Sacramento’s theater scene is rich with training opportunities for actors of all ages, from improv and comedy workshops to on-camera and voice-over programs.
Local studios and colleges offer scene study, audition technique, and specialty classes taught by industry pros. Whether you’re a kid, teen or adult, Sacramento has classes to hone your performance skills on stage and screen. Below are some of the premier acting and comedy training programs in Sacramento.
Improv & Comedy Training
Haus of Comedy (Windhaus Improv) – Sacramento (North Highlands)
- Classes Offered: Improv comedy classes for all levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced), plus drop-in improv jams and themed workshops. The studio emphasizes teamwork and spontaneity.
- Age Groups: Teens and adults.
- Notable Instructors: Founder Teo Spengler and a rotating ensemble of improv coaches.
- Tuition: Varies by class; drop-in sessions are typically around \$10 each.
- Website: windhausimprov.com
- Source: Windhaus Improv provides “improv classes, live improv shows, team-building, and private coaching in Sacramento, CA”.
Sacramento Comedy Spot – Sacramento (Midtown)
- Classes Offered: Weekly improv and stand-up classes, sketch writing workshops, and open-mic events. Students learn improv games (yes-and exercises) and stand-up comedy fundamentals.
- Age Groups: Primarily adults (18+).
- Notable Instructors: Founders Brian Patterson and Chris Kiely (experienced stand-up improvisers).
- Tuition: Affordable group class rates (often low-cost drop-in options around \$5–\$10 per class).
- Website: saccomedyspot.com
- Info Source: Advertising and local reviews note Sacramento Comedy Spot is “Northern California’s largest comedy school,” offering improv, stand-up, and sketch classes.
STAB! Comedy Theater – Sacramento (Sacramento City)
- Classes Offered: Drop-in and multi-week classes in improvisation and stand-up comedy. Emphasizes offbeat and alternative comedy formats.
- Age Groups: Adults (18+).
- Notable Instructors: Owner/Director Jesse Jones teaches improv; other instructors include local stand-up veterans.
- Tuition: Class fees vary by workshop (contact for current rates).
- Website: stabcomedytheater.com
- Source: STAB! is “the newest comedy school & comedy club in Sacramento and offers classes in Improv Comedy and Stand Up Comedy”.
Punch Line Comedy Club (Sacramento) – Sacramento (Arden-Arcade)
- Classes Offered: Specialized comedy workshops, including Stand-Up 101, storytelling comedy, and roast-writing clinics. These multi-session courses focus on structuring routines, joke-writing and stage performance.
- Age Groups: Adults (18+).
- Notable Instructors: Featured comedians such as Johnny Taylor (storytelling) and Keith Lowell Jensen (stand-up basics) teach intensive workshops.
- Tuition: Class fees for multi-week workshops (example: a 3-class storytelling workshop or 4-class roast class). Contact the club for details.
- Website: punchlinesac.com
- Source: Punch Line Sacramento advertises workshops like “Storytelling Comedy Class with Johnny Taylor” and “Stand Up Comedy 101 with Keith Lowell Jensen”.
SPANK Comedy Collective
- Location: Basement at The Complex, 339 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Classes Offered: Devised comedy, sketch writing, long‑form improv intensives
- Age Groups: Adults (18+)
- Notable Instructors: SPANK ensemble members
- Tuition: $180 per 6‑week course
- Website: spankcomedy.com
Lady Fingers Improv
- Location: 235 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
- Classes Offered: Short‑form improv games, character work, advanced long‑form
- Age Groups: Adults (18+)
- Notable Instructors: Melissa Vega and company instructors
- Tuition: $200 per session
- Website: ladyfingersimprov.com
Just Joking! Comedy Workshops
- Location: 378 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Classes Offered: Stand‑up comedy, sketch writing, improv fundamentals
- Age Groups: Adults (18+)
- Notable Instructors: Amy Engelberg and guest comedians
- Tuition: $150 for a 5‑week class
- Website: justjokingcomedy.com
SF Sketchfest Workshops
- Location: Various venues across San Francisco
- Classes Offered: Festival‑based comedy writing, improv intensives, stand‑up labs
- Age Groups: Teens (13+) & Adults
- Notable Instructors: Headlining festival performers
- Tuition: Varies by workshop
- Website: sfsketchfest.com
Acting Studios – Scene Study & Technique
Studio 24 (Sacramento) – Sacramento (Midtown)
- Classes Offered: Ongoing acting classes heavy in scene study, character work, cold reading, and improv. Courses are tiered for Beginners through Advanced, and include onscreen acting, TV/Film technique, and commercial audition prep. Workshops cover topics like on-camera technique, audition technique, and voiceover.
