SAG-AFTRA Conservatory
Free professional development classes offered directly by SAG-AFTRA for its members
Overview
The SAG-AFTRA Conservatory offers free workshops and classes to union members, covering topics from audition technique and on-camera acting to voiceover, commercial work, and career management. Classes are taught by working industry professionals.
The Conservatory schedule rotates regularly and includes both in-person classes in major markets and virtual workshops accessible from anywhere. Topics range from beginner-friendly overviews to advanced masterclasses on specific skills.
How It Works
These classes provide a valuable opportunity to study with working professionals at no cost. For actors who cannot afford expensive private coaching, the Conservatory fills an important gap in ongoing professional development.
All Conservatory classes are free for SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Registration is typically required in advance, and popular classes fill quickly. Check the SAG-AFTRA website regularly for new offerings.
Who Uses It
The Conservatory is one of the best-kept secrets of SAG-AFTRA membership. Make it a habit to check for new classes each month and sign up early, especially for on-camera and audition technique workshops.
Pricing & Plans
All SAG-AFTRA Conservatory classes are completely free for SAG-AFTRA members in good standing, with no additional fees or costs beyond existing union membership. Registration is required in advance through the SAG-AFTRA website, and popular classes often fill up within hours or days of being posted, making regular website checking and prompt registration essential. Classes are available in both in-person and virtual formats, with in-person offerings concentrated in Los Angeles and New York and virtual classes accessible to members nationwide. The Conservatory schedule rotates regularly, with new classes announced monthly or quarterly covering different topics, skill areas, and experience levels. There are no limits on the number of Conservatory classes a member can attend, encouraging members to take advantage of multiple offerings throughout the year. The programming ranges from introductory-level workshops suitable for newer members to advanced masterclasses designed for experienced professionals.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The Conservatory classes are taught by actively working industry professionals — casting directors, directors, acting coaches, voiceover directors, and commercial directors — who bring current, relevant industry knowledge rather than theoretical concepts, ensuring the instruction reflects today's casting practices and production environments. The free pricing removes the financial barrier that prevents many working actors from maintaining ongoing professional development, as comparable private coaching can cost $50-200+ per session, making the Conservatory's offerings worth hundreds of dollars in equivalent education value each year. The rotating curriculum ensures fresh content and exposure to diverse teaching styles and perspectives, allowing members to study with a variety of professionals rather than being locked into a single teacher's approach. Virtual class offerings have expanded significantly, making the Conservatory accessible to SAG-AFTRA members in regional markets who previously had limited access to professional development resources. The classes provide a structured environment for practicing specific skills — on-camera technique, cold reading, commercial audition approaches, voiceover technique — that helps actors stay sharp and prepared between bookings. The social component of attending Conservatory classes connects members with fellow working actors, creating networking opportunities and peer relationships that combat the isolation of a freelance performance career.
What Could Be Better
The most popular Conservatory classes fill up extremely quickly, and members who do not check the website frequently or register promptly may consistently miss the most sought-after offerings. In-person class availability is heavily concentrated in Los Angeles and New York, and members in regional markets have historically had limited access to Conservatory programming, though virtual offerings have partially addressed this gap. The rotating schedule means specific topics or instructors may not be available when you need them, and there is no guarantee that a particular skill area will be covered in a given quarter. The class quality can vary depending on the instructor, and not all Conservatory offerings achieve the same level of practical value, though the free pricing means there is no financial risk in attending sessions that prove less useful. Class sizes may be large enough that individual feedback is limited, particularly in popular offerings where attendance fills to capacity. The Conservatory's programming scope, while valuable, cannot replace the depth and continuity of an ongoing relationship with a dedicated private acting coach who knows your specific work and career goals.
Our Recommendation
The SAG-AFTRA Conservatory is an essential resource that every SAG-AFTRA member should actively use as part of their ongoing professional development, as the free classes provide genuine skill-building opportunities that keep you prepared and competitive in the marketplace. The Conservatory is particularly valuable for members who cannot afford regular private coaching, as the rotating curriculum of free professional classes provides a comparable educational experience at zero cost. New SAG-AFTRA members should make attending Conservatory classes a priority from the moment they join, as the educational resources help build skills and confidence for the transition to competing for union work. For experienced members, the Conservatory provides a way to explore new specialties — voiceover, commercial technique, hosting — without the financial commitment of paid classes, allowing you to test new career directions before investing in extensive training. If you find a Conservatory instructor whose teaching style resonates with you, pursue private coaching with them outside the Conservatory context, as the free class serves as an effective audition of the teacher's approach.
Pro Tips
Check the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory page on the union website at least weekly, as new classes are posted regularly and the most popular offerings fill within hours of being announced. Set up email notifications if available, and follow SAG-AFTRA's social media accounts for class announcements to ensure you are among the first to know when new offerings are posted. Register for classes across a range of topics rather than only attending sessions in your comfort zone, as exposure to commercial technique, voiceover, hosting, and other specialties expands your casting potential. If you attend a class that is particularly valuable, follow up with the instructor via a brief, professional thank-you note, as building relationships with the working professionals who teach Conservatory classes can lead to referrals, recommendations, and future opportunities. Track which classes you have attended and what skills you have developed, creating an informal professional development record that helps you identify gaps in your training and plan future Conservatory attendance strategically.