20 Best Acting Programs In Madison, WI (2022 Updated)

I recently finished my second Technical degree for Metal Fabrication as a returning student. I delayed going back to school for years for lots of reasons, but mostly because I thought it would be as awful of an experience as High School was. Instead the teachers in my program were excellent. I was always challenged by the projects and supported in my learning in equal measure. If you're looking to get into welding or Metal Fabrication, these programs are career fields that need people, pay well, and you can learn them here! Don't sleep on the trade skills that can be taught here. Go to the open houses, see if these are things you're interested in doing. A 4 year degree isn't The guarantee of employment it used to be, but these one year Technical degrees, leading to in demand fields are.Travis H

Very nice tech college. Almost everyone you come across on campus can point you in the right direction. I just started school today online. But tomorrow I get to go to campus. It's a clean sanitary environment. There is currently some remodeling going on, so part of the building you cannot access… yet! AC was on, felt awesome. temperature didn't change much room to room either. All the employees seem to know their job very well and are willing to help. I chose Madison Area Technical College because I know many people that have graduated and successfully got into a job they wanted. This school is also smaller than UW Madison so I feel like the learning experience is better, more hands on, more participation versus a large school such as UW Madison.Shane Toycen

The good profs here are all just professors moonlighting from UW Madison, I'd honestly say you should apply to and go to literally any other UW system school before here. The quality of education isn't bad- but they somehow managed to misplace finances and put 650 bucks into collections randomly – without mailing me any notifications, and without a notifications on the online portal. You won't get competency from any of the administrative staff, expect 5 week long waits to see a counselor for any sort of urgent need. If you are a student with a disability – make sure you have additional copies of any medical documentation, they will claim to lose it. Most of the education staff despises the administrative staff and yeah, I can see why.Bee

Our first time at the Overture center was to see Pretty Woman. I went online to check out the setup and from other people's experiences it looked like a top notch facility. It was very well organized and the staff were extremely friendly. I appreciated the Overture Center not requiring masks or vax status paperwork. The Plandemic is long over and it's refreshing to see a Dane County business not get sucked into the joke of a CDC recommendation. The performance itself was top notch. We'd definitely attend again and are already looking for the next show.Court Hutsen

The venue is beautiful to look at. There's a round dome you can look up and see the sky. Once you've found your seat, things get a little tight. It's packed tighter than an airplane. Your shins are almost guaranteed to touch the seat in front of you. I wish they would have added another 3 inches of space. Otherwise, the sound was clear from every angle which is difficult to achieve. The bathrooms were clean and the staff were all friendly. I'd go back again.Eric Stephenson

Theater was absolutely lovely and I went to go see Hamilton! I'm a Hamilton fan, and this performance exceeded expectations. All the staff were dressed nicely and professionally, and helped everyone who needed help. I would absolutely love to come back and see another performance at the Overture Center!Griffin May

Students pay tens of thousands of dollars for their nursing degrees only to sit in a 30 minute graduation ceremony with no cap and gown. It's very unfortunate that the staff here downplays such a wonderful achievement. Let's also not forget all of the "refreshments provided afterward"…. there were none. There was a student that passed away and her name was never acknowledged during the ceremony. Sad. Very sad.Tony Robertson

Barrymore is located in an iconic Madison neighborhood at top of Willy Street on Atwood. Can't beat the vibe, and new seats in the theatre and other renovations along with some great shows make it all unbeatable for a night out on the town. Very nice lobby bar, and popcorn is for sale lobby. Balcony is not acrophobia-inducing nor steeply raked, but there is plenty of main floor seating. Be careful to not sit in back of the sound controls area in the center of the main floor though – blocks the view from some seats. SO many restaurants right there on Atwood if you would like food before or after show. Lao Laan Xang immediately next door for superb Laotian and curry dishes, Monty's across the street for always excellent diner fare/comfort food/vegan dishes/drinks/desserts, Tex Tubb's Taco Palace on the corner for a fun fiesta atmosphere complete with margaritas. Don't forget Dobhan – so good!!! Too many great places to list – all within walking distance of theatre. Not sure about parking….. available on street and some lots are right next to theatre. Take the bus or bike if you can and you'll be right in there doing high fives with the locals. One note: Great drink options, but popcorn could use an upgrade. Not sure what brand they use – and I'm not saying I'm going to Marcus theatres instead of Barrymore – but the popcorn is definitely yummier at the giant corporate theater. Easy to fix, I'd guess : )Deborah

