| Course Level: | Master's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Program: | Art & Humanities | |
| Course Duration: | 2 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | 4 Year Bachelor’s Degree | |
| Course Level: | Master's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Program: | Art & Humanities | |
| Course Duration: | 2 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | 4 Year Bachelor’s Degree | |
The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is a renowned nonprofit theater company and acting school based in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1965 by William Ball and has since become one of the leading regional theaters in the United States.
Location: San Francisco, California
Main Venue: Toni Rembe Theater (formerly the Geary Theater)
Programs: Professional productions, acting conservatory (M.F.A. and Young Conservatory), and community engagement
Notable Alumni: Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Elizabeth Banks, Nicolas Cage, and Winona Ryder
A.C.T. is known for producing classic plays, new works, and innovative adaptations. Their productions often feature a mix of established actors and emerging talent from their conservatory.
A.C.T. runs a prestigious Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program in acting, which has trained many successful actors. They also offer a Young Conservatory for teens and a Studio A.C.T. for adults interested in acting.
A.C.T. has played a crucial role in shaping American theater and actor training, making it a cultural landmark in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A.C.T.'s M.F.A. Program is one of the most prestigious actor training programs in the U.S.
Key Features:
Three-year, full-time program
Rigorous training in acting, voice, movement, and stage combat
Opportunities to perform in A.C.T. productions
Faculty includes experienced theater professionals
Alumni include Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Elizabeth Banks, and Nicolas Cage
Note: The M.F.A. program was suspended in 2020, but A.C.T. continues to offer other training opportunities.
Designed for students ages 8–19, the Young Conservatory offers classes and performance opportunities.
Acting (beginner to advanced)
Musical theater
On-camera acting
Playwriting
Performance projects with professional directors
This is an open-enrollment program for adults interested in acting, whether as a hobby or professional pursuit.
Courses Offered:
Acting Fundamentals
Scene Study
Improv
Shakespeare Performance
Voice & Movement
On-Camera Acting
Class format: In-person and online options available.
A short-term intensive training program for serious actors.
Features:
Full-time training for 5 to 6 weeks
Modeled after conservatory-style training
Focus on classical and contemporary acting techniques
Course Program |
Duration |
Tuition Fees Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Studio A.C.T. (Adult Acting Classes) |
(4–10 weeks per class) |
$400–$900 per course |
|
Young Conservatory (For Ages 8–19) |
(1–10 weeks per class) |
$300–$1,500 per course |
|
Summer Training Congress (STC) |
5–6 weeks (full-time) |
~$4,000–$6,000 total |
|
Custom & Corporate Training |
Flexible |
Custom pricing |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Acting (Suspended in 2020) |
3 years (full-time) |
~$30,000–$35,000 (when active) |
|
Summer Training Congress (STC) |
5–6 weeks (intensive) |
~$4,000–$6,000 total |
|
Studio A.C.T. (Advanced Acting Classes) |
(4–10 weeks per class) |
$400–$900 per course |
|
Custom & Corporate Training |
Flexible |
Custom pricing |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Ph.D. / Doctorate in Acting/Theater (Not Offered) |
– |
– |
|
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Acting (Suspended in 2020) |
3 years (full-time) |
~$30,000–$35,000 (when active) |
|
Summer Training Congress (STC) |
5–6 weeks (intensive) |
~$4,000–$6,000 total |
|
Studio A.C.T. (Advanced Acting Classes) |
(4–10 weeks per class) |
$400–$900 per course |
Program Name |
Duration |
Eligibility for International Students |
Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Studio A.C.T. (Adult Acting Classes) |
4–10 weeks per course |
Open to international students (No visa sponsorship) |
$400–$900 per course |
|
Young Conservatory (For Ages 8–19) |
1–10 weeks per course |
Open to international students |
$300–$1,500 per course |
|
Summer Training Congress (STC) |
5–6 weeks (intensive) |
Open to international students |
~$4,000–$6,000 total |
|
Custom & Corporate Training |
Flexible |
Open to individuals & organizations |
Custom pricing |
1. Visa Requirements
Since A.C.T. no longer offers the M.F.A., it does not provide student visas (F-1 or J-1).
