Mesa and Tempe offer a vibrant performing arts scene with year-round acting classes and theatre programs for all ages and skill levels. From college degree programs to community workshops, the East Valley has something for aspiring actors and performers.
This guide highlights a mix of offerings in Mesa and Tempe, including university and community college theater programs, youth theatre troupes, professional acting studios, improv/comedy schools, and specialty training. Programs listed below are all active and accepting students.
College & University Programs
Arizona State University – School of Music, Dance & Theatre (Tempe)
Location: Tempe, AZ (Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, ASU).
Classes Offered: ASU’s theatre department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in theatre arts (performance, design/tech, directing) and film. Students take courses in acting, stagecraft, film production, playwriting, and more.
Age Groups: College-aged (18+).
Notable Instructors: ASU faculty include veteran theatre professionals and Broadway-caliber performers (e.g. acting instructors Tracy Lewis, Kevin Bisch, etc.).
Tuition: Arizona resident tuition is about $11,822 per year; out-of-state tuition is higher (~$34,014/year). (Fees and scholarships vary.)
Website: musicdancetheatre.asu.edu (School of Music, Dance & Theatre).
Mesa Community College – Theatre & Film Arts Program (Mesa)
Location: Mesa, AZ (Southern & Dobson campus; 1833 W Southern Ave).
Classes Offered: MCC’s AAFA in Theatre provides coursework in acting, directing, stagecraft, and production. The program features a foundation in both performance and technical theatre, with multiple mainstage productions and student-run workshops each semester.
Age Groups: College-aged (18+).
Notable Instructors: Mace Clair Archer (Program Director) and Kara Elizabeth Thomson, who have professional theatre and film backgrounds.
Tuition: Maricopa County resident rate is about $97 per credit (around $1,500–$2,000 per year in tuition).
Website: mesacc.edu/theatre (Theatre & Film Arts).
Community & Youth Programs
Beyond formal college degrees, several community and youth programs offer acting classes and theatrical experiences:
Mesa Arts Center (Mesa)
Location: Mesa, AZ (One E. Main St, Mesa Arts Center campus).
Classes Offered: The city-run Mesa Arts Center offers performing arts classes, including theatre and music, for all ages. Programs may include acting for beginners, musical theatre workshops, and improvisation. (Schedules change each season; check the MAC site for current offerings.)
Age Groups: Youth and adults (courses range from kids’ drama camps to teen and adult acting classes).
Notable Instructors: Local teaching artists and professional performers who partner with MAC.
Tuition: Varies by class (typically from $50–$150 per multi-week course).
Website: mesaartscenter.com (See “Classes & Workshops” for current listings).
Edna Vihel Arts Center (Tempe)
Location: Tempe, AZ (Tempe Community Complex, 3340 S. Rural Rd).
Classes Offered: A community arts center offering a variety of programs in visual and performing arts. Youth and adult classes include drama workshops, dance, voice, and creative movement. Over 355 classes are offered annually for all skill levels.
Age Groups: All ages (classes from children’s drama to adult theatre workshops).
Notable Instructors: Experienced arts educators from the Tempe area.
Tuition: City course fees (often $20–$100 per session, depending on length and supply costs).
Website: tempe.gov/arts (Tempe Arts Center).
East Valley Children’s Theatre (EVCT) (Mesa)
Location: Mesa, AZ (Rehearsal Studio at 4501 E. Main St).
Classes Offered: EVCT is a non-profit youth theatre where kids take acting classes and rehearse plays. They offer age-specific programs: “Actor’s Playground” for ages 3–5, “Actor’s Toolbox” for 6–9, and “Actor’s Academy” for ages 10–14. These classes use theatre games, song, dance, and improvisation to build acting skills. Participants can also join EVCT troupes and ensembles that perform around Mesa.
Age Groups: Children and teens (ages 3–14).
Notable Instructors: Classes are led by theatre professionals and trained educators.
Tuition: Class fees vary by program (contact EVCT for details).
Website: evct.org (Classes & Workshops).
Childsplay (Tempe)
Location: Tempe, AZ (Sybil B. Harrington Campus, 900 S. Mitchell Dr).
