YC Summer Musical Theater Institute
Accepting Audition Applications Now
Priority Window: January 23–February 23
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: $2,200
PRIORITY APPLICATION WINDOW: JANUARY 23 – FEBRUARY 23, 2026
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 domestic and international competitive performing arts training programs. This institute culminates in a public showcase on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6pm at the prestigious cabaret venue, Feinstein’s at the Nikko.
This by-audition advanced intensive is designed for committed students looking for a rigorous conservatory-style training experience to prepare for the demanding college audition process through practical performance-based work, access to industry professionals and development of logistical tools and skills to support the process.
Curriculum for this intensive includes:
- Acting fundamentals and technique to apply for song, monologue, and scene/libretto development
- Vocal technique to improve and enhance singing and speaking voice
- Daily dance classes to build essential dance vocabulary and audition skills
- Coaching, choreographic and staging rehearsals 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 professional
Download the SMTI Information Sheet to Learn More
Institute Audition Requirements
For priority consideration for the 2026 Summer Musical Theater Institute, actors must submit the Audition Form (linked below) by Monday, February 23 at 11:59pm* 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, respond to one of the following prompts. 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_____”
Summer Musical Theater Institute Faculty and Guest Artists
DR. LARISSA KELLOWAY, DIRECTOR
Larissa is a conservatory trained performer, performing arts teacher and researcher, specializing in voice, bodywork and performing arts health. She received her PhD, BA, and BSc(Hons) in Australia and is an adjunct lecturer at St. Mary’s College of California. Her PhD research, “Investigating the role of Pilates in the posture and vocal production of singers,” examined the relationship between vocal production, postural control, and physical strength. These findings are a keystone in her teaching approach, in which she synthesizes information from multi-disciplinary sources, providing artists with the tools to support performance, vocal production, movement, injury prevention, instrument optimization and career longevity.
LAURA ELAINE ELLIS, CHOREOGRAPHER
Laura Ellis is a member of faculty of the Theater and Dance department at Cal State University East Bay, for whom she has choreographed numerous productions. With colleague Kimiko Guthrie she co-directed and co-choreographed A Chorus Line—which garnered critical praise and was the catalyst for CSUEB’s Musical Theater program. Ms. Ellis has also staged productions for Open Opera, Festival Opera, George Coates Performance Group, Douglass Morrison Theater, and Theatre Rhinoceros. A principal dancer with Dimensions Dance Theater, she has appeared in works by Emily Keeler, Donald McKayle, Garth Fagan, Deborah Vaughan, Joan Lazarus, Anne Bluethenthal, Kim Epifano, and Robert Moses; and is co-founder of the award-winning Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now.
GUEST ARTISTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
- YC alumni working on national tours, regionally and in film/tv:
- Lucas Babcock (National Tour Hamilton – Laurens/Philip)
- Lili Ostojic Gibson (Julliard Drama Alum, Only Murders in the Building)
- Recent YC alumni who will offer personal experiences and advice surrounding their college audition processes at:
- NYU, Northwestern, Emerson, UCLA, USC, Pace, and more
- Representatives from BFA Musical Theater University programs including CSU Fullerton, University of Michigan, SDSU and NYU
- Broadway and Regional Casting Directors
- A.C.T Artistic and Conservatory Staff
- Young Conservatory Director Jill MacLean
- Accompanist and Music Director Jon Gallo
- Acting Coach Jenny Nguyen Nelson
- Commercial Actor Baily Hopkins
Frequently Asked Institute Questions
The YC Summer Musical Theater Institute (SMTI) is intended for rising 10th-12th grade students. All applicants must be in high school during the 2025-2026 school year.
The priority audition application window for the 2026 Summer Musical Theater Institute is January 23–February 23, 2026. Actors must submit all materials (headshot, resume, and audition self-tape) through the audition form. A full list of video submission instructions is provided above.
The SMTI Team will hold in-person callbacks in late February/early March, which will be scheduled with individual applicants after the audition submission period. (For out-of-town applicants, alternative arrangements will be offered.)
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 $2,200*, 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 towards fixed institute expenses including administrative and support staff, showcase director, acting and vocal coaches, accompanist, choreographer, stage manager, marketing, security, and facility/venue costs. These tuition fees ensure we appropriately 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. We can share any housing search needs with our A.C.T./YC community upon request.
Classes and rehearsals are held from 9:30am-5pm, Monday-Saturday between June 8-20. There are no classes on Sundays. Classes include dance, acting, voice, college preparation, panels with working theater professionals and university staff, and daily showcase rehearsals. A sample 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 8–22) 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) 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 will be provided to the finalized co-hort.
Actors accepted into SMTI are expected to be available for all days of the institute. Rehearsal and performances dates/times cannot be changed. While we will hold classes on Juneteenth, we will accommodate absences on that day. If you have a specific question on availability and scheduling, please email the Institute team at YoungConservatory@act-sf.org.
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.