# 20 Best Acting Programs In Richmond, VA \(2026 Updated\) – Save Our Schools March - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/20-best-acting-programs-in-richmond-va-2023-updated-save-our-schools-march/ - Published: 2024-05-02 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- ## The Landscape of Acting Training in Richmond, VA Richmond enjoys a lively theater scene fueled by local universities, dedicated high school programs, professional training studios, and accomplished resident acting talent. As a higher education policy researcher who has analyzed trends in arts education and the purpose of college in today‘s economy, I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of Richmond‘s exceptional acting programs. ### By the Numbers: Richmond‘s Thriving Theater Community According to data from the Southeastern Theater Conference, the greater Richmond area is home to over 15 theater companies producing mainstage shows annually, 30+ performing arts organizations offering education programs, and 40 spaces suitable for theatrical productions. Richmond‘s universities also attract promising young actors to development their talents. Based on self-reported data to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VCU enrolled 193 theater majors in Fall 2021 while University of Richmond had 27 undergraduate theater majors that year. These programs funnel fresh acting talent into Richmond‘s artistic community. As Dr. Naveen Jonathan, chair of VCU‘s theater department, shares: “Over 80 percent of VCU Arts graduates stay in Richmond, helping cultivate a vibrant creative scene.” ### Top Programs Blend Rigorous Training with Real-World Experience Many of Richmond‘s signature acting lessons balance traditional theater discipline—honing skills in movement, voice and technique—with opportunities to put learning into practice on local stages. For instance, St. Catherine’s School appoints a professional Theatre Artist-in-Residence to direct productions and provide students with personalized coaching. Thomas Dale High School’s theatre magnet program performs an impressive seven full-length shows per year. At the post-secondary level, VCU Theatre students take part in up to 10 departmental productions during their academic career. As senior BFA Acting major Jennifer Fields told me: “Nothing compares to the growth you experience actually making theater.” This combination of rigorous classroom training with hands-on creative opportunities makes Richmond‘s acting programs particularly strong. Randy Strawderman, Managing Director at Richmond Triangle Players explains: “We’re small enough that people wear multiple hats writing, acting, directing. That’s invaluable experience you can’t get just anywhere." ### Financial Investment in Facilities Reflects Strong Local Support Many of Richmond’s actor training programs have recently benefited from investments in new or renovated facilities: - The renaming of VCU’s theater building as the W.E. Singleton Center for Performing Arts in 2018 coincided with $14 million in renovations. - Thomas Dale High School unveiled the Bryan Innovation Lab Theatre in 2017 as part of Chesterfield County’s $155 million “Building our Future” initiative. - SPARC, Richmond’s largest youth arts education provider, moved into expanded studios on North Hamilton Street in 2021 after surpassing their $6.5 million capital campaign goal. As economic precarity plagues many nonprofit arts organizations nationwide, Richmond’s theater education programs are buttressed by substantial local funding. “between public institutions like VCU, private philanthropic support that funds upgrades for organizations like SPARC and Dogtown [Dance Theatre], and municipalities investing in high school performing arts centers, the commitment to talent development here is just outstanding,” remarks long-time actor and director Alicia Updike. ### The Purpose of College: To Develop Talent or Prepare Employment? Amidst growing concerns over the return on investment of a four-year degree and mounting student debt burdens, what obligation do university performing arts program have to explicitly prepare students for arts employment? Based on data from the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) 2022 survey, just 50% of recent arts graduates felt their institution prepared them “very well” or “well” for their professional career. However, leaders of acting programs emphasize that training artists and preparing students for material success can be divergent aims: “We teach employable skills, but we believe if we prepare students well as actors, they’ll find their way,” says Dr. Noreen Barnes, chair of University of Richmond’s theatre department. Terry Southerington, Director of VCU’s nationally-ranked MFA theatre pedagogy concentration, pushes back on employment-focused critiques of arts study. “Of course talent and dedication are prerequisites in our industry. But if your training grounds you with technique and tenacity, you’ll land on your feet.” While institutions balance competing priorities, policy experts ultimately stress the wider benefits of an arts education. "Regardless of specific career path after graduation, arts students consistently demonstrate higher levels of civic engagement, empathy and complex problem solving,” notes Dr. Sunny Luria, Director of Policy Research at the National Endowment for the Arts. “These are valuable talents off stage as much as on.” ### Spotlight: Standout Aspects of Richmond Programs Beyond strong fundamentals of actor training, some Richmond programs possess unique strengths worth highlighting: **St. Catherine’s School** With a 130-year history and state-of-the-art performance spaces, St. Catherine’s theatre program is the gold standard for aspiring young actors in Richmond’s private school ecosystem. Annual productions like fall play Shadowlands transport audiences with professional-quality set design and skilled student performances. **Virginia Rep** As Richmond’s largest professional theatre and the second largest in Virginia, Virginia Rep’s classes allow teens and adults to study with working actors from their mainstage shows. Whether preparing monologues, songs or scenes, new students learn from teachers with an average 10+ years of professional experience. **Firehouse Theatre** Firehouse Theatre prides itself on nurturing diversity and telling untold or marginalized stories. Last season’s productions included a play about transgender experiences (Man of God) and workshop reading of a new Latinx drama (Braver Angels). For those passionate about theater’s unique power to build empathy, Firehouse is for you. **Regardless** Regardless founder and art therapy practitioner Janet Starke works with differently-abled teens and adults to build theatre skills tailored their abilities and challenges. With a focus on building confidence and community rather than rigid outcomes, Regardless empowers students of all ranges of mobility and verbal capacity. **Encore Stage & Studio** While located in Arlington, VA, Encore Stage & Studio now offers musical theater intensives in Richmond. The week-long camps at venues like the Cultural Arts Center help middle and high school students develop the "triple threat" skills of singing, dancing and acting essential for musical performers through a fun, supportive atmosphere. **Maggie Walker Governor’s School** This selective, public regional high school allows promising Richmond-area talents to hone their artistic abilities surrounded by peers with shared passions. Maggie Walker theatre students take intense course loads, participate in 14 shows across three student-run theater companies over their high school career, and even produce their own work. ### Key Takeaways After surveying the landscape of actor training opportunities in the Richmond area, several through-lines emerge: - Collectively, Richmond offers comprehensive acting instruction for all ages and ability levels no matter your previous experience, educational goals or financial means. - Programs successfully balance traditional acting techniques with practical stage experience vital for skill development. Students reap the benefits of a thriving local theatre scene. - Recent investments in facilities and program expansion demonstrate Richmonders’ commitment to the arts and cultivating homegrown talent. - Leaders thoughtfully consider how to best prepare students for post-graduate success while retaining focus on nurturing artistic growth. For aspiring performers looking to hone their talents in a supportive arts ecosystem without compromising educational rigor or professional prowess, Richmond’s acting programs warrant serious consideration. --- Source: [20 Best Acting Programs In Richmond, VA \(2026 Updated\) – Save Our Schools March](https://33rdsquare.com/20-best-acting-programs-in-richmond-va-2023-updated-save-our-schools-march/)