Advanced Actors Company | Children's Theater of Madison

Advanced Acting Company

Audition for Advanced Acting Company

Auditions are now closed for the 2026-2027 AAC Year 1 class.

What is the Advanced Acting Company?

CTM’s Advanced Acting Company (AAC) is a concentrated, pre-professional training program for passionate and dedicated artists in grades 8-12. When students join AAC, they join a cohort of fellow artists that will grow together through up to 4 years of instruction.

AAC is made up of diverse artistic voices ready to explore, learn, and grow together while working towards common goals. Through both large and small group activities and instruction, they explore ensemble through movement, scenework, monologues, and more. Throughout the year, they form deep connections with their ensemble mates, learn from professional theater artists, and serve as role models and engaged members of the CTM community.

AAC meets on Saturday mornings October through May for class and exploration. Each cohort meets at the following times:

Year 1 Cohort: 9:30-11:30
Year 2 Cohort: 10:00am-12:00pm
Year 3 & 4 Cohorts: 10:00am- 12:30pm

What Makes AAC Unique

Learn from not one, but two exceptional teaching artists throughout the entire year
Gain individualized training and mentorship from professional theater artists.
Several performance/showcase opportunities, including presenting monologues for a panel of directors and a final capstone performance in the Starlight Theater.

Perks of AAC Members

Attend invited dress rehearsals for all 5 of CTM’s mainstage performances

When We Meet

For the 2026-2027 year, all AAC cohorts meet on the following Saturdays:

Fall: 10/3 – 12/12 (No Class Sat, 11/28)
Winter: 1/9 – 3/13
Spring: 4/3– 5/15

What AAC Costs

$1,600 (Financial Assistance and Payment Plans Available!)

When AAC Auditions are Held

Auditions for AAC are held in August each year. We also offer information sessions in July for families wanting a more in depth look at the program.

What to Expect at AAC Auditions

1) Ensemble based movement exercises.

2) A memorized monologue from THESE SCRIPTS provided by CTM.

3) Interview about your desire to be involved, areas of growth, goals, etc.

All auditions will take place in person at MYArts.

Advancing Acting Company Curriculum

Year 1

During Year 1 of AAC, students develop their artistic practice and discover their personal artistic voice. This work begins in the fall session with ensemble work, as students learn how to contribute as a member of a larger ensemble. In the winter session, students begin their work engaging with text through scene work with partners. Finally, in the spring, students apply their own artistic skills to monologue work, building towards a performance for a panel of professional theater artists.

Year 2

During Year 2 of AAC, students build on the foundations established in Year 1 through elevated techniques and content. During the fall session, students maintain their focus of ensemble and physical exploration but through the lens of various acting techniques. For scene work and monologues in the winter and spring, students explore Shakespeare and other classical texts. Year 2 students also participate in the monologue panel in the spring.

Year 3 & 4

At the end of their 2nd & 3rd year, AAC students offer insight into topics they are interested in exploring during their 3rd and 4th year. Based on this insight, faculty prepare a schedule of masterclass workshops for the fall and winter terms with guest artists. Previous topics include stage combat, career development, playwriting, musical theater, and more. In the spring term, Year 3 and Year 4 cohorts work with guest directors to prepare, rehearse, and perform a staged production.

Advanced Acting Company Faculty

Jen Lennon

Jen Lennon is thrilled to be a part of CTM after relocating to Madison from Colorado. In her 32 year education career, Jen has served as a teaching artist, director and choreographer in the US and Canada. She is certified in K-12 Theatre Arts with an endorsement in Music. Jen is a proponent and practitioner of arts integration and has been fortunate to work with students from preschool through college encouraging curiosity and inviting students to explore their own story and artistic voice. Jen holds a BS in Performance Studies and an MS in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and continues to pursue her own performing in the musical theatre world on local and regional stages. At CTM, Jen serves as the co-instructor for the Advanced Acting Company, a teaching artist, a Summer Stage director and a main stage director. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Madison arts community and to engage with artists of every age in celebration of storytelling and theater.