Loved the Old Fashioned building. The glowing stars on the ceiling were beautiful. Drinks were pricey but Great to have so we had an excuse to take our masks off temporally to drink (breath) during the show. We saw Drew Lynch. Not only did he put on a great show, we even got to meet him and get his autograph afterward. Donate to this great venue to remodel and update their seats. Another bonus, lots of nearby restaurants and bars to eat before the show so we had good parking in the back.Elisabeth Krapp

Most seats have a decent view of the stage and you actually have leg room. The seats are organized well and easy to find. Only cons are that the parking sucks. You have to circle in the local neighborhoods looking for street parking. Another con is that the bathrooms are tiny and get backed up easily. For weekend shows all this is ok because you can show up early and hang at one of the bars, but on a week night, it’s too much work and timeKatie C

ALCS is an excellent school with caring teachers, exceptional standards, commitment to strong character development and much more. I am constantly amazed by the dedication of the teachers and staff. The theatre program is amazing, and I love that the kids develop a heart for going out in their community and serving others.Kyla Jenson

AWESOME school. Well run as team concept with High Point Christian School. #Madison #Wisconsin #Christian #School #SchoolsAirbornePlayz

I started taking voice lessons at Studio 12 in March, and have learned so much, and felt so much growth as a performer. Ben is an excellent teacher, and his teaching has allowed me to expand my range, and musical knowledge. I would wholeheartedly recommend taking lessons here to anyone, as they are affordable, in depth, and most importantly, enjoyable.Henry Pahlow

My daughter is a new piano player. Her lessons at Studio 12 have been her first on the instrument. Her teacher is awesome – a great blend of fun and a bit stern. 🙂 He pushes her to do more than she thinks she can do!Wendy Jung

The people working here helped me in my attempt to rediscover my passion for music. They know their stuff, and have the pedigree to show for it! Highly recommend!Chase Grabowski

I started going to Actor's Craft about 3 months ago. I started with the Improv classes, which was a great place to start for me as a newcomer to this art form. Maureen's energy, authenticity, and passion for her craft was evident from the start. I just finished the 8 week Chubbuck Technique class, which was absolutely phenomenal!! I learned so much and am planning on taking the Audition Technique class next and will continue on with Advanced Scene Study in the fall. Maureen, as an acting coach, is a Master at her craft…..personable, funny, gifted, enthusiastic, and challenges her students to break through barriers to express their true self on the stage. I simply can't say enough about how positive and fun my experience has been. Sign up for one of Maureen's classes! You will love her and she will love you right back!! Thanks, Maureen! <3Joyce Lynn

I cannot believe my luck in finding Actor's Craft. This has definitely been worth the commute from Milwaukee to Kenosha for each class. It is an intimate and welcoming environment that has helped me become more confident as an actor. Maureen is a truly dedicated acting coach that wants each student to succeed, but to also have fun during the process. If you are serious about becoming a professional actor, this is a wonderful place to receive high quality training.Elisabeth Johnson

Maureen is exceptionally knowledgeable, incredibly attentive, and unwavering in her passion for helping her actors and actresses not only master their crafts, but thrive in them. I highly recommend her for not only aspiring actors and actresses, but for anyone wanting to improve their public speaking skillset as well. The methods she employs will help you to stand out and have fun all at the same time. Thanks so much, Maureen—I'm having a blast! God bless!Justin Beaton

My daughter started in Level 1 at SMB, now in Level 5 she has performed student roles in Madison Ballet's The Nutcracker for the past 10 years! I can't describe how important Madison Ballet has been to her development both as a dancer and as a person. The teachers and staff are awesome at what they do and provide an environment for success. As she now reaches out into the larger dance community she is recognized for her excellent training, receiving full merit scholarships for additional summer training at ballet schools across the country. We attend all of Madison Ballet's performances together both for enjoyment of the ballet and to aid her training. Artistic Director W. Earle Smith and the company are amazing! We love and recommend both SMB and Madison Ballet!Rebecca Powell