- Age Groups: Kids (pre-teens), Teens, and Adults. Separate classes for each group (with ongoing placement-based levels).
- Notable Instructors: Founder/coach Cody Dorkin (award-winning actor), plus guest coaches like comedy director Leonard R. Garner and scene coach Mary McCusker.
- Tuition: Multi-month courses; students are placed in ongoing classes by level (contact studio for pricing).
- Website: studio24.com
- Source: Studio 24’s programs “are heavy in scene study and the perfect fit for the actor wanting to hone their craft in a challenging yet supportive environment”.
Actor’s Workshop of Sacramento – Sacramento (Midtown; 25th St)
- Classes Offered: Weekly group scene-study classes using diverse acting methods, plus private coaching and specialty workshops (on-camera, audition prep, etc.). Emphasizes emotional honesty and character development.
- Age Groups: All ages (children through adults) and skill levels, from beginners to working professionals. The studio was founded to train “Actors of all ages” in acting craft.
- Notable Instructors: Founder Ed Claudio (veteran SAG actor) and head coach Elisabeth Nunziato lead classes.
- Tuition: Class packages or monthly rates; private coaching by the hour (contact for rates).
- Website: actinsac.com
- Source: “Our Scene Study classes are the beating heart of the Actor’s Studio… a transformative experience… in a safe and supportive group setting”.
B Street Theatre (The Sofia) – Sacramento (Midtown)
- Classes Offered: Year-round youth acting programs (Studio for Young Actors) and an Adult Conservatory. Classes teach fundamental acting tools for stage, including movement, voice, and improvisation through exercises and plays. The adult conservatory covers basic technique and career skills.
- Age Groups: Studio for Young Actors (ages 5–18); Adult Conservatory (ages 18+).
- Notable Instructors: Professional teaching artists from Sacramento’s Tony-winning theatre (B Street). The program is overseen by Sacramento Children’s Theatre and Conservatory staff.
- Tuition: Semester tuition or workshop fees (B Street membership supports arts education).
- Website: bstreettheatre.org
- Source: B Street Theatre “serves Sacramento’s kids with the finest acting classes! We offer classes for all ages throughout the year”. Its Adult Conservatory “provides aspiring actors of all ages with the skills, tools, and confidence to reveal their unique acting talents”.
Sacramento Children’s Musical Theater (SCMT) – Sacramento (Howe Park)
- Classes Offered: Youth acting workshops for stage and screen. For example, a 6-week acting workshop (grades 2–9) taught by Artistic Director John Bisceglie covers theater basics: audition technique, improvisation, theatre games, character development, and scripted scene work. SCMT also produces full musicals, giving students practical stage experience.
- Age Groups: Children and teens (approximately ages 7–14 in the listed workshop).
- Notable Instructors: John Bisceglie (artistic director of SCMT) leads the workshops.
- Tuition: Example workshop fee is \$225 per student (as listed for a 6-week session).
- Website: sacramentochildrensmusicaltheater.com
- Source: SCMT’s acting workshop description states it “teaches the basics of theater… to build confidence and performance skills,” covering “audition techniques, improvisation, theater games, character development, and scripted scene work”.
Sacramento Theatre Company
- Location: 1419 H St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
- Classes Offered: Adult scene‑study courses (e.g. “Acting Fundamentals with Janis Stevens”), culminating in a final staged performance.
- Age Groups: Adults
- Notable Instructors: Janis Stevens (MFA, regional credits; Drama Desk nominee)
- Tuition: $250 for a 7‑week session (2022 rate)
- Website: sacramentotheatrecompany.org
Capital Stage
- Location: E. Claire Raley Studios (CLARA), 2420 N St, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA
- Classes Offered: Introduction to Acting; Shakespeare for Actors—both deep in scene work, text analysis, and technique.
