Winter Session 2026

• Winter Session 2026 features in-person classes held at 30 Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
• Students with financial need interested in scholarships should consult the Scholarships page for details on how to apply.
• Sliding scale tuition is available for our shorter classes. Please see the class list for details prior to registering.
• Students interested in the 50/50 Payment Plan, whereby half the total cost of tuition is paid at the time of registration and the second half on the first day of class, must enroll by phone. Please call (415) 439-2319 during weekday business hours. The 50/50 Payment Plan is not available when registering for a one-day class, or with a discount or other promotional code.
• It is not possible to visit 30 Grant Avenue outside of scheduled class times. However, the Melissa Yandell Smith Library is open—info and hours at this link. Studio A.C.T. students have access to the library for a full year after their last class.
• Questions? For any additional questions or concerns please visit our Studio FAQ page or email us at studio@act-sf.org.

Three Courses, Eight Classes each

Designed to be taken either individually, in succession, and/or repeatedly.

Acting 1, Acting 2, and Acting 3 are three different courses designed to be taken either individually or in succession. Each class may also be repeated to further solidify the student’s foundation in the practices learned. Together, these courses make up the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence, featuring the most prevalent training practices used by professional actors. These practices address awareness, truthful playing, use of language and physical action, psychology, emotion, and script analysis. Students will develop a working understanding of common practical concepts such as action, objective, intention, obstacle, conflict, tactic, motivation, stakes, and acting “beats.”

Refer to each class’s individual description for further details, including scheduling, tuition, and this session’s faculty.

The Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence is for you if:

• You have already taken Intro to Acting at Studio A.C.T. or have other introductory acting experience, and you wish to develop a more solid foundation in the most commonly utilized and effective acting practices.
• You’re interested in exploring acting as a serious interest alongside your other interests.
• You’re interested in either exploring or pursuing acting as a profession.

Please note: Since acting is a life practice, these courses are designed to be repeatable, emphasizing fluency over “quick fixes.” Students are occasionally encouraged to repeat levels before moving on to the next.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Mondays – Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*No class Jan 19; Make up day Mar 16 as needed 

This early-level acting class emphasizes imaginative play, ensemble-building, expanding creativity, strengthening self-confidence and self-discipline, memorization techniques, and strategies for successful collaboration. Through work on monologues and/or scenes from contemporary plays, students will begin to develop a working understanding of common practical concepts such as intention, obstacle, tactic, motivation, stakes, and acting “beats.” Course content will include memorization of short scenes and monologues, and students will be asked to prepare assignments outside of class. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 1 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 1 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting at Studio A.C.T., or an equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You took an acting class or acted in a school play many years ago, and wish to reconnect to actor training.
• You’re wondering whether a career in acting is for you and wish to explore it actively.
• You’re interested in the full Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and are ready to start.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Mondays – Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*No class Jan 19; Make up day Mar 16 as needed

Students enrolled in this upper-level class will learn further practical strategies for rehearsing efficiently, collaborating effectively, pursuing actions and intentions, and bringing greater truth, spontaneity, and specificity to their acting through careful analysis of the script in rehearsals. Acting 3 requires memorization of at least one substantial scene and/or one monologue. Students are expected to prepare outside of class, and thorough preparation is essential. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is strongly recommended that students who register for Acting 3 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 3 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken both Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue advancing your acting skills.
• You’ve taken three or more acting classes and/or acted in one or two plays in the past few years, and wish to move your exploration of acting toward more intensive levels.
• You minored in theater as an undergraduate in college and wish to dive back in.
• You already have some acting experience, have a serious interest in exploring acting as a career, and wish to get a good “workout” to hone your acting muscles.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Mondays – Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*No class Jan 19; Make up day Mar 16 as needed 

Acting in and auditioning for commercials, film, and TV requires actors to improvise on their feet, respond quickly and truthfully to the given circumstances of dialogue and environment, and to possess an awareness of how best to work within a camera’s frame. This comprehensive class will give students greater confidence acting in front of a camera by empowering them through direct experience with on-camera auditions and performances. Techniques for quick memorization, relaxation under stress, effective audition and cold reading strategies, basic improv techniques related to on-camera acting, and methods for quickly honing in on the emotional truth of a scene, will all be explored. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all exercises and homework assignments. This class is open to all levels, though material and assignments may vary depending on experience and skill level. 

