Mason Community Arts Academy

Acting and Theater Classes

Overview

Learn exciting acting and musical theater skills and explore improv and stage movement in challenging, impactful, and fun acting classes and theater showcases. Mason Community Arts Academy in Fairfax, Virginia offers the perfect blend of university-quality acting teachers and a supportive environment with other community members.

Programs include summer camps, showcase productions, workshops, and adult classes. Our faculty is made up of working professionals in the industry: actors, directors, and teaching artists who are constantly honing their skills through their creative endeavors and bringing those skills back to share with our students.

Acting For Young People logo

Acting for Young People (AFYP), the Academy theater program, provides professional-level training in a supportive and fun environment that empowers actors of all ages with lifelong skills valuable both on stage and off. We create and present plays that harness the power of theater to engage and educate young minds on vital issues. AFYP programs impart life skills, raise awareness, build confidence, encourage creative thinking, build character and above all, nurture an appreciation for live theater in young audiences.

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Fall 2025 Programs

Devised Theatre Ensemble

Ages 11–16

Saturdays, 1:30–3:30 p.m.

November 1, 2025–May 23, 2026 (24 weeks)

Scene Analysis Workshop

Ages 11–16

Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.

November 13 and 20, 2025

Closed

Ages 5–6

Saturdays, 9–10 a.m.

September 13–December 6, 2025

Ages 7–8

Saturdays, 9–10:30 a.m.

September 13–December 6, 2025

Ages 9–15

Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1– 4:30 p.m.

September 13–December 6, 2025

Ages 13–18

Saturdays, 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

September 13–December 6, 2025

Ages 16–19

Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.

October 2, 9, and 16, 2025

Ages 18+

Thursdays, 7–8:30 p.m.

October 2–November 20, 2025

Spring 2026

Acting Through Song

Ages 14–22

Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.

January 22, January 29, and February 5, 2026

Classical Text Deep Dive

Ages 14–22

Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.

March 5, March 12, and March 19, 2026

Acting Scene Study for Adults

Ages 18+

Details TBA


Thanks to our students and their families, AFYP has received several awards including:

“2012 Best Performing Arts Company (Northern Virginia) Virginia Living Magazine”

2016, 2019 Top 3 “Best Day Camp (Northern Virginia) Virginia Living Magazine”

2021 Top 3 Best “Summer Camp

“BEST Children’s Theater/Education” in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2009, and 2006
“BEST Day Camp” winner 2019, 2017, and 2015, finalist since 2002
“BEST Camp Counselor” in 2015
“BEST Kid’s Party Entertainer” in 2016, 2015
“BEST Party Service” in 2016
“BEST Family Friendly Company” in 2012, 2013
“BEST Arts Program” finalist in 2016