San Jose and the greater South Bay pulse with creative energy—professional theatres mount new plays in the SoFA District, indie filmmakers shoot in Willow Glen, and improv troupes pack comedy houses in Japantown. Whether you dream of landing a network pilot, perfecting Shakespeare, or simply exploring the joy of performance, the region offers training for every age and experience level.
Below you’ll find verified programs with physical classrooms south of the Bay Bridge. They range from university conservatories and long-running acting studios to youth musical-theatre troupes, improv schools, voice-over workshops, and more. For each listing you’ll see location, class offerings, age groups, notable instructors, tuition ballpark, and a direct link so you can dig deeper.
Explore, audition, rehearse—and break a leg!
Conservatories & Degree Programs
San José State University – Dept. of Film, Theatre, and Dance
Location: One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192
Classes Offered: BA & MA in Theatre Arts (acting, directing, playwriting, design, dance, film)
Age Groups: College (undergraduate & graduate)
Notable Instructors: SJSU faculty of professional actors, directors & designers
Tuition: Approx. $7,000–$18,000 per year (in-state)
Website: sjsu.edu/filmandtheatre
Santa Clara University – Theatre & Dance Department
Location: 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
Classes Offered: BA in Theatre Arts (acting, musical-theatre, dance, design) + Musical-Theatre minor
Age Groups: College (undergraduate)
Notable Instructors: SCU theatre faculty (professional directors & choreographers)
Tuition: About $60,000 per year
Website: scu.edu/theatre
De Anza College – Theatre & Dance
Location: 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014
Classes Offered: Community-college courses (Acting I–III, voice/movement, musical theatre, stagecraft)
Age Groups: College-age & adult open-enrollment
Notable Instructors: Creative Arts Division theatre faculty
Tuition: $50 per credit (in-district)
Website: deanza.edu/theater
San Jose City College – Theatre & Dramatic Arts
Location: 2100 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95128
Classes Offered: Acting, stagecraft, directing, playwriting, production labs
Age Groups: College (18+)
Notable Instructors: Theatre faculty (e.g., Prof. James Norrington)
Tuition: $46 per credit (in-district)
Website: sjcc Theatre
Foothill College – Theatre Arts
Location: 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Classes Offered: AA in Theatre Arts; acting sequence, voice, movement, musicals & repertory productions
Age Groups: College & adult learners
Notable Instructors: Bruce McLeod, Tom Geszus (professional directors)
Tuition: $31 per credit (in-district)
Website: foothill.edu/theatre
Gavilan College – Theatre Arts Department
Location: 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy, CA 95020
Classes Offered: Acting, technical theatre, and fully staged productions for AA degree
Age Groups: College/adults
Notable Instructors: Jan Hadt (chair) and guest directors from South Valley theatres
Tuition: $46 per credit
Website: gavilan.edu/theatre
Acting Studios (Scene Study & On-Camera)
Bay Area Acting Studio
Location: 1930 Camden Ave., Suite 4, San Jose, CA 95124
Classes Offered: Meisner-based TV/film acting, scene study, improv, audition prep, privates
Age Groups: Kids, Teens, Adults
Notable Instructors: Christy English (founder) + LA guest coaches
Tuition: $325 per 4-week class; workshops $245
Website: bayareaacting.com
First Take Acting School
Location: 4750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118
Classes Offered: Beginner–advanced on-camera technique, self-taping, industry seminars
Age Groups: Kids, Teens, Adults
Notable Instructors: Beth Monaghan & team of casting-director coaches
Tuition: Program-based (scholarships available)
Website: firsttake.org
Bay-to-LA Actors Network
Location: 1900 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Classes Offered: Weekly on-camera workout, casting-director intensives, career strategy
Age Groups: Adults
Notable Instructors: Kristi Swensson Burdsall + CSA casting guests
Tuition: $40 drop-in; $150 four-pack
Website: baytolaactorsnetwork.com
Studio Sharise
Location: 1702 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
Classes Offered: Acting, dance & vocal performance classes; audition coaching
Age Groups: Kids (3+) • Teens • Adults
Notable Instructors: Sharise Parviz (actor/dancer)
Tuition: Contact for rates
Website: studiosharise.com
BraveMaker Academy
Location: Redwood City, CA (invitation studio)
Classes Offered: Film-acting intensives where actors create original shorts; scene study
Age Groups: Teens & Adults (by audition)
Notable Instructors: Kerry Barden, Mark Jackson
Tuition: $400 per 4-week session; $1,500 weekend intensive
Website: bravemaker.com
The Playground Acting School
Location: Redwood City, CA
