Celebrating 50 years of theatre education
About the Kids & Teens Acting Program
Where Kids and Teens Get Creative, Inspired and Innovative
Acting classes for kids and teens at South Coast Repertory aren’t just about the end product; they are all about the journey. That’s because we teach the process and craft of acting, which encourage students to let their imaginations soar.
Learning at SCR is progressive—designed to develop skills and deepen understanding over time, all while building students' confidence, communication skills and encouraging them to find their individual creative voice. Each class is divided into three, 10-week sessions. Students enter in either fall or winter, with the spring session just for returning students. Students study with their grade-level peers and, in these ensembles, they discover the joy of acting, make new friends and have fun! Summer classes are open to most everyone.
SCR students learn from the best—our faculty is comprised of theatre professionals.
Fall and winter classes conclude with in-class demonstrations for family and friends—this is a chance for students to show what they have learned and a great way to wrap up a great acting session!
At the conclusion of classes in the spring, family and friends are invited to attend the final Performance Projects. These projects represent the culmination of a year's worth of work refined into an exciting final performance of a short play.
“I’ve seen my children’s confidence grow exponentially thanks to the training they’ve received at SCR. They both have a profound appreciation for the power of language and imagination and can see for themselves the impact words and stories have on people. I have no idea where life will lead them, but I can say with certainty that whatever path they choose, it will be a road paved with the lessons they learned at SCR. “–Susan Paterno, Conservatory student parent
Our Mission
To promote and nurture the development of the whole child with experiences which integrate the creative process of human expression through drama. Emphasis is on creating truthful characters through the exploration of movement, voice, the senses and emotions. Students will learn that acting is both an individual and collaborative process.
Nationally Honored Conservatory Leadership
In 2019, Hisa Takakuwa, director of SCR's Theatre Conservatory and education programs, earned an Honoraable Mention for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Given by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, the award recognizes the nation's top K-12 drama teachers and celebrates arts education. In this video, Conservatory students talk about Takakuwa's impact on their lives.
For five decades, the Theatre Conservatory and its staff of professional working artists, have been an integral part of South Coast Repertory, Orange County's Tony Award-winning theatre, with the goals of laying a strong training foundation and enriching the lives of all its students.
Would you like to register by phone or do you have questions? Call the Education Office at (714) 708-5510