Hi, Gai.
I think PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre's two-year Acting Conservatory is the best kept secret in American Theatre. It is important to us that our students can start their careers with little to no debt. We just had two spots open up for the class that will start on August 18. Anyone interested should feel free to contact casting@pcpa.org as soon as possible. There is more information below. PCPA also has a two-year Technical Theatre Conservatory.
PCPA TWO-YEAR ACTING CONSERVATORY
Below you will find information about PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre's two-year Acting Conservatory as well as links to two short documentaries about the Acting Conservatory.
If you would prefer to avoid clicking on links in an email, you can access these videos by visiting www.pcpa.org and clicking on 'Conservatory'.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Acting (overview)
Acting (students' perspective)
WHO ARE WE?
PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre is an acclaimed two-year concentrated vocational training program located in Santa Maria on the Central Coast of California. PCPA conservatory students train as members of a professional company mentored by professional equity actors with a passion to teach.
PCPA is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, antiracist, and equitable space where all students can reach their full artistic potential. We strive to reflect our diverse community as we train the future of the American Theater.
TUITION
Our two-year Conservatory programs are very affordable.
We are very selective during the audition and interview process, and, therefore, very dedicated to students we accept into PCPA's two-year training programs. PCPA has worked with the state of California, Allan Hancock College, and with private donors to make our tuition affordable, so our graduates can immediately go to work as professional actors and technicians without being burdened by student loan debt.
California Residents:
Acting Conservatory Tuition:
Approximately $900 (nine hundred dollars) a semester for California residents.
Out-of-State Residents:
Acting Conservatory tuition is approximately $7,000 per semester for out-of-state students; however, students can establish residency during their first year and pay in-state tuition during their second year.
Financial Aid is available through Allan Hancock College for those that qualify.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR TRAINING
The two years are intense. Students are in the studio with their mentors from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and then return for rehearsal or production from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, 5 and often 6 days a week. It is all theatre all the time. We offer no general education classes.
Our goal is to make sure our students are ready to enter the professional world after two years of training with us. However, if you are interested in a four-year degree, PCPA can also be part of a path to a bachelor's degree. Students earn approximately 70 units of Theatre credits in the two years with us, and those units are transferable. We have strong relationships with colleges that accept our students as juniors.
YOUR CLASSMATES/YOUR COMPANY
We specialize in helping students with a strong foundation turn that foundation into a long career. We accept 30 acting students a year. Students range from actors who have just finished strong high school programs, to actors with some college training, to actors with a bachelor's degree and some experience in the field. As mentioned, our audition and interview process is highly selective, and, therefore, we are very dedicated to the students who join our conservatory and company.
We have 15 resident professional artists who make up the resident professional company for PCPA. The resident artists bring a wide range of professional experience from all over the country and serve as mentors for the students in the conservatory. We have approximately one professional mentor for every 4 students.
TO AUDITION AND APPLY
All applicants must start the audition process with a video audition. We recommend applicants use the Acceptd platform. Please follow this link to PCPA's Acceptd landing page to learn more and begin the audition/application process.
https://app.getacceptd.com/pcpatheater (This link will be live starting October 1st.)
- Please submit your video audition by February 1st.
If Acceptd does not work for you, please email casting@pcpa.org for other options.
PCPA does not provide housing, however, we do have a housing coordinator who will work to help you find housing in your price range.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Our website has information about our programs, and please feel free to contact me with any questions. www.pcpa.org
If you would like to visit PCPA and observe a few classes, please contact me at casting@pcpa.org
PCPA's 2 YEAR TECHNICAL THEATRE CONSERVATORY
WHO ARE WE?
PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre's two-year Technical Theatre Conservatory is a dynamic technical theatre training program located in Santa Maria on the Central Coast of California. The students train as members of PCPA's year-round professional company mentored by professional artists with a passion to teach.
PCPA is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, antiracist, and equitable space where all students can reach their full artistic potential. We strive to reflect our diverse community as we train the future of the American Theater.
TUITION
Our two-year Conservatory programs are very affordable.
We are very selective during the audition and interview process, and, therefore, very dedicated to students we accept into PCPA's two-year training programs. PCPA has worked with the state of California, Allan Hancock College, and with private donors to make our tuition affordable, so our graduates can immediately go to work as professional actors and technicians without being burdened by student loan debt.
California Residents:
Technical Theatre Conservatory Tuition:
Approximately $750 (seven hundred fifty dollars) a semester for California residents.
Out-of-State Residents:
Technical Theatre Conservatory tuition is approximately $6,000 per semester for out-of-state students; however, students can establish residency during their first year and pay in-state tuition during their second year.
Financial Aid is available through Allan Hancock College for those that qualify.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR TRAINING
The Conservatory is rigorous. The students are in the shops, labs, and classes mentored by professional technicians, managers, and designers from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and then they often return for main stage production work from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, five and sometimes six days a week. It's all theatre all the time. We offer no general education classes.
The students earn approximately 60 units of theatre credits in their two years with us, and these units are transferable. Many students complete our program and enter colleges and universities as sophomores or juniors. However, our goal is to make sure our students are ready to enter the professional world after two years of training with us.
We accept no more than 12 tech students a year, and they range from serious theatre students who just finished strong high school programs to students with some college and students with a bachelor's degree. The students train with PCPA's resident professional company in:
lights
sound
props
costumes
stage management
set construction
paints
and much more.
PCPA has wonderful relationships with Disney, Cirque du Sole, ZFX, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and more.
Over the last 5 years 100% of our technical theatre graduates have been paid as theatre technicians within a year of graduation.
TO APPLY
Technicians are admitted based on an application and interview.
We recommend applicants use the Acceptd platform. Please follow this link to PCPA's Acceptd landing page to learn more and begin the application process.
https://app.getacceptd.com/pcpatheater (This link will be live starting October 1st.)
- Please submit your application by March 1st.
- Early acceptance is possible for those that submit their application by December 1st.
If Acceptd does not work for you, please email casting@pcpa.org for other options.
Once we have a complete application file we will contact you to set up an interview. Interviews can be conducted in person, on zoom, or by telephone.
PCPA does not provide housing, however, we do have a housing coordinator who will work to help you find housing in your price range.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To hear more about the Technical Conservatory, below are links to two videos about the program
If you would prefer to avoid clicking on links in an email, you can access these videos by visiting www.pcpa.org and clicking on 'Conservatory'.
Technical Theatre Conservatory (overview)
Technicians behind the scenes
Visit our website for more information about our application process. www.pcpa.org.
If you would like to visit PCPA, tour our facilities, and observe a few classes please contact casting@pcpa.org.
Erik Stein
Casting Director/Associate Artist
805 928-7731 ext. 4119
casting@pcpa.org
Author of No Caution! A step-by-step guide to preparing auditions for Universities, Colleges, Conservatories, and Beyond.
Pronouns: he/him/his