Classes Offered: On-camera acting for youth (scene study, improv, audition skills)
Age Groups: Kids 5–12 • Teens 13–17
Notable Instructors: Gary Spatz & Hollywood casting pros
Tuition: Interview-based; private-studio rates
Website: theplayground.com
Acting Up – Los Gatos
Location: 101 Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030
Classes Offered: Adult scene-study workshops, monologue labs, and audition coaching
Age Groups: Adults
Notable Instructors: Katie O’Bryon Champlin (AEA actor/director)
Tuition: $260 per six-week session
Website: actinguped.com
Tabard Acting Studio
Location: 29 N. San Pedro St., San Jose, CA 95110 (inside Tabard Theatre)
Classes Offered: Adult evening acting classes, Shakespeare scene study, and specialty workshops
Age Groups: Adults (all levels)
Notable Instructors: Tabard resident artists & guest directors
Tuition: $225 per eight-week course
Website: tabardtheatre.org
Dragon Productions – Acting Classes
Location: 2120 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063
Classes Offered: Adult acting, playwright labs, and improv for actors
Age Groups: Adults
Notable Instructors: Meredith Hennessy (director) & Dragon company artists
Tuition: $325 for eight-week class
Website: dragonproductions.net
Los Altos Stage Company – Boot Camp
Location: Bus Barn Theatre, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos, CA 94022
Classes Offered: Summer “Actor Boot Camp” (text, movement, voice, audition) and master classes
Age Groups: Adults & advanced teens
Notable Instructors: Gary Landis (Artistic Director) + guest equity actors
Tuition: $350 per week-long intensive
Website: losaltosstage.org
San Jose Stage Company – StageWorks Classes
Location: 490 S. 1st St., San Jose, CA 95113
Classes Offered: Periodic master classes (acting, directing, Shakespeare) and professional workshops
Age Groups: Adults & pre-professionals
Notable Instructors: SJ Stage resident artists & visiting Broadway talent
Tuition: Workshop rates $95–$250
Website: thestage.org
Youth & Teen Acting Programs
3Below Theaters – Teen Ensemble
Location: 288 S. 2nd St., San Jose, CA 95113
Classes Offered: Weekly teen ensemble (scene study, audition prep, performance showcase)
Age Groups: Teens 14–19
Notable Instructors: 3Below artistic staff led by Ken Barnett
Tuition: Program fee varies by term
Website: 3belowtheaters.com
3Below Theaters – Youth Classes
Location: Same as above
Classes Offered: Acting, singing & dance classes; summer conservatory for ages 8–12
Age Groups: Kids 8–12
Notable Instructors: 3Below professional teaching artists
Tuition: Session-based; scholarships available
Website: 3belowtheaters.com
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose
Location: Creative Arts Center, 575 S. 2nd St., San Jose, CA
Classes Offered: Year-round musical-theatre training, voice, dance, improv & camps
Age Groups: Ages 4–20
Notable Instructors: CMT’s award-winning directors & choreographers
Tuition: Example $140 for 7-week dance term
Website: cmtsj.org
South Bay Children’s Musical Theater
Location: Saratoga Civic Theater, Saratoga, CA
Classes Offered: 10-week musical-theatre productions & workshops
Age Groups: Ages 5–25
Notable Instructors: Debbie Raff, John Bisceglie & team
Tuition: About $600 per production
Website: southbaychildrensmusicaltheater.com
Gilroy Children’s Musical Theater
Location: Gilroy, CA
Classes Offered: Youth musical-theatre productions & film projects
Age Groups: Ages 5–18
Notable Instructors: John Bisceglie & teaching team
Tuition: Session fee; contact GCMT
Website: gilroychildrensmusicaltheater.com
Morgan Hill Children’s Musical Theater
Location: Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, Morgan Hill, CA
Classes Offered: Partner program with GCMT; musical-theatre productions
Age Groups: Ages 5–18
Notable Instructors: GCMT artistic staff
Tuition: Session fee; contact MHCMT
Website: Same as GCMT
Roberta Jones Junior Theatre
Location: Mission City Center, 969 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara, CA
Classes Offered: City-run youth plays & musical-theatre classes
Age Groups: Kids & Teens
Notable Instructors: Santa Clara Parks & Rec performing-arts staff
Tuition: Low-cost community pricing
Website: rjjt.org
Playful People Productions
Location: Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose, CA
Classes Offered: Inclusive family musicals, acting & dance classes, summer camps
Age Groups: Children, Teens, Adults
Notable Instructors: Barbara Galiotto & Katie D’Arcey
Tuition: Community-based rates
Website: playfulpeople.org
Peninsula Youth Theatre
Location: 2510-A Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Classes Offered: Acting, musical-theatre, clowning classes & camps
Age Groups: Ages 6–18
Notable Instructors: PYT professional teaching artists
Tuition: $345 per 12-week term
Website: pytnet.org
StarStruck Theatre
Location: 3447 Camino Del Rey, San Jose, CA
