Sands College of Performing Arts: Launching Performing Arts Careers at Pace University

Pace University, a private institution with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, has a rich history dating back to 1906. Founded as a business school by brothers Homer St. Clair Pace and Charles A. Pace, the university has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering a wide array of programs. In recent years, Pace has significantly strengthened its commitment to the performing arts with the establishment of the Sands College of Performing Arts.

A New Era for Performing Arts at Pace

In a pivotal move, Pace University's board of trustees voted to establish the Sands College of Performing Arts, commencing with the 2023-2024 academic year. This decision was made possible by a generous $25 million gift from Pamela and Rob Sands, J.D. The Sands College builds upon Pace’s already strong flagship performing arts programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in acting, directing, musical theater, commercial dance, production and design for stage and screen, and stage management.

Rob Sands, J.D., chair of Pace's Board of Trustees, stated that the creation of the College and the transformation of One Pace Plaza will solidify Pace's position in the downtown arts scene and enhance its reputation as a leading performing arts school.

Pace President Marvin Krislov emphasized that the Sands College of Performing Arts will be a pioneering institution for the 21st century, providing talented and ambitious students with expanded opportunities and recognition for their remarkable programs.

Immersive Training and Professional Productions

The Sands College of Performing Arts provides immersive studio training and professional productions to launch the performing arts careers of its students. Students gain access to and learn from industry leaders in New York City, Los Angeles, and abroad, building connections that are crucial for their future success.

Students at Pace's Sands College of Performing Arts don't wait to "make it"-they start working in the industry now.

Curriculum Shaped by Industry Leaders

Each of the college's programs combines rigorous academic study with professional-level training. The curriculum is shaped by working artists and industry leaders and is designed to develop versatile performers and creative innovators. Instructors at Sands College are active professionals, including seasoned actors, writers, directors, and producers with careers spanning Hollywood, independent film, and television.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sands College of Performing Arts is dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Transformation of One Pace Plaza

This announcement comes as Pace is in the process of transforming One Pace Plaza, its flagship home in lower Manhattan, to include a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center with three new venues-a 450-seat proscenium theater, a 200-seat flexible theater, and a 99-seat black box theater-supported by scene and costume shops, dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, green rooms, and public spaces, and complemented by dance studios. The One Pace Plaza renovation will also provide new academic spaces, common spaces, and a modernized residence hall to serve the full University community.

The Sands donation is part of a larger campaign for the transformation of Pace's lower Manhattan campus that includes private donors, significant investments from Pace, and $30 million in support from New York State and the federal government. The start of this phase of work on One Pace Plaza will coincide with the completion of a new building at 15 Beekman, which is slated to open in Fall 2023.

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Undergraduate Programs at Sands College

Sands College offers a variety of undergraduate programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in the performing arts:

BFA in Acting

The BFA in Acting combines fundamental and innovative industry-focused training to prepare students for the professional world of theater and film/media acting.

BFA in Acting for Film and Media

The BFA in Acting for Film and Media is a program that offers undergraduate actor training for digital media. From on-camera acting to voice-over, commercials, and podcasting, this degree blends performance training with a multi-hyphenate lens on self-scripting and visual storytelling, preparing students to conquer the entertainment industry on multiple platforms.

BFA in Commercial Dance

The BFA in Commercial Dance at Pace's Sands College of Performing Arts blends technical excellence with real-world preparation for a thriving dance career. As one of the top dance programs in the country, this program trains dancers in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, theater dance, and more while integrating acting, vocal training, and choreography.

As a commercial dance major, students can select one of two concentrations-performance or choreography-to customize their experience to their career goals. The BFA is also the first bi-coastal commercial dance program and requires a semester in Los Angeles in the Junior year.

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Located in the dance capital of the world, students train with current industry leaders and choreographers while gaining performance experience in student productions, mainstage showcases, and faculty-led projects. Graduates of the program are highly sought after in the entertainment industry, landing jobs on Broadway, national tours, TV shows, and music videos. Many sign with agencies while still in the program, gaining real-world experience before graduation.

Holly Evans is the Program Head of the BFA Commercial Dance Department at Pace University in NYC, where she has been a faculty member since 2014. A former Radio City Rockette of 10 years, she performed as a swing, dance captain, and was the assistant choreographer to Linda Haberman. Holly holds advanced degrees in dance and arts management from Butler University, Pace University, and NYU, and completed the Martha Graham Teacher Training Program. Her career spans performance, choreography, arts administration, and teaching. She continues to mentor emerging dancers nationwide through master classes and choreography.

BFA in Musical Theater

Pace University’s BFA in Musical Theater is located in the musical theater capital of the world.

BFA in Performance Making

Pace University’s BFA in Performance Making offers concentrations in acting and directing, giving students the tools to train, perform, and create original work for the stage and screen. Based in New York City with opportunities to study abroad, this conservatory-style program combines hands-on performance experience with global collaboration and devised theater training.

Minors at Sands College

Sands College also offers minors that complement its BFA programs:

Minor in Stage Management

The minor in Stage Management blends in-class instruction with practical experience in stage and company management. It provides an opportunity for students in all fields to broaden their skill set and connect with leading professionals in the field. The coursework includes practical stage management technique, and company and production management for theater and live events.

Minor in Theater for Social Justice

The minor in Theater for Social Justice offers an interdisciplinary course of study that centers on decolonizing and anti-racist pedagogy in the fields of commercial and devised theater and performance studies.

Admission to Sands College

To begin the audition and interview process, all prospective students must submit an Application for Admission to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions before December 1, 2025 (submitting by November 1, 2025, is recommended). The application does not need to be complete with transcripts, test scores, etc., before uploading the audition or portfolio materials to Acceptd. Once the application is filed, applicants are required to upload the specified materials to the major(s) of interest in order to receive a callback audition or interview.

For Fall 2026 consideration, Pace will be conducting in-person (recommended) and a limited amount of virtual auditions and interviews. No student will be admitted to a major without having auditioned or been interviewed by the faculty panel. Once the pre-screen through Acceptd has been completed, faculty will review all audition or portfolio materials and issue callbacks on a rolling basis. If called back for live audition/interview, the applicant will be directed to schedule their desired callback date/time.

Scholarships

Beginning with the Fall 2026 admission cycle, students admitted to the Sands College of Performing Arts will be considered for institutional scholarships through a holistic review process-distinct from that used for other academic programs at Pace.

Pace University: A History of Transformation

Since its founding in 1906, Pace University has been dedicated to transforming the lives of its diverse students-academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and, most recently, the Sands College of Performing Arts.

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