Acting: On Camera Level 1 is for you if:  

• You’re an actor with a prior introduction to on-camera acting, and are looking for more specific experience in the area of acting and auditioning for commercials, TV, Film, and Corporate Industrials. 
• You have already taken both Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalents elsewhere, and wish to expand your acting into the area of screen media. 
• You are pursuing actor training with seriousness, whether toward developing an on-camera career or otherwise.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Mondays – Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9*
6:30–7:25 p.m.
*No class Jan 19; Make up day Mar 16 as needed

This course is suitable for students of all levels. Beginning students will discover their best singing voice, and more experienced singers will gain an opportunity to thoroughly exercise their vocal muscles. Through group work utilizing the Garcia-Marchesi vocal tradition, all students will build their breath support, extend their vocal range, blend resonance areas, and increase their quality of tone and volume. Students will also learn techniques to help protect their voices when they sing. Voice Building is a course that may be taken as frequently as desired, and many students return often throughout the year. Students regularly pair this course with Musical Theater 2 – Audition Prep, scheduled later the same evening.

Voice Building for Singers  is for you if:

• You are a new singer wishing to strengthen your voice musculature and technique in a supportive environment.
• You are an experienced singer looking for a regular and intensive workout.
• You plan to enroll in Musical Theater 2 – Audition Prep this session, and have never before taken Voice Building for Singers at Studio A.C.T. (For details see the Musical Theater 2 description below.)

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Mondays – Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9*
7:30–10:00 p.m.
*No class Jan 19; Make up day Mar 16 as needed 

This course is designed for the intermediate- to advanced-level singer-actor who wants to polish their musical theater audition presentation and unravel audition anxiety. This course will provide extensive vocal technique, appropriate song selection, a deeper understanding of casting in the musical theater industry, and audition protocol. Students will develop their professional marketing portfolio and expand their audition repertoire books. Every student will explore the art of storytelling through song, learning how to analyze and perform a song as a monologue and with confidence in an audition context. 

Important Prerequisites: 

• Students who have either never taken Voice Building for Singers at Studio A.C.T. or not taken it within the last year, are required to enroll in that course concurrently with Musical Theater 2. Voice Building is scheduled immediately prior to Musical Theater 2.
• Students who have taken Voice Building for Singers at Studio A.C.T. within the past year are not required but strongly encouraged to enroll concurrently.

Please note: To provide the best possible intensive experience, shortly before the first class we will contact registered students to request some basic information about their past musical theater experience, what they understand of their vocal range, and any ideas they may already have for song selection. 

Musical Theater 2—Audition Prep is for you if:

• You are interested in auditioning for musical theater at the community, regional, or national level and wish to train in a fun environment that will both challenge and support your growth.
• You have had some experience with musical theater in the past but it’s been a while and you’d like to reboot.
• You are interested in exploring musical theater material as a solo artist.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; Mar 3*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 10 as needed

This early-level acting class emphasizes imaginative play, ensemble-building, expanding creativity, strengthening self-confidence and self-discipline, memorization techniques, and strategies for successful collaboration. Through work on monologues and/or scenes from contemporary plays, students will begin to develop a working understanding of common practical concepts such as intention, obstacle, tactic, motivation, stakes, and acting “beats.” Course content will include memorization of short scenes and monologues, and students will be asked to prepare assignments outside of class. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 1 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 1 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting at Studio A.C.T., or an equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You took an acting class or acted in a school play many years ago, and wish to reconnect to actor training.
• You’re wondering whether a career in acting is for you and wish to explore it actively.
• You’re interested in the full Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and are ready to start.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; Mar 3*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 10 as needed

This repeatable course is open to students of all experience levels and designed to accommodate each student at their individual level of experience. The Alexander Technique is among the most widely practiced performance-related techniques in the world. The work is intended to address issues pertaining to the practitioner's bodily alignment, efficiency of movement, and redistribution of tension. Students will practice means of recognizing and undoing habitual patterns that get in the way of natural movement, voice production, and creativity. They will become more deeply present in themselves and in the world by accessing their innate power and flexibility. Issues of performance and performance anxiety will also be addressed. Alexander Technique is a perfect companion to all other Studio A.C.T. courses.

