20 Best Acting Programs In Dayton, OH (2022 Updated)

Carroll High is school by far one of the premier private schools in the Greater Miami Valley. As a graduate from this amazing establishment I have since come to find out it is a top STEM education school as well. The renovations to the building and the new football stadium will make you do a double take. One of the main focal points that I love about this Dayton High School is it’s amazing community of students. Everyone watches out for each other and whether your are a freshman or a Senoir. I am very proud to call myself a Patriot. Did I mention STEM??!?! Love this school!Cory D. D. Miller

The most worst school in the state of Ohio. If u want to go to high school and have no fun or feel like a prisoner then Carroll is the right place for you. The front office is absolutely in shambles right now. All the teachers do not help you and you will probably fail their class. It’s not the real high school experience and we are all divided. Frick Carroll.Steve Hancho

I am a Carroll graduate and so are my two sons. Carroll prepared us both academically and morally for college and life beyond. My daughter is now a junior at Carroll. We all have many fond memories of our time there and we appreciate the dedicated, caring teachers that make the school successful.Myrna Gazzerro

So, I am giving it 5 stars for the performance, not the overall vibe. The actors, and shows, are tremendous and very entertaining. But, why is it necessary to serve alcohol at a youth theater show? Is that really the example we want to send to our kids? Seems a little ridiculous, and kind of disappointing. Also, can we not go an hour without looking at our phones? That's what intermission is for. It's distracting, and more than a handful of people around us whipped out their phones during the performance. The kids work so hard, the least we can do it give them are full attention. Very rude and quite selfish. These were middle age adults that should know better, not kids, by the way. With all that said, The Beck Center rules and is a treasure to the area. My daughter and I have seen probably a dozen shows over the years and enjoyed every one. Highly recommended, and please support our local arts, on every level, so places like this will continue to thrive.M L

Super Saturday was an awesome way to spend the morning! We brought our six-month-old baby to be around other kids and it was packed!! Lots of dancing, instruments to see and hear, art making, and even instruments to play. I cannot wait to go back as she gets older. We stuck around to look at the exhibit, then got lunch across the street. Free activity for kids, yes please!Brittany Swartz

We went to see Shrek the musical at the Beck Center. Very nice place. About the size of a large movie theater. The show was good, the seats were comfortable. We had a good experience. My only complaint is that there aren't any hand rails on the wall. I have a son with a disability and getting up and down the steps without have rails was difficultMike Jackson

Victoria Theater is a wonderful intimate venue with a broad selection of events. The staff was friendly and efficient. The theater, lobby and restrooms were immaculate. There was plenty of street and garage parking nearby. It was a Saturday evening and downtown was quiet. The smaller size means there are no bad seats/ obstruction of stage view and there's a large area to accommodate wheelchairs or people with limited mobility. Avoid the front balcony row if you have young children as the railing is rather low. I'm sure someone would have switched seats if we'd asked.Shawnna Clement (Pathfinder76)

Simply the best theater experience anyone could hope to experience. Absolutely gorgeous old-fashioned theater with the most comfortable and accommodating seating. The most entertaining, dynamic and fun shows anyone could attend. Such a wide and diverse range of performances for everyone that have attended over the years. Have countless treasured memories of going to shows here as a child, and older. Such an experience.Aaron Zaremsky

Came here to watch a stand up comedian. The comedian was great. The building is beautiful. The people working there was wonderful and very informative. The seats are awfully close and fairly uncomfortable. The seats were definitely made for smaller people from a long gone era. Parking was available nearby and very affordable. I will watch something here again.Max Xavier

Saw “Ada and the Engine” Saturday March 21, 2018. It was a wonderful cast! Great cozy theatre and the bar scene on the first floor was comfy and really brings you into the mood for some theatre. The tickets wee punch cards given to us at will call from buying online, very hip and cool, but not in the overly hipster kind of way. As a lover of the theatre and a high school thespian, it was great getting in touch with the arts here in Cincinnati. Perfect place to “Play”Okayiest Dad

There is literally always a production happening here. If it's not a mainstage production, it's an Underground production, or a festival, Serial, special event, special guest. They also over a Welcome Wednesday experience every Wednesday of their mainstage shows where a set number of walkup tickets are free and reserved are only $5. Well worth trying out to see a show you've never heard of.Andrew Adams

