Public school8.1K

PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre

Santa Maria, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

Cert. Actor Training

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Program Recognition

Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

Students train as members of a professional Equity company

Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

School info

Snapshot

Grad rate

26%

Enrollment

8.1K

Earnings

$43K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$1,156

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$9,892

Before aid

Average net price

$5,383

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 30, 11:22 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

Students train as members of a professional Equity company

Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

Students train as members of a professional Equity company

Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Opens

Oct 5, 2026

Deadline

Video Audition Submission DeadlineFeb 1, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Requirements

16-32 Bars of a Song

Sing with either recorded or live accompaniment

Monologues

Requirements

Two monologues, 3 min total (approx 60-90 sec each)

One classical monologue — preferably Shakespeare

One contemporary monologue — post-1900

Dance

Requirements

Optional 60-second Dance Combination

Not a required part of the video audition

Dancers may include a dance piece to supplement their audition

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Optional up to 1 minute of playing a musical instrument

Not a required part of the video audition

Some PCPA productions require actors who also play instruments, so this is useful information even though it is optional

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

PDF format preferred

Resume (Required)

PDF detailing performance experience, education/training, and special skills

Actor Training · pcpa.org

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Additional Materials

Letters of Recommendation

Required at callback stage

Two letters from teachers, employers, or directors

Not from family members

School Transcripts

Required at callback stage

Most recent transcripts

Do not need to be official

Mission Statement

Required at callback stage

Two-page minimum, typed, double-spaced

Discuss educational, professional, and personal goals

Explain why PCPA can benefit you

Actor Training · pcpa.org

Good to Know

Eligibility

Must have high school diploma or be at least 18 years of age

Fall enrollment only

Full-time commitment required — 9am to 10:30pm, five to six days per week

Applications received after March 15 considered for alternate list placement

Admission Pathway

Vocational certificate — does not offer associate's or bachelor's degree

Approximately 60-70 transferable theatre credits earned over two years

All students registered as full-time Allan Hancock College students

Access to Allan Hancock College resources (health, IT, food services)

Important Notes

PCPA does not provide housing

Housing coordinator available to help locate housing and roommates

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit video audition via Acceptd

Acceptd opens October 5

Recommended submission by December 31; deadline is February 1

Videos accepted after February 1

Total video (monologues + song) must not exceed 4 minutes

Callback invitations sent by February 5

Callbacks held in March

Option of virtual callback or in-person in Santa Maria, CA

Must provide letters of recommendation, transcripts, and mission statement

Offers made in April

Contact

Email: casting@pcpa.org

Phone: (805) 922-6966 ext. 4121

School info

Snapshot

Grad rate

26%

Enrollment

8.1K

Earnings

$43K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$1,156

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$9,892

Before aid

Average net price

$5,383

After aid

College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

Students train as members of a professional Equity company

Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

Updated Sep 30, 11:22 PM