American Conservatory Theater A.C.T.
405 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 749.2ACT
The Company
Established in 1965, American Conservatory Theater is a Tony Award–winning theater and training institution whose work is energized and informed by a profound commitment to developing the next generation of theater artists. A.C.T. is the largest theater company in the San Francisco Bay Area and employs more than 800 people each season, from teachers and artists to technicians and administrative staff. During the past four decades, more than 300 A.C.T. productions have been seen by close to 7 million playgoers in the company’s magnificent Beaux Arts–style theater located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square theater district.
The Vision
A.C.T. continues to nurture its legacy as one of America’s most respected regional theaters and to expand its reach to include new areas of dramatic literature, new communities, and new international collaborations, as well as innovative interpretations of classical work. Central to A.C.T.’s vision is the philosophy of lifelong education. A.C.T. is committed to nurturing artists from diverse backgrounds, and to embracing the challenging dynamics of training and performance that lie at the heart of the institution.
The City
Famed for its energetic individualism, its sophisticated cultural landscape, and its breathtaking beauty, San Francisco is home to more than 300 resident theater companies, from new-play repertories to acclaimed Shakespeare festivals to Broadway touring houses. An ideal location for actors beginning their careers, the Bay Area theater scene is both large enough to be noticed nationally and intimate enough to ensure that you’ll soon be a familiar face. Actors in the Bay Area are involved in all levels of the entertainment industry, from developing contacts to attending auditions and industry gatherings, and frequently make the successful transition to thriving theatrical and cinematic careers.
The Location
Located in the heart of Union Square, A.C.T.’s conservatory boasts 10 studios and a black box studio theater, and shares its rehearsal spaces with A.C.T.’s mainstage productions. Classrooms, studios, and administrative offices are fully integrated— student life is an integral part of A.C.T.’s life—and students have the opportunity to interact daily with company actors and staff. A few blocks away is A.C.T.’s historic and dazzling theater—one of San Francisco’s famed cultural landmarks. In addition, Zeum Theater, at Yerba Buena Gardens, is A.C.T.’s additional stage for readings, workshops, rehearsals, and other aspects of new play and production development. Nearby, students can explore the theater district, museums, parks, Chinatown, North Beach, and the Embarcadero waterfront.