(Grades 6–8)
Middle School
January 25–March 29,2024
Spring 2025 SESSION DATES:
January 25–March 29, 2025
No class on Saturday, February 8 or Monday, February 17
Classes will be held at our 30 Grant Avenue studios in San Francisco
Middle School Classes (Grades 6-8)
Schedule: 9 Mondays: Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 4:30–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $285
Teaching Artist: Baily Hopkins
Maximum enrollment: 10
This exciting new class will cover the basics of improvisational theater through a lens of collective storytelling, using the classic tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, as a framework. Concepts, principles, and exercises in improvisational acting, theater, and storytelling will be applied toward creating original characters, which will be developed and explored in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign (heavy on roleplay, light on mechanics and combat). Character creation will include generating backstory, exploring motivations and intentions, embodiment, and physicalization. The class is open to all experience levels, and no previous experience with Dungeons & Dragons is required.
MS Acting & Improvisation: Dungeons & Dragons is for you if:
- You are curious about building characters through a new lens and/or
- You’ve had some experience with D&D or other role-playing games and want to explore more and/or
Schedule: 9 Thursdays: Jan 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $285
Teaching Artist: Andy Alabran
Get ready to laugh and learn foundational acting techniques through improvisation and some of the funniest characters and scenes from contemporary and classical plays. Led by Andy Alabran, this fun and physical class will feature games and exercises that focus on spontaneity, remaining present, and the power of positive choice. Improvisation is a valuable tool for freeing the imagination, gaining confidence in auditions, and deepening emotional connection for any young actor. Classes will meet once a week for 9 weeks. 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 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 (March 27) to present material rehearsed in class. This course is a wonderful tool for developing courage and flexibility onstage.
MS Acting: Improvisation & Comedy is for you if:
- You love acting and want to explore fun ways to create character and/or
- You’re especially fond of comedy in TV, film and stage and tend to do bits yourself, or make people laugh and/or
- You’d like to let go a little and discover/uncover your funny instincts, and laugh a lot
Schedule: 9 Saturdays: Jan 25, Feb 1, (no Feb 8), 15, 22, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 1 p.m.–3 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave Tuition: $375
Teaching Artist: Nancy Gold
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 9 weeks (no class on February 8). 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 (March 29) 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 and beyond
Schedule: 9 Saturdays: Jan 25, Feb 1, (no Feb 8), 15, 22, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 1 p.m.–3 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $415
Teaching Artist: Baily Hopkins
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 9 weeks (no class on February 8). 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 (March 29) 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
Junior/Middle School Classes (Grades 4-8)
Schedule: 9 Wednesdays: Jan 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $285
Teaching Artist: Bekah Lynn Broas
Dream. Create. It all starts with an idea! This intro to playwriting intensive will give aspiring young writers the opportunity to learn the art of dramatic writing for the stage, learning practical theater fundamentals through creating stories from their own imaginations. Students will both write and perform material developed in class. Actors will explore improvisation, playwriting and character creation, along with theatrical and performance skills to bring their writing to life. Classes will meet once a week for 9 weeks. 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 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 (March 26) to present material rehearsed in class.
JR/MS Acting & Playwriting: Bring Your Stories to Life! is for you if:
- You are interested in the art of turning your ideas into a theatrical format and/or
- You haven’t taken a playwriting class and you want to expand your knowledge in a fun environment and/or
- You have taken some playwriting (or similar) theater making class and want to expand/deepen your knowledge
Schedule: Jan 25, Feb 1, (no Feb 8), 15, 22, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 10am–12pm
Apr 5, 12, (No Apr 19), 26 & May 3 from 10am–12:30pm
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, May 9 from 4:30pm–7:30pm
Performances: Saturday, May 10 at 2pm & 5pm
Tuition: $625
Teaching Artist: Leslie Waggoner and Janel Chanté
Accompanist: Katelyn Tan
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movie, Disney's Descendants: The Musical is a brand-new musical jam-packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs from the films! Imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost – home of the most infamous villains who ever lived – the teenaged children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella De Vil have never ventured off the island… until now. When the four troublemakers are sent to attend prep school alongside the children of beloved Disney heroes, they have a difficult choice to make: should they follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or learn to be good?
Designed for young performers with some previous musical theater experience, this musical theater 14-week intensive will culminate in a 1-hour performance of Disney’s Descendants. All students will be cast in a role(s) of the performance, with anticipated double-casting principal roles to allow for more equitable opportunity. There are no auditions to register, and all roles will be cast after the second class. Students will have 2-2.5 hours of rehearsal per week on Saturdays with a dress rehearsal on Friday, May 9. The culminating performance open to friends and family will be at our 30 Grant Ave studios on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Students MUST be available for the dress rehearsal and both performances on May 9 and 10. If you have questions about whether this class is a good fit for your child, please email us at YoungConservatory@act-sf.org.
JR/MS Musical Theater Performance Class: Disney’s Descendants is for you if:
- You’ve taken some musical theater before and are ready for a more advanced level, performance-oriented class and/or
- You’re eager to learn how to use your voice and movement to portray the story of the song and the character singing it and/or
- You’re ready to commit to a course which will ask you to do significant practice of material, both songs and blocking, outside of class time and/or
- You want to dive into the world of this fun and catchy Disney film
Middle/High School Classes (Grades 6-12)
Schedule: 8 Mondays: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, (no Feb 17), 24, Mar 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $255
Teaching Artists: Jessie Amoroso, Grace Robertson & Gracyn Lei Garret
Come explore the world of costume and make-up design! Taught by both A.C.T. professionals, this introductory course will feature lessons in costume design and history, basic costume construction and stage make-up and effects. Students can expect to work on sewing machines, design sketches, tour costume stock and apply (and receive) stage make-up effects. Classes will meet once a week for 8 weeks (no class on February 17). Students will have 90 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 (March 24) to present material learned in class.
Limited to 10 students.
MS/HS Theater Design: Costumes & Makeup is for you if:
- You love acting and theater and would like to explore a fun new perspective and/or
- You’re interested in how costume designers or stage makeup artists contribute to a show or character
Schedule: 8 Mondays: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, (no Feb 17), 24, Mar 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 5 p.m.–6:15 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $225
Teaching Artist: Meredith Charlson
In this course, students will practice learning and generating movement sequences and phrases using Broadway show tunes. Objectives of the class include practicing character embodiment, developing a choreographic eye, and improving and gaining confidence in movement abilities. Students are not expected to sing and beginning movers are welcome! Classes will meet once a week for 8 weeks (no class on February 17). Students will have 75 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 (March 24) to present material rehearsed in class.
MS/HS Musical Theater: Dance Workshop is for you if:
- You’ve had some minimal to moderate dance experience and would like to supplement your training in a fun atmosphere and/or
- 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 curious and ready for a physical theater experience that also allows you to play with character and acting
Schedule: 9 Saturdays: Jan 25, Feb 1, (No Feb 8), 15, 22, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $395
Teaching Artist: Gary Stanford Jr.
Accompanist: Robert Allen
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 9 weeks (no class on February 8). 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 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 (March 29) to present material (a combination of solo cuts, duets and/or group songs) rehearsed in class.
MS/HS Musical Theater is for you if:
- You’ve had some musical theater training but would like to deepen your skill set and/or
- You’ve taken some acting classes before and want to try out a new area of performance and/or
- You want to explore musical theater dance in a fun environment