Laguna Playhouse's Youth Conservatory (ages 8-19) is unique among youth theater programs in the area. In addition to participating in Conservatory classes which build a strong foundation, students are also invited to audition for Youth Productions on the Laguna Playhouse stage and may participate in additional workshops at no additional cost.
For younger students, the Junior Conservatory (ages 5-8) is the perfect introduction to acting.
The year-long conservatory consists of 3 sessions (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025) with classes for different age groups running Mondays through Thursdays. Each session culminates in a final on-stage presentation for friends and family. Pro-rated tuition is available for students beginning their enrollment in the winter or spring session.
Every class is structured as an Acting Class where students learn the fundamentals of auditioning, studying, and performing. Guest Artists also come in to teach more specific subject matter such as audition techniques, movement, and stage combat. Students in the conservatory are invited to audition for the fall and spring Youth Productions. Additional workshops are added throughout the year and conservatory students are invited to attend at no additional costs.
Philosophy of the Conservatory The Conservatory at Laguna Playhouse Education nurtures students in learning the professional skills and techniques that will guide them to success in theatre and life. This is achieved through two primary modes:
1) Classes where we learn acting techniques/methods 2) Performance/production work to get hands-on experience of theatre
This is a program for students who have a desire to learn professional skills, have fun, explore theatre with other students who are passionate and committed in participation, and explore their creative voice in the performing arts.
Classes meet once a week and include work to be completed out of class.
Schedule
Fall Session: week of 9/16-week of 11/10 (Demo Day/Showcase week of 12/1)
Winter Session: week of 1/6-week of 3/3 (Demo Day/Showcase week of 3/9)
Spring Session: week of 3/17-week of 5/26 (Demo Day/Showcase week of 6/1)
Conservatory Classes meet once a week (either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) for 2 hours. The year long conservatory is divided into 3 sessions. Each session culminates into a Demo Day (showcase) for invited guests. Registrations for current conservatory students and new students accepted into the program are July 1.
Tuition
$550/session for levels 1-6
$450/session for level Jr
Early Bird and Sibling Discounts available
Payment Plans available
Scholarships available. Click the button at the bottom of the page to apply.
Auditions consist of either: one 2-minute monologue + 16 bars of a song or two 2-minute monologues. To sign up for a time slot, please email Education@lagunaplayhouse.com
This acting and theatre class for students ages 5-8 will focus on creativity, collaboration, and building confidence.
Students will spend time growing together. At the end of the session, there will be a short demonstration for family and friends to show what they have learned.
Fall Session: Oct 4 thru Nov 15, 2025
Winter Session: Jan 24 thru Mar 7, 2026
Spring Session: Apr 11 thru May 23, 2026
Registration opens July 1!
Classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, with the final presentations to follow.
Tuition: $1200 for the full year
Being able to apply skills in action and learn about all aspects of theatre creation is a vital part of the Conservatory training program. As such, all students will audition and participate in each of our Youth Theatre Productions throughout the year.
They may select to participate as an actor, running crew, or production personnel as fits their schedule and supports their growth.
We highly encourage and welcome our conservatory students to audition for our Youth Theatre Productions.
The Youth Theatre productions focus on giving opportunity for students to practice their technique in action through a professional rehearsals and performances. This may mean that young people portray adult characters. The goal is to provide many opportunities for students to stretch their acting range and apply skills they are learning and developing in class in a real life environment.
2024-2025 Youth Conservatory Season
Fall: This Murder Was StagedNovember 22-23, 2024
Auditions/Callbacks (by invitation): September 2024 - appointments open soon
Spring: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeApril 4-6, 2025
Auditions/Callbacks (by invitation): January 2025
Troy Apostol is an HSTC Po’okela Award-winner (acting and directing), and has an MFA in Directing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has performed in and/or directed for numerous theatres in the islands and continental US, with many of those productions being Shakespeare's most famous works including Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, and Julius Caesar. He was last seen on stage in Laguna Playhouse’s Charlotte’s Web.
Jacques “Jack” Clark is a Huntington Beach native and fourth generation Californian. He has over 20 years teaching and coaching experience and considers theater one of the best investments you can make for a child’s lifelong education. Goldenwest College, Chapman University, Camino Real Playhouse, Costa Mesa Playhouse and Sierra Classic Theater in Mammoth Lakes are some of the places he has performed. He has also been a member of ImprovCity in Tustin for 12 years and uses that stage to perform and teach as well. He has traveled through over 40 countries and never tires in sharing those stories.
Emma Folwell is thrilled to be working with students this summer at Laguna Playhouse, where she will be teaching directing. Holding a BA in Theatre and an MAT-FA in Theatre Education, Emma is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment in which students can develop their skills and confidence. Her approach emphasizes collaboration—a cornerstone of theatre—while guiding students through the essential elements of directing, including character work, blocking, and exploring themes. With a wealth of experience teaching theatre to students of all ages and a background in a vibrant youth theatre ensemble in her hometown of Las Vegas, Emma brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom. She looks forward to not only teaching but also learning alongside the campers as they work together to bring an original production to life.