- Age Groups: Adults (all levels welcome)
- Notable Instructors: Elyse Sharp (professional actor/teacher)
- Tuition: $300 per class
- Website: capitalstage.org
African American Shakespeare Company
- Location: African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Classes Offered: Classical acting and Shakespeare scene‑study workshops, stage combat intensives
- Age Groups: Teens & Adults
- Notable Instructors: Artistic Director Shana Simmons and AASC ensemble members
- Tuition: $200 per workshop
- Website: africanamericanshakes.org
Z Space – Performance Workshops
- Location: Z Space, 450 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Classes Offered: New‑play development labs, devised theatre, ensemble performance classes
- Age Groups: Adults
- Notable Instructors: Z Space ensemble artists and guest directors
- Tuition: $250 per class
- Website: zspace.org
City Lights Theatre Company – Acting Workshops
- Location: 215 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Classes Offered: Acting intensives, audition labs, youth theatre camps
- Age Groups: Kids, Teens & Adults
- Notable Instructors: Artistic staff Elaine Polvinen and Gary Graves
- Tuition: $300 per youth session; $275 per adult workshop
- Website: citylightstheatre.org
Intersection for the Arts – Performance Labs
- Location: 925 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Classes Offered: Devised‑theatre workshops, script labs, performance art training
- Age Groups: Adults
- Notable Instructors: Intersection resident artists and visiting facilitators
- Tuition: $185 per workshop
- Website: intersectionforthearts.org
Ragged Wing Ensemble – Ensemble Training
Location: 1695 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Classes Offered: Ensemble‑based acting, devised performance, scene study
Age Groups: Adults
Notable Instructors: Founding ensemble members
Tuition: $180 per session
Website: raggedwingensemble.org
The Epiphany Center for the Arts – Actor Workshops
- Location: 555 7th St #1A, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Classes Offered: Scene study, movement for actors, voice technique, playwriting
- Age Groups: Adults
- Notable Instructors: Js Marsden, Alex Miller
- Tuition: $225 per workshop
- Website: epiphanyarts.org
Lower Bottom Playaz – Hip‑Hop Theatre Workshops
- Location: The Box SF, 916 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Classes Offered: Hip‑hop theatre, ensemble performance training, stage presence
- Age Groups: Teens & Adults
- Notable Instructors: Ensemble co‑founders Usual Suspects
- Tuition: $150 per session
- Website: lowerbottomplayaz.org
TheatreCUE – On‑Camera & Industry Labs
- Location: 465 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Classes Offered: On‑camera acting, audition technique, film production workshops
- Age Groups: Adults
- Notable Instructors: Industry professionals (casting directors, cinematographers)
- Tuition: $295 per course
- Website: theatrecue.com
42nd Street Moon – Musical Theatre Workshops
- Location: 216 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Classes Offered: Musical‑theatre scene study, audition workshops, dance intensives
- Age Groups: Teens & Adults
- Notable Instructors: Musical directors and choreographers from 42nd Street Moon
- Tuition: $250 per workshop
- Website: 42ndstreetmoon.org
Acting Studios – On-Camera & Audition
The Playground (Sacramento) – Sacramento
- Classes Offered: Acting training for film and TV. The adult program emphasizes audition technique for camera, on-camera acting, and scene study for film roles. The youth program (7–17) focuses on audition prep, scene work, and on-camera technique for young actors.
- Age Groups: Separate tracks for Kids (ages ~5–12), Teens (~13–17), and Adults (18+).
- Notable Instructors: Founder/coach Gary Spangler (former SAG actor/director) and other casting professionals regularly teach and conduct mock auditions.
- Tuition: Rolling admissions; a one-time audition is typically required. (Tuition varies; inquire for current program fees.)
- Website: theplayground.com
- Source: The Playground’s Sacramento page notes that kids are taught “audition preparation, scene study, script analysis… improvisation techniques”, and adult classes emphasize “audition skills to young adults”.
Studio 24 – TV/Film Acting Intensive – Sacramento (Midtown)
- Classes Offered: Intensive workshops and short courses in on-camera acting, commercial audition technique, and screen acting. For example, seasonal TV/Film intensives and guest-lecturer sessions give actors experience on a multi-camera set and commercial audition practice.
- Age Groups: Teens and adults (courses typically start at age 13).
- Notable Instructors: Same acting coaches as their scene classes (Cody Dorkin, etc.), plus visiting TV/film directors or casting directors in workshops.
- Tuition: Typically workshop fees (e.g. single weekend or series); check for dates and pricing.
- Website: studio24.com
- Source: Studio 24 advertises TV/Film, Commercials, and Voiceover workshops, noting that no prior experience is needed and that the courses provide acting instruction and industry insight.
Voice Acting Programs
Studio 24 – Voiceover & Commercial Training – Sacramento (Midtown)
- Classes Offered: Voiceover workshops covering commercial narration, character animation, and demo recording. Classes include microphone technique, copy analysis, and demo reel production.
- Age Groups: All ages (adults and teens often enroll in voiceover workshops).
- Notable Instructors: Studio 24 brings in professional voice coaches and casting directors; founder Cody Dorkin is also an acting coach for voice work.
- Tuition: Workshop fees (e.g. one-day or multi-week course). Demo packages and home-studio setup coaching are also available.
