Exploring Fresno’s Thriving Acting Scene

Fresno boasts a vibrant theater and performance community, with local companies achieving national recognition. For example, Shine! Theatre in Fresno has been cited by national associations as a top professional theater for young audiences. The city supports a wide range of training opportunities— from youth workshops to college degrees—in acting and related arts. Below are many of the top acting classes and studios in Fresno, organized by category of focus.

Improv & Comedy Training

Armpit Theater and School of Improvisation

Location: 2658 East Alluvial Ave #117, Fresno, CA 93720.
Classes Offered: Short-form and long-form improv games and scene work, plus public speaking classes. These classes emphasize spontaneity, teamwork (“agreement”), and having fun.
Age Groups: Youth and teens (ages ~12–17) in a beginner-to-intermediate curriculum.
Tuition: Approximately \$170–\$190 for a 9-week session (children of certain nonprofit partners pay the higher rate).
Website: armpitimprov.com (Armpit Theater’s site).

BLIMPROV Comedy

Location: Fresno, CA (various local venues).
Classes Offered: Improv workshops and performance events. BLIMPROV is known as a “premiere improv troupe” in the Fresno area, offering comedy improv workshops and shows for adults.
Age Groups: Primarily adults and college-age students.
Notable: Focuses on comedy and improvisation.
Website: blimprovcomedy.wordpress.com (Facebook and Event listings reference BLIMPROV’s activities).

Acting Studios – Scene Study & Technique

United Conservatory of Music & Arts (Fresno Campus)

Location: 6759 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93710.
Classes Offered: Comprehensive acting programs for stage. Students study monologues, group scenes, and short plays to build performance skills. Classes cover script analysis, character development, improvisation, stage presence, voice, and movement (musical theater is also offered). They aim to improve acting technique and confidence on stage.
Age Groups: Children and teens (from about age 5–17) in group classes; also adults can enroll in private lessons. Specific courses include Acting Foundations (ages 8–12) and Actor’s Workshop (ages 13–17).
Notable Instructors: Working theater professionals and education specialists (house theatre company casts often teach or mentor).
Tuition: Varies by program (e.g. 9-week acting classes for kids); UCMA also offers private one-on-one lessons.
Website: unitedconservatory.org (see “Acting Class in Fresno and Clovis” pages).

The Company Studio (Good Company Players / 2nd Space)

Location: Classes held at Good Company Players’ venues (Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre, 2nd Space Theatre) – business office at 1105 N. Wishon Ave, Fresno, CA 93728.
Classes Offered: Theatre skill-building workshops, including scene study, musical theatre, tap dance, and improv acting. The Company Studio (TCS) is the educational arm of Good Company Players, offering community actors training in “theater skills, tap dance, and improv acting” using GCP’s veteran staff as teachers.
Age Groups: Children, teens, and adults (family-friendly; often theater camps and teen programs).
Notable Instructors: Veteran GCP performers and staff (many are working stage actors).
Tuition: Class and workshop fees vary; typically per-session charges, e.g., summer camp or semester-long courses.
Website: thecompanystudio.org (via Good Company Players site).

Acting Studios – On-Camera & Audition

Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC)

Location: 1555 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721.
Classes Offered: Media production and on-camera workshops. CMAC is a community media center offering video and audio production training (cameras, editing, lighting, etc.). While not strictly an “acting” studio, its workshops help aspiring actors learn on-camera skills. They offer both scheduled classes and private training (for a fee) in on-camera performance, interview techniques, and filmmaking.
Age Groups: Youth and adults (community members). Free or low-cost for youth; adults pay membership or class fees.
Notable: CMAC emphasizes practical, hands-on learning in TV and film tech for the local community.
Tuition: Many workshops are free for members; non-members pay small fees.
Website: cmac.tv (Fresno/Clovis Community Media Access Collaborative).

Voice Acting Programs

United Conservatory of Music & Arts – Private Voice/Acting Coaching

Location: 6759 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93710.
Classes Offered: One-on-one acting lessons tailored to each student, with a focus on specific goals. UCMA’s private coaching can emphasize voice acting techniques (e.g. cartoon voice, narration) as well as audition preparation and stage presence.
Age Groups: Children, teens, and adults (age 5–17 in acting lessons; any age for voiceover training).
Notable Instructors: Professional coaches; students work on auditions, monologues, or specific voice skills (the website mentions using these lessons to “hone skills as a voice actor”).
Tuition: Hourly private lesson rates (contact UCMA for details).
Website: unitedconservatory.org (Private Acting Lessons page).

College & University Acting Programs

California State University, Fresno – Theatre and Dance Department

Location: California State University, Fresno campus (5241 N. Maple Ave, Fresno, CA).
Classes Offered: Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on acting. Coursework spans acting techniques (period styles, scene study, voice, physical theatre, musical theatre, children’s theatre, etc.). Students participate in multiple productions per year (mainstage plays, experimental theatre, etc.).
Age Groups: College students (typically 18+).
Notable Instructors: University faculty (theater professors) and guest artists. Students collaborate on mainstage productions and touring children’s shows.
Tuition: Standard CSU tuition (in-state and out-of-state rates per year).
Website: fresnostate.edu/theatrearts.

