Acting Academy For Kids

Our Mission X

What does every famous Hollywood actor have in common? They took acting classes before they were discovered. Before Justin Beiber became a STAR, he first had to get training in how to act on stage and in front of a camera. Victorious, the cast of High School Musical, and American Idol stars all have had time to practice and train with the best!

Acting Academy for Kids is a television, film, theatre, and musical theatre program that offers a series of weekly after-school workshops and camps devoted to the education, skills, and resources needed to train the next generation of talented performers. Programs are available for ages 4-17.

The acting class curriculum has been designed to meet the growing needs of students pursuing either television and film, theatre, or both in Southern Orange County. Activities reinforce creative drama, beginning-advanced TV, audition prep, improv, scene study, and monologue performance. As an on-camera class, the students witness first-hand how they appear on the “big screen”.

AA4K also offers musical theatre series that focus entirely on one popular Broadway production and culminate with a performance for family and friends. The students are taken through the musical theatre process from start to finish and are cast, rehearse, and perform on a main stage with professional lights and sound!

Additionally, Acting Academy for Kids helps students grow vocally in private or group vocal lessons. Our very own Carnegie Hall soloist, Stephen Zygo, instructs the kids in proper vocal technique and performance skills.

Children also have the opportunity to be instructed and trained by experienced performers and California credentialed teachers in our amazing Summer Performing Arts Camps for Kids. Children can participate for one week or every single week offered! So whether your child desires to simply become more confident, to have fun and hone their performance skills at the same time, or to pursue a professional career in acting, you have found the right place! It’s time to watch your star shine!!

Expertise X

Originally a native of Rochester, New York, Stephen J. Zygo started his performing career in the 4th grade as a member of all-county choir and went on to perform in countless musicals, performing groups, dance ensembles, and theatrical troupes.

Recognized in New York State as one of the most promising high school performers (Elenbe Award Winner), Stephen then pursued a double major in Musical Theatre Performance and Elementary Education at SUNY Cortland. Stephen has directed over 75 youth productions in New York, Hawaii and California. His most recent productions were “Peter Pan” at St. Mary and All Angels School in Aliso Viejo, where he was recently the Theatre Arts Director and one of the 4th grade teachers on staff, and “Annie Jr.” and “Seussical Jr.” at the Camino Real Playhouse, where Acting Academy for Kids is the exclusive youth program provider.

In addition to theatre productions, Stephen has also been the director of a national beauty pageant circuit, American Queen Pageant, 2007, California Division. Stephen has performed in over 40 theatrical productions with title roles including Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Charlie Brown in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”, Jack in “Into the Woods”, and many more. Most recently, he was featured in Three Trees Theatre’s West Coast premiere of a new musical, “Magdalene”. In addition to acting, Stephen has been a featured vocalist at Carnegie Hall and you can currently see him sing on the Saddleback stage at Saddleback Church where he is a member of an elite singing group, VWM.

Stephen is managed theatrically and commercially in Hollywood by Joy Parris who is a manager and producer and the co-owner of Rich Girls Productions. Stephen has been seen in several commercials, independent films, Purpose Driven Life videos, and youth films for the thousands of children that attend Saddleback Church. One of Stephen’s most memorable experiences was working with Katie Holmes and Forest Whittaker on the film, “The First Daughter”. Alongside Stephen’s pursuit of being a successful Hollywood actor, he has founded Acting Academy for Kids to train the next generation of young performers to be the best in the business and to connect them with the people who can make their dreams come true.

Parent Testimonials X

VOCAL TRAINING

It has been an absolute joy to watch my daughter's love for music grow through the guidance and nurturing of Acting Academy for Kids. Mr. Zygo has a wonderful gift for working with kids, bringing out their natural talents and building their confidence. With the help of private voice lessons, we have gone from singing in the shower to starring on the stage!

