The Conservatory Training Cohort is a selective, October–May pre-professional program for teen and adult artists ages 16+ who have performance experience* and are ready to take greater ownership of their training, audition materials, career, and artistic life.
(*high school, community, college and professional theater all count!)
Together, we’ll ask some big questions:
Then we get to work.
CTC is designed to bridge the gap between training as an artist and working as one.
Plenty of talented performers know how to sing a song, perform a monologue, or play a role—but have never been taught how to choose audition material that represents them, build and maintain an audition book, present themselves professionally, evaluate opportunities, or navigate the business side of a career in the arts.
That’s what we’re here to change.
Four focused training quarters with scheduled holiday and school breaks.
2.5-hour classes, coaching labs, and guest workshops
Select weeks for repertoire work, research, coaching, portfolio development, and independent preparation.
Assignments and preparation are part of the program–and learning to manage that work independently is part of the training.
Up to four 1:1 coaching sessions with Hillbarn faculty
We’re exploring an industry showcase and will work with our inaugural cohort to shape a culminating experience that’s most valuable to them.
Before you can market yourself, you have to know what you’re marketing. We’ll explore who you are as an artist, what you naturally bring into the room, and what kinds of roles and material feel authentic to you. We’ll also ask a bigger question: What do you actually want from an artistic career? Broadway may be part of that answer. It may not be.
You’ll explore:
No more panic-searching for a song three weeks before an audition. You’ll evaluate the material you already have, identify what’s missing, discover new repertoire, and build an audition book that actually represents you. Then we’ll coach it.
You’ll work on:
The goal isn’t just to leave with a good audition book. It’s to know how to keep building one for yourself.
Knowing your material is one thing. Knowing how to audition is another. This quarter is about repetition, experimentation, feedback, and practice in a low-stakes environment so that when the opportunity matters, you already know what to do.
Depending on the needs of the cohort, work may include:
Talent matters. So does knowing how to behave like someone people want to hire again. We’ll tackle the practical side of being a working artist—the things performers are often expected to know without anyone ever actually teaching them.
And we’ll return to the questions we asked in Quarter 1:
Topics may include:
CTC is intentionally small and selective.
Because of the nature of the program, participation requires a serious commitment to preparation, attendance, homework, and the work of the group.
CTC may be a strong fit for you if:
Students learn from faculty, but they also learn from one another. The same artists move through all four quarters together, creating space for honest conversation, thoughtful feedback, experimentation, accountability, and community.
You do not need to already know that you want Broadway, a BFA, or a full-time performing career. Figuring that out is part of the work.
Application Required
CTC is not an open-enrollment program. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and have previous theatrical performance experience. Admission is based on application materials and readiness for the program. Not all applicants will be accepted. This inaugural class will be limited to no more than 10 students.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 4, 2026
Accepted applicants will be notified by October 9th.
Classes are held at Hillbarn Theatre, Foster City, CA Sundays from 6:30 PM- 9:00 PM, starting October 18th (no class on Nov. 29, Dec. 20, 27, Jan. 3, Feb. 14, March 28)
Tuition: $2,500 (payment plans available)
What your tuition includes: 60+ Hours of Instruction * Up to 4 private coachings * Professional Headshot Mini-Session * Guest Artists & Industry Professionals * Culminating Cohort Experience
You don’t need to have your entire career figured out.
You do need to be willing to ask good questions, do the work, and take an honest look at where you are and where you want to go.
Craft + Community + Lifelong Learning
Brigitte (she/hers) is a native Bay Area actress and theatre maker. When Brigitte is not on the stage she is taking your calls managing the Hillbarn Box office. Brigitte Is very excited to be back performing on the Hillbarn stage with such an incredible wealth of bay area talent. Some past roles include Ensemble/swing in Kinky Boots (ROLT), Kelly Manning in The Mad Ones & Heather Chandler in Heathers (PSP), Ali in Mamma Mia (San Jose Stage Co), Poppy in Noises Off (Hillbarn Theatre), Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (LASC).
