YC Summer Musical Theater Institute
Accepting Audition Applications Now
Priority Window: January 15–February 15
Schedule: Monday-Saturday, June 8–23: 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. at 30 Grant Ave.
(Please note that while we will hold classes on Juneteenth, we will accommodate absences.)
Showcase: Tuesday, June 23: 6pm at Feinstein’s at the Nikko
Tuition: $1900
PRIORITY APPLICATION WINDOW: JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2026
The fourth annual 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. The YC Summer Institute prepares students for the college application process through in-depth training by industry professionals in acting, singing, dance and audition skills, and the synthesis of these skills into the showcase performance studio each day. Additionally, there will be opportunities to learn about other industry topics including resume, headshot and pre-screen / online callback prep, and the college admission process. Classes will be held in-person in our beautiful 30 Grant Avenue studios overlooking Union Square in downtown San Francisco. This training institute will culminate in a public showcase for friends, family, A.C.T. artistic staff and industry on Tuesday, June 23 at 6pm at the renowned cabaret venue Feinstein’s at the Nikko.
This is a by-audition advanced intensive for students who are committed to a rigorous conservatory-style training experience who wish to prepare themselves for the college audition process with both practical performance-based work and logistical/ organizational tools.
Curriculum for this intensive includes:
- Acting fundamentals as applied to lyrics, monologues, and scene/libretto work
- Vocal technique classes including group lessons and opportunities for private 1:1 voice work each week
- Daily dance / choreography with emphasis on both essential vocabulary, dance auditions and choreography for the culminating showcase
- College Prep timelines and tips, Pre-Screen/Self-Tape Techniques, Resume Workshop and Repertoire Research.
- Panels with A.C.T. artistic staff, university professors, and YC alumni currently studying in top theater programs across the nation
- Performance in a public showcase for A.C.T. artistic and industry professionals
Institute Audition Requirements
To be considered for the 2026 Summer Musical Theater Institute, actors must submit the Audition Form by Sunday, February 15 at 11:59pm* (priority deadline) with the following:
- 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.
- Upload a resume PDF OR list the actor’s previous training/performance experience.
- Provide a link to an audition video, preferably filmed from the knees up and at eye level. This video must be hosted on another platform like YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Suite with a link anyone can access. For example, you can share a link to an unlisted YouTube video or a Google Drive link anyone can view, rather than sharing it directly with the Young Conservatory email. This is required so the full SMTI team can view your materials.
This video must include the following:- BRIEF INTRODUCTION: please introduce yourself with name, age, and a hobby you are passionate about other than theater.
- SONGS: Two contrasting 32-bar cuts (about 1–1½-minutes each, maximum) in the musical theater canon (begin with introducing the songs/shows.) Please have a backing track or piano accompaniment.
- MONOLOGUE: One contemporary monologue (approx. 1 minute in length) of a character you could conceivably play (begin with introducing the character/play/playwright).
- DANCE/MOVEMENT (optional): 1-minute dance from a genre of your choice (may be an excerpt from a performance)
- A brief statement of intent: Using up to 500 words, describe the following. You can either write your statement in the application or submit it as an attached PDF.
- PROMPT 1: "Why/how is musical theater as a way of storytelling important to you, and how do you see the Summer Musical Theater Institute helping you with your future goals?"
- PROMPT 2: “In the future, I would love to work in the _____ industry. I see the Summer Musical Theater Institute contributing to this goal because_____”
SIGN UP TO AUDITION HERE
Frequently Asked Institute Questions
Yes. Tickets will go on sale for this production in late May/early June through the Feinstein’s at the Nikko website and box office.
The YC Summer Musical Theater Institute is intended for rising 10th-12th grade students. All applicants must be in high school during the 2025-2026 school year.
Initial video audition submissions for the 2026 Summer Musical Theater Institute are open January 15-February 15, 2026. Actors must submit all materials–including their headshot, resume, and audition self-tape–through the Audition Form. A full list of video submission instructions is provided above.
The SMTI Team may hold in-person callbacks in late February/early March, which will be scheduled with individual applicants after the audition submission period.
There will be an in-person orientation for all accepted 2026 students in late April/early May. This will kick off the process of communication between students and faculty along with beginning the repertoire selection process.
The tuition for participation in the institute is $1,900*, payable in one or two installments. Tuition is due on the first day of rehearsal on June 8, 2026, 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 June 8. 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.
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 accepted into the institute. Scholarship requests must be received by email by April 1, 2026 before midnight.
* American Conservatory Theater is a not-for-profit company. The tuition is allocated toward institute expenses including administrative and support staff, showcase director, acting and vocal coaches, accompanist, choreographer, stage manager, marketing, security, and facility/venue costs. This is in addition to ensuring we are able to compensate our skilled faculty in compliance with California’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB5).
While we welcome students from across the country, A.C.T. is unable to provide housing for students traveling to the Bay Area.
Students have classes and rehearsals from 9:30-5pm, Monday-Saturday between June 8-20. The YC Institute is off on Sundays. Classes will consist of dance, acting, group voice, college prep, panels with working theater professionals and university staff, and daily showcase rehearsals. An example weekly schedule is located in the information sheet PDF.
On Monday, June 22, students will have morning panels and individual rehearsal time along with a 3-hour showcase rehearsal in the afternoon. On Tuesday, June 23, actors will move into Feinstein’s at the Nikko for a 4-hour photo dress rehearsal, culminating in a performance at 6pm that evening.
Rehearsals (Monday-Saturday, June 8–23, 2026) will take place at 30 Grant Ave, 8th and 9th floor. The nearest BART/Muni station is Powell/Montgomery, and the nearest parking garage is the Mason O’Farrell Garage.
The photo dress rehearsal and the performance (Tuesday, June 23 at 6pm) will take place in the Feinstein’s at the Nikko located within the Hotel Nikko on 222 Mason St, San Francisco. This is a quick walk from our rehearsal venue.
More detailed info about the venues and specific dates will be provided to the finalized co-hort.
Actors accepted into the institute are expected to be available for all days of the institute. Rehearsal and performances dates/times cannot be changed. If you have a specific question on availability and scheduling, please email the Institute team at YoungConservatory@act-sf.org.