Middle School Classes

Schedule: 9 Mondays + 1 Sunday: Sept 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, (No Oct 12), 19, 26, Nov 2, 9 & 16 from 4:30–6 p.m. & Sunday Nov 15 from 1-4pm at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $395

In this course, we will be working with material from some of the theater’s greatest plays — often referred to as the classics. These important plays have endured because they explore timeless human experiences: ambition, jealousy, power, betrayal, hope, loss, and transformation. We will explore scenes and monologues from influential plays and playwrights whose work shaped the foundation of modern theater. Such plays contain complex characters, requiring actors to sharpen their imagination, emotional honesty, vocal technique, and physical presence.  Every serious actor benefits from studying the classics.

Classes will meet once a week for 9 weeks (no class October 12, additional 3-hour rehearsal on Sunday, November 15). Students will have 90 minutes of training per week in-person at our 30 Grant Ave Studios in San Francisco. Students are expected to attend all sessions and should expect to spend some prep and rehearsal time outside of class for the best experience. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” for friends and family during the final hour of the final day (November 16) to present material produced in class.

MS Acting: The Classics is for you if:

• You’ve taken scene/acting classes, and are ready to take your craft to the next level
• You're looking to have fun and also serious artistic growth
• You want to explore text in a deeper and more authentic way
• You're passionate about acting and wish to expand your knowledge and technique

Schedule: 10 Wednesdays: Sept 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4 & 11 from 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $345 

In addition to imagination and a sense of “in the moment” play, the actor’s voice and the actor’s body are elements that need the most development in young actors. This class is designed to address the power of creating complete characters through physicalization, identifying obstacles, and working to overcome them. Instructors will use a variety of approaches to enhance the actor’s physical work and strengthen overall performance, with exercises inspired by including mime, clowning, masks, and physical improvisation. Classes will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Students will have 90 minutes of training per week in-person at our 30 Grant Ave Studios in San Francisco with some minimal assignments and memorization in between classes. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (November 11) to present material rehearsed in class. A “must” for all serious young actors.   

MS Acting: Improvisation and Physical Character is for you if: 

• You have taken some acting classes, and feel like you would like to practice “letting go” a bit on stage through a new approach and/or
• You would like to expand your physical vocabulary and awareness of your own body to deepen your character work and/or 
• You’d like discover/uncover your comedic instincts and laugh a lot
• You’re excited to learn new skills with peers in a fun and rigorous atmosphere

Schedule: 10 Thursdays: Sept 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5 & 12 from 4:30–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $245

In this technique-focused workshop, students will practice learning and generating movement sequences and phrases using Broadway show tunes. Objectives of the class include practicing character embodiment, experiencing integrated choreography with singing and storytelling, and improving and gaining confidence in movement/dance abilities. Students are not expected to sing. This class is designed for students with prior dance experience, but all levels are welcome. Classes will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Students will have 60 minutes of training per week in-person at our 30 Grant Ave Studios in San Francisco. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” during the final hour of the final day (November 10) to present material rehearsed in class. 

MS Musical Theater: 1-Hour Dance Class is for you if:

• You’ve had limited exposure to dance and would like to explore some fundamental movement vocabulary in a fun atmosphere and/or
• You’ve taken dance but would like the opportunity to focus on musical theater dance or prepare for upcoming auditions
• You’ve taken musical theater or singing and would like to explore this third part of the “triple threat” skill set and/or
• You’re ready for a physical theater experience that also allows you to play with character and acting

Schedule: 10 Saturdays: Sept 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov 7 & 14 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $425

Dive into scenes with complex characters and layered text from iconic plays in MS Acting: Scene Study. In this workshop, students will engage deeply with acting techniques introduced in previous acting classes in order to build believable characters, analyze text, and respond truthfully to circumstances, scene partners and language. Classes will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Students will have 2 hours of training per week in-person at our 30 Grant Ave Studios in San Francisco. Coursework may include monologues, scenes and/or devised performance. Students are expected to attend all sessions and may expect to spend a little prep or rehearsal time outside of class for the best experience. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” for friends and family during the final hour of the final day (November 14) to present material rehearsed in class. 

MS Acting: Scene Study is for you if:

• You’re interested serious acting study and are ready to dive deeper into character creation and scene work and/or
• You’ve taken some acting classes before and want to sharpen your skills and/or
• You’re interested in pursuing acting in high school 

Schedule: 10 Saturdays: Sept 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov 7 & 14 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $485

Dive into the world of musical theater performance with the YC’s foundational Musical Theater class. Under the guidance of a lead instructor and live accompanist, actors will explore voice training, dance fundamentals, stage acting, and song performance. Students of all levels of experience are welcome, and this course may be repeated. Classes will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Students will have 2 hours of training per week in-person at our 30 Grant Ave Studios in San Francisco with some minimal assignments and memorization in between classes. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (November 14) to present material rehearsed in class.

MS Musical Theater is for you if:

• You’ve never studied musical theater before and want a fun and easy-going opportunity to explore it and/or
• You’ve taken some acting classes before and want to try out a new area of performance and/or
• You love to sing and dance and would like develop your musical theater skill set

Schedule: 10 Saturdays: Sept 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov 7 & 14 from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $455

Interested in acting in film and television? Now’s your chance to get in front of the camera! Students of all levels of experience are welcome, and this course may be repeated. Guided by an on-camera specialist, actors will explore acting techniques, learn about the film and television industry, and gain confidence being in front of the camera. Classes will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Students will have 2 hours of training per week in-person at our 30 Grant Ave Studios in San Francisco. Students are expected to attend all sessions and participate fully in all games and exercises and should expect to spend some prep or rehearsal time outside of class. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” during the final hour of the final day (November 14) to present material rehearsed in class. 

Limited to 12 students.

MS On-Camera Acting is for you if:

• You’ve taken some acting classes and are curious about the differences between stage and on-camera techniques and/or
• You’d like to learn more about the film, television, and commercial acting industry and/or
• You’ve had experience in theater and are looking for a new acting medium