Alexander Technique is for you if:

• You feel limited by the way you move. 
• You want to have more vocal flexibility and power. 
• You want to be able to notice what is occurring in the moment and have the choice to transform yourself.
• You’ve never taken an Alexander Technique course before and want a thorough introduction. 
• You have had experience with Alexander in the past, but it’s been a while and you wish to reconnect. 
• You have substantial experience with Alexander and are hungry for a workout.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; Mar 3*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 10 as needed 

This class introduces students to the art and craft of acting in a playful, encouraging, collaborative atmosphere. Through fun and engaging exercises, students will work on strengthening self-confidence, overcoming performance anxiety, improving focus and concentration, connecting with others through trust-building games and active listening, understanding “stage presence,” and opening their imaginations to playing characters. Because actor training is also life training, students can expect to find new, deeper connections to their own and others’ creativity, unlocking profound layers of empathy through character exploration. Particular emphasis will be given to transferable skills, such as expanding the imagination, collaborating effectively, speaking and presenting without anxiety, and supporting others’ growth. Students will be asked to prepare simple assignments outside of class, including memorizing short texts. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Intro to Acting also register for Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Intro to Acting is for you if:

• You’ve never studied acting before, are curious about acting, and want an unintimidating but engaging opportunity to explore it. 
• You’ve done a bit of acting in the past, but it’s been a while and you’re hungry to get back in touch with your creative impulses. 
• You’re shy and looking for an experience to help you emerge from your shell. 
• You believe you’re “not that creative,” and wish to be proven otherwise!

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; Mar 3*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 10 as needed 

This class is designed to help participants develop a solid foundational understanding, practical fluency, and sense of confidence with their ability to use their full voice and to speak with greater clarity. Through group exercises and guided individual work on texts of their own choosing, participants will learn practical techniques to develop a richer, stronger, and more versatile speaking voice. This repeatable course is open to students of all experience levels and is designed to accommodate each student at their individual level of experience.

Voice & Speech Workout is for you if:

• You are an actor who wishes to improve your ability to speak text with greater clarity, variety, and richness.
• You are not an actor, but your job requires public speaking and you wish to strengthen your clarity of speech and confidence in speaking.
• You are a person who enjoys language and wishes to have a practical, enlivening experience with it.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

IT’S BACK!

Eight Classes – Wednesdays –  Jan 14, 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 11 as needed 

We’re happy to offer this popular class once again, in an expanded 2.5-hour format. Activating Character helps students connect their voice with their body, to more truthfully activate and express the psychology and emotions of the variety of characters an actor might play. It’s about getting your own self-critical voice out of your head, and your character’s voice into your body, forging authentic and dynamic connections between yourself and your character. Through a variety of enlivening and rigorous exercises, students will learn to free their voice and breath, activate their full body, be open to the emotions that are kindled as a result, and channel the sometimes intense emotions that plays ask of us in a way that is both dramatically effective and personally healthy. 

Activating Character is for you if: 

• You are an experienced actor looking for a solid voice and body workout.
• You are an actor with some experience who wishes to strengthen the connection between your voice and body.
• You have taken Acting 1 or Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to begin bringing a greater awareness of your voice and body to your acting.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Wednesdays –  Jan 14, 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 11 as needed 

This class introduces students to the art and craft of acting in a playful, encouraging, collaborative atmosphere. Through fun and engaging exercises, students will work on strengthening self-confidence, overcoming performance anxiety, improving focus and concentration, connecting with others through trust-building games and active listening, understanding “stage presence,” and opening their imaginations to playing characters. Because actor training is also life training, students can expect to find new, deeper connections to their own and others’ creativity, unlocking profound layers of empathy through character exploration. Particular emphasis will be given to transferable skills, such as expanding the imagination, collaborating effectively, speaking and presenting without anxiety, and supporting others’ growth. Students will be asked to prepare simple assignments outside of class, including memorizing short texts. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Intro to Acting also register for Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Intro to Acting is for you if:

• You’ve never studied acting before, are curious about acting, and want an unintimidating but engaging opportunity to explore it. 
• You’ve done a bit of acting in the past, but it’s been a while and you’re hungry to get back in touch with your creative impulses. 
• You’re shy and looking for an experience to help you emerge from your shell. 
• You believe you’re “not that creative,” and wish to be proven otherwise!

