Aspiring young actors can discover and develop their skills by participating in teen drama programs. Teen drama programs teach students acting fundamentals and advanced skills, such as improvisation and using different dialects. Teens who attend drama programs can also learn approach auditions for paying roles as well as for admission to college drama and musical theater programs.
Young Actor's Studio
The Los Angeles-based Young Actor's Studio offers classes for teens in acting technique and scene study and production. The acting technique class teaches teens fundamentals, such as sense memory and place work, while the scene study and production class gives students the chance to act out a monologue and perform in a show. The technique and scene study courses are offered on weekends and last for 12 weeks. Elective acting courses available to teens at the Young Actor's Studio include on-camera acting, voice and movement, and comedy improvisation. Elective classes are offered on weeknights and weekends. Prospective students are provided with a tour of the theatre and a one-on-one session with the school's director.
Young Actor's Studio
5215 Lankershim Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 91601
310-281-7545
youngactorsstudio.com
ACTeen
ACTeen is home to the nation's first film-acting program for teens. Programs start in the fall, winter and spring, and summer academies are also available. The fall program at ACTeen includes introductory courses in the foundations of acting, improvisation, monologues, musical theater and film-acting technique. Classes are held once a week and alumni of the introductory program can take advanced courses in scene study and speech, as well as attend a showcase that features New York City talent agents. Private coaching is available to both introductory students and alumni. Applicants to ACTeen introductory courses must complete a personal or telephone interview. Prospective students at ACTeen can opt to take individual courses in areas such as movement for actors, musical theater, directing and scriptwriting.
ACTeen
35 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
212-391-5915
acteen.com
Marin Theatre Company
Marin Theatre Company's Teen Conservatory is designed for teen students who wish to pursue intermediate- to advanced-level drama studies. Students must be in 10th grade or higher and can take classes that help develop skills in text analysis, playwriting, directing and auditioning. In addition to technique classes, students can enroll in one or two teen ensemble sessions where participants perform a play following three-weeks of rehearsals. Applicants to the teen conservatory must complete a personal interview and audition.
Marin Theatre Company
397 Miller Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-388-5208
marintheatre.org
Walden Theatre
Walden Theatre, a conservatory program for young actors, offers drama training for teens. Programs are available in playwriting, scene study, improvisation and audition skills, and last for one, two or three weeks. Classes are taught by professional playwrights, actors and stand-up comics. In addition to the summer camp, Walden offers a conservatory program that provides intensive training in improvisation and performance and prepares students to apply to college drama programs. Alumni of the conservatory program have gone on to The Juilliard School, Carnegie Mellon and North Carolina School for the Arts.
Walden Theatre
1123 Payne Street
Louisville, KY 40204
502-589-0084
waldentheatre.org
Tags: scene study, Actor Studio, drama programs, Young Actor, Young Actor Studio, conservatory program