FAQ

What makes the ACPA different from other theatre training?

The majority of theatre training programs in America are offering all arts technique and no business skills. This typical path is usually comprised of a version of the Stanislavski technique and its normal support classes. However, we, as educators, know that this path leads to widespread unemployment. Each reader should ask themselves, if we know that this technique leads to under and unemployment, why is American theatre training still following this standard path? I believe the reason lies in the fact that schools must be marketable. They have found a system that generates student numbers, but not students with a number of jobs.

How is the ACPA of service to society?

One of the facets of the education at ACPA is that students are guided to discover their “voice” or “unique perspective or way of expression”. Graduates have this unique expression, coupled with entrepreneurial skills. As entrepreneurs, they know how to study their markets and communities and find gaps. They can then fill these gaps, eventually creating niches.

Graduates who know how to create opportunities for themselves, inevitably create opportunities for others. As these entrepreneur artists create original enterprises for profit, they inevitably create jobs.

What skills do graduates of ACPA have?

Graduates have entrepreneurial skills. They have a knowledge of creating and adhering to a budget, how to create a mission statement, how to lead themselves and others, how to market themselves (and generate press as they do), and a wide range of other business related skills. Artistically, they know how to have vision and build that vision into a concrete reality. They are masters of brainstorming and can follow their creative impulses without fear or judgement. They understand text analysis and how to effectively play a role. Not only can they play a role, but they can direct others in the playing of roles. Often times, our graduates direct others in roles they have personally written. In brief, our graduates have the skills to compete for existing work, but have the ability to create their own.

What jobs can a graduate expect to have?

Graduates of ACPA have created artistic companies (theatre and production), have sponsored gallery showings, done standup, acted in and directed films and professional theatre. Many do go on to compete for commercial opportunities of a standard nature. Still more go on to create their own opportunities, profiting as they do.

Is The Hart Technique applicable ONLY for theatre artists?

Absolutely not. The Hart Technique is applicable towards any medium of artistry AND enables artists to hop from one medium to another.

What if I am not interested in starting my own business or being a leader?

Though you may or may not be interested in starting a business, entrepreneurial arts training will enable you to think of “You as Artist” as a business. Ex. Actors who structure their career pursuits as a competitive small business would, have a much higher potential to work.

None of us knows what five years down the road brings us, much less tomorrow. One constant in life is change. Why limit oneself? Leadership skill enables one to lead oneself in the most effective manner possible (in addition to others). The Hart Technique helps artists develop discipline--the sort of discipline of a marathon runner.

Is this a degree program?

No. As an institution, we elect to not offer degrees, as in doing so, we, as an institution, assume too much bureaucracy. Our small size and private structure are our principle strengths as an institution. Being small, we do not have to assume the heavy bureaucratic demands that larger institutions must engage. Being private, we are able to alter our curriculum to market shifts and demands. Should we be invited to tour original productions, we can do so easily. More, We find that most of our students want to work in the market--not just in academia. If academia is not one’s pursuit, but building a career in the market as a working independent artist is, they likely do not need another degree. At ACPA we seek students who are committed to building a career in the arts.

Why are more schools NOT offering similar training?

Most theatre training programs in America copy what the big, successful graduate training programs are doing (There is some exception to this, of course). Knowing that this typical system (all arts and no business) leads towards widespread unemployment, one must ask, “is it ethical to continue teaching this typical curriculum”?

In time, more schools will begin to offer such entrepreneurial training in their curriculums, as it is a system that generates employment. American theatre training NEEDS to go in this direction. This sort of training stimulates new voices with perspective. These individuals have the technique to build their ideas and the business technique to make a living.

Some schools believe changing their curriculums to be too risky, if they are generating enough student interest now. However, to those institutions and individuals, I say, “Post your graduates’ career work record. Make public how successful your curriculums are (or are not).

Curriculums such as The Hart Technique serve students and institutions alike. Graduates have a higher likelihood of working and schools can boast of all of the graduates who work consistently over time.

If you have other questions, please let us know. We will update accordingly.

Contact

Austin Conservatory of Professional Arts, LLC

Jim Hart 512.410.9335

jim@austinconservatory.com