LEARN A SHARP NEW SKILL! 

Eight Classes – Wednesdays –  Jan 14, 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 11 as needed 

Ready to get medieval? This class will prepare you for great steel slinging roles like Joan of Arc and Richard III. Plus, sword fighting is good clean fun! With a focus on safety, partnership, and telling the story of the fight, this class will cover basic sword fighting technique and vocabulary, culminating in students rehearsing and performing a classical scene which includes broadsword combat. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to take a Skills Proficiency Test for recognition as a Theatrical Combatant with Dueling Arts International. Actors whose résumés include stage combat techniques have an advantage when auditioning for productions involving theatrical violence.  

Stage Combat: Broadsword is for you if:  

• You are an actor who wishes to expand your stage combat skill set. 
• You are a person who is not an actor but wishes to explore a fun, creative, and empowering mind-body practice. 
• You enjoy combining physical and intellectual challenges in creative ways. 
• You are an actor who wishes to enhance your résumé with demonstrable broadsword skills. 

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Thursdays –  Jan 15, 22, 29; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar 5*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Mar 12 as needed 

In this mid-level class, students will further their understanding of techniques for truthful acting. With a dual emphasis on pursuing actions and intentions alongside active listening and responding to scene partners, students will work on at least one monologue and one scene. Preparing outside of class is expected, and thorough preparation is essential. Students will receive constructive feedback, with the intention of expanding their ability to integrate receiving and offering feedback into their personal and collaborative process. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 2 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 2 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting and Acting 1 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You’ve taken some acting classes or acted in a play or two some years ago, and wish to reconnect to or resume your exploration of acting.
• You’re interested in the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and have already taken Acting 1.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Six Classes – Thursdays –  Jan 22; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar 5*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*No class Jan 29; Make up day Mar 12 as needed 

This popular six-evening, upper-level class offers students who have already taken Acting 3 (or equivalent, see below) the opportunity to lean into more intensive scene study work. Students will dive deep into methods for collaborating effectively, analyzing a script, pursuing actions and intentions, and bringing greater truth, spontaneity, and detailed nuance to their acting. Acting 3.5 Scene Study Deep Dive requires memorization of two substantial scenes. Students are expected to prepare outside of class, and thorough preparation is essential. Students should expect to actively participate in all activities, and must attend all six class sessions, given they will be performing with scene partners dependent on their presence. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 3.5 Scene Study Deep Dive also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course. 

Please note: Students enrolled in this class are encouraged to identify a scene they wish to explore again in greater detail. Shortly before the first class we will contact students to request information about this and other aspects of their interests. The exact scenes students will work on will be determined collaboratively on the first day of class. 

Acting 3.5 Scene Study Deep Dive is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Acting 1, Acting 2, and Acting 3 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to move your exploration of acting toward more nuanced levels.
• You are an intermediate or advanced acting student who wishes to bring greater truth and life to their acting.
• You have a serious interest in exploring acting as a career, and wish to get a good intensive “workout” to hone your acting and script analysis muscles.

Five Classes – Thursdays –  Jan 15, 22, 29; Feb 5, 12*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day Feb 19 as needed 

This extended introductory intensive, appropriate for actors and non-actors alike, will help you refine your ability to speak English-language text in a dialect from anywhere in the world. When speaking or acting with a dialect that is not our own, authenticity depends upon specificity, and this class will provide practical tools to help you make your sounds and phrasing specific to any region. You will also begin to experience how a clearly articulated dialect can enhance your ability to convey intentions, something true in both acting and life. Memorizing and performing material from plays, films, poetry, or novels is required, and preparatory work outside of class should be expected. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all exercises. 

