The teenage years represent a unique window of opportunity for serious acting training—when young people have the emotional depth to explore complex characters while maintaining the fearlessness and creativity that make for compelling performances. At Asheville Performing Arts Academy, our teen acting classes through the Company Program provide pre-professional training that challenges students artistically while supporting them through the personal growth that makes adolescence both exciting and challenging.

Teen actors bring authentic energy and emotional honesty to their performances that professional actors often struggle to recapture. Our Company Program recognizes this natural advantage while providing the technical training, analytical skills, and collaborative experience necessary to transform raw talent into sophisticated artistry that prepares students for college programs, professional opportunities, or simply lifelong appreciation for dramatic arts.

Located in Asheville's thriving arts community, our teen acting program has earned recognition through alumni success in prestigious college programs and professional work, while maintaining the supportive community environment that makes intensive artistic training both challenging and nurturing. This is where Western North Carolina's most dedicated young actors come to develop the skills necessary for success at the highest levels while discovering their authentic artistic voice.

Why Adolescence is Ideal for Serious Acting Training

Emotional authenticity comes naturally to teenagers experiencing the full spectrum of human feelings for the first time. Great acting requires access to genuine emotion, and adolescents possess this in abundance while still being open to instruction and growth.

Fearless creativity characterizes many teenage performers who haven't yet learned to self-censor or worry about looking foolish. This natural willingness to take creative risks creates the conditions where breakthrough performances happen.

Identity exploration through character work provides healthy outlets for the natural questioning and experimentation that mark adolescent development. Theater gives teens safe spaces to explore different aspects of personality and possibility.

Peer collaboration during these socially intense years builds crucial teamwork skills while creating supportive communities where teenagers can connect with others who share their interests and creative energy.

College and career preparation benefits from early intensive training that develops the discipline, analytical skills, and creative capabilities that serve students regardless of their ultimate career paths.

The Company Program: Pre-Professional Acting Training

Advanced Acting Curriculum

Professional acting techniques adapted for teenage students provide sophisticated instruction in method acting, character analysis, and scene study that challenges students while remaining age-appropriate and emotionally safe.

Classical and contemporary material exposes students to the full range of dramatic literature, from Shakespeare and Chekhov to contemporary playwrights like Annie Baker and Jordan Harrison, building cultural literacy alongside technical skills.

Script analysis and character development teach students how to mine dramatic texts for clues about character psychology, relationships, and motivation, developing analytical skills that enhance both performance and academic work.

Voice and speech training includes projection, articulation, and dialect work that prepares students for the vocal demands of various dramatic styles while building general communication confidence.

Movement and stage combat provide physical training that builds coordination, spatial awareness, and the ability to use the body expressively while maintaining safety in dynamic performance situations.

Professional Development Skills

Audition technique and preparation teaches students how to select appropriate material, present themselves professionally, and adapt quickly to different audition requirements—skills essential for college admissions and professional opportunities.

Industry knowledge and career awareness help students understand the realities of professional theater while exploring various career paths within the performing arts industry.

Portfolio development includes professional headshots, audition videos, and performance documentation that supports college applications and professional presentations.

Master classes with visiting professionals provide exposure to working actors, directors, and industry professionals who share current practices and career insights.

Leadership and Mentorship Opportunities

Teaching assistant roles allow experienced Company members to work with younger students, developing leadership skills while reinforcing their own technical understanding through explanation and demonstration.

Production leadership positions including assistant directing, stage management, and technical coordination provide real-world experience in theater collaboration and responsibility.

Community outreach participation connects teen actors with local schools, community centers, and service organizations where they can share their skills while building civic engagement and social awareness.

What Teen Actors Learn in Company Classes

Technical Acting Skills

Emotional preparation and access through safe, structured exercises that help students connect with authentic feelings while maintaining psychological health and personal boundaries.

Character physicality and voice work that teaches students how different characters move, speak, and occupy space, developing versatility and physical intelligence.

Script analysis methodologies including given circumstances, objectives, obstacles, and tactics that provide systematic approaches to understanding and portraying complex characters.

Improvisation and spontaneity skills that help actors respond authentically to unexpected moments while maintaining character consistency and story coherence.

Ensemble work and scene partnership that teaches students how individual excellence serves larger artistic goals while building collaboration and communication skills.

Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills

Literary analysis through dramatic texts that require students to understand historical context, thematic content, and cultural significance while identifying performance opportunities within written material.

Cultural and historical research that informs character development and production choices while building general knowledge and research capabilities.