Fresno Pacific University – Theater Program

Location: Fresno Pacific University campus (1717 S. Chestnut Ave, Fresno, CA).
Classes Offered: Performance-centered theater program leading to a BA in Theater. Emphasizes storytelling and stagecraft within a Christian liberal arts context. Students learn acting, directing, design, and technical theater as part of coursework and productions (e.g. semester plays, showcases).
Age Groups: College students (18+).
Notable: FPU integrates theater training with its values; students often involve Christian themes like redemption and justice in productions.
Tuition: Private university rates (per semester).
Website: fresno.edu/arts/theater.

Fresno City College – Theatre Arts Department

Location: Fresno City College campus (1101 E. University Ave, Fresno, CA).
Classes Offered: Two-year degree and transfer program in Theatre Arts. The program includes acting, stagecraft, design, and theater appreciation. It is “the only community college in Fresno County that offers degree and transfer options to students in Theatre Arts”. Students stage several productions annually (plays, musicals, etc.) while earning an AA in Theatre Arts or Design/Tech.
Age Groups: Primarily college-age (freshmen/sophomores) and adult learners.
Notable: FCC’s program collaborates with local theaters and guilds for student experience.
Tuition: Community college tuition (per credit-hour).
Website: fresnocitycollege.edu/theatrearts.

Other (Youth Programs & Multidisciplinary)

Children’s Musical Theaterworks (CMT)

Location: Rehearsal space in Sierra Vista Mall, Clovis; performances at Fresno Memorial Auditorium (2425 Fresno St, Fresno, CA).
Classes Offered: Non-profit youth musical theater training. CMT offers classes, camps, and full-scale musical productions, dedicated to training children and teens in acting, singing, and dance. Productions are family-friendly musicals where students perform on stage.
Age Groups: Young performers (elementary through high school age).
Notable: Funded by city arts grants, CMT is the valley’s only company focused on youth musical theater.
Tuition: Often scholarship-funded or low-cost (contact for details).
Website: cmtworks.org.

Community Center for the Arts & Technology (CCAT)

Location: 267 N. Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93701 (downtown Fresno).
Classes Offered: Free performing arts and media classes for youth. CCAT provides theater, music, dance, video, audio, and visual arts workshops for children. For example, their free programs for ages 4–15 include Theater, Folkloric/Hip Hop dance, guitar, piano, and even robotics and filmmaking. The goal is youth empowerment through the arts.
Age Groups: Children and teens (generally 4–15 years old) for free classes; some adult classes (membership).
Notable: “The only [Fresno] center of its kind” offering no-cost arts education to kids.
Tuition: Free for youth (donations supported); small fees for adult/community programs.
Website: ccatfresno.org.

California Arts Academy

Location: 4750 N. Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93726.
Classes Offered: Performing arts school offering acting and musical theater classes for kids. The Academy’s program builds stage confidence and skills: students work on staging, memorization, enunciation, characterization, stage etiquette, and improvisation, all via weekly group classes and staged productions. Current youth shows (e.g. Annie Kids) give students full performance experience.
Age Groups: Young children (starting around age 4) through early teens (offering levels like “4–8”, “8–13” etc on their schedule).
Notable Instructors: Named instructors (e.g. “Jordan”, “Daniel” on their schedule).
Tuition: Per semester/session (e.g., weekly class fees plus any production fees).
Website: calartsacademy.com.

McIntyre Model Management

Location: Fresno, CA (casting office in Fresno).
Classes Offered: Model and acting training. McIntyre is a modeling agency and talent manager (as listed under “Casting” in local production services). In addition to scouting, they occasionally host workshops for runway and commercial modeling, which also benefit aspiring actors by teaching presentation and confidence.
Age Groups: Primarily teens and adults (female models noted; some children’s division).
Notable: Known for placing talent in regional print and runway shows; involved with Fresno State fashion events.
Tuition: Non-disclosed (as this is a management agency, fees apply for representation and portfolio services).
Website: mcintyremodel.com (Fresno-based modeling agency).

Conclusion

From improv comedy to on-camera workshops and collegiate theater degrees, Fresno offers a wealth of acting education for all interests and ages. Programs like Armpit Theater (improv) and UCMA (scene study) build foundational skills, while Fresno State and Fresno Pacific provide formal theater curricula for serious actors.

Community centers and arts academies offer youth theater and voice programs. With so many options—whether you’re a kid trying out your first class or an adult honing on-camera technique—Fresno’s acting scene is lively and welcoming. Explore these training opportunities and find the class that sparks your creativity in the San Joaquin Valley!