Intro to Dialects Extended Intensive is for you if: 

• You are interested in how speech and dialects reflect a given person’s cultural and regional background.
• You wish to expand your practical ability to speak in varying dialects, to best be understood in a variety of stage, film or other contexts.
• You are an actor relatively new to dialect work and want an introduction to practices for developing new dialects.
• You are an actor with past experience working with dialects, but it’s been a while, and you want to refine your ear and your process for learning dialects.
• You have a specific performance on the horizon that requires a dialect of you, and you want to make a thorough study of it and of processes for learning dialects.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

Eight Classes – Sundays – Jan 18, 25; Feb 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8, 15*
1:00–3:30 p.m.
*No class Feb 1 

In this mid-level class, students will further their understanding of techniques for truthful acting. With a dual emphasis on pursuing actions and intentions alongside active listening and responding to scene partners, students will work on at least one monologue and one scene. Preparing outside of class is expected, and thorough preparation is essential. Students will receive constructive feedback, with the intention of expanding their ability to integrate receiving and offering feedback into their personal and collaborative process. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 2 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 2 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting and Acting 1 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You’ve taken some acting classes or acted in a play or two some years ago, and wish to reconnect to or resume your exploration of acting.
• You’re interested in the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and have already taken Acting 1.

Eight Classes – Sundays – Jan 18, 25; Feb 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8, 15*
1:00–3:30 p.m.
*No class Feb 1

Students enrolled in this upper-level class will learn further practical strategies for rehearsing efficiently, collaborating effectively, pursuing actions and intentions, and bringing greater truth, spontaneity, and specificity to their acting through careful analysis of the script in rehearsals. Acting 3 requires memorization of at least one substantial scene and/or one monologue. Students are expected to prepare outside of class, and thorough preparation is essential. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is strongly recommended that students who register for Acting 3 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 3 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken both Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue advancing your acting skills.
• You’ve taken three or more acting classes and/or acted in one or two plays in the past few years, and wish to move your exploration of acting toward more intensive levels.
• You minored in theater as an undergraduate in college and wish to dive back in.
• You already have some acting experience, have a serious interest in exploring acting as a career, and wish to get a good “workout” to hone your acting muscles.

Tuition for our Winter Session shorter classes is priced on a sliding scale to better accommodate the variety of financial circumstances among our many students. You may select your tuition when registering. 

Why sliding scale? 

Your class tuition supports everything that goes into making Studio A.C.T. possible within the vibrant ecosystem of American Conservatory Theater, from paying faculty and staff a fair wage, to maintaining our studio spaces, to getting the word out about what we do. We respect every dollar you pay for your classes, and consider your tuition a key contribution in support of our mission to provide an engaging, energizing, creative space for all. 

Why sliding scale for shorter classes, but not full-length classes? 

The answer to this question is actually quite boring. We first piloted our sliding-scale pricing during the December 2024 weeklong Inter-Session. It went very well! However, the limitations of our enrollment software make administering it challenging, as the system was not designed to accommodate a sliding-scale option. Hopefully the software developers will add this option soon. In the meantime, limiting our sliding-scale class selections to the handful of shorter classes offered allows us to provide the option in a manageable way. 

Are scholarships still available for shorter classes? 

Yes! Scholarships are still available for shorter classes. The percentage requested will be taken from the top tuition price. Please visit our Scholarships page for details on how to apply.

One Class – Sunday – Jan 18
1:00–5:00 p.m. | in person

In the Bay Area, theaters often hold General Auditions in order to introduce themselves to actors in the local community. Many theaters also participate in the annual Theatre Bay Area General Audition Event held this year in February 2026. Actors are typically allotted 2 minutes to perform one or two short monologues, or one monologue and a short song sung a cappella, their choice. Auditioning under such time restrictions is a skill unto itself. This one-day workshop, open to all experience levels, will help you feel better prepared to do your best work within the General Audition context. You will have the opportunity to share and receive feedback on audition material intended for a General Audition. Time will also be devoted to information and questions about General Auditions, including best practices, time and stress management, etcetera.

