TO APPLY: Please email YoungConservatory@act-sf.org with your resume and a non-generic intro email or cover letter about your experience and interest in coaching for College Prep specifically. Application open until May 1, 2026.
TITLE: Young Conservatory College Prep Specialist for Private Coaching
REPORTS TO: Young Conservatory Director
STATUS: Seasonal Part-time/Non-Exempt
RATE: $66.00 Hourly
LOCATION: 30 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 (Hybrid Remote)
START: July 2026
ABOUT A.C.T.
American Conservatory Theater is an essential gathering place that brings artists and communities together to inspire and provoke. A.C.T.'s mission is to engage the spirit of the San Francisco Bay Area, activate stories that resonate, promote a diversity of voices and points of view, and empower theater makers and audiences to celebrate liveness. A.C.T. values inclusion, transformational learning, participation, and rigorous fun. A.C.T. is a Tony Award-winning nonprofit theater serving almost 200,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area annually through theater, training, and education and community programs.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATORY DEPARTMENT:
The Conservatory department hosts classes and workshops of varying experience levels and intensities for everyone to engage with theater and their artistry in a learning environment. Our programs vary from a la carte studio classes to multi-week intensives to corporate workshops, and are comprised of San Francisco Semester (SFS), Summer Training Congress (STC), Professional Development, Alumni Relations, the Melissa Yandell Smith Library, Studio A.C.T. and the Young Conservatory.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
As part of the Young Conservatory's training offerings, we offer College Prep coaching for young actors wanting to apply to competitive performing arts programs. We are seeking experienced instructors in musical theater and acting who also have a deep knowledge of performing arts programs and the college audition process, who can not only coach material but also discuss the nuances between BA/BFA/BM programs, how to select programs that align with student and family goals, guidance around pre-screens, repertoire and organizational tools. We are especially interested in those with Musical Theater training.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, but rather a representation of job duties.
Teaching Responsibilities - Scheduled Hours
- Assist College Prep students with program selection and an overview of the college audition process.
- Select and polish repertoire.
- Refine headshot/resume.
- Film pre-screen audition.
- Feel confident in their application process from start to finish.
- Engage with parents in addition to students in order to help the entire family grasp the college prep process.
Prep + Support Responsibilities - Unscheduled Hours
- Find and prepare private coaching materials, including printing and copying handouts, sheet music, etc.
- Set-up and tear-down coaching space to create an ideal learning environment, including A/V equipment set-up, tables, chairs, and other learning objective supplies.
- Communicate with families and students to adhere to timelines.
- Regularly evaluate student learning progress and adjust class activities to support class learning.
Administrative Responsibilities - Mix of Scheduled + Unscheduled Hours
- Schedule private coaching sessions with families (online and in-person).
- Submit timely HR paperwork, including timesheets.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with administrative staff, facilities team, fellow teaching artists, and students/families to create and foster a positive learning environment, including tracking student attendance.
- Participate in A.C.T.'s learning community by actively participating in ongoing professional development opportunities, when requested. i.e. Mandated Reporting Training, Live Scan, EDI Training, Company Meetings, Special Events, Faculty Meetings, etc. Some meetings/events require supervisor approval.
- Adhere to A.C.T. company and Conservatory department policies.
QUALIFICATIONS + QUALITIES:
- In-depth knowledge of college acting and musical theater programs (BA and BFA).
- Audition and/or vocal technique specialist.
- Repertoire selection specialist - robust and evolving knowledge of the musical theater canon, classical and contemporary plays.
- Especially seeking previous experience teaching or working professionally in musical theater or acting.
- Demonstrated passion for cultivating a positive learning environment.
- Strong classroom facilitation skills while working with a diversity of students with varying degrees of theater experience.
- Ability to give and receive positive and constructive feedback.
- Demonstrated alignment with A.C.T.'s Mission, Values and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- Commitment to teaching in a multicultural environment, and accommodating students with diverse learning abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to create culturally responsive lesson plans with the ability to adapt based on the needs of the classroom, cultural differences, and individual students.
- High level of interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence (EQ).
- Fundamental knowledge working with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel), Google Suite (e.g., Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, Google Forms), Adobe (e.g. pdf), internet browsers, and email platforms.
- Strong calendar management, communication (verbal and written), organization, and prioritization skills.
- A keen attention to detail.
- Ability to commute and work in San Francisco.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Background working in theater, performing arts, cultural or non-profit institutions.
- Teaching experience working with courses' intended age group (ages 15-19).
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Diversity makes us stronger. A.C.T. is committed to diversity in its programming and creating an inclusive work culture and environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you'd like to learn more about A.C.T.'s values, mission, and EDI initiatives, please visit www.act-sf.org.