New Conservatory Theatre Center Classes

NCTC is such a great place for kids. It really fosters a sense of community beyond simply taking classes. Not to say the classes for kids aren’t great because they are! And all of the shows I’ve seen have been terrific!

NCTC does an amazing job with kids and teens! My son has been acting with NCTC for 5 years and loves it! He has done the summer camps with NCTC as well. He is always energized and inspired by the teaching and the enthusiasm of the program. We are so glad we found it. The classes are all wonderful and Stephanie Temple is an incredibly fun and inspiration teacher for the kids!

I have been associated with New Conservatory Theatre since 1994 and I LOVE it. I know the staff to be kind, extremely talented, and very trained in the performing arts. If you are looking for your child to cultivate their inner artist or focus your wild star– NCTC’s on site and off site classes (they can come to your school!) and plays is the place! Really– check them out– first day of school year class is FREE!

Couldn’t think of a better way to spend 3 weeks of summer. My daughter absolutely loves NCTC camp and has been going for the past 4 years. She’s already looking forward to next summer and can’t wait to see what play she’ll be working on as a brand new member of the Teen Ensemble.
The teachers and staff have great energy and teach the kids a lot of theater and music skills and knowledge in just three weeks. The end of session plays they put on are always delightful.
It would be great if the year round classes were offered on other days besides Saturdays, as my daughter can’t attend those due to other commitments.
I will always recommend NCTC!

Ed Decker has grown this theatre company over the years into one of the best venues for new work and old standards. My daughter studying acting there as a young girl and last year was voted best Spoken Word Artist in Santa Cruz! Thanks Ed for the inspiration.

my daughter has been taking acting classes in s.f. since she was 3, we find new conservatory the best fit. Andrew and Jomar really understand how to make play acting real, fun and educational, we couldn’t be happier.

My son attended the NCTC summer camp for the first time at age 9 and has gone every year since – this summer will be his 8^th year. We plan our summer travel around NCTC! This year he is also doing the Teen Performance Ensemble, having the time of his life in the terrific, funny show «Muni». The kids’ programs are just excellent, and we have been so impressed with how much they are able to accomplish in a short time. Kids of any and all levels of ability and experience are welcome, and they all learn and grow through these programs while having a great time.

This review is based mostly on the outstanding job that NCTC’s Youth Conservatory does in the community. For 9 years, my son has been attending classes at NCTC, and has benefited tremendously from the experience. Not only has he gained theatre skills (acting, writing, stage tech), but he also has learned the value of project management within a tolerent team. And he has had roaring good fun and made lifelong friendships too! Those who are in Youth Conservatory classes are given many opportunities to follow their theatre passions, whether that means acting in the delightful, excellent-​quality Conservatory shows, or stage managing/​run lighting/​you name it. In addition, students are able to attend (for free) those Youth shows in which they haven’t been cast, as well as see mainstage NCTC productions which are appropriate for youths/​teens. In short, NCTC’s Youth Conservatory offers a complete theatre adventure — and scholarships are available to those who are in need. One of the best arts groups in the city, in my estimation. Bravo NCTC!

NCTC was a second home for me for 11 years of my life. I started taking classes there when I was 6 and by the time I turned 12, I was there at least twice a week, singing and acting my guts out. I credit this community with who I am today. It is an excellent place to be, make friends, learn to act, and get a wonderful education outside of school. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

New Conservatory Theater Center offers a wide selection of performances, which I highly recommend. And should you get bitten by the performance bug yourself, they also have classes for both kids and adults. I have no direct experience of the kids’ classes, but the kids all look/​sound very excited to be there so I’m guessing that it’s a good program.
I just finished my first, 9-​week course: «Sing Out,» a musical theater course for adults. It was fabulous — nine students in the class, and we met weekly to go through whatever piece we wanted to work on that week. The teacher, Scrumbly, is superb at coaching students to connect with the emotional «charge» of the song to call forth in their performances.
The course culminated in an incredibly fun recital. We each sang a solo and at least one duet, and ended up with a group number «Hey, Big Spender» complete with hip bumps and sultry shoulder wiggles. Considering that half of the class was over 40 and male, that was especially fun.
If you are afraid of showtunes and jazz hands — stay away. Or, better yet, use this excellent class as an opportunity to work through your bizarre phobia.
The only thing that keeps this from being five stars was that I wanted more «ME» time in the rehearsals. With nine students and so many pieces (solos, duets, group) to run through, there often wasn’t the time to delve deeply into an individual piece. This class whetted my appetite for individual instruction, so I think I will take this group class again and supplement with private lessons.
Mi, mi, mi, it’s all about me :-)