Note – Students must come with audition material of their choice, no more than two minutes in total, fully memorized and prepared to perform. It is your choice whether you prepare one or two monologues, a monologue and a song to be sung acapella, and/or share some other performance skill. Whatever the chosen material, the audition must last no more than two minutes. For the best experience, it is important your material be fully and fluently memorized.

This one-day General Audition Workshop is for you if:

• You are an actor who wants to feel more relaxed, centered, confident, and at ease when you attend General Auditions at local theaters.
• You are an actor who wants to work on their already memorized monologue from a play – contemporary or classical – or song for use in future General Auditions.
• You are an actor who plans to attend the 2025 Theatre Bay Area General Auditions Event, and wish to get focused feedback on your audition material in preparation.
• You want new practices that are at once efficient and effective for preparing and performing audition material.

One class, Tuesday, Jan 20
6:30–9:00 p.m. 

This one-night Check-In is designed for both working actors and those preparing to jump into the on-camera industry. Whether you are between gigs, polishing your self-tape technique, or just looking to reconnect with your craft, this Check-In night offers a supportive space to ask questions, brush up on skills, run scene work, and share industry resources. It's also a chance to build community with fellow professionals and stay sharp in an ever-evolving market. Come ready to collaborate and leave feeling reinvigorated and set to start the New Year with some momentum!

This one-night On-Camera Acting Check-In is for you if:

• You’re a working or early-career on-camera actor and want a chance to check in on process and industry questions that have been coming up for you recently.
• You’ve taken On-Camera Level 1 and/or Level 2 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and want a night to check in on process and your lingering or new industry questions.
• You want a night to touch base with your practical on-camera acting techniques, free from the pressure of an actual audition or film/commercial shoot.

One class – Sunday – January 25
1:00–4:00 p.m. 

What’s the difference between an agent and a casting director? Do I need to join a union? What information goes on an actor’s resume? How do I spot a casting scam? In this one-day class, previously offered online but now in person, students and actors of all levels will learn about the tools an actor needs to look for work, gain an understanding of the casting process for stage and on-camera work, and identify a unique action item for the next step in their acting career. Everyone will leave the class with a list of resources for further exploration. 

Your Acting Career Workshop is for you if: 

• You have questions about acting as a business.
• You want to create effective relationships with agents and casting directors.
• You want to have a professional resume that meets industry standards for theater and film casting.

One day – Sunday – January 25
12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Conveying truly authentic emotion in performance can be among the most daunting aspects of acting. Often the characters we play are grappling with emotional circumstances that people grapple with in life. Playing these characters truthfully is a way to respect and to honor these real-life emotional experiences. If not done with care, it can also take a toll on the actor. When playing emotionally vulnerable characters, how can we access our own true emotions, share them on stage repeatedly each week or get there quickly when working in film, in a way that is healthy and sustainable? In this one-day class with legendary Bay Area actor, director, teacher, and artistic director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Margo Hall, students will learn practical techniques for accessing their own inherent emotional power in order to craft truthful performances. Every actor is a human being with a wealth of stories inside, from both their personal experiences and the ancestors they carry with them. Margo Hall—known for her powerful stage and film performances, her fierce intelligence and wit, and her commitment to truth—creates a supportive environment for actors to tap into their true selves and so also the truth of the characters they play.

Please Note: For this one-day, in-person class, students should come prepared with a fully memorized monologue that they are passionate to speak, yet find emotionally challenging. For the best experience, it is important the monologue be fully and fluently memorized.

Acting: Tapping Into The Power of Emotional Truth is for you if:

• You wish to develop practical tools for accessing truthful emotion in performance that are repeatable, dependable, and emotionally safe for you personally.
• You want your performances of emotionally vulnerable characters to honor the real-life experiences they depict by handling them utterly truthfully.
• You’ve taken Acting 2 or Acting 3 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to continue advancing your acting skills in the area of truthful emotion.

Two classes – Tuesday / Wednesday – Feb 3 & 4
6:30–9:00 p.m.

