Lester Thomas Shane is a speech and dialect coach, director, actor and writer whose theater work has been seen in places like Lincoln Center, Cleveland Public Theater, Alabama Shakespeare, His film and TV credits include HBO, NBC and Lionsgate.
Admission and Financial Aid
Ready to take charge of your future? Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.
-
To learn more about requirements to apply to the Sands College of Performing Arts and what each program requests to include in your application, visit the Sands admission webpage.
-
All prospective students to the Sands College of Performing Arts must submit an application for admission to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions before beginning the audition or interview process.
1. Application Deadlines
- November 1: Early Decision—provided that the audition or interview is completed before December 1.
- December 1: Application Final Deadline—no application will be accepted after this date.
- January 3: Pre-screen Deadline—all pre-screens must be in by this date for callback consideration.
- May 1: Deposit Deadline—commitment date for all admitted students, no new decisions will go out after this date.
2. Submit Your Audition Or Portfolio Media On Acceptd
Once prospective students have applied for admission to Pace, they should create a profile on Acceptd and upload the pre-screen requirements to all programs in which they wish to audition/interview.
NOTE: Applicants will need to know their Application ID number (sent via email once the application is processed).
3. Get Your Callback
Our faculty will review each digital submission and issue decisions on all submissions. For those issued callbacks, the faculty will need to see the applicant for a live audition or interview. Students will be notified via Acceptd of the faculty’s decision within two weeks from time of submission and, if given a callback, will be invited to schedule their audition or interview via Acceptd. Students who are not called back will also be notified in the same time frame.
If a student does not hear back from the College of Performing Arts within three weeks, they may email performingarts@pace.edu.
4. Attend The Callback Audition Or Interview
If granted multiple callbacks, the student will need to attend all auditions/interviews. (All programs audition/interview separately).
5. Get The Academic And Artistic Decision
Students will receive one decision letter with their academic and artistic acceptance together. Early Decision applicants will receive their decision by December. All other applicants will be reviewed for academic admission and notified of both the academic and artistic decision beginning in mid-March. In all instances a student must be academically admissible to qualify for admission to the Sands College.
-
Understanding the value of a degree is essential, especially in terms of return on investment (ROI). According to The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Pace University is in the top 6% of U.S. colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition is $56,382. However, many students pay significantly less due to our generous merit scholarships, which offer up to $33,000 annually, as well as need-based scholarships, grants, on-campus employment opportunities, and loans. Pace is more affordable than you think. Financial assistance can come from many places, including scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans.
Merit Scholarship Estimator
Estimate your merit scholarship eligibility based on your academic achievements to see how much merit aid you may receive.
Net Price Calculator
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your annual education costs and financial aid package.
-
For any inquiries, please email Wayne Petro, Director of Enrollment and Incoming Advisor. He’s here to help answer your questions and guide you through the enrollment process.
Did You Know?
Contact Us
Admission Contact
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Phone: (212) 346-1323
Email: undergradadmission@pace.edu
Departmental Contact
Grant Kretchik
Phone: (212) 618-6103
Email: gkretchik@pace.edu