Classes Offered: Childsplay offers theatre classes, camps, and one-on-one coaching for youth. Group programs include acting, musical theatre, voice, movement, and playwriting. They also run an intensive “Academy” program and summer camps. All classes are taught by working theatre artists. Private coaching in acting, voice, and dance is also available.
Age Groups: Kids and teens (approximately 4–18).
Notable Instructors: Professional theatre artists (Childsplay’s faculty includes experienced actors, directors, and teachers).
Tuition: Private lessons are $30 for 30 minutes or $50 for an hour; group class fees vary by length and program.
Website: childsplayaz.org (Education & Classes).
Professional Acting Studios & Workshops
Cara Alvey’s Actors Workshop (Tempe)
Location: Tempe, AZ (434 E. Southern Ave).
Classes Offered: Acting technique classes for adults and youth, including scene study, audition techniques, cold-read drills, and on-camera training. Cara’s studio also offers improv and acting classes for children (“Kidz on Camera”) and teens. Her curriculum blends methods like Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and Meisner.
Age Groups: Children (6–11), teens, adults (18+), and even seniors (55+).
Notable Instructors: Cara Alvey (owner/founder), a TV/film actress and Broadway dancer with 20+ years’ experience.
Tuition: Adult 5-week courses are around $199; youth classes range from ~$80–$150 depending on length.
Website: caraalvey.com (Classes & Workshops).
Improv & Comedy Programs
Bridge Improv Theater (Mesa)
Location: Mesa, AZ (1061 N. Dobson Rd, Suite 114).
Classes Offered: Bridge Improv is a comedy training center offering improv and stand-up classes. Adult improv levels 101–203 cover fundamentals and advanced scene work (9-week sessions). They also have stand-up comedy workshops and youth improv classes. (They occasionally offer free community improv nights.)
Age Groups: Youth and adults (improv classes for kids/teens; adult classes 16+).
Notable Instructors: Founders/training directors include Travis Johnson, David Raftery, and Johnny Kalita (all veteran improvisers).
Tuition: Improv 101 (9 weeks) costs about $250; 201/203 classes ~$275. Youth improv is ~$25/week (or $90/month subscription); Stand-Up 4-week workshop is $100.
Website: bridgeimprovtheater.com (Adult and Youth Classes).
Tempe Improv Comedy Theater (Tempe)
Location: Tempe, AZ (930 E. University Dr).
Classes Offered: Tempe Improv (a comedy club) offers ongoing stand-up comedy classes and workshops for adults. Their Stand-Up Comedy Class runs multiple times a year (e.g. May–Nov 2025).
Age Groups: Adults (18+).
Notable Instructors: Local comedy performers; instructors rotate (specific names not listed).
Tuition: Course fees vary (check website for current class pricing).
Website: tempeimprov.com (Comedy Classes & Calendar).
Second Beat Improv Theater (Tempe)
Location: Tempe, AZ (1130 E. Missouri Ave, Suite 590).
Classes Offered: Weekly improv courses (Intro through advanced levels). Level 1 Intro to Improv, Level 2 Ensemble Building, Level 3 Advanced Scenework, and Level 4 (Improv for Performers) are offered each session. These classes teach long-form improv techniques and ensemble work.
Age Groups: Adults (18+). (Under-18 may enroll with parental approval.)
Notable Instructors: Sam Haldiman, a seasoned improviser, leads the training (Second Beat’s founder and coach).
Tuition: Full 7–8 week courses (depending on level) are roughly $240 each. (Payment/refund policies on site.)
Website: secondbeatimprov.com (Class Schedules & Registration).
Conclusion
Whether you’re pursuing a theater degree, honing skills in a community workshop, or just exploring acting as a hobby, Mesa and Tempe have robust year-round programs to fit your needs. We’ve highlighted top offerings—from ASU’s university programs to local youth theaters and improv studios. Each entry above is an active 2025 program with its own style, instructors, and tuition.
Check the listed websites or contact the organizations directly to find current schedules and enrollment details. With so many options nearby, actors of any age can find the right classes and programs to train, perform, and grow in Mesa and Tempe.