Actors Ensemble

The Young Conservatory Actors Ensemble at A.C.T. is a unique performance program for committed young actors in grades 3-12. Each ensemble opportunity features a themed acting project, condensed play or play reading directed by a professional guest artist. Acceptance into the Actors Ensemble is by audition only, rehearses once or twice a week for approximately six to eight weeks, and culminates in performances for family and friends on one of A.C.T.'s stages.

The Spring 2025 Actors Ensemble production of New Pages: A Festival of Commissioned Works is open to High School students (grades 9-12).

To be considered for the Spring 2026 Actors Ensemble project, actors must submit Complete the Audition Form by Friday, December 5 at 12 p.m. with the following:

1. Upload a current photo jpg or png. This does not have to be a professional headshot, but it should be a nice, clear photo of the actor from the shoulders up.
2. Upload a resume OR list previous training and performance experience.
3. Sign up for one of the two audition groups on December 8 (4:30-6 p.m. OR 6:30-8 p.m.) and be prepared to come in for a possible callback on Thursday, December 11.

1. To present one contemporary monologue (1 minute or less) of the student's choosing
2. To cold read the linked sides provided by the YC Team. These do not need to be memorized

Audition forms submitted without properly registering for a group slot OR signing up for a slot without completing this form will not be considered completed audition applications

The tuition for participation Spring 2026 Actors Ensemble Program is $695*, payable in one or two installments. Please note that that casting offers in the YC are not contingent upon financial ability. Scholarships are available, and requests for scholarship applications can be sent to YoungConservatory@act-sf.org after a student is cast in the program. Scholarship requests must be received by email by February 15, 2025 before midnight.

Tuition is due on the first rehearsal, with full payment and 50/50 payment options available. With the 50/50 payment option, families can pay for half of the tuition at time of registration, with the remaining half due on Wednesday, October 22. Tuition payments can be made online or over the phone with a YC team member. If you select the 50/50 option, you must elect to save your card on file when registering online.

*The tuition is allocated toward all production-related expenses including administrative and support staff, directors, stage manager, front-of-house, concession, marketing, security, box office and facility costs. This is in addition to ensuring we are able to compensate our skilled faculty in compliance with California’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB5).

A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory fosters a learning environment that helps students transition into the expectations of the professional theater industry. As such, we implement a policy that states that students are responsible for reading and responding to all communications within 24-48 hours of receipt. These communications will be directed to the students own accounts (if they have them) and cc'd or bcc’d to parents.

It is imperative that students provide an email address that they and their family check frequently. Consistent lack of response may result in dismissal from the program. As a secondary form of communication, directors may elect to use “Remind,” a texting app that allows them to send announcements, and/or Google Classroom. But email is the primary mode of communication and MUST be a priority for students and parents.

Weekly rehearsals take place at our studios at 30 Grant Avenue near Union Square. Our performances (and tech rehearsal) will take place at the Rueff theater, the black-box theater within A.C.T.’s Strand Complex, 1127 Market Street, San Francisco. We actively encourage public transit as the commute is often impacted by traffic in and around the downtown region.

• CAR: There is a drop off zone immediately in front of the 30 Grant Avenue entrance.
• BART: The Montgomery and Powell Street Stations are a short walk from our rehearsal studios, and many students commute together before and after class. Civic Center Station is the closest station to the Strand Complex.
• MUNI: Any Muni service that runs on Market Street or Geary Street will bring you a short distance from the 30 Grant Avenue studios or Strand Complex.

Click here to view the full Rehearsal and Performance Calendar for the Spring 2026 Actors Ensemble. Dates subject to change.

Important dates also include:

• Auditions: Monday, December 8 from 4:30-6 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m.
• Callbacks: Thursday, December 11
• Mandatory Zoom Orientation for all Students and Parents: TBD February 2026
• Rehearsals: April 19–May 18, Sundays from 12:30-4:30 p.m. and Mondays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Tech Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 20 from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
• Performances:
  • Friday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 23 at 7 p.m.

Given the accelerated rehearsal calendar, you should expect to be called to all rehearsals, but if there is a rehearsal or two where you are not needed, the director will let you know. All actors must be available for both tech rehearsals and both performances.

It depends on the project! The thread that connects all YC Actors Ensemble projects is the focus on the actor’s essential tools of voice, body and imagination. While there may be costume, prop, sound or lighting elements that enhance the final performance, it is not a tech-heavy production.  Each project is a mini “deep dive” into a particular acting/theater approach, genre, playwright or specialty area that will strengthen students’ confidence and toolbox as they continue on their creative journeys.

Yes. We will have tickets on sale for this Spring Actors Ensemble in April, and tickets range from youth price ($10) to adults ($15-$20).