Classes Offered: Youth musical-theatre productions, acting & dance classes
Age Groups: Ages 4–18
Notable Instructors: Lea Bonanni & volunteer educators
Tuition: Program-specific fees
Website: starstrucktheatre.org
Los Altos Youth Theatre
Location: Bus Barn Theatre, Los Altos, CA
Classes Offered: Youth plays & musical-theatre camps, audition workshops
Age Groups: Ages 8–18
Notable Instructors: Gary Landis & LA Stage teaching team
Tuition: $300–$450 per session
Website: losaltosstage.org/youth
South Valley Civic Theatre – SVCT Kids
Location: Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, Morgan Hill, CA
Classes Offered: Youth musicals & theatre workshops
Age Groups: Kids & Teens
Notable Instructors: SVCT volunteer directors & choreographers
Tuition: Community pricing (approx. $350 per show)
Website: svct.org
Theatre in the Mountains
Location: Loma Prieta Community Center, Los Gatos Mountains, CA
Classes Offered: School-year youth plays & summer theatre camps
Age Groups: Grades 1–12
Notable Instructors: Professional guest directors & parent volunteers
Tuition: $250–$400 per production/camp
Website: theatreinthemountains.org
Willow Glen Children’s Theatre
Location: Willow Glen Community Center, San Jose, CA
Classes Offered: After-school drama classes & seasonal productions
Age Groups: Elementary & middle school
Notable Instructors: City of San Jose recreation arts educators
Tuition: Low-cost Parks & Rec fees
Website: sanjoseca.gov/prns
Silicon Valley Shakespeare – ShakesKids Camps
Location: Willow Street Park, San Jose, CA & touring school sites
Classes Offered: Summer Shakespeare camps (acting, stage combat, text work)
Age Groups: Ages 8–18
Notable Instructors: SVS professional actors & fight choreographers
Tuition: $350 per one-week camp
Website: svshakespeare.org
Starting Arts – Dream Team
Location: 1900 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA
Classes Offered: Auditioned youth ensembles, masterclasses, triple-threat training
Age Groups: K–12 (advanced track)
Notable Instructors: Starting Arts professional teaching artists
Tuition: Program fee (scholarships available)
Website: startingarts.com
Stage Kids California
Location: San Jose & Campbell class sites
Classes Offered: Acting, singing, dance classes & showcase productions
Age Groups: Children & Teens
Notable Instructors: Jennifer Krulder & ensemble staff
Tuition: Class-based pricing
Website: stagekidsca.com
Aspire Performing Arts Academy
Location: Los Gatos & Cupertino venues
Classes Offered: Youth musical-theatre intensives, audition coaching, college-prep masterclasses
Age Groups: Ages 10–18
Notable Instructors: Broadway guest artists & Bay-Area directors
Tuition: Workshop rates $250–$600
Website: aspireperformingarts.org
Improv & Comedy Training
American Improv Theatre
Location: 1345 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Classes Offered: Beginning–advanced improv, performance troupes, drop-ins
Age Groups: Teens 16+ & Adults
Notable Instructors: Jeff Ringgold
Tuition: $250–$275 per 4-week level
Website: americanimprovtheatre.com
ComedySportz San Jose
Location: 5440 Thornwood Dr., San Jose, CA 95123
Classes Offered: Intro-to-improv, ComedySportz League, advanced workshops
Age Groups: High-school & Adult
Notable Instructors: CSz San Jose ensemble
Tuition: $250 for 8-week intro
Website: cszsanjose.com
Voice-Over & Specialty Acting
Just For Actors
Location: 1 W. Campbell Ave., #1004, Campbell, CA 95008
Classes Offered: On-camera audition, voice-over workshops, self-tape coaching
Age Groups: Adults
Notable Instructors: Dennis (casting director/coach)
Tuition: Private coaching & class packages
Website: justforactors.com
Bay Area Acting Studio – Voice-Over Program
Location: 1930 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Classes Offered: Commercial & animation voice-over technique, demo prep
Age Groups: Teens & Adults
Notable Instructors: Christy English + guest VO pros
Tuition: $240–$300 per session
Website: bayareaacting.com
Silicon Valley Voicework
Location: South Bay (studio sessions & online)
Classes Offered: Dialects, accent reduction, narration & VO intensives
Age Groups: Adults
Notable Instructors: Professional voice coaches
Tuition: $600–$1,000 per intensive
Website: voicesforall.com
Voice-Overs: “Now Is Your Time!” (Such A Voice)
Location: Redwood City Parks & Rec, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, CA
Classes Offered: One-evening VO essentials workshop (commercials, narration, animation)
Age Groups: Teens & Adults
Notable Instructors: Certified Such A Voice coaching staff
Tuition: Around $99
Website: suchavoice.com
Ready to step into the spotlight? From conservatory degrees and on-camera masterclasses to improv jams and kid-friendly musical-theatre camps, the South Bay offers training for every actor’s journey. Explore these programs, connect with the vibrant community, and start telling your story—one bold choice at a time. Break a leg!