Grant Borcherding

Grant Borcherding loves that he gets to teach at CTM after growing up with them as a student, actor and intern. Since graduating in 2024 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has added a focus of theater education to his life is grateful for the opportunities he’s received from CTM to make it happen. At CTM, Grant is a co-teacher of AAC and summer stage teaching artist. He is passionate about the growth and development of those he teaches and hopes to improve the community and beyond with bright, creative, young minds. Outside of CTM, Grant acts and has been directing in the community. He also works has a substitute teacher in Madison to many schools and enjoys finding many ways to be helping students and teachers in the classroom. He hopes to one day be able to receive a masters degree in theater education and continue to dedicate his time and energy to teaching those who strive to learn.

ACTORS ACADEMY ALUMS HAVE FURTHERED THEIR STUDIES AT:

University of Notre Dame, Vocal Performance
Oklahoma City University
Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts
University of Wisconsin Madison

American University, Musical Theater
Eastman School of Music
Ithaca College
The Juilliard School

University of Minnesota
Muhlenberg College, Theater and Dance
New York University Tisch School of the Arts
Northwestern University

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS:

LAETITIA HOLLARD (Academy Classes 2016-2019)

How has Actors Academy prepared you for what you are currently learning or doing?

I’ve decided to become an actor, so training before my college auditions was very helpful. Not only was I introduced to what monologues are and how to perform one with a mix of self and technique, through the talkbacks with working actors I was able to see what capacity I wanted to pursue this craft.

What was your favorite part about being in Actors Academy?

My favorite part of being in Actors Academy was the community. You’ll find a group of young actors that understand you, want to grow with you, and watch you succeed. I’ve found a strong group of friends that helped me survive high school and are still there for me as I try to survive college.

KATELYN CURTIN (Academy Classes 2013-2015)

How has Actors Academy prepared you for what you are currently learning or doing?

I was in Actors Academy because I knew I wanted to act in the future. I didn’t realize at the time that I would end up going to school for acting and the monologues and scenes that were chosen for me would follow me through college. (Academy) prepared me in ways I couldn’t imagine. It gave me materials to work on and it showed me a how to teach an acting class as well.

What was your favorite memory from Actors Academy?

My favorite memory was doing my monologue from The Seagull and the teacher had me run around the room and move blocks just to feel the sense of tired that Nina may have felt in that moment. After that, I delivered my monologue to the class, and it is a moment I will always remember in my acting training.

What was your favorite part about being in Actors Academy?

The community of actors was also super supportive. No matter what we were going through we had that group to lean on.

PAST CLASSES OF AAC & ACTORS ACADEMY

2025-2026 YEAR 1 COHORT

Top Row (L to R): Penelope Cesarec, Keira Ames, Lydia Benish, Serafina Modest, Anjali Haker, Brenden Hoyme, Lily Baetz, Maggie Benton
Bottom Row (L to R): Finn Mongler, Mallory Allen, Lana Swenson, Ella Roherty, Lilly Zuckerman
Not Pictured: Sequoia Fagan Kessler

2025-2026 YEAR 2 COHORT

Top Row (L to R): Selah Streets, Dexter Nardi, Kent Mullen, Stella Murray, Aubree Ghaboussi, Norah Busse
Bottom Row (L to R): Bradie Greiber, Owen McDonald, Elizabeth Younkle, Sienna Peters
Not Pictured: Evelyn Ingersoll, Max Saari-Pausch, Samuel Alvarez

2024-2025 ACTORS ACADEMY

Top Row (L to R): Max Saari-Pausch, Samuel Alvarez, Selah Streets, Aubree Ghaboussi, Kent Mullen, Stella Murray, Sienna Peters
Middle Row (L to R): Blu Bartlett, Evelyn Ingersoll
Bottom Row (L to R): Elizabeth Younkle, Dexter Nardi, Norah Busse, Bradie Greiber
Not Pictured: Owen McDonald

2023-2024 ACTORS ACADEMY

Top Row (L to R): Bekah Cooper, Sam Alvarez, Madison Flanagan, Stella Miller, Jude Himebauch, Stella Peterson, Kaarina Heikkinen, Brock Johnson
Middle Row (L to R): Kate Hughes, Quinn Kohler, Max Saari-Pausch, Chiara Bauer, Bea Pauli
Bottom Row (L to R): Leo Krych, Lena Harris, Pippa Moran, Annabelle Knott
Not Pictured: Hannah Broger, Owen McDonald