My daughter and I had the pleasure of dancing in Madison Ballet's nutcracker for several years. It is one of our most cherished memories as mother and daughter. We both live in Colorado Springs now and went to their Colorado Spring's Youth Ballet's Nutcracker yesterday. Although the performance was good, there was absolutely no comparison to Madison Ballet's and Earle Smith's version. We both couldn't stop talking about our experience with Earle. Top notch preparation, costumes, sets, volunteers, orchestra, and most importantly, rehearsed dancers! Thank you so much for being such a part of our lives! We miss you!Beth Leake

My experience with The School of Madison Ballet as a parent has been a positive and great one. The dance instructors are experienced dancers, who I feel are great teachers to my daughter and the other students. The School of Madison Ballet has given my daughter more self-confidence and encourages her love of ballet and expression through dance. In fact, both of my children (daughter and son) ask if they can participate in The School of Madison Ballet's Nutcracker every year. I cannot say enough great things about The School of Madison Ballet. TaraT Schauff

Don’t listen to this Andrew Schmidt clown, dude is a whole Karen giving places one stars and stuff. This dude must think he’s doing God’s work of being a Michelin reviewer.Savior Of The Asians

They’re remodeling this place two years after it was built. Do you really want people that shortsighted in charge of your education?Andrew Schmidt

As someone who went through their program years back in middle school, I cannot, for the life of me, remember what benefit this program actually offered us. All I can recall is that some other students and I were taken out of the regular English classroom to go through and read some book online (I believe it was called Runemarks) and though we did engage in certain activities surrounding the book, the lasting effects of these interactions is still absolutely minimal next to nothing. I'm not sure what the intent of this program was ever designed to accomplish and I can't really imagine my life being any different as a result of it.Ulysses Angel

I have worked with the program as an instructor, teacher, coordinator and parent. WCATY is a program that has offered numerous students the opportunity to meet with peers who enjoy learning and exploring as much as they do! It is a cool thing to be able to call yourself a "WCATY kid"! From the courses to the camps, WCATY is one of the best opportunities for students who want to learn and better themselves and further their education and opportunities!Lindsay Passwaters-Cordero

WACTY has been a great influential force in my own children's lives. It pushes them out of their normal and helps them to think in new ways. I am amazed at the growth that I have seen in them in just a few summers. I would recommend this to any other parents who want their children to be more agile for today's working environment.Angela Sherman

This was my third time here and I had lots of fun. We were there for a birthday and they are able to accommodate us even though we didn't call ahead. They've got a small selection of packaged snacks and bottled/canned drinks. No alcohol. There's some cool swag (I got a t-shirt and was tempted by the bar glass and beer coozie). There's no parking directly on site, but there's MG&E good neighbor parking on Main Street just behind the building. Free and unrestricted between 6pm and 6am. Something about seeing live improv beats lots of recorded comedy. I love it!Benjamin Nash

Planned on going here last friday. Had a lot of shows around 8pm to pick from but chose this place. Waited in the cold for 20 minutes to find out they were doing a private event. No sign in window, nothing on their facebook page about it, and the guy informed us without an apology or anything. Really shows how much they do care about their fans/customers. Thanks to these guys all the other shows we could have seen were started already. Never again will we go to this place.Lance Martin

Planned a night to Atlas on a whim this Friday as we have walked past it many times. WELL WORTH the $8 admission fee! We went to the 9pm double feature show and laughed so hard that my cheeks still hurt. A delightful way to spend a weekend evening and a fun date night! We will definitely be back! Performers are really friendly and even hang around to chat after the show!Kate McKay

Comfortable chairs, roomy theaters and the popcorn is tremendous. Pretzel bites were quite stale though (advertised as a pretzel w/ cheese so I thought I was getting a super pretzel). Not going to remove a star for this, but hoping to leave a constructive comment. I purchased my tickets online, and at the end of the transaction I had the option of ordering my food ahead of time. I wanted to take advantage of this but it turns out the earliest available time for pickup was 4:00pm. My movie was at 12:00 noon. Tickets purchased earlier in the morning. I feel the option should not have been placed in front of me if there was no capability to fulfill said option. Otherwise, this is my new favorite theater.John Demler