An excellent spot for local, independent, and artsy theater. I've seen plenty of shows here over the years and while they've ranged from spectacular to just okay I've never once had a bad performance from the actors nor production values. This isn't where you're going to see spectacular special effects, but good acting and interesting stories, plays you can't see anywhere else!Joel Bartlett

A beautiful old venue! The original decoration has been retained with lovely oak woodwork and lots of hand carved ceiling tiles and beautiful old light fixtures. The seats are original and a bit uncomfortable but they are in keeping with decor and can be endured for a couple of hours easy enough. The one drawback was the washroom facilities. They aren't adequate for the 800 or so the theater holds. Always long lines and that wasn't even during admission but during the concert.Sherlene Eicher

The Murphy Theatre is a beautifully restored and meticulously maintained, intimate early 1900s theatre with amazing acoustics, managed and operated by some of the most passionate and dedicated people in the entertainment industry. We recently traveled seven hours to visit and enjoy a show here and were generously welcomed with open arms by everyone, Mandy, Phyllis, Jo Jo, Bob (Happy Birthday), Steve and many more. From your "Friends from Canada", we can’t wait to visit again.Rick Horvath

Every single time…. Wonderful shows, extremely kind and helpful volunteers and staff……they all bend over backwards to be of help. We never have had even the slightest complaint! Other theatres could take a lesson from The Murphy. Steve Burnette is doing great things at the theatre and for the area. It’s a 2 hour drive for us and it has always been worth it. Put The Murphy on your list of places to go…soon. You will not be disappointed! Teresa Secord BrosekeT Secord

I was given a gift certificate to come here, and when entering into the parking and seeing 80s stucco exterior, I did not have high expectations. The building is deceptive as when you enter you feel like you just got into the tardis police box. Since we had our tickets in advance we were seated quickly and the waitress was quick to offer quite a few drinks and at a value too. The feeding format of buffet was an efficient machine. You’re allowed to pile on the plate but they do actually offer seconds if your hungry enough. It is understood most of the shows are a truncated version of the original they are playing. I enjoyed the show, and although they do have season tickets I think I’m still gonna stick to just doing individual shows for now. Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: No
Takeout: No
Delivery: No
Curbside pickup: NoChris Mich

The food was pretty good.. I feel like they put a lot into it. Mac and cheese was pretty dry, biscuits for biscuits and gravy were hard. Sweet potato casserole and the “signature bread” were really good! Soft little rolls that i couldn’t stop eating. The fried fish was very good, didn’t need any tarter sauce! Lots of waiting to get into line for the buffet. If you come toward the end of “seating time” you barely have time to get a second plate, so load up. Show was supposed to start at 12:30, started at 1:10. We were told it was a bigger set so took some time. The show was very cute, we saw Beauty and the Beast. Some of the actors were really really good! A lot of the choreography was great!! Great voices and the songs were very good! Overall experience was great..Jason Kirk

I really wanted to enjoy the show. Made plans a month ago. The buffet was well above average. Service was good but let's face it we go here for the show and that was severely lacking. I do not expect break out acting performances but I do expect well above singing in a musical and it was far from that. Below average notes that were off key and flat. Hard to watch. The drink shown was a volcano. Think long Island but sweeter. Fun to share. My date and I left at intermission sadly. I am willing to try a different performance but I would not recommend A Christmas Story.Douglas Campbell

Had our wedding at the Baum on May 8, 2021 and we absolutely loved it! It was so beautiful to take pictures in front of and the space was perfect for us. We did our ceremony downstairs in the Templer Room (about 140 guests), and our reception upstairs in the Ballroom. Whitney was absolutely amazing and so helpful! We rented the venue for two days, so we could go in and set up on Friday and then not have to worry about anything on Saturday. In the midst of such a great time during the wedding, we forgot a few things behind but Whitney was so amazing with helping us out the next day and let us come in and pick up a few things. Could not have asked for a more beautiful and affordable venue! Such a cute area as well.kayla smith

What a wonderful and flexible facility. It's a historic building that is being updated to suit the needs of the patrons as well as the renters who use the facility such as ourselves. They have worked with us to make doing our performances there as easy as possible. I would definitely refer them for weddings, dances, banquets and anything else that may warrant a cozy at home feel. Thank you Baum, keep doing what you do. Miamisburg should be proud.INNOVAtheatre Inc.

