2025 College Rankings: Montclair State University Named One of the Best Acting Schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine

Citing success of alumni on Broadway, TV and film, magazine ranks Montclair No. 2 in the Garden State

Montclair, NJ (03/24/2025) — Montclair State University's Theatre/Acting program has been ranked No. 2 on the Best Acting Schools in New Jersey list by Backstage Magazine, which praised the university's rigorous curriculum and professional faculty.

Backstage also cited the College of the Arts' dance theater program and the success of Josh Dela Cruz, host of Blues Clues & You! and Montclair's proximity to New York City in its ranking.

The recognition highlights Montclair's success in launching alumni into thriving careers on Broadway, television and film.

"We're pleased that Backstage has recognized our program and the accomplishments of our alumni," says Associate Professor Heather Benton, head of Montclair's BFA Acting program. "Our professors are working actors and directors with strong reputations among casting professionals. We believe there isn't just one way to work as an actor - and we train our students accordingly."

"Montclair allowed me to stress-test my process and set me up to handle the life of a professional actor."

~ Kira Player '22, cast member of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child on Broadway

What Sets Montclair's Acting Program Apart

Students at Montclair benefit from a dynamic, holistic program designed to prepare them for the demands of today's entertainment industry:

- Diverse Training: Techniques include Meisner, Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Viewpoints, Suzuki and the Lucid Body method, in which Benton received certification.

- Film & TV Readiness: Classes in acting for the camera, opportunities for self-taping and for direction and feedback through a collaboration with Montclair's School of Communication and Media.

- Career Prep: Mock auditions, workshops and a senior-year showcase featuring panels of NYC casting directors and agents who provide feedback.

- 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.

- 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 Royal Shakespeare Company.

The BFA program is curated so that students are introduced to the many aspects of training that are strongest for actors. "The 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," Benton says. "The reason that this is important is because that's the business right now."

Alumni Success on Stage and Screen

The rigor of Montclair's curated curriculum is evident through the success of its alumni, including proud alumni Kira Player, who is currently a cast member in Harry Potter & the Cursed Child on Broadway.

"The gifts from my training at Montclair that I most consistently use are the focus on diligence and the familiarity with most major acting techniques," says Player, BFA '19. "My 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."

Ultimately, she said, "Montclair'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."

Recent graduate Isaiah Robinson, who is touring nationally with Stomp!, agreed that Montclair faculty prepares students by challenging them to work hard and anticipate the inevitable challenges of an acting career.

Robinson, BFA '24, earned a coveted spot on the Stomp! tour after multiple auditions and beating out an initial pool of more than 1,000 actors.

"The program prepares you," Robinson says. "So, 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."

Other distinguished alumni of the acting program include:

Nathan Angelo '24 - Broadway debut in Here Lies Love, the first all-Filipino cast on Broadway.

Ethan Metz '22 - Appeared in the 2023 film No Hard Feelings! with Jennifer Lawrence.

Misha Osherovich '17- Actor and filmmaker known for The Girl in the Woods (2021), Freaky (2020) and The Goldfinch (2019).

Nicole D'Angelo '17 - Assistant Music Director on Broadway's How to Dance in Ohio; 2024 Drama Desk Award winner.

With an ever-evolving curriculum that blends tradition with innovation, Montclair State University continues to be a top destination for aspiring actors looking to build lasting careers in theatre, film and television.

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Building on a distinguished history dating back to 1908, Montclair State University has evolved from an institution that was a recognized leader in teacher education to an R2 research institution ranked as one of the 100 best public doctoral universities in the nation. The University serves 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, master's and baccalaureate programs provided by 13 colleges and schools.

Situated on a beautiful 252-acre campus just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university while retaining the supportive and personalized academic environment that provides a feeling of community more typical of smaller institutions.

Montclair State University

2025 College Rankings: Montclair State University Named One of the Best Acting Schools in New Jersey by Backstage Magazine

Citing success of alumni on Broadway, TV and film, magazine ranks Montclair No. 2 in the Garden State

Montclair State University

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