Julie (Proud Mom)

My daughter Frances was singing before she could even talk! I knew then that she would someday need singing lessons to learn how to use her voice. Mr. Stephen Zygo has been Frances’s voice teacher for the past 3 years and I cannot begin to express how much Frances has learned and developed. Last summer Frances had a lead singing role in a play she was in at OCHSA and I know that, without the training she had with Mr. Zygo, she would not have had the part. I am so thankful for Mr. Zygo’s talents and the growth and development that he has given to Frances.

Katie Gargano

Stephen Zygo is a fantastic voice instructor! Our daughter has been taking voice lessons from Stephen for 2+ years now and her singing has matured significantly. Prior to taking lessons from Stephen, she had not taken any singing lessons and her music knowledge was limited to what was being taught at school. Since taking lessons from Stephen, her range has greatly increased and her self-confidence has increased so much so that she has been cast in several lead roles. She was also recently admitted to the Youth Conservatory Program at the Laguna Playhouse. It takes a special talent to “connect” with the kids in a way that makes learning fun and easy to do – Stephen possesses this special talent! We are so happy to have found him!

Mark and Lorna Fenton

MUSICAL THEATRE

Our daughter has blossomed under the direction of Stephen Zygo! She looks forward to participating in productions at Acting Academy for Kids as often as possible. We can't say enough about the program! Thank you!!

Alex & Debby Verde

Thank you so much for making this all possible for my daughter and all the children who have joined. It truly enriches her life and happiness!!! I also get to see her shine on stage, how fun!!! The benefits of what you guys have done will carry throughout her whole life. Thank you!

Suzanne

Thank you so much for all of your hard work. Kaitlyn enjoyed every minute of it!! We will be back for Aladdin and Kaitlyn's little sister will be joining her. Kaitlyn also insisted that we invite her closest friends to join, as well. She is sold and truly loved her entire experience. Thank you so much!!! You have a gift that children recognize. Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Kim Heinecke

Thank you Stephen for a WONDERFUL show and an important experience for our children!

You are an amazing teacher and someone we have enjoyed getting to know.

Performing with Acting Academy for Kids has helped inspire both of my children and has boosted their self confidence. Your program has given them permission to "just be themselves" on stage and has opened up a whole new world of theater for them. They have learned so much!
DO NOT take us off the distribution list! We have referred Acting Academy For Kids to several families we thought would enjoy this experience and hope to bring along several new friends with us this summer!

THANKS AGAIN for all your time and commitment to the troupe, see you on stage!

Shawn Noetzli

We’re signing up now and I have a few other friends joining! Thanks again for all you and Stephen do. I know how difficult it is running your own programs and you should know that your hard work really shows. All our friends and family were very impressed by the children’s performance of Grease and it’s thanks to your efforts. Gabriella’s first acting experience couldn’t have been better and she’s so looking forward to the next time.

Thanks again,

Lisa Dalgaard

My 3rd daughter has been bitten by the "acting bug" thanks to her first experience with Mr. Zygo and his wonderful Academy! I only wish I had known about him and his organization earlier! Keep up the good work! We are happy to see my daughter Jackie so filled with a passion for acting!

Karen and Bill Perri, St. Edward Catholic School,

Dana Point, CA

Acting Academy for Kids helped transform our son from a shy athlete into a confident stage performer. It’s a delight to see him willingly hang up the cleats one day per week to participate in the arts. I highly recommend this program (and individual lessons if desired) for children of all ages and interests.

Colleen Edwards, President,

POWERMARK

We are so appreciative of Acting Academy for Kids. Our daughter Rose especially loves the program and has nothing but great things to say about her instructors. As she participates in adult programs on the main stage of the Camino Real Playhouse, we can’t but help to notice that her stage presence and confidence have blossomed—and we attribute this to the generous and talented guidance of Stephen and Leslie. With major cutbacks in arts and theatrical instruction in schools, we have been able to fill the gap with Acting Academy and are looking forward to participating in their programs and growth for many years to come.

