School of the Arts

STC understands that young people dream of careers in performing arts, but need an outlet and proper training. STC meets those needs by offering elementary, middle, and high school students after-school and weekend training programs.

Veteran actors, directors, designers, technicians, and producers – all with professional training and college degrees – provide hands-on training. Students flourish and gain momentum as they work toward enrollment in colleges and, ultimately, careers in professional theatre. Many of STC’s alumni – including Yale University student Alexander Dominitz, Northwestern University student Anna Miles, University of Michigan student Paige Silvester, and Royal Academy of Music graduate Maggie Elizabeth May – are enrolled in theatre programs at top universities or working on Broadway or London's West End.

About the Education Director, Michele Hillen-Noufer:

STC is pleased to announce the promotion of Michele Hillen-Noufer to the position of Education Director.  As Education Director she oversees the Young Professionals Conservatory and the Pre-Professional Ensemble.  Michele is a member of Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.  She has been working as a professional actor for 20 years doing theatre, film and television across the country regionally, internationally and in New York .  This is her fifth year as a company member at the Sacramento Theatre Company, where she has directed the Young Professionals Conservatory for three years.  Michele has directed, taught and choreographed young people for 12 years and has a passion for helping young people achieve their goals in the performing arts.  She has directed and choreographed over a dozen musicals for young people for STC, EDMT, Camp Laurel South, Music Circus Camp and local schools in Sacramento. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Read about just a few School of the Arts alumni:

Paige Silvester

Paige Silvester is currently studying musical theatre at The University of Michigan.  She has appeared at the Sacramento Music Circus as Liesl in The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, A Little Light Music, and The Wizard of Oz.  At the Sacramento Theatre Company, Paige has been seen as Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird, Belle, Fred’s Sister, and Fan in A Christmas Carol, and the Black Sheep in Cinderella.  She was a member of STC YPC for six wonderful years. 

Alec Forrest Brown

Alec Forrest Brown was born and raised in Sacramento, California. Although he played sports through his life he found his true love in theatre. He began performing seriously at age 13 when he entered YPC, which he attended for 5 years. Alec appeared in numerous productions in YPC. His favorite performances include The Tale (Zeus) and Romeo and Juliet(Mercutio). In 2008 he attended the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Summer Seminar for High School Juniors. After graduating from McClatchy high school in 2009 he enrolled in Santa Clara University, where he is studying Theatre and English. He most recently appeared on stage in Uncle Vanya (Astrov) and Macbeth (Banquo). He is currently dabbling in standup and sketch comedy. 

Anna Miles

After four years with STC's School of the Arts, Anna Miles moved on to Northwestern University, where she is currently studying theatre and creative writing. She is a 2009 recipient of the Frank H. and Eva Buck Foundation Scholarship. Anna participated in many YPC productions, including Twelfth Night (Viola) and The Tale (Artemis), the latter of which toured to Greece in 2007. Anna appeared on the STC Mainstage in Christmas Carol, To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout), and Treasure Island (Jim Hawkins). This Spring Anna will join nine fellow students in launching a free Shakespeare training workshop for local middle school students. After graduation in 2013 from Northwestern, Anna hopes to return to California to earn her MFA and plans on eventually acting with regional theatres on the West Coast; her ultimate dream is to become a company member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Many students who got their start on STC's stages as children have gone on not only to perform elsewhere, but also on STC's stages as professional actors later in their careers.  Like many of our current Young Professionals Conservatory students, Jackie Vanderbeck's early acting career included performing in STC's Holiday Production, A Christmas Carol.   Jackie, who now lives in New York, has recently gained critical acclaim in Sacramento for her performance as Emily Dickinson in the one-woman show The Belle of Amherston STC's Pollock Stage.

Jackie Vanderbeck as Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst (left) and in A Christmas Carol, 1996 (right)

School of the Arts Mission

To provide comprehensive and progressive arts education that engages students in an enriching, challenging, and fun environment while providing a rigorous academic program geared toward a career in professional theatre.

Follow these links for more information on....

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONSERVATORY
 
PRE-PROFESSIONAL ENSEMBLE

ENSEMBLE MUSICAL WORKSHOP

SUMMER CAMPS

Sacramento Theatre Company's School of the Arts provides unique performing arts training.  Please consider showing your support with a tax-deductable donation.