School of Acting

We Make Art Work

School of Acting Academy of Art

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From Classroom To Set, We Get You Working

Train like a pro on real soundstages with Award-winning mentors and industry vets. Ignite your impulses, imagination, body, and voice through movement, Meisner and Alexander Technique study, and on-camera work. Build your reel and bring original works to life with writers, directors, and producers. From stunts to improv, you’ll forge your path and graduate ready to own the stage, the set, and your career.

Join us: On campus in San Francisco (select classes)

Companies that Employ Our Students

Students & Alumni

Always Creating. Always Moving Forward.

At the Academy, creativity doesn’t pause at graduation. It accelerates. From day one, students bring bold ideas and leave with portfolios that speak louder than résumés. And when they graduate, they launch into creative careers.

This is where passion meets purpose—on campus, in studios, and on global stages.

Our alumni are out there now winning awards, leading teams, and shaping culture.

See More Success Stories
Elijah Roberts School of Acting Academy of Art University

Elijah Roberts

“I really love the Academy. The professors truly care, and I don’t think I’d be where I am without their guidance. This is a collaborative community where you learn that acting is not just about you. It is about the story and the team behind it. You never know who is watching here, and opportunities can come from anywhere.”

BFA Acting, Starred in Night Swim

Cheur Huang BFA Acting Student Academy of Art University

Cheur Huang

“The faculty at the Academy is incredibly supportive and truly cares about our success. Their encouragement motivates me to work hard and make them proud. The community here feels like family. I have been able to collaborate with so many talented people who have become close friends. The most valuable part of my growth has been working on real sets because it prepares you for professional environments and gives you practical experience as an actor.”

BFA Acting student

Samantha Girard

Samantha Girard

“I feel like I was a good actress on the stage. I knew I wanted to be in film, but I had no experience. When I came here, I got to be on a soundstage. I got to deal with microphones, I got to deal with the prep work that goes into getting ready for the camera. I didn’t even understand the complexity of that and now I do.”

BFA Acting 2023

Joel Ochoa

Joel Ochoa

“The benefits of an Academy education are amazing: the skills you learn , the connections you make, the incredible physical facilities you get to use, and of course, the professors. No other university prepares you for professional life after graduation the way the Academy does.”

School of Acting

Facility Highlights

    2 students work on project in the Soundstage

    Soundstages

    You dream it, we build it. We have eight soundstages, fully equipped with lighting grids. Standing sets include: a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, loft apartment, and homes with bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

    A performer in theatrical costume holds a bow and arrow, appearing focused. The stage has steps on the left and other performers rest in the background, suggesting a drama scene.

    Main Stage Theater

    Our Main Stage Theater, home to our One Acts Festival, seats an audience of 200 in the heart of San Francisco’s theater district, adjacent to Union Square.

    2 people standing in an empty Black Box Theater

    Black Box Theatre

    Our black box theater, located in the main Schools of Entertainment building South of Market, is used for teaching and incubating one-person shows.

    Student working on cameras in the Camera Room

    Camera Room

    Our camera facilities offer free equipment to students to use on campus or on location. We stock lighting equipment, digital and film cameras, and grip and electric equipment.

    Student with open arms in a room full of costumes and various clothing

    Wardrobe Room

    Our wardrobe room contains hundreds of articles of clothing—everything from contemporary to period fashions. We have an extensive collection of shoes, hats, streetwear, and evening wear. Open to all student filmmakers, the wardrobe room gives you the ability to dress the cast of your film in the style of your dreams.

    Students working on computers in the Editing Bay

    Editing Bays

    We have over 21 Mac editing bays and three private video editing suites available for student use, all equipped with Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, and the full Adobe Suite (including Premiere Pro and After Effects). We also have two private audio editing suites running Pro Tools and the Adobe Suite.

    Prop Room

    Prop Room

    Spaceship. Luxury loft. Detective’s office. Whatever you’re shooting, we’ve got the gear—sofas, sconces, rugs, artwork, hand props, relics. Whatever you need, it’s already here.

    Scene Construction Shop

    Scene Construction Shop

    Flats. Doors. Windows. Pre-built and ready to shape. Our construction shop’s stocked—saws, sanders, tools, lumber. If we can sketch it, we can build it for you. Right here, right now.