Serving Ages 8-12
Junior Company is for young artists who are ready to take their theatre training a little deeper. Some of our Junior Company students arrive after years of camps and classes while others are walking into a theatre classroom for the first time. We love that! What matters most is that they’re curious, ready to work, and excited to learn.
As with Kids Company students, imagination is still a large part of how students learn—but in Junior Company we’re beginning to add craft. Students learn that actors don’t just pretend to be characters: they make intentional choices. They listen and respond to scene partners. They learn how to read a script, take direction, use their voices and bodies with more precision, and understand how their individual work affects the whole ensemble.
Students begin digging deeper into character – learning what their characters want and making purposeful choices to tell the story.
Acting isn’t just waiting for your next line. Students practice staying present, listening to their scene partners, and responding truthfully in the moment.
Students build confidence, clarity, projection, breath support, and vocal expression for both speaking and singing.
Students develop coordination, rhythm, body awareness, and movement technique while learning how physical choices communicate character, emotion, and intention.
Students learn that their choices affect everyone around them—and that great theatre depends on artists who show up, stay engaged, share responsibility, and support one another.
As students mature, they’re asked to take more responsibility for their own work: memorizing material, applying notes, making choices, staying focused, and coming prepared to learn.
Ages are guidelines, not strict requirements.
Junior Company is designed for students ages 8-12, but we know children don’t all grow at the same pace. We look at the student in front of us—their experience, maturity, and readiness—and place them where they’ll be both challenged and successful.
As students grow, we’ll help families determine when they’re ready for the next step in their Conservatory journey.
More opportunities to work, receive feedback, ask questions, and be heard.
We get to know the artist in front of us and challenge them from wherever they’re starting.
Fall Family Sharing Days invite families into the classroom to see students at work, while the spring Conservatory Showcase gives students the opportunity to bring their developing skills to the stage and share their work with an audience.
Theatre is built on community. We want students to find their people here—and families to feel like they’re part of the Conservatory, too.
✓ 10% off regular ticket price to any Hillbarn Mainstage production (not valid for season subscriptions, which are already discounted)
✓ Early registration & special pricing for camps & workshops
✓ Returning student tuition discounts
✓ Conservatory events designed to help foster a sense of belonging and community
✓ Opportunities to watch your student grow, thrive and perform, of course!
✓ Personalized recognition of your student’s growth each semester, with a special Growth Reflection and Conservatory Certificate for students who complete the full year.
✓ Students who complete one full semester in any discipline are eligible to audition for the Advanced Conservatory Summer Production. Placement is not guaranteed.
A: No. While we strongly encourage students to participate in both semesters for the most complete training experience, students are welcome to enroll for just the Fall or Spring semester.
A: No, we accept students at all levels from beginner to advanced.
A: Theatre is an active art. In general, we recommend comfortable clothes that allow your child to move and roll around. Closed toed shoes that stay on their feet are required. No crocs, slides, heels, or sandals.
A: Parents are welcome to wait in the lobby while class is in session but classes are not open for observation until the final day.
A: It happens! Just let us know in advance whenever possible. Because theatre is a team sport and every student matters to the ensemble, regular attendance is important. If absences become frequent, we'll reach out to talk about whether continuing in the class is the best fit.
A: Students are generally placed by age, but maturity, experience, and readiness matter too. Older students may spend time in a younger class while they build foundational skills, while younger students may move into an older class when they’re ready for the additional challenge.
All withdrawals are subject to a $50 enrollment administration fee. Refund eligibility is based on the date we receive written notice of withdrawal.
Requests for exceptions due to extraordinary circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Refund requests must be submitted in writing to conservatory@hillbarntheatre.org. Approved refunds will be issued to the original payment method within 10 business days. We are unable to offer refunds, credits, or prorated tuition for student absences.
If Hillbarn Conservatory must cancel a single class session, we will schedule a makeup class and notify families via email as soon as possible. If a makeup class cannot reasonably be scheduled, Hillbarn Conservatory will determine an appropriate alternative at its discretion.
All classes require a minimum number of enrolled students to run. If a class does not meet minimum enrollment, Hillbarn Conservatory will cancel the class and issue a full refund to all who registered.
Craft + Community + Lifelong Learning
A Pre-Professional Career Training
for Emerging Artists
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).