Love the companion seating comfortable for two plus sized adults. Single seat was snug, hip made recliner activate when I repositioned.YEAY for National Cinema Day yesterday 9/3/22. Great to see a first run movie for $3, pop $3 and hot dog $2.50. Wasn't impressed with Orphan First Kill, wish we saw The Invitation. Tuesday $5 movie day is a great deal. We need to check out their $20/4 movies on Sunday deal. Theater 8 row G was chilly bring a blanket. Theater 3 row F was comfortable temperature.Teri Smith

Clean, friendly. It was real close to my house. Parking was good. Safe location. Did need to check seats more as I had to wipe off crumbs and remember we are in a pandemic 😷. Stay safe and get vaxed. Update 3.23.22 starting to feel better about not having 😷. Still, these new pics suggest be smart and be safe.Gary Street

Every year, this theater puts on a panto play, a tradition in the UK where they take classic fairy tales and add modern songs, jokes and plenty of audience participation. This year’s show is Snow White and the Seven Superheroes. The panto is the purest form of comedy you will find. You get to experience the stories you know and love complete with hilarious puns and lots of cheering and booing from the audience. Once you experience one, you’ll be in attendance every year. The theater itself is an excellent place right off the square. They were checking vaccine cards at the door and all the staff are so kind. While waiting for drinks, the bartender discovered that the little girl with her mother was seeing a play for the first time. The bartender then told her how she’ll have to cheer loudly for the heroes and boo the villains. The Drury Stage packs a good number of seats into a small area. The cast is incredible every year and it’s the hardest I laugh all year.Kyle Goodman

I have seen a few shows at this theater. It a kind of hidden off the square in downtown Madison. But it is worth a visit. It is a small, quaint, and intamate theater. The staff is very help and friendly. The theater does have a bar that serves alchohol and snacks. All types of shows and plays perform here. Sound, lighting and acoustics are very good. Not a bad seat in the house. Great sight lines. There is a city parking located about 2 blocks away for your parking needs. If you have not seen a show here you really should. You will have a good time and enjoy yourself.Nathan Johnson

I wonderful old theater in downtown Madison. It has been renovated to include two performance spaces: a bigger main stage and a black box theater. Local community theater groups utilize the space to put on familiar and original works. The quality of the productions range wildly but at its heart community theater is about helping everyone experience the Arts and in that capacity the Bartell always exceeds expectations.Elizabeth Hetrick

I do Madison youth choir here, although, their old location was around west town mall. When they moved here, everyone in choir was phyched, because it was a huge location and the inside was colorful and interesting. The view off of the balcony is amazing, as is the convenient parking lot for parents to pick up their kids. 10 out of 10 ABSOLUTELY would recommend!!!Gabe Cox

Saw a children's play here. Cast was amazingly friendly and their performance was A + for what it is. The theater personnel was very helpful. They asked everyone coming in if they needed any help getting to their seats. Will definatly come and highly reccommendN C

The building is very well made with a lot of colorful lights and unique furniture. There are lots of rooms including a black box theatre and it is a great new home for Madison Youth Choirs along with several other programs.Anthony Marino

Please do NOT support this theater! The staff is incredibly discourteous and unprofessional. I was told a particular show would run 90 minutes; however, it ran over 30 extra minutes without any notice to the audience during intermission. Due to the delay, I was late for an appointment and, immediately after the show, I asked an usher for directions out to the parking lot. The usher, for some unknown reason, sent my children and I down a series of corridors and out the back of the theater in 11 degree, windy weather, as far away from the parking lot as we could possibly be! I called Jim McCulloch (Educ. Dir.) to discuss the situation and was treated very rudely by him. I then left a message for Nathan Burkart (Exec. Dir.) explaining the behavior of both McCulloch and his usher and asking that Burkart contact me. However, I received no phone call from him. Finally, I wrote a letter to the Board of Directors, which was completely disregarded as well. Apparently, the Board is apathetic about its untrained and impolite directors. We will NEVER return to this theater!j B

Well, I'm biased. I went to Jr. High here and Mrs. Curl made an indelible impact on my life, helping me develop my non-existent musical talent and finally being forced to perform the jazz square in front of the class until I got it. But I digress. 😊 The auditorium is pretty much as it was when I ran lights and flys and adjusted the lekos in the glass window areas above the seating. The acoustics still seem quite good, minimal amplified sound required. The seating is comfy (not what I recall from school) and the stage is enormous!! Saw 'It's a Wonderful Life' here, great production and great production values from StageOne! The whole facility is beautiful and, if you don't behave, I can show you to the Principal's office! Highly recommended.Mark Porter