We held our wedding and reception at the Baum. It was the perfect venue for us. All of our vendors commented on how easy it was to set up. On site parking isn't abundant, but there is public parking surrounding the venue. Pro tip: we used Top Hat Catering for a brunch reception and could not have been happier. The food was absolutely amazing and all of our guests still talk about it being the best reception meal they've ever had.G Vining

Great facility for live music! Very spacious and clean! Friendly for all ages. Larger name, nationally touring acts (especially Christian artists … more Rock based than contemporary) come through frequently, and this is a fantastic place to check them out! The venue is also great for young bands trying to find places to play. I just wish that the venue would do a little bit more to reach out to market to local youth/teen groups, and try to get the place full of a few more people when these young bands play. Frustrating for them to play to a mostly empty, cavernous house. Get busloads of church youth groups or school groups to show up for a show or 2, and this place would rock! With the music, pool tables and other games, and the programs for youth here, this could really be a hot place!Drew Slayton

This is an amazing place where dedicated people come together and bring wholesome music to our community. The venue is very open and the sound is always DEAD ON. If you enjoy christian music, everything from soft pop to heavy metal, this is THE PLACE to be. Most of the staff are made up of volunteers, a lot of which are passionate youths who are always helpful and friendly. On the Friday and Saturday nights that don't have a national concert this is a great venue to drop off your teens and have them socialize. Check it out and think of volunteering yourself!Nudge “J Adam Medley” Medley

Such a great avenue for youth in our community! Does such a great job hosting bands, camps & so much more! Look forward to many more years working with the Underground!Brittany Maas

If you're looking for acting lessons, then congratulations, you've found the best there is. The true mother-load of an acting class. The instructor is Steve Francia, and he can and will steer you in the right direction. His vast knowledge and expertise make him one of the best acting instructors in the United States, and one of his many fantastic qualities is his honesty. If you failed, or didn't do well, or if your scene "sucked", then he will let you know, and he won't sugarcoat it for you, but he will critique, and he will tell you how to improve. There's no animosity or bigotry in this class. Steve has a "one happy family" demeanor and policy, and you can see that with the class. Everyone is very nice, supportive, and friendly, which brings a wonderfully warm atmosphere to the room as you walk in. So, on a final note, if you are an actor, or even if you're thinking about becoming an actor, then you should come to the Cincinnati Actors Studio. The classes usually have a theme-of-the-month and each class is different, so you won't be repeating the same thing over and over again. If you're ready, I'll see you in class!Tyler DeHaven

I've never been to an acting class in my life and had no idea what to expect once I got there. It took some time to build up the courage to go but I'm so grateful I did! My first day was all nerves with a large side of anxiety. However, it wasn't long before realizing I was in great hands with Cincinnati Actors Studio, acting coach, Steve Francia. Although It was my own initiative that forced me through the door, it was Steve's obvious passion for his students success that kept me coming back for more. His class, although incredible, is about more than just acting. It's taking the many lessons learned and applying them to all other aspects of life. The safe space he provides to push the boundaries of what you thought capable as both actor and human being is a true gift. How fortunate that we have access to both a master(mind) with years of professional experience as well as a supportive community that goes along with it. So do yourself a favor and get to Steve’s class! You won't regret it.Tracy Bedford

Cincinnati Actor’s Studio is truly one of the best acting classes I have ever attended. It is a true gem in the acting world. They have a wide range of classes that not only looks great on a resume, but you have so many takeaways after each class. I feel as if I can take on more of a range of material. If you’re reading this, wondering if you should attend… sign up. I read the reviews, decided to attend, and it has made such a major impact on my life. The people you encounter at these classes are passionate and driven, which will ultimately drive you. The instructor, Steve Francia, is honest and raw with his critique. You will need that to be in the 1%. It will change the way you execute auditions and prepares you to work on set in “the real world”. CAS has been the catalyst for my acting career and I would highly recommend these classes to anyone.Brittany Mcvicker

