High School Classes

Schedule: Monday–Friday, June 10–21: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
(Please note that while we will hold classes on Juneteenth, we will accommodate absences.)
Tuition: $825

She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen is one of the top ten most produced plays in high schools and colleges in America for a reason. With clever dialogue, thrilling stage combat, and imaginative encounters, this play is a strong choice for young actors to hone their skills and work with scene partners. Join characters Agnes, her younger sister Tilly, and others - including homicidal fairies, ogres and creepy avatars - in this comedic and poignant show set in the world of a fantasy role-playing game. In this 2-week intensive, students will learn acting fundamentals and performance skills through scenes and monologues from the play. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project. There will be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (June 21) to present material rehearsed in class.

2-Week Acting Intensive: She Kills Monsters is for you if:

• You’ve taken some acting classes before and want to sharpen your skills and/or
• You’re excited to dive into characters and scenes from an iconic contemporary play and/or
• You love Dungeons and Dragons/role-playing games and want to explore a world of fantasy and action onstage

Schedule: Monday-Friday, August 5–9: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $450

In this 1-week stage-acting intensive, young actors will take scenes and monologues from classic films and television shows and bring them to life. Using pieces from today’s hit shows and movies, students will explore theatrical skills, performance techniques, and translating characters from on-camera to on-stage! Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project. There may be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (August 9) to present material rehearsed in class.

1-Week Acting Intensive: Scenes from Film and Television is for you if:

• You were inspired to try acting from watching your favorite movie or television show and/or
• You’ve tried on-camera acting and want to translate those skills to the stage and/or
• You’re excited to bring on screen shows and movies like Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Barbie to life

The YC Summer Musical Theater Institute is a 2.5-week/14-day intensive designed for advanced high school performers (rising 10th-12th grade) desiring disciplined university-level training in musical theater in preparation for applying to competitive performing arts programs. To learn more and to audition, click here.

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

Schedule: Monday–Friday, June 17–21: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
(Please note that while we will hold classes on Juneteenth, we will accommodate absences.)
Tuition: $475

Hone your musical theater performance skills through this 1-week foray into the Best of Broadway! From classics like West Side Story and Chicago to contemporary favorites like Six and Hamilton, performers will explore characters and songs from iconic Broadway musicals over the last 100 years. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project with a live accompanist. There may be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (July 21) to present material rehearsed in class.

1-Week Musical Intensive: Best of Broadway is for you if:

• You love to sing and dance and would like develop your musical theater skill set and/or
• You’re interested in exploring a wide variety of musical theater styles and shows and/or
• You want a fun and energetic introduction to the world of musical theater

Schedule: Monday–Friday, July 8–19: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $850

Get spooky this summer with these frighteningly fun musicals! Using songs from hit shows like Beetlejuice, Sweeney Todd, Carrie and more, actors will dive into the world of musical theater performance. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project with a live accompanist. There may be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (July 19) to present material rehearsed in class.

2-Week Musical Intensive: Halloween in July is for you if:

• You love to sing and dance and would like develop your musical theater skill set and/or
• You’ve taken some acting classes before and want to try out a new area of performance and/or
• You love that Halloween vibe any time of year!

Schedule: Monday–Friday, August 5–9: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $475

In this 1-week intensive, actors will focus on the nuts and bolts of a professional musical theater audition. Practicing cold reads, song performance, and group dance auditions, students will gain confidence and knowledge about the theater industry and come away with an individualized audition song. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project with a live accompanist. There may be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (August 9) to present material rehearsed in class.

1-Week Musical Intensive: Audition Focus is for you if:

• You want to strengthen your musical theater audition skills and/or
• You’re preparing to audition for college or a particular production and/or
• You’ve taken some acting classes before and want to try out a new area of performance

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

Schedule: Monday–Friday, June 24–28: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $475

Interested in acting in film and television? Now’s your chance to get in front of the camera! 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 be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project. There may be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (June 28) to present material rehearsed in class.