My lady and I were invited to attend a play directed by her aunt. It was very exciting, as it is the first I had been to outside the paramount in Aurora. The play was incredibly humorous, the staff were very polite. The bar had everything from water and soda, to wine and mixed drinks. A good way to spend the afternoon without breaking the bank.Jacobe Christian

This is a studio that focuses on giving the students the opportunity to perform in a variety of styles and venues. All done with quality and class. I danced with this studio years ago myself and the foundation it gave me opened many doors for me to dance all over the US. I also know the competitive nature of the dance world and this studio does a great job in giving the students the technique and edge they need if that want to pursue a dance career. My daughter loves it here and feels "at home" when she walks in the door. Congratulations on the new Studio!Autumn Pease

My girls learned more in one lesson than they had with two previous years of study. The owner was wonderful and always greeted us with a smile! My daughters were taught with great patience and kindness. The contract was fair and prices were very reasonable. The recitals were professionally done and inspiring for my girls to watch. All teachers and staff were helpful and a joy to work with!Kristie Estervig

Son went to Monona Academy of Dance for one year and was sworn and cussed at by the teachers. The owner herself came up to my son when she was teaching him one day and called him a b**** and called him other names as well. Do not recommend. Horrible service as well.Alanna “KaylaRMusic” Crews

I have been working with Leslie for about 7-8 years now and I could not recommend her enough! She is not only, but also a mentor and a friend who will work with you personally to discover your best self and your best voice. Not only have I taken voice lessons for that long, but I also took a couple of the dance classes Heartline has offered and done some workshops as well. Leslie really helps you grow into the artist and person you want to be, and she's easily become like a second mom to me. We've been through college summers, a tonsillectomy, and even a pandemic, and she is still someone I know I can always turn to and someone who will always have my back when I need her to. I've moved out to New York recently, but I know I will always have Leslie in my corner and I cannot recommend her enough!Nicole Cushman

Leslie Esser-Reitano does an exceptional job at not only advancing her student’s acting and vocal skills in a short amount of time, but also providing reassurance and establishing a heartwarming connection with everyone she works with. Through her genuine kindness and consistent motivation, she will help you step out of your comfort zone and realize your full potential as both a performer and an individual.Eliana Gerndt

Leslie is an outstanding teacher! She does an amazing job at making one feel comfortable and at ease. She is always there to give the best in-depth advice when practicing a script. Regardless of the experience level, Leslie knows how to make anyone act to the best of their ability after just a few practice sessions. I highly recommend Leslie as a teacher to both introduce or to further one's acting arsenal!L E

Great experience w the teacher, but the phones and messages do not get answered. Have complained but only get poor excuses.Kathleen McLaughlin-Hoppe

Character Kids is an amazing program. My daughter daughter was in this program for all of her elementary school years. She loved participating in the classes and certainly enjoyed performances. I loved the skills she was learning and practicing which she will use the rest of her life – teamwork, thinking on your feet, speaking in front of others and an audience. Her confidence soared through this program. Brenda Dodge is a tremendous leader of this business and the kids love her. I cannot recommend this program enough.Elizabeth Spragg

Our son Johnny attended the after-school program at Bay Lane in 2019 and 2021. He was thrilled to learn theatre basics while spending time with friends! The final performances were entertaining and fun – Brenda did an amazing job with the kids 🙂Lisa Koniar

My daughter is currently enrolled in Character Kids. She loves the activities and comes home each week very excited to tell our family all about it. The teachers are wonderful. Can’t say enough good things.Stephanie Zielinski

My son was a boy choir member for 11 years. His directors were world-class, dedicated and talented professionals. He gained a love for music and singing, toured overseas, and made lasting friendships. MYC is inclusive and welcoming of ALL children. As a music teacher, I HIGHLY recommend this program for any child.Joolz V

Absolutely love all of the staff at Madison Youth Choir. My daughter has been participating in the youth choir since 2nd grade. She is now a 6th grader and adores MYC!!!!Sharisse Hancock

The youth choir is extraordinary, as is its fabulous director, Eliav Goldman, who seems to inspire the kids. They present a beautiful array of music to all of usfrancie smith saposnik