This two-night class introduces you to the basic fundamentals of acting on camera, using short scenes drawn from existing film and television scripts. Participants will explore the principles of truthful on-camera acting and learn practical techniques particular to acting on camera versus onstage.

This two-night Intro to On-Camera Acting class is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalents elsewhere.
• You have past acting experience but not with on-camera acting, are curious about acting on camera, and want an unintimidating but engaging opportunity to introduce yourself to it.
• You’ve done a bit of on-camera acting in the past, but it’s been a while and you’re hungry to get back in touch with acting on camera. 

One Class – Sunday – February 22
1:00–5:00 p.m. 

When many of us hear “drag” we might think of RuPaul’s Drag Race or the film La Cage aux Folles. But drag is so much more than those incarnations! Drag is theater and dance, blissful escapism and timely political satire, self-expression and community celebration. And drag is everywhere. In our daily lives—at work, parties, walking down the street—we might don the drag of the roles expected of us, or the drag of who we aspire to be, transforming our inner selves through outer appearance. Like actors, drag performers find authenticity in the glee of artifice, expressing our true selves through the immediacy of physicality, voice, and the visual panache of costume and make-up. This one-day class will introduce you to the core practical techniques of drag performance—including lip-synching, D.I.Y. costuming, character creation—emphasizing drag performance as both celebration and social commentary. The class welcomes people of all gender identities, physical abilities, and performance persuasions.

Intro to Drag – That's Right I Said Drag! is for you if:

• You want to bring more fun and theatricality to your performing—and to your life!
• You are an actor or other performer eager to expand and deepen your performances through heightened physicality and making more daring choices.
• You are a performer who wishes to bring together your love of showbiz with your belief in community and social awareness.
• You’re curious about drag and want an opportunity to explore it in a safe, encouraging, fun environment.
• You could really use a good laugh right now, but don’t want to forget why you really need a good laugh!

One class – Sunday – March 1
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In this daylong workshop we will approach analyzing a script from the actor’s perspective. Working primarily at the table and reading aloud, we’ll explore practices for quickly analyzing plot, character, and style to better inform our acting choices. Actors have been described as “acrobats of the heart,” emphasizing physicality and emotion. Coordinating movement and feelings with an intellectual engagement and understanding of the script supports the actor in making active, insightful, dynamic and truthful choices, which together tell the stories of the characters we play.

Note – The exact play we will focus on is TBD based on enrollment. We may also focus on scenes or a single act from a play or plays. Students will be emailed the material approximately one week in advance, so as to have read it prior to the first day of class. Hard copies of the material will then be provided on the first day.

Acting: Intro to Script Analysis is for you if:

• You are pursuing actor training with seriousness, whether toward a career, as a passionate interest, or otherwise.
• You’ve already taken Acting 2 or Acting 3 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue advancing your acting skills.
• You wish to explore acting with an emphasis on practical, real-world approaches to script and character analysis.

One Class – Sunday – March 8 
12:00–5:00 p.m.

This unique, one-day introductory class brings together two essential disciplines actors encounter regularly in theater—Stage Combat, whereby physical violence is staged to appear real while being physically safe to perform; and Intimacy Choreography, whereby moments of physical intimacy are staged to appear real while being emotionally safe to perform. Both disciplines require exceptional collaborative and communication skills, combining an awareness of physical and emotional safety with an eye toward creating artistically exciting moments on stage. Practices for negotiating Consent are paired with practical methods of creating physical stagings, placing value on both the physical and emotional demands of crafting and performing challenging dramatic moments on stage.

Note – This class involves physical exercises designed to support actors working together in direct physical contact with one another. Nobody will be required to engage in any physical contact they are not comfortable with.

This one-day Intimacy Choreography & Stage Combat workshop is for you if:

• You are an actor, director, stage manager, or teaching artist who wishes to further their understanding, confidence, and skill around staging physically vulnerable moments.
• You wish to expand your understanding and use of Consent as a creative practice in rehearsal and performance situations.
• You want tools to help you contribute to making a safe and inspiring working environment for yourself and others.