- Website: studio24.com
- Source: Studio 24’s program overview highlights “fast paced, high energy” workshops in TV/Film, Commercials, and Voiceovers.
Note: While Sacramento has fewer dedicated voice-acting studios, local acting programs like Studio 24 include voiceover training as part of their offerings.
College & University Acting Programs
American River College (ARC) – Sacramento
- Program: Theatre Arts (Performance track) – A.A./Transfer degree in acting/theatre.
- Classes Offered: College-level courses in acting technique, movement, voice, and production. Students rehearse and perform in ARC’s award-winning stage productions, gaining hands-on experience.
- Age Groups: College students and adult learners (typically 18+).
- Notable Faculty: Resident theatre faculty with performance and teaching backgrounds.
- Tuition: California Community College rates (currently a few hundred dollars per semester, plus low per-unit enrollment fee for out-of-district).
- Website: arc.losrios.edu
- Source: ARC’s description notes its Theatre Arts Performance classes give “real-world experience acting on stage or working behind the scenes” in ARC productions.
Sacramento City College (SCC) – Sacramento
- Program: Theatre Arts – A.A. and A.A.-T degrees in Theatre (Acting/Directing emphasis).
- Classes Offered: Acting, voice, movement, production, and directing. Covers acting theory, theatre history, playwriting, and technical theatre. Students stage full productions as part of the curriculum.
- Age Groups: Traditional college students (18+) and community members.
- Notable Faculty: Professional theatre directors and actors; SCC has a long-established theatre department.
- Tuition: Community college tuition per unit (approximately \$46 per unit for in-district residents, plus small enrollment fees).
- Website: scc.losrios.edu
- Source: SCC’s program overview highlights training in “theories and techniques of acting, directing… including the basics of acting, theatre technology, and production”.
Cosumnes River College (CRC) – Sacramento (Elk Grove)
- Program: Theatre Arts – A.A. and A.A.-T degrees.
- Classes Offered: Acting, stagecraft, design, theatre history, and production. CRC also offers a “Theatre for Young Audiences” certificate program. Students participate in multiple fully produced shows each year.
- Age Groups: College students (18+) and adult learners.
- Notable Faculty: Award-winning directors and technical theatre instructors.
- Tuition: California community college rates (in-district fees).
- Website: crc.losrios.edu
- Source: CRC’s program emphasizes a “broad spectrum of activities in all phases of play production,” with goals to teach “the basics of acting, theatre technology and production”.
Folsom Lake College (FLC) – El Dorado Hills (Sacramento area)
- Program: Theatre Arts – A.A. and A.A.-T degrees.
- Classes Offered: Acting, stage design, theatre history, and performance. Classes are held on-campus and students perform at the attached Harris Center for the Arts.
- Age Groups: College students and adult learners.
- Notable Faculty: Visiting guest artists and professional faculty in theatre and design.
- Tuition: Community college tuition (in-district fees).
- Website: flc.losrios.edu
- Source: FLC’s overview states its Theatre Arts program “provides a broad foundation in various aspects of theatre including history, diversity, and production,” with opportunities to learn “the basics of acting, theatre design and technology”.
Sierra College – Rocklin (Greater Sacramento area)
- Program: Theatre Arts – A.A. and A.A.-T degrees.
- Classes Offered: Comprehensive training in theatre production and performance. Coursework includes acting (including acting for the camera), movement, voice, lighting, set design, and stage management.
- Age Groups: College students (18+) and continuing education students.
- Notable Faculty: Experienced theatre practitioners and educators.
- Tuition: Community college rates (in-district fees).
- Website: sierracollege.edu
- Source: Sierra College notes its Theatre Arts program “offers training, both theoretical and practical, in theatrical production, including performance, technical and business management”.
Sacramento State University (CSUS) – Sacramento
- Program: Theatre & Dance – B.A. degrees (Theatre Arts/Acting, Technical Production, Musical Theatre) and M.F.A. in Theatre Arts.
- Classes Offered: University-level courses in acting technique (including advanced scene study and Meisner technique), voice, movement, dance, design, and theatre history. Performances at the University Theatre and Music Circus stage.
- Age Groups: College students (adult).
- Notable Faculty: Recognized theatre and dance professionals; Sac State’s program is known for interdisciplinary training and diversity initiatives.
- Tuition: CSU resident tuition (currently around \$7,000–\$8,000 per year) plus fees.
- Website: csus.edu
- Source: Sac State’s Theatre & Dance mission emphasizes educating storytellers through the artistic process and preparing actors with “clear guidance” to flourish in their craft.