2022-2023 ACTORS ACADEMY

Top Row (L to R): Shay Roy-Lewis, Basil Keck, Wyatt Anderson, Zoë Littlefield, Teagan Kluetzman, Julia Nietzel, Emma Collins
Bottom Row (L to R): Ava Kietzman, Reese Johanningmeier, Belinda Akale, Josie Petroff, Joy Kirk, Brock Johnson

2021-2022 ACTORS ACADEMY

Top Row (L to R): Emma Collins, Eleanor Treinen, Wyatt Anderson, Dalaney Lange, Sofia LoConte
Bottom Row (L to R): Molly Geraci, Joy Kirk, Teagan Kluetzman, Amelie LaBarre, Kamaria McGinn

2020-2021 ACTORS ACADEMY

Top Row: Amelie LaBarre, Yunna Gopan, Allison Smith, Phoebe Wrycha
Second Row: Jeana Bormett, Ellie Dillenberg, Ruby Hlathein, Ayanna Vandewalle
Third Row: Delaney Lange, Mona Iskandar, Gracie Halverson, Miranda Garcia-Dove
Bottom Row (L to R): Zach Grasse, Seb Arora, Kai DeRubis, Eleanor Treinen

2019-2020 ACTORS ACADEMY

Top Row: Miette LaBarre, Kalyn Schmit, Mari Garey, David Petty
Middle Row: Jeana Bormett, Zach Grasse, Gracie Halverson
Bottom Row: Phoebe Wrycha, Alexcia Johnson, Bethany Evans, Allison Horvatin
Not Pictured: Ava Bauer, Madelyn Lom, Alec Anderson-Conlon, Brendan Moore, Ethan Reed

2018-2019 ACTORS ACADEMY

Bottom Row (L to R): Mari Garey, Miette LaBarre, Maya Williamson-Schaffer, Alanna Beilke, Trygve Gundersen, Lauren Stoneman
Middle Row (L to R): Bethany Evans, Alexcia Johnson, Alexandra Asmuth, Leanna Niesen, Allison Horvatin, Laetitia Hollard
Top Row (L to R): Zeke Smith, Alec Anderson-Conlon, Brendan Moore

2017-2018 ACTORS ACADEMY

Bottom Row (L to R): Lauren Stoneman, Maya Williamson-Schaffer, Alanna Beilke
Middle Row (L to R): Alice Wenzlow, Ava DeCroix, Leanna Niesen, Trygve Gundersen, Laetitia Hollard
Top Row (L to R): Parnassus Funk, Chase Harless, Alexandra Asmuth, Nick Chiavarini, Alec Anderson-Conlon, Derek Argall
Not Pictured: Libby Pleva

2016-2017 ACTORS ACADEMY

Bottom Row: Flynn Marcus
Middle Row (L to R): Gabriella Unitan, Matthew Berthoud, Saskia den Boon, Olivia Larson
Top Row (L to R): Cedar Meyer-Rainford, Maya Williamson-Shafer, Nolen Meland, Grant Borcherding, Alea Sweeney, Laetitia Hollard, Alice Wenzlow
Not Pictured: Emme Hannibal, Parnassus Funk

2015-2016 ACTORS ACADEMY

Bottom Row (L to R): Alea Sweeney, Emma DeWeese, Emme Hannibal, Lydia Anderson
Middle Row (L to R): Cedar Meyer-Rainford, Nolen Meland, Saskia den Boon, Olivia Larson
Top Row (L to R): Rizvan Moe, Grant Borcherding, Alice Wenzlow
Not Pictured: Katelyn Curtin

Contact CTM

General Questions
608-255-2080 | Email
EIN: 39-1579813

Class Questions
608-255-2080 x107 | Email

Donate

Visit CTM

Children’s Theater of Madison
At MYArts
1055 E. Mifflin St.
Madison, WI 53703

Click for directions

CTM Box Office

MYArts Box Office Hours

Overture Center Box Office Hours

*The box office is open additional hours on performance days

(608) 255-2080 x2

Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when tickets go on sale, to learn about CTM news, classes and more!

Up Next

Annie

Advanced Acting Company