School

American Conservatory Theater - Summer, Short Term and MFA programs.

A.C.T. Conservatory

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is the Tony Award–winning nonprofit theater in San Francisco. Founded in 1965 by William Ball, A.C.T. continues to be the premier theater in the San Francisco Bay Area for actors to push themselves further, explore their craft, and grow as artists. Through our Conservatory training programs, A.C.T. is committed to forging the artists of tomorrow, with a lifelong investment in theater.

Located in the heart of San Francisco, A.C.T. is the only theater not affiliated with a US college or university, accredited to award a Master of Fine Arts degree. We have since expanded our Conservatory training to offer short-term and long-term program options for aspiring or working actors ages 19 and over.

Danny Glover, Annette Bening, Denzel Washington, Brie Larson, and Anika Noni Rose are among the Conservatory’s distinguished former students who now have renowned careers in theater, film, and television. With our commitment to excellence in actor training and to engaging the relationship between training, performance, citizen artistry, and audience, the A.C.T. Conservatory has moved to the forefront of America’s theater schools and artistic community. Change your life and change the world with A.C.T.’s Conservatory training.

Learn more at act-sf.org/conservatory

MASTER OF FINE ARTS

Study, grow, and perform your craft at a Tony Award–winning professional theater company, surrounded by full seasons of mainstage shows, a vibrant Bay Area artistic community, and a citywide celebration of art and diversity. A.C.T.’s Master of Fine Arts Program is a rigorous 3-year course of training, which prepares actors to succeed in all aspects of the profession, with a primary goal of preparing artists for a lifelong investment and career in theater.

Program: 3 years

Applications: Open every September
Applications for MFA Class of 2024 will open later this Fall 2020.

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must (1) have a secondary (US high school equivalent) education degree, and (2) have an undergraduate (US Bachelor of Arts equivalent) degree in acting or be in the process of completing one or demonstrate an equivalent level of experience in acting.

SAN FRANCISCO SEMESTER

Uniquely San Francisco, Uniquely A.C.T. Embark on the San Francisco Semester, a 15-week study-away program, and connect with the eclectic Bay Area community. This immersive and extensive experience combines internationally recognized professional actor training with theatrical and cultural immersion in the heart of San Francisco and A.C.T.’s season of mainstage productions.

Program: 15 weeks

Applications: Open twice every year, for Fall or Spring Semesters
Apply for Fall Semester 2020 by June 26, 2020. Classes begin on August 31, 2020.
Applications for Spring Semester 2021 will open later this Fall 2020.

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must (1) be at least 18 years of age by the chosen class start date and (2) have a secondary (US high school equivalent) education degree or demonstrate an equivalent level of experience in acting.

SUMMER TRAINING CONGRESS

Whether you’re a working actor or an aspiring professional, make the most of your summer with intensive, comprehensive actor training in San Francisco. Elevate your craft with A.C.T.’s Summer Training Congress, our longest-running Conservatory training program offering a 5-week Core Skills Intensive, a 2-week Shakespeare Intensive, or the option to combine both for the 7-week Total Actor Package.

Program: 2 weeks, 5 weeks, or 7 weeks

Applications: Open every January
Summer Training Congress 2020 programs have been canceled. Applications for STC 2021 will open in January, 2021.

STUDIO A.C.T.—ONLINE CLASSES

Expand your creativity with Studio A.C.T.—the part-time acting school at the Tony Award-winning American Conservatory Theater. Studio A.C.T. offers exciting, rewarding classes for adults of all backgrounds and levels of experience in Acting, Voice, Audition Technique, Musical Theater, Playwriting, On-Camera Technique, Movement, Clown and much more—all taught by some of the finest local professional artists in the industry. Our 4-week and 8-week courses are eligible for college credit and are scheduled for nights and weekends to accommodate work and home commitments. We also offer 1-week Intensives and 1-day Master Classes with local, national and international guests.

Program: Varies by class—1 day, 2 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, or 8 weeks

Applications: No application necessary—just sign up!

Minimum Requirements: Students must be at least 19 years of age by the chosen class start date. All classes are taught in English unless otherwise noted.

*For young artists ages 8–19, A.C.T. also offers year-round professional theater training and performance opportunities through our Young Conservatory. Learn more about A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory at act-sf.org/yc