Gary & Megan McCarver,

San Juan Capistrano

ACTING CLASSES

Both acting classes and Summer Performing Arts Camp for Kids have given Ava the confidence and skills she needs to succeed in her commercial auditions. She has always done a lot of print work, but performed hot and cold in front of theatrical casting directors. While she is only 5, Stephen has exposed her to many fun games and impromptu dialogues, simulating the audition environment. She walks out of class with excitement and pride, and beams, “I’m not shy anymore.” Thanks, Stephen and Acting Academy for Kids!
Karri Rodgers,

Executive Director, Arta IPAs

My two girls have been attending acting classes at Acting Academy for Kids for a few months now. They both really enjoy the "cool stuff" they learn and come home pumped up and excited! My youngest daughter is 10 and I used to think she was shy! She has totally come out of her shell and has grown in lots of ways since attending, especially socially and having confidence talking with adults. My eldest daughter is 13 and although she was never shy, she has learned a lot of social skills also. She has just entered into the public school system from being home schooled and she has put a lot of the "meeting new people" skills Stephen has taught her into practice. Both girls are hoping to pursue careers in the performing arts, so these classes are truly preparing them in great ways for their futures.

Kim Stewart

PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS

I was trying to find an activity for my 3 year old daughter to enjoy this past summer and I stumbled on to Acting Academy for Kids through our local magazine. As a parent and as a business owner, I knew I wanted my daughter to feel comfortable in front of people. I wanted to give her the tools to be able to speak publicly, with confidence and grace, because there isn’t a job in the world that doesn’t require public speaking at some point in time. So, I thought this summer camp would be a great way to introduce her to being in front of strangers in a way that seemed fun and interesting as well as give her an opportunity to play and work with other children. So, we gave it a try. Wow!

We started off trying it for a week and ended up enrolling her for almost the entire summer. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience. You and your entire staff really have the gift to inspire children to tap into their creative and artistic sides as well as teach and motivate them to really focus and be precise in everything that they do. Regardless if a child is trying to break into show business or not, this camp will help any child grow and develop in ways that traditional school just cannot achieve

This was Sydney’s first experience being involved in a summer camp, and since she was typically the youngest participant every week, words cannot even begin to express how extremely grateful I am for the patience and care that you showed her. I firmly believe that your program provided the right environment to help her develop and grow. It completely transformed her by giving her the confidence to interact with others and perform in front of people. It was amazing! Sydney met wonderful friends and is a much more confident child today. She continues to talk about her experiences at the summer camp. We can’t wait until next summer! Bravo, Acting Academy! Bravo!

Regards,

Christine Motus-Haik

Hello to all of our friends at the Acting Academy for Kids:

We were driving through San Juan Capistrano one day and we saw your building and took a moment and walked inside. We were very impressed with the ambiance and the atmosphere of the theatre. We picked up a flier for the summer camp and we ultimately enrolled our six year old (Mia) in one of the camp sessions. Well, FIVE sessions later, we were very disappointed the summer had come to an end!

Mia loved the camp. Each day was arts & crafts, singing, acting and dance. The kids had great instruction and the size of the camp was perfect so each child had lots to do. Mia grew so much during the 5 week period. Her confidence soared sky high and our once shy little girl was singing and dancing and could not walk by a mirror without stopping to act out a scene she learned at the camp. The camp staff was excellent and there was a great deal of one-on-one help and counseling for the kids. The opportunity for the kids to practice a play all week and then put a stage directed and choreographed presentation with lights, props, singing and dancing was the climax for a perfect week.....and we did it FIVE times.

Many thanks to Mr. Zygo and his staff. The camp is a great opportunity for a child to build their confidence through dance, acting, singing or simple arts & crafts. The kids truly love to put on the broadway play and I believe it gives them a sense of accomplishment to study lines and memorize them and learn choreography and then put on a broadway play. The only problem with the camp is that it does not run year round!

All the best to the Acting Academy for Kids!

Matt and Lauren Sanders