Honestly, this is not somewhere I would have thought to go on my own. I love to sing, but never really thought about doing anything with it. Long drawn out story later, my best friend got me some lessons here. I know it is horribly overused as a statement, but the lessons here really have been life-changing. I was at a pretty low point prior to starting lessons here, but I immediately felt welcome. The owner (Josh) immediately focused on what MY goals were, and how to help me reach those. Four months ago, I had pretty much no confidence in my singing abilities. Now, while I know I am certainly no Schubert or Celine Dion, but my skills and confidence have grown ten times over. I am attempting music now that I previously would never have dared to touch, and learning how to read music at the same time. These folks know their business, and they are good at at. No matter your level of skill (Or lack thereof in my case) you will leave every lesson having not only learned something, but having had fun doing it too.Jarrod W

My first lesson so take it for what it's worth. However, it was good enough that I'm going back for more. The trainer in question (Josh) was really amiable and has classical training, something that, for me, was a high point even though the style I aspire to isn't classical. But I def want longevity and strength and that plays a big part in classical training as far as I know. It was easy to click on the emailed link and get into the "class" with him over internet and from there it just flowed without hiccups. An hour passed really quickly but he def optimized my time and I was all ears. The first lesson was an introduction to singing with a lot of food for thought thankfully. We did one small singing exercise that was quite revealing and interesting. I won't say which so it doesn't spoil it for others, but as long as you know that you do get to do a little bit of it right from the get go. Looking forward to my next lesson.R K

My daughter has been taking voice lessons with Josh for a few years now, and her singing has great improved. Josh is an excellent teacher and really seems to care about his students' success. When the pandemic started, he was quick to establish a safe, virtual alternative to in-person lessons. My daughter continues to feel supported and challenged with her lessons. Great school!RobMegan BoleyHart

They showed NO interest in my child, who is african american. This was her first class and nobody gave me any instructions on how to watch my child or who her instructor was. The time ranned over and no one informed me, 5 min into class i decided to ask when the instructor will come get her. They got the kids and went to class without acknowledging my child. When i took my child to the class, as i was trying to talk to the instructor she cut me or and said they have to start class on time (even though her last class ranned over 5min) she slammed the door in my face. They aren’t helping or interested in teaching my child so i would really like to get a refund. First class went horrible here!!!!!! I’m writing this review in there lobby since i can’t get a refund!! I didn’t even get to watch my child, the tablet was skipping and the tv wasn’t turned on within the time fram of class!!! They didn’t give me the info to watch her on my own phone until after the class was done. highly upset with our first day in class.Eunice Scott

So amazing!! Clean, organized, FUN facility. Sucks only one parent can be present for the class, but you are able to get a tablet of theirs and view the classes via cameras. It's really easy to use and they even have an app. My daughter started ballet and gymnastics. They have all sorts of activities/classes for all ages, boy ls and girls alike. My kids also want to do piano lessons. How cool is that!? I'm very impressed. Again, I just wish more than one parent/guardian could be present in the room during instruction.Andrew Thompson

We held our daughters birthday party here, and selected the hip hop dance theme. The party was great! The staff were all extremely helpful and friendly. The event was so well prepared, and executed by the team. Our party guests felt welcomed, and really enjoyed the dance set up with the dedicated rooms with television view of the kids dancing. The team made the set up and clean up so easy, and allowed for the perfect space to celebrate. Thank you for making our daughters birthday event so special!Christina Toner

From the 14 years of dancing & singing at Ohio Performing Arts Institute, I can tell you that not only is it a performing arts studio but also a second home. I have learned so much in all my classes & the teachers there are absolutely phenomenal. The teachers always have your back & are always pushing you to be your absolute best. I have developed so many strong friendships with the teachers & other students that I will never lose in the years to come. This studio has changed & shaped me into the best version of myself. If you are looking for a new or first dance studio, this is definitely your best choice.Tessa McCaw

Highly recommend OPAI. Dance, acting, voice, they have it all. I’ve known Scot, and his vision for Springfield for 33 years. The experience, and exposure to performance life 🎭 is the best out there. They will guide you as far as you’d like to go. ❤️ Blessed for my time there, it truly helped make me who I am today.Deanna Miller

