Summer Session 2024 Policies
Welcome to the Young Conservatory at American Conservatory Theater! Now in its 53nd year, the YC is a place for students who have a passion for theater - whether it’s acting, on-camera technique, directing, musical theater, improvisation, spoken word or dance (among many!) - we are a theater home for young performers from all over the Bay Area. Our tagline is “develop your character” - because not only do the skills our students gain help them become stronger actors on stage - they also translate to increased confidence, creativity and self-awareness in real life. We’re thrilled to welcome you to our beautiful studios in San Francisco for a week or two of rigorous fun. Read below for some more info on our policies, and please reach out with any questions.
Student Behavior
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 to 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.
Communication Expectations
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 first 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 first day. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at youngconservatory@act-sf.org.
Attendance Expectations
Theater is an ensemble art form, and attendance is very important! We recommend signing up for a class only if you can make the majority of those scheduled classes. This typically means missing no more than 1-2 scheduled classes for a 2-week intensive, and ideally none of a 1-week intensive. Many of our classes involve scene and partner work. Absences greatly affect the progression of the class curriculum and can inconvenience other students enrolled in the class. In particular, 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. Excessive absences may result in substantial changes in assigned material to ensure a positive experience for all. We do not prorate classes due to student absences.
What to Bring
Lunch/Snack/Water: Students must bring a snack, a lunch and a refillable water bottle each day. We provide a 30-minute lunch break where students will remain on site. Please note that students should not rely on any on-site vending machines for their lunch - there is not sufficient time to purchase food, and the machines are not guaranteed to be stocked. We thank you for sending students with their food.
Clothing: All students should wear comfortable clothing that they can move around in, as well as layers for chilly SF days (when weather permits, we like to bring students to one of our outdoor terraces for lunch.)
Notebook/Book: We recommend that students also bring a notebook and something to write with, and a book if desired
Open Class - Final Day
Save the date for the open class for family/friends which will be held on the final 30-60 minutes of the final Friday of each intensive where students share work from their time in class. A detailed email about the open class will go out to classes a few days out - but it’s a good idea to mark your calendars now for that final hour of the final day!
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Policies
Each family is responsible for making their own pick-up and drop-off arrangements. For drop-off on the first day, we recommend arriving 15 minutes early on the first day of class, in order to finalize registration and verify information. Following the first day, students may be dropped off at the 30 Grant Avenue ground floor lobby where they will then take the elevator to the 8th floor. Students traveling on their own must leave the building immediately after class. For our Junior level students (Grades 3-5) we will have our instructors accompany the students to be picked up by their parents/guardians in a designated lobby area.
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.
- First day: 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.
- After the first day: Grant is a one-way street, and after the first day, parents may double-park and watch their student enter the lobby and into the elevators, and at pick-up, students will wait in the lobby until they can see their parent/guardian.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Courses with insufficient enrollment will be canceled and all tuition and fees paid will be refunded in full. Any cancellations due to low enrollment will be finalized a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled start date. Withdrawal and refund requests for any other reason must be made in writing and emailed to youngconservatory@act-sf.org. Requests will be honored if received by the designated date prior to the start of the given class (see below). Class tuition will be refunded while the non-refundable registration fees will be withheld. Please allow 10-14 days for your refund to be processed.
Current Refund Deadlines (all deadlines are 11:59 p.m. on the date indicated)
- Full tuition refund deadline: Saturday, April 1st, 2024
- Refund with $100 withdrawal fee deadline: Monday, May 1st, 2024
- 50% tuition refund deadline: the Sunday 3 weeks before the start of the class
- Refunds of any kind will not be given after the above-stated deadline.
Accessibility
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.
COVID-19 and Illness Policy
The 30 Grant Avenue facility features spacious studios with an air circulation system that is up to code with regard to COVID-19 safety. 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. Please email us at youngconservatory@act-sf.org for questions or additional information.
If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must alert A.C.T. for next steps. Students who are unable to complete the majority of their class due to a positive COVID-19 test are entitled to a partial refund.