The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts will no longer offer performing arts training as of August 31, 2025

June 3, 2025

Dear NYCDA Community,

After 45 years of providing high-quality performing arts education and training to thousands of students in musical theatre, film and television, content creation, and theater performance, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) has made the difficult decision to teach-out its remaining students, and to no longer offer performing arts training as of August 31, 2025.

Founded in 1980 by Joan See, NYCDA has a long and rich history of providing quality education programs and services for the benefit of its students and local community. From its inception, NYCDA has been focused on educational quality. Joan started with one private acting class and built a nationally accredited college that to this day empowers actors to follow their dreams, prove the doubters wrong, and make a living doing what they love.

Despite the disappointment that comes with the decision to close, NYCDA is proud of its decades long track record of success and finds it gratifying to see the significant impact that our programs have had as measured by the success our graduates have enjoyed in their chosen career paths. This decision has not been made lightly, and it comes after exhaustive efforts to explore every possible alternative. We share in your sorrow and stand united as we navigate these final steps together.

We understand the profound impact this decision will have on our community. Between now and August 31, 2025, the educational experience for our current students will not be impacted as all classes will continue to be offered as originally scheduled, and all student services will continue to be delivered without interruption. NYCDA is also in communication with its stakeholders, including its accrediting agency, as well as the relevant federal and state regulatory bodies in New York to ensure successful teach-out and subsequent wind-down of operations.

Additionally, given that NYCDA will not be moving forward with its previously scheduled September Fall 2025 term for new students, all applicants who have previously been accepted for enrollment at NYCDA will be provided with information on other accredited institutional programs located in New York City that will provide pathways to complete their programs.

Thank you for being a part of our storied history and for your understanding and support during this difficult time. All future updates on NYCDA’s closure will be posted at www.nycda.edu.