Spring One-Day Workshops

Schedule: Sunday, April 27 from 12–3 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $75
Teaching Artist: Peter J. Kuo, Director of the A.C.T. Conservatory

This one-day workshop is about exploring self-identity, building self-confidence, and gaining self-empowerment for actors. Our individual identity affects our day-to-day interactions. Whether in the classroom, the rehearsal room, or even passing people by in a public space. We are physically, emotionally, and mentally impacted by how we are perceived in the world. Through brave open discussion and liberation exercises, this one-day workshop focuses on understanding the dynamics of how we, as People of Color, function in the world.

Questions that will be explored include: What makes a specific skin-experience unique for an individual artist? How do interactions influenced by race affect training for actors—in the power dynamic between instructor and students, the selection of material, the awareness of culture differences? Through this class we will build an understanding of our identities and how to utilize them to disrupt or work with our artistry and our industry.

This workshop is designed to create brave space and open dialogue for those who are in the process of or currently identifying themselves as a Person of Color. We hope you can acknowledge and honor the class as designed. If you have any questions about this identity process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the instructor.

This one-day workshop is for you if:

• You identify as an artist of color and you’re seeking an empowering space to learn and/or
• You are interested in navigating professional, educational, and performance spaces as a BIPOC individual and/or
• You want to get closer to your identity as a BIPOC person and the role it plays in your life and artistry

About the teaching artist:

PETER J. KUO (he/him) is a director, producer, writer, and educator focused on raising the visibility of marginalized communities. He is the Director of the Conservatory at A.C.T. where he served for five years on the EDI committee. He has been a speaker and facilitator for numerous conferences and events, where he primarily speaks on EDI topics around theatre and education. Facilitation and speaking engagements have been at Theatre Communications Group's (TCG) National Conference, Center Theatre Group's Working in Theatre panel, and the initial and ongoing POCs surviving PWIs Zoom convenings. He was named one of TCG’s Rising Leaders of Color. He is a co-founder of Artists at Play, a Los Angeles–based Asian American theater collective. He holds a Diversity and Inclusion certificate from eCornell. He received his MFA at The New School of Drama in New York, where he was the Social Justice Programs Coordinator.

Schedule: Sunday, May 18 from 1–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave
Tuition: $95
Teaching Artist: Baily Hopkins

It’s a whole new casting world out there – and even theaters and agents who historically have auditioned actors in-person only are now requesting video auditions with more and more frequency. Removing the barrier to casting woes by arming yourself with knowledge of creating a professional self-tape is a skill for every young performer wanting to expand their audition toolbox and get their talents out into the world. For college BFA programs, the pre-screen is also an integral part of the process, and once you take ownership of it, you can help meet your pre-screen deadlines with much more ease and confidence!

Led by commercial film/TV actor and coach Baily Hopkins, this is a great way to learn the fundamentals of an industry-standard self-tape or pre-screen audition. Students who take this Boot Camp will learn how to:

• Make your audition videos and prescreens stand out from the pack
• Set up a professional-looking (yet accessible!) DIY self-tape studio at home
• Approach lighting, framing, sound, and editing
• Professionally slate and introduce yourself in videos
• Think like a Casting Director / College Audition Viewer
• Showcase your range with multiple takes and contrasting material selection
• Maximize the differences between auditioning in-person, virtually, and via self-tape

All students in the YC are expected to be able to function well in an ensemble/group environment in order for us to provide a positive learning experience for all. If we find that a student is not able to follow directions or interact positively with other classmates and/or faculty, we will always first refer to the classroom’s established community agreements and provide a student the opportunity to regroup and rejoin.  If this is unsuccessful, we will inform parents of the situation and brainstorm solutions. If the efforts are still unsuccessful, we reserve the right to withdraw the student from the class. Refunds/credits will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions about whether a YC class is a good option/fit for your child, please contact us before enrolling.

We will communicate via the email and/or phone number provided on the info form that is filled out when registering. Please make sure that we have an email on file that is checked daily. Please read the welcome email in its entirety sent to families 7-10 days prior to the day of class. It has important information about pick-up/drop-off procedures, what to bring, and some more expectations to get everyone ready for the day of class. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at youngconservatory@act-sf.org.

Theater is an ensemble art form, and attendance/punctuality is very important! Our teaching artists plan for full participation from all students for the full class and appreciate any conflicts to be communicated as early as possible to enable us to plan for the best experience possible! Last-minute “no shows” present challenges for the instructors and for the entire class. If you know of an absence in advance, or if your child needs to arrive late/leave early, please let us know as soon as possible by sending us an email at youngconservatory@act-sf.org so that we may inform our instructors. We do not prorate classes due to student absences or partial attendance.

Each family is responsible for making their own pick-up and drop-off arrangements. For drop-off, we recommend arriving 15 minutes early on the day of class, in order to finalize registration and verify information. Students traveling on their own must leave the building immediately after class.

Please be respectful of our instructors’ time and arrive promptly at the end of class. We do not offer supervised care for students before or after classes. A fee of $1 per minute will be charged to the card on file for a student being dropped off more than 15 minutes prior to the start of class or being picked up later than 15 minutes after the end of class. Please make arrangements accordingly.

Nearby Parking Garages: the parking garage at Union Square (entrances on Geary or Post) is a nearby garage; there is also the Sutter/Stockton, Ellis O’Farrell and Mason O’Farrell garage.

A.C.T. occasionally photographs and/or records portions of YC classes, online sessions, performances, and rehearsals for use in promotional, archival, or fundraising purposes, and for use in social media and/or website without student compensation.

The A.C.T. Young Conservatory makes every effort to make courses accessible to all students who are interested and passionate about theater. Please make sure to complete the info form registration question about any access needs or info that will help us provide the best experience for your child. You can always email us before class begins with this info at youngconservatory@act-sf.org with any accessibility accommodations needed.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all faculty and students, the YC will adhere to the most updated safety precautions recommended by San Francisco, county, and state guidance in effect at the time of classes. Masks will be welcome but not required for all faculty and students while anywhere indoors at 30 Grant Avenue. This will be in effect when CDC COVID-19 Bay Area case levels are rated as "low." When levels are rated as "medium" or higher, masks will be required in hallways and common spaces outside the classroom studios.