Artistic criticism and evaluation that helps students articulate their responses to performances while developing vocabulary and criteria for assessing artistic work.

Creative problem-solving through the challenges of bringing dramatic texts to life while adapting to various constraints and unexpected circumstances.

Personal Development Through Art

Self-awareness and emotional intelligence develop as students explore characters different from themselves while maintaining healthy boundaries between personal and artistic identity.

Confidence and public presentation skills that transfer directly to academic presentations, job interviews, and social situations throughout life.

Discipline and work ethic through the demands of memorization, rehearsal preparation, and collaborative responsibility that builds habits serving all future endeavors.

Cultural sensitivity and empathy through exploration of diverse characters and stories that expand students' understanding of human experience and social complexity.

Company Program Structure and Expectations

Weekly Training Schedule

Tuesday and Thursday classes (4:30-7:30 PM) provide intensive skill development in acting technique, voice work, and movement training designed around typical high school schedules.

Saturday rehearsals during performance weekends (10 AM-2 PM) focus on production work when shows are in active development, providing authentic theater experience while accommodating weekend family time.

Flexible scheduling during school breaks allows for intensive workshops and expanded rehearsal opportunities when students have more time for focused artistic work.

Annual Program Components

Fall production typically features challenging dramatic material that allows students to explore serious theatrical literature while building technical skills and collaborative experience.

Spring musical integrates acting training with singing and dancing, developing triple-threat capabilities while providing variety in artistic challenges and performance opportunities.

Junior Theatre Festival participation provides national-level performance experience and exposure to thousands of other young performers from across the country.

Master class and workshop opportunities throughout the year with visiting professionals who provide specialized instruction and industry insights.

Academic Integration and College Preparation

Transcript documentation provides official recognition of pre-professional theater training that supports college applications and scholarship opportunities.

College audition preparation includes material selection, coaching, and mock audition experiences that prepare students for competitive college theater program admissions.

Portfolio development assistance helps students document their growth and achievements through professional photos, performance videos, and written reflections.

Career guidance from faculty with professional and educational experience who can provide realistic advice about various paths within the performing arts industry.

Success Stories: Company Alumni Achievements

College Acceptances and Scholarships

Prestigious program admissions including acceptances to competitive BFA and BA theater programs at major universities and conservatories throughout the country.

Scholarship recipients who have received significant financial aid for college theater study based on their Company Program training and artistic development.

Academic success in college programs where Company alumni report feeling well-prepared for the demands of higher-level theater study and collaborative artistic work.

Professional Opportunities

Alumni currently working professionally in theater, film, and television who credit their Company Program training with providing essential foundation skills and professional work habits.

Connor Dalton's journey from Company student to international opera performer and returning faculty member demonstrates the program's ability to nurture talent to the highest professional levels while maintaining connection to the APAA community.

Mary Katherine O'Donnell's path from Company graduate to working professional actor with credits in theater, television, and film, followed by her return as Company faculty, shows the full circle of artistic development and community investment.

Regional theater connections that provide Company alumni with audition opportunities and professional networking throughout the Southeast theater community.

Personal Development Outcomes

Leadership roles in high school theater programs where Company alumni often become student directors, technical leaders, and peer mentors who elevate the quality of their school productions.

Academic confidence that transfers from theater training to general academic work, with alumni reporting improved presentation skills, analytical thinking, and collaborative capabilities.

Social and emotional maturity developed through the self-awareness and empathy required for serious character work, creating young adults better prepared for college and career challenges.

Why Choose APAA's Company Program for Teen Acting Training

Unique Advantages in the Asheville Market

Only pre-professional program in Western North Carolina that provides conservatory-level training specifically designed for serious teenage actors committed to advanced artistic development.

National recognition through consistent Junior Theatre Festival success that demonstrates the quality of instruction and student achievement compared to programs throughout the country.

Professional theater partnerships including performance opportunities at the Wortham Center that provide authentic professional experience on quality stages with proper technical support.

Faculty with dual expertise in both professional performance and youth development, ensuring that students receive industry-standard training delivered through age-appropriate, supportive instruction.

Comprehensive vs. Single-Focus Training

Integration with musical theater training develops triple-threat capabilities that serve students in contemporary theater markets where versatility is increasingly valued.

Technical theater exposure ensures that Company actors understand all aspects of theater production, building appreciation for collaboration while developing potential alternative career interests.

Leadership development opportunities within APAA productions provide real-world experience in artistic responsibility and mentorship that builds confidence and professional skills.

Community engagement components connect artistic training with service learning and civic involvement that develops well-rounded young citizens alongside skilled performers.