Short-term programs like Studio A.C.T. and Summer Training Congress (STC) do not qualify for student visas.
International students must arrange their own travel and stay under a tourist or temporary visa.
2. Language Requirements
A.C.T. does not require TOEFL or IELTS scores, but students should have a strong command of English to participate in acting programs.
3. Housing & Living Costs
A.C.T. does not provide on-campus housing, but they offer guidance on finding housing in San Francisco.
Estimated living expenses in San Francisco:
Rent: $1,500–$3,500/month
Food & Transport: $500–$1,000/month
4. Alternative Full-Degree Programs
Since A.C.T. no longer offers an M.F.A. in Acting, international students looking for degree-based programs can consider:
Yale School of Drama (David Geffen School of Drama) – M.F.A. in Acting
NYU Tisch School of the Arts – M.F.A. in Acting
Juilliard School – M.F.A. in Drama
University of Southern California (USC) – M.F.A. in Acting
Admission Process:
No audition required – Open to all levels
Apply online via the A.C.T. website
Choose a course (e.g., Acting Fundamentals, Improv, Voice & Movement)
Pay tuition fee and confirm registration
Rolling admissions (courses run year-round)
Open to beginners and professionals
Must be at least 18 years old
International students welcome (no visa sponsorship)
Admission Process:
Select a program (acting, musical theater, on-camera, etc.)
No audition required for most courses
Some advanced classes may require a video audition
Apply online and pay the tuition fee
Application Deadlines:
Varies by program (spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions)
Eligibility:
Ages 8–19
Open to U.S. and international students
Admission Process:
Audition required – Submit a self-taped monologue (classical & contemporary)
Online application form
Pay application fee (if applicable)
Interview (if shortlisted)
Receive admission decision
Application Deadlines:
Varies (typically early spring for summer enrollment)
Eligibility:
Open to actors (18+), including international students
Strong command of English required
1. Studio A.C.T. (Adult Acting Classes)
Intake: Year-round (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
Eligibility:
Open to all skill levels (beginners to advanced actors)
Must be at least 18 years old
No audition required
Open to international students (no visa sponsorship)
2. Young Conservatory (YC) – For Ages 8–19
Intake: Seasonal sessions (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Eligibility:
Ages 8–19
Open to students of all experience levels
No audition required for most classes
Some advanced courses may require a video audition
Open to international students (no visa sponsorship)
3. Summer Training Congress (STC) – Intensive Acting Program
Intake: Summer only (June–August)
Eligibility:
Ages 18+
Prior acting experience preferred but not required
Requires an audition (self-taped monologue submission)
Strong English proficiency recommended
Open to international students (must arrange own visa)
4. Custom & Corporate Training
Intake: Flexible (offered year-round)
Eligibility:
Open to individuals, businesses, and organizations
No formal acting experience required
Scholarship Name |
Eligible Programs |
Eligibility Criteria |
Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Young Conservatory (YC) Scholarships |
Young Conservatory (Ages 8–19) |
Financial need & talent-based |
Partial tuition assistance |
|
Summer Training Congress (STC) Scholarships |
Summer Training Congress (Ages 18+) |
Financial need & acting potential |
Partial tuition assistance |
|
Studio A.C.T. Discounts & Aid |
Studio A.C.T. (Adult Acting Classes) |
Need-based (limited availability) |
Partial fee reduction |
|
Work-Study & Tuition Assistance |
short-term programs |
Financial need-based |
Partial tuition waiver or work-study option |
Facility |
Details |
Estimated Cost (USD per Month) |
|---|---|---|
|
Main Campus |
No dedicated campus; classes held at various locations in San Francisco |
N/A |
|
Main Theater |
Toni Rembe Theater (formerly Geary Theater) |
N/A |
|
Acting Studios & Training Spaces |
Located in downtown San Francisco |
N/A |
|
On-Campus Housing |
Not Available |
N/A |
|
Recommended Off-Campus Housing |
Apartments, shared housing, student residences |
$1,500–$3,500 |
|
Homestay (with local families) |
Private rooms with meals included |
$1,200–$2,500 |
|
Student Housing Options |
Private dorm-style or co-living spaces |
$1,000–$2,000 |
|
Short-Term Housing (Airbnb, Hostels, Hotels) |
Suitable for short programs (Studio A.C.T., STC) |
$50–$150 per night |
Students engage in acting classes, workshops, and rehearsals led by industry professionals.