First time taking granddaughter tonight. She took jazz and acting. Everyone was very nice. The owner and the teachers, especially the kids. They came right up and made Izzy feel very welcome.audrea penwell

Heed the bad reviews on this so called, "college". There's a lot of better colleges in the area that treat their students with more respect. The classes aren't that much cheaper here. This place puts the old saying, "You get what you pay for" to rest. Because, here at clark state, you do NOT get what you pay for. You actually get less! They won't let you resell some your old books because they're "out-of-date". The teachers are unprofessional and do not care about their students. Clark state is a very poorly run joke of school and needs to be shut down. The positive reviews on this site are created by the staff. There's a teacher here named Ayman Idrees who fraudulently withheld information from me as to why I was kicked out of my program. He's one of the worst things that ever happened to me in my entire life. Be careful, and watch out for this crafty scam artist. I hope you think of my disadvantaged child while you're stuffing your face you disgusting liar. Don't waste your precious time or money. Go to a real university. I don't know how Ayman M. Idrees can be such a cruel man. He's an absolute inhumane monster. My grandson has a child and he still lied to him and withheld information from him. Learn how to treat people like human beings you liar. You really are one of the worst things that happened to me in my entire life you know that? If it wasn't for people like you, people like me could afford to take care of their families. You really should be ashamed of yourself.John S

Attended Rhinestone and Wrangles – fantastic drink and food. Theme was great as many who attended dressed in their cowboy attire. Springfield Symphony Orchestra fund raiser was outstanding and seemed to be extremely succesful. Good music with good friends made for a very enjoyable evening.Phil Metzger

This is a great event venue if you have a small gathering or a large gathering. I was personally at a breakfast that served over 400 people. The room is quite bare but is set up well with drink stations all around and I large stage at the middle-front.Allen Erdman

I have enjoyed Rosewood in so many ways. There is always something interesting going on. The art, dance etc. teachers are great. It is such a full schedule that it's hard to make up your mind what to attend. I have taken my CJHS students there for years with only wonderful results.. Students are challenged by the wealth of the arts there. Lots of good thinking abd new ideas have come from our visits. Now that I am retired, I'm working there to make my own pottery. Thanks for all you do and plan to do!Janet Lasley

I was a visiting artist, so my experience was different. The staff is amazing. Dedicated, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The program is well organized and well prepared. I'm glad to have been involved in an event that encouraged learning in the arts. This facility is well appointed with many wheels and a great Bailey kiln! While clay is my specialty, the center offers other classes in glass, painting, theater etc. etc. Large place. Good peeps!CJ “CJ”

The Rosewood Arts Center is a fantastic place to take classes in a variety of areas…painting, jewelry making, dance, foreign languages, theater, pottery, writing, etc. The teachers are knowledgeable and friendly, and the facility is great. You can go online or pick up a brochure to read about the class offerings. Classes are available for children and adults.Heike Hudson

I ordered a 10 inch veggie pizza and I expected all the veggies-mushrooms, onions, peppers, banana peppers, black olives but unfortunately they only put mushrooms and banana peppers. The pizza itself was very good, especially the crust but they might want to consider making a veggie pizza and not charge for the extra toppings. Other than that, I'm enjoyed the atmosphere and may visit again sometime in the near future. 😉Subrenna Evans

Certainly a cool experience, just a little rough around the edges. A massive outdoor seating area in a reclaimed parking lot adds to a great versitile space. I went here for the silent disco and the massive tent with the 3 djs in the corners was an awesome experience! Pretty decent beer/drink selection, will certainly be returning for silent discos in the future!Foster

Fun atmosphere with plenty of indoor and outdoor space. I went for the silent disco and had so much fun! All three stations were on point and it was hard to choose which one to listen to a lot of the time! I would definitely recommend checking them out anytime but definitely go to a silent disco here!!Robin Johnson

