The American Repertory Theater (ART) Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University was founded in 1987 as a training ground for the new American Theater by Robert Brustein.

The institute has been resident for thirty years at Harvard University in the Loeb Drama Center. It lasts for two years (five semesters) including a three-month residency at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Moscow, Russia. The most recent program director was Scott Zigler. New York University director and acting teacher Marcus Stern and Julia Smeliansky, alumnus of the Moscow Art Theatre School, administer the Harvard master classes with Russian master teacher and film star Igor Zolotivitsky (Esteemed Artist of Russia) and dean of the Moscow Art Theatre School and Bulgakov scholar (People's Artist of Soviet Union) Anatoly Smeliansky.

The program accepts about 22 students per year in acting, dramaturgy/theatre studies, and voice and speech who learn both through classroom activities and numerous opportunities for stage-experience including Institute productions as well as direct involvement in American Repertory Theatre productions. As of September 2016, recent Institute productions have included Young Jean Lee's The Shipment, Moira Buffini's Dying for It, and a stage adaptation of They Shoot Horses, Don't They? In addition to performances during the students' academic year, graduating second year students also put on a set of showcase performances to aid their transition into professional work. As of 2016, they are presented in New York City, and Los Angeles.

Up until 2003, the institute also hosted a directing program, and formerly offered a Playwriting program as well.