Programs like the Summer Training Congress (STC) and Young Conservatory (YC) offer stage and on-camera experience.
Some students may have opportunities to participate in A.C.T.’s mainstage productions.
Being located in San Francisco, A.C.T. students have access to world-class theaters, film festivals, and arts events.
The city provides a rich cultural atmosphere, with numerous opportunities to watch Broadway tours, experimental theater, and independent performances.
A.C.T. has a strong connection with professional actors, directors, and playwrights.
Students can attend masterclasses, Q&A sessions, and workshops with well-known industry figures.
Alumni include Annette Bening, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Banks, and Nicolas Cage, offering a prestigious network.
Students often collaborate on projects, creating a tight-knit artistic community.
San Francisco’s lively neighborhoods provide cafés, music venues, and creative spaces where students socialize and perform.
Many students form independent theater groups or short-film projects outside of A.C.T.
The city offers a mix of urban energy and artistic inspiration.
Living costs can be high, so students often share housing or choose homestay options.
Public transport (BART, Muni buses, and cable cars) makes it easy to navigate the city.
A.C.T.’s training is intensive and demanding, requiring commitment and passion.
Students graduate with strong technical skills, industry connections, and confidence in their craft.
It’s an exciting and transformative experience for those serious about a career in acting.
Graduates and trainees from A.C.T. often pursue careers in:
Theater & Broadway Productions (Regional theaters, touring productions)
Film & Television (Hollywood, independent films, streaming platforms)
Voice Acting & Commercial Work (Animation, video games, advertisements)
Teaching & Directing (Drama schools, community theater)
Writing & Producing (Screenwriting, playwriting, content creation)
Students have access to professional actors, directors, and casting agents.
A.C.T. alumni include Annette Bening, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Banks, Nicolas Cage, and Winona Ryder, creating strong networking opportunities.
The theater’s productions allow students to perform in front of industry professionals.
A.C.T. offers apprenticeships and fellowships in performance, directing, production, and stage management.
Students can gain real-world experience working with the theater company.
Many graduates audition and work in major theater companies across the U.S.
Students receive training in audition techniques, self-taping, and monologue preparation.
A.C.T. helps students connect with casting agencies, directors, and acting coaches.
Some programs offer opportunities to perform in industry showcases attended by talent scouts.
While A.C.T. does not guarantee placements, many former students have successful careers in Hollywood, Broadway, and international theater.
Graduates often work in Netflix, HBO, Broadway productions, and major film studios.
The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) no longer offers its Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Acting, which previously had a highly competitive acceptance rate. However, its short-term training programs such as Studio A.C.T., Young Conservatory (YC), and Summer Training Congress (STC) have more open enrollment policies.
The M.F.A. in Acting had an acceptance rate of approximately 2–5%, making it one of the most selective acting programs in the U.S.
Thousands of applicants auditioned each year, but only a small group (usually 8–12 students per cohort) were admitted.
Admission was based on auditions, interviews, and artistic potential.
Program |
Acceptance Policy |
Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Studio A.C.T. (Adult Acting Classes) |
Open enrollment (no audition required) |
Easy |
|
Young Conservatory (YC) (Ages 8–19) |
Open enrollment (some advanced courses require auditions) |
Moderate |
|
Summer Training Congress (STC) |
Audition required |
Competitive |
|
Custom & Corporate Training |
Open enrollment |
Easy |
Toni Rembe Theater (formerly Geary Theater) – Main Stage
Address: 415 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
The primary venue for A.C.T.’s professional productions.
A historic theater with a seating capacity of around 1,000 seats.
The Strand Theater – Secondary Performance Space
Address: 1127 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Used for smaller productions, workshops, and special events.
A.C.T. Conservatory & Studios – Training Spaces
Address: 30 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108
Home to Studio A.C.T. (adult classes), Young Conservatory (YC), and Summer Training Congress (STC).
Includes rehearsal spaces, classrooms, and administrative offices.