Community & Conservatory Theatre Programs
Shelton Studios
Location: 533 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Classes Offered: Method acting (Jean Shelton Actors Lab) – scene study, voice & movement, audition technique, ensemble work
Age Groups: Adults (18+)
Notable Instructors: Jean Shelton, Robert Elross, Matthew Shelton
Tuition: Contact for program fees
Website: sheltonstudios.org
New Conservatory Theatre Center
Location: 25 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
Classes Offered: Conservatory classes in acting, musical theatre, performance; Adult Drama Club; summer camps; in‑school Satellite Drama residencies; YouthAware educational theatre
Age Groups: Kids, Teens, Adults
Notable Instructors: Education Director Stephanie Temple; Teaching Artists Will Mattingly and Kaitlin Rosen
Tuition: Varies by program; scholarships & payment plans available
Website: nctcsf.org
The Barrow Group – SF Acting Workshops
Location: Various SF venues (Barrow Group Performing Arts Center)
Classes Offered: Weekend workshops in scene study, film/TV technique, script analysis, improv, and monologue work
Age Groups: Adults (18+)
Notable Instructors: Seth Barrish and Alyson Schacherer
Tuition: ~$150–$200 per weekend course
Website: barrowgroup.org
Asian American Theater Company
Location: 1695 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Classes Offered: Workshops in acting, scene study, voice & movement; playwright’s workshops; staged readings; new‑play development
Age Groups: Teens & Adults
Notable Instructors: AATC ensemble artists and guest facilitators (founders Frank Chin, Melvyn Escueta)
Tuition: Varies; contact for details
Website: asianamericantheater.org
Youth & Teen Acting Programs (continued)
San Francisco Playhouse – Youth Academy
- Location: Club Fugazi, 129 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Classes Offered: Youth acting classes, teen scene‑study ensembles, summer camps
- Age Groups: Kids & Teens (8–18)
- Notable Instructors: SF Playhouse teaching artists
- Tuition: $300 per session
- Website: sfplayhouse.org
Cutting Ball Theatre – Teen Lab
- Location: 492 Capp St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Classes Offered: Devised theatre workshops for teens, new‑play development
- Age Groups: Teens (13–19)
- Notable Instructors: Cutting Ball ensemble artists
- Tuition: $150 per workshop
- Website: cuttingball.com
Crowded Fire Theater – Student Workshops
- Location: 1575 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94107
- Classes Offered: Scene study, writing/performing new works, teen acting labs
- Age Groups: Teens & Adults
- Notable Instructors: Crowded Fire ensemble and guest artists
- Tuition: Sliding scale; suggested $100–$200
- Website: crowdedfire.org
Youth Speaks – Spoken‑Word Performance
- Location: 814 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Classes Offered: Poetry‑theater, spoken‑word workshops for teens
- Age Groups: Teens (13–19)
- Notable Instructors: Youth Speaks mentors
- Tuition: Free or low‑cost
- Website: youthspeaks.org
PlayGround SF – Youth Theatre
- Location: 3163 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Classes Offered: Acting classes, teen ensemble performances, showcases
- Age Groups: Kids & Teens
- Notable Instructors: PlayGround artistic directors
- Tuition: $250 per term
- Website: playgroundsf.org
The Marsh – Youth Improv & Acting
- Location: 1062 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Classes Offered: Improv and acting courses designed for youth (8–17)
- Age Groups: Youth (8–17)
- Notable Instructors: The Marsh Ensemble
- Tuition: $150 per 6‑week session
- Website: themarsh.org
Other
Young Actors Stage
- Location: 3747 W Pacific Ave, Sacramento, CA 95820, USA (performances at 2791 24th St)
- Classes Offered: After‑school programs, summer camps, and Main Stage productions—blending musical theatre and straight acting for youth.
- Age Groups: Kids, Teens
- Notable Instructors: Founded by Liorah Singerman (BFA, Musical Theatre)
- Tuition: Not specified—contact for details
- Website: youngactorsstage.com
Roseville Theatre Arts Academy (Musical & Shakespeare Workshops)
- Location: 241 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678, USA
- Classes Offered: Musical theatre workshops; Shakespeare performance labs—focusing on voice, movement, and character.
- Age Groups: Children
- Notable Instructors: (Not publicly listed)
- Tuition: Not specified—contact for details
- Website: rosevilletheatreartsacademy.com
Each of these schools and programs is currently active and enrolling students. Sacramento offers a wealth of options, from beginner workshops to college degree tracks. Explore these studios, classes, and university programs to begin or advance your acting journey in the Sacramento area.