This is my favorite thing about Dayton. It seems to have a long history of embracing both the fine and performing arts and The Human Race is one it's true treasures. They're primary performing venue is in the Loft Theatre and it's a gem in and of itself. The Human Race theatre company is a professional company that produces it's plays from beginning to end. The sets, lighting, sound and all that that's needed to put on a truly professional play are wonderful. The sets in particular are always so interesting. The plays for each season cover a wide range of themes, genres and source material. Additionally the company holds classes, special practices, many other things that allow patrons and the public to have a more interactive experience. It was founded and is still operated by Daytonians who are all active in the community. They are also a supporter of Muse Machine. This season's theme is Women of Influence. So far I've seen Lady Day and the star of that production was amazing. Then I saw Cake. This is such an influential play. It has so many important thoughts woven throughout. It has some hilarious moments for sure and not all of life's situations get tied up in a nice bow. But not only is the dialogue impactful, and as usual the sets are great but the acting in this was absolutely outstanding. The subtlety of facial expressions to convey conflict affected me deeply and inspired a lot of thought. My husband and 2 of my 20+ year old kids attended and we had lots of good conversation afterwards. Everyone was just enthralled with this production. I also happened to see the movie Harriet the same weekend. So suffice it to say I was truly impacted by women of influence. This season still has more plays to present, there are no bad seats at the Loft (I promise), everything is completely handicapped accessable, and The Human Race always has plenty of offerings going on. Go to their website and then call Ticket Center Stage and give a genuinely professional and locally produced theater (the only one in Dayton) offering by the The Human Race a chance to entertain you!!!!!!Michelle Meredith

We've been series ticket holders for 15+ years. We like the intimate atmosphere and the great selection of shows. Great seats all around. We park off Jefferson Street behind the theater in the garage. They serve drinks that may be brought into the show. There are a few nice places to eat in the area prior to shows. The last show, 'Around the World in 80 Days,' was superb.Jennifer Sommer

Went to see The SantaLand Diaries, a one man show, done extremely well, and quite quite fun, humorous, and entertaining. This gem of a theater is well done in an older building, great seating, nice atmosphere, with nice shops and a nice snack bar to enjoy if you arrive a few minutes early.Ronald Whittington

Had a wonderful time seeing a youth-led theater show here. The facility is very well constructed and laid out and the staff were fantastic. Definitely recommend checking it out for a nice evening with kids or even a date night ideas to support local youth.Ronald Barker

Coming into the parking, this place is nothing special from the outside. They've tried hard to show they are a theater by displaying it on the Windows, but I wonder why not have a quirky artist mural the outside to make it stand out! Walking in the lobby continues the trend of being nothing special, leading into the sitting area where it's kept simple. Then the magic happens… Dedicated…mmm no but it shows they want to put on a good show.Chris Mich

Never seen it open when I have a clue if it was open business or not there are boards in front of the window and it is in a really bad location for people to know where it is it doesn't look like they can ever hold a big crowd always looks empty what's the with the boards on the windows and the lights never on you would never have a clue if they were open or not is a shameJustin Barhorst

The whole experience was simple and pleasant. The theater is darling, a perfect manageable size with ample parking, and the folks there are awesome! We saw The odd couple, it was hilarious and the actors were incredible! I will be back. Next time I will definitely bring cash because those cookies looked amazing and I would have liked to tip.Beth Long

Getting into the garage is not much of a problem, but getting out after an event at the Schuster Center is just a slow and painful process. Both doors out of the garage are opened to leave but most everyone do not pay attention to the exit signs above both lanes so most everyone bottlenecks through the single exit lane. Someone needs to direct traffic out after the show. This garage requires you to pay to park – what do we get for our money if they can't help people leave in a timely manner?Michael S

We tried to park in the garage to grab breakfast at table 33. We were first in a line of cars to enter the garage. The attendant was no where to be seen and the ticket machine was not functioning. The posted price was 3 dollars per half hour and the lady very rudely demanded we pay 8 directly to her. The parking garage should take more care in whom they hire as she does not rank very high on a customer service board.Taylor Stevens

Nice parking garage in a popular area of downtown Dayton. Here, you can park in a safe location for an average price. This garage is occasionally closed so you kay have to visit another garage or just parallel park on the street. This lot is very close to the Schuster Performing Arts Center. If you plan on visiting this Arts Center, I would recommend parking here.Jason Williams