Young Actors Studio FAQs

Where are you located?

Saltworks is located in the Bellevue/Avalon section of Pittsburgh, PA. We hold classes and camps at Greenstone United Methodist Church at 939 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15202.

Is the Young Actors Studio a highly competitive environment?

No! Our program is intentionally designed to be supportive. Unlike many theater programs, every student at Saltworks gets a part and an opportunity to shine. We make sure each child’s unique talents are highlighted while also encouraging them to build new skills. While we do expect students to work hard and take pride in the parts they earn, casting is always a low-stress and encouraging process—whether it’s for a scene study or a show.
At our Young Actors Studio, students learn to value the strength of the ensemble rather than focusing only on starring roles. Our teachers consider teamwork, attitude, and enthusiasm just as much as talent when working with students.

My child has a physical/mental/social/emotional disability. Will the Young Actors Studio be a good place for them?

Only you and your child can know whether a certain type of activity or location will be appropriate for them. However, we have had a number of students with a range of different disabilities who have all thrived at Saltworks. We approach each student with the mindset that everyone can do everything and then make adjustments as necessary. Our location is handicap accessible. Saltworks can be a noisy, seemingly chaotic, joyously wild place at times and that is something that cannot be changed. The Young Actors Studio might not be the right place for everyone, but everyone is welcome.

Is Saltworks a Christian theater company?

Everyone is welcome at Saltworks! Saltworks was founded on the Christian principles of caring for others and choosing joy. Our classes and programs are open to students of all backgrounds, faiths, and traditions. Our mission is to educate, challenge, and inspire students to make positive choices both on and off the stage, while nourishing their spirits through creativity and performance. We do not pray in class, teach the Bible, or ask students to make any statement of faith. Instead, we focus on creating a welcoming environment where all children can learn, belong, and shine.

What if I’ve never acted before?

Then Saltworks will be a great place for you! We pride ourselves on making sure that all of our classes are appropriate for students of all levels of experience and commitment to theater. Our teachers are all equipped to work with students who maybe need extra support or a greater challenge.

Who teaches at Saltworks?

Our teachers are all theater professionals who love to teach their craft! We look for a very special kind of enthusiastic, positive person to teach at Saltworks, so we frequently have teachers return year after year for our classes and camps. We are also lucky to have many alumni come back to teach or assist every year. All of our instructors have their necessary clearances.

Will I be in a class with people my own age?

We always endeavor to put students with people near their age, but the size of the class dictates whether or not we are able to split classes into age groups so sometimes a 10 year old will be with a 14 year old. A mixed-age class is an excellent experience, though! We always encourage our students to learn from and support each other during class so it can be wonderful to have people of different ages contributing to one learning environment.

How many students are in a class?

At the Young Actors Studio we always aim to have at the most a 1:10 teacher to student ratio. This is because we believe that having a lot of one-on-one time with our students leads to more successful experiences all around.