Sabrina Harper Laguna Beach native, Sabrina, is a Broadway actress, SAG/AFTRA and AEA member, a state-certified classical balletdancer from the State of Baden Wurttemberg (Germany), a choreographer, director, a certified BASI Pilates instructor, and a teaching artist at numerous schools and conservatories in Orange and LA County. Starting her career as a child in Print, TV, and national commercials, she has also performed on numerous stages around the world including the Vienna Volksoper and on Broadway and National touring productions (et.al.) of Pippin, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chicago, A Chorus Line, The Producers, 42nd Street, and The Phantom of the Opera. Her choreography credits include (among others): Beauty and The Beast, School of Rock, The Addams Family, Cry Baby, Into the Woods, SpongeBob the Musical, Dogfight, Legally Blonde, Footloose (OC Theatre Guild 2023 nominee for Best Choreography), and Alice By Heart (OC Theatre Guild 2025 nominee for Best Choreography). Her directorial credits include the musicals Pippin, Mamma Mia, Cabaret, Songs for A New World, Chicago and Hadestown.
Anthony Kairouz is a Theater Arts BFA graduate from Molloy University’s CAP21 Conservatory. He has been performing in musicals and plays for 15 years and has performed both all over the States and internationally. Some notable theater credits of his include - Phantom of the Opera TIE Turkey Tour (Phantom, Cloud Theater), Island of the Blue Dolphins (Actor 1, Laguna Beach Playhouse), Andrea Bocelli in Concert (Choir, Hollywood Bowl), Into the Woods (Jack), Big Fish (Edward Bloom), Pippin (Charlemagne), and much more! Kairouz is currently applying for his Masters Degree in Acting and teaches Theater Arts at the Laguna Beach Playhouse and MC Studios OC. He is also a private vocal and acting coach who has taught over 100 students.
Lauren McGunigale is a lifelong performer and educator from Orange County, Ca. She has performed on numerous stages in So Cal, but also has a passion for investing in the next generation of performers. She spent two years teaching Drama at a private school in Santa Ana and had the joy of directing four plays and a musical with her students. She hopes to show kids that storytelling can happen through songs, and musical theater is a GREAT way to express what's in your heart.
Hillary Pearson has been a theatre educator for over 20 years. After getting her degree in theatre arts from UCLA, she served as the executive artisticdirector of Tri-School Conservatory, and has directed over 35productions. Hillary currently serves on the Cabrillo Playhouse Board asVice-President, and continues both acting and directing for variouslocal community theatres. She lives with her husband and three childrenin San Clemente.
Toni Redman currently teaches at Laguna Playhouse and Sam Christensen Studios Hollywood. She coaches, casts, directs, and produces plays and films in the U.S. and abroad for the US Embassy. She was the instructor of Drama and Speech for the American International School, Riyadh. Toni has been a New York City casting director for Mason Street Warehouse for over twenty years. A model with Ford Modeling Agency and as an ICM Agency SAG & AEA union actor, Toni is honored to have worked at every level of professional entertainment. She lives for the moments her actors find their spark, and their characters come to life.
Martina Y. Sanchez (She/Her, They/Them) is excited to join Laguna Playhouse this summer as the instructor for the Magical Musicals class, designed for students ages 7–11 during Summer Session II. In this engaging course, Martina will guide young performers through the foundational skills of storytelling while tapping into the imagination and fun that make musical theatre so magical. Students will explore scenes and songs from beloved musicals with fantastical elements, including Into the Woods, Frozen on Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and more. Martina is eager to inspire creativity and confidence in her students and looks forward to a summer full of learning, collaboration, and theatrical magic.
The Laguna Playhouse Conservatory is for students of all backgrounds and experience levels who want to explore the craft of acting and theatre. Acceptance into the program and level placement is by audition.
Laguna Playhouse Junior Conservatory (no audition needed ) is for ages 5-8. Register online here
Laguna Playhouse Youth Conservatory (levels 1-6) is for ages 8-19. Auditioning students need to be age 8 by November.
Conservatory auditions for new students are December 14th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Auditions consist of either: one 2-minute monologue + 16 bars of a song or two 2-minute monologues. To sign up for a time slot, please email education@lagunaplayhouse.com
Class sizes are limited and fill quickly, so early enrollment is encouraged.
Scholarships are available for students who could not otherwise participate. To apply, email Joe Alanes at jalanes@lagunaplayhouse.com
Refund Policy: Cancellations are accepted up to seven days prior to the first class. 75% of class fee will be refunded upon cancellation (25% administrative fee will not be refunded.) No refunds after the seven day deadline.
For more information about the Laguna Playhouse Education and Community Engagement programs, please contact Joe Alanes // jalanes@lagunaplayhouse.com for details.