Application and Admission Process

Company Program Requirements

Application and interview process ensures that incoming Company members understand the commitment level and artistic expectations while allowing faculty to assess individual students' readiness for pre-professional training.

Previous experience considerations welcome students from various backgrounds while providing appropriate support for different skill levels within the advanced training environment.

Academic performance expectations ensure that Company participation enhances rather than detracts from students' overall educational success and college preparation goals.

Commitment level understanding includes clear communication about time requirements, performance obligations, and the collaborative nature of intensive artistic training.

Assessment and Placement

Individual consultation helps families determine whether Company Program intensive training aligns with students' interests, goals, and family priorities.

Skills assessment provides faculty with information necessary to design appropriate instruction plans and place students in suitable roles within productions.

Goal-setting conferences establish clear expectations and development targets that guide students' artistic growth throughout their Company experience.

Ongoing evaluation ensures that students receive feedback necessary for continued improvement while maintaining the supportive environment essential for creative risk-taking.

Supporting Teen Actors and Families

Understanding Adolescent Development

Emotional safety protocols ensure that intensive character work remains psychologically healthy while providing students with tools for exploring complex emotional material.

Individual attention within group settings recognizes that teenagers have varying social and emotional needs while maintaining the collaborative environment essential for ensemble work.

Family communication keeps parents informed about their teenagers' artistic development while respecting the increasing independence appropriate for adolescent growth.

Academic support includes flexibility for school commitments while maintaining the consistency necessary for serious artistic development.

Building Healthy Artist Identity

Professional boundaries education teaches students how to maintain personal identity while exploring diverse characters, building habits that serve professional actors throughout their careers.

Realistic career guidance provides honest information about various paths within the performing arts while encouraging students to pursue their artistic passions with informed understanding.

Life skills development through artistic training builds capabilities—discipline, collaboration, communication, creativity—that serve students regardless of their ultimate career choices.

Community connection creates lasting relationships with peers and mentors who share artistic values while providing support networks that extend beyond formal program participation.

Teen Acting in the Broader Asheville Arts Community

Professional Theater Connections

Internship and volunteer opportunities with local professional theaters provide Company students with real-world experience and industry connections.

Audition opportunities for appropriate roles in community and regional productions give advanced students chances to work alongside professional actors while building experience and résumé credits.

Professional mentorship through relationships with working actors and directors in Asheville's vibrant theater community provides guidance and inspiration for serious young artists.

Cultural Enrichment

Regular theater attendance as part of Company education exposes students to professional work while building critical analysis skills and cultural literacy.

Artist interactions through post-show discussions, master classes, and informal meetings provide students with diverse perspectives on artistic careers and creative processes.

Community service integration connects artistic skills with civic engagement, teaching students how their talents can serve broader social purposes.

Preparing for Life Beyond High School

College Preparation Specialization

Audition coaching for competitive college theater programs includes material selection, presentation skills, and interview preparation that maximizes students' admission chances.

Academic integration documentation helps students articulate how their artistic training enhances their overall educational profile and career preparation.

Scholarship application support includes assistance with essays, portfolio development, and presentation materials that showcase students' artistic growth and potential.

Program research guidance helps students and families understand different types of college theater programs and select options aligned with individual goals and learning styles.

Professional Preparation Options

Industry awareness education provides realistic information about various career paths within theater and entertainment industries.

Networking skill development teaches students how to build and maintain professional relationships that support career development throughout their artistic journey.

Business skills introduction includes basic information about contracts, agents, unions, and financial planning that professional actors need to understand.

Alternative career path exploration recognizes that artistic training provides valuable skills for careers in education, therapy, business, and other fields that benefit from creative and communication capabilities.

Join the Company: Advanced Teen Acting Training

The Company Program represents the highest level of teen acting training available in Western North Carolina—intensive, challenging, and personally transformative education that prepares students for success in college, career, and life while building lasting friendships within a community dedicated to artistic excellence.

This is more than acting classes—it's a comprehensive artistic and personal development experience that challenges students to discover their creative potential while building the discipline, collaboration, and communication skills that serve them throughout their lives.

Whether your teenager dreams of professional theater, wants to enhance their college applications, or simply seeks the personal growth that comes from serious artistic training, the Company Program provides the perfect combination of high standards and supportive community that makes intensive learning both challenging and joyful.

Applications for the Company Program are accepted annually. Contact APAA today to learn more about the application process and discover whether this transformative program is right for your teen.

Call (828) 253-4000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Asheville Performing Arts Academy... where the arts come alive!