1-Week On-Camera Intensive 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 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

Schedule: Monday–Friday, July 22–August 2: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $850

Let’s roll out the red carpet! This 2-week intensive will invite students to create their own short films. Through screenwriting, acting, and directing, actors will learn about the process of producing their own (mini!) movies.For filming components, students will need to bring a smart phone with video capability. (Please email for an accommodation if you do not have one.) Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. Intensives include morning theater classes and an afternoon performance project. There may be some assignments and memorization between classes. This intensive will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (August 2) to present material rehearsed in class.

2-Week On-Camera Intensive: Short Films is for you if:

• You’ve taken some acting classes and want to deepen your on-camera performance skills and/or
• You love to film short videos and share them online and/or
• You’re excited to write, direct, and act in your own short films!

Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, July 8–August 2: 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $545

This 4-week performance project will focus on essentials for the “triple threat” musical theater performer through a cabaret-style performance. In this intermediate/advanced-level project class, actors will develop performance skills through solo songs, duets, and group dance numbers. Students will dive deeper into developing vocal technique, dance and choreography skills, and acting tools to tell a full story through music. This project class will culminate in a 45-minute cabaret-style performance in our studio spaces. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. The project will meet three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 4 weeks. The culminating performance open to friends and family will be on the final day (August 2). Please note that this intensive is designed for students with some prior voice and/or musical theater training.

4-Week Musical Theater Project is for you if:

• You’ve studied musical theater before and want a more intensive, performance-based opportunity to explore it and/or
• You’re interested in auditioning for (or currently part of) the YC Cabaret program and want to try out the experience and/or
• You’re excited to hone your skills as a “triple threat:” actor, singer, and dancer

Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, July 8–August 2: 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $485

In this adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey, newly arrived refugee Anon fights to hold onto his identity in the vast melting pot of contemporary America. As he journeys across the country in search of his mother, he confronts exploitative businessmen, clueless government officials, and fellow refugees clamoring to not be forgotten. A poetic tale of borders and biases, Anon(ymous) explores what it means to find your home. In this intermediate/advanced-level project class, actors will dive into character creation, text analysis, ensemble building and performance using a condensed version of Naomi Iizuka’s touching and thought-provoking play. This project class will culminate in a 45-minute performance in our studio spaces. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. The project will meet three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 4 weeks. The culminating performance open to friends and family will be on the final day (August 2).  Please note that this course is designed for students with some prior acting training.

4-Week Acting Project is for you if:

• You’ve studied acting before and want a more intensive, performance-based opportunity to explore it and/or
• You’re interested in auditioning for (or currently part of) the YC Actors Ensemble and want to try out the experience and/or
• You’re excited to experience an ensemble-based performance project with text and devised work

Schedule:  Tuesday/Thursday,  July 9–August 1: 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $375

Gain confidence in your playwriting abilities! This 4-Week Intro to Playwriting Workshop will give aspiring young writers the opportunity to learn the art of dramatic writing for the stage. Writers will learn how to translate ideas from imagination to the page, explore the workings of dramatic form and structure, and experience what it takes to bring a creative vision to life. Students will both write and perform material developed in class. Held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco, the workshop will meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 4 weeks. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (August 1) to present material created in class.

4-Week Intro to Playwriting Workshop 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: Tuesday/Thursday,  July 9–August 1: 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
Tuition: $375

Building confidence for a strong audition through solid preparation is key! In addition to covering the basics of auditioning—from preparing a dynamic presentation of contrasting monologues to performing cold reads with confidence—this class will explore material selection, text analysis, resumes and headshots, audition etiquette, and how to develop techniques to sustain your place in a competitive arts world. Classes will be held in-person at our 30 Grant Avenue Studios in San Francisco. The workshop will meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 4 weeks. This course will culminate in a group showing “open class” on the final hour of the final day (August 1) to present monologues rehearsed in class.

4-Week Monologue Audition Workshop is for you if:

• You want to hone your audition and performance skills and/or
• You’re preparing to audition for college or a particular production and/or
• You need help identifying strong material that highlights your strengths as an actor