COVID-19 RESPONSE

As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread and local and federal authorities issued stay at home orders, NCDA transitioned to distance learning so that our students could complete their current semester of training and performances while sheltering in place. During our time online, our students have proven incredibly successful, growing in their passion, commitment, and craft. Now, as the city begins to slowly reopen, we are using a hybrid of online and in person learning to keep our students engaged and safe.  Our faculty members have done an extraordinary job of translating NCDA’s curriculum to online platforms and finding new, creative solutions for training actors face-to-face with social distance, masks, and other safety measures in place. 

We are currently taking applications for upcoming enrollment and doing interviews and audition workshops via Zoom.  With daily changes in public health recommendations, we'll need to remain flexible and open to creative solutions as the year moves forward.

Each day, we're finding that the theatre forms we've taught and performed for years have great resilience and power at this moment in our history.  Actors are still powerful storytellers even while sheltering at home; we can still play and connect to audiences through video and the internet; the art of comedy is more necessary than ever; the voice of the tragic chorus can still resonate virtually. It has been heartening for students and faculty alike to stay connected through these theatre forms, with all they have to teach us about human resilience, human vulnerability, and of course, laughter!

We all need our communities, our colleagues, and our networks of friends and family to help us navigate the unprecedented challenges we're facing. We know that artists and their work are essential to our collective well-being. Although we are working remotely, everyone at NCDA remains fiercely committed to the education of our students, supporting our alumni and faculty, and building connections with our audience and our community.

We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all come together again in theatres, cinemas, on stages, and sets.

Be well!

For more information on NCDA's response to COVID-19 click here. 

In an effort to help students remain in school during COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Education (The Department) has  created a program to give institutions of Higher Education funding for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.

The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts (NCDA) is participating in the U.S. Department of Education Section 18004(a)(1) CARES Act grant program and our institution was obligated funds on 5/15/2020 12:50:30 PM.

NCDA signed and returned to The Department the Certification and Agreement for the 18004(a)(1) CARES Act grant program and will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

NCDA received a total of $20,261 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.  The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission of this notice is $4,880.  The estimated total number of students at the institution who are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under  Section 484  of the Higher Education Act  of 1965, as amended,  and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is sixteen (16) students.  The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is <10 students.  The Department  is making each institution responsible for determining the criteria for allocating funds to students in need, and the documentation needed for the school’s records which must be open for audit by The Department at the end of the funding period which is now through March 2021.

Note that students can ask for funding anytime in the funding period as stated above. So, if your circumstances are impacted by Coronavirus at a future point in the late Summer or Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 semester – the program will continue to be in place, as long as funds have not been completely expended.

Students need only be enrolled at the institution and, funds are available for both students already receiving financial aid (Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Student Loans) under Title IV and those who do not receive them.  The Department  has asked institutions to prioritize the needs of students already receiving the Pell Grant.

To request funds students must complete NCDA’s official application and email it with supporting documentation as applicable to the School Director Nan Ficca at  NFicca@TheConservatory.org. Applications will be reviewed immediately and additional documentation may be requested if needed to complete review of the application.

If you have questions before submitting a request for funds you can reach Mrs. Ficca by email as above or by phone at 202.333.2202.

Click below to download the grant application.