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About The Conservatory

Sabra Michelle, Director of Education

"At Capital City Theatre Conservatory (CCTC), we spark the passion and hone the craft of the next generation of musical theatre artists, specializing in training teens and adult pre-professionals. Nestled in the vibrant heart of the Midwest in Madison, WI, we shape the ultimate triple- and quadruple-threat performers and technicians. Through a holistic mastery of song, dance, acting, and stagecraft, we empower versatile, confident, and creative artists ready to command any stage. Believing that art belongs to everyone, we break down financial barriers to ensure elite training is accessible to all. We don’t just teach theatre—we launch careers. Find your light."

Every season we SING, DANCE, ACT, & TECH.

Check back often for our varied seasonal programming geared toward ADULTS and TEENS.

Classes are kept small for maximum intensive individual training.

Classes by season

fall

"Show & Tech" Stagecraft Tour
& Capital City Theatre's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 

Saturday November 21, 2026 10a-5:30pm, includes 2pm matinee ticket of  
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Mitby Theatre at Madison College) 
1 day: $50

winter

December Dancing: Ballet for Musical Theatre 

Tuesdays in December, 2026 7:30-9pm 
4 weeks: $100, drop-in: $25

 

Bring your characters to life this December with a beginner-friendly ballet class where technique meets storytelling. Designed specifically for teen and adult musical theatre performers, this class shows you exactly how ballet mechanics serve your acting. You will learn how a strong core creates a confident stage presence, how extended lines project emotion to the back row, and how precise footwork drives a narrative forward.

Bring your energy to the stage!
Capital City Theatre Conservatory CRESCENDO

Saturdays: Dec (excluding 12/26) 2026, Jan, Feb 2027 9-11am 
12 weeks: $300 


Meet Crescendo —a high-energy, multi-generational act bringing Broadway-style song and dance directly to the public. We bridge the gap between traditional theater and street performance, popping up at festivals, parks, and stages near you. Broadway energy; community heart!

Master the stage in a single afternoon—unlock your boldest acting instincts in just four hours!

Intro to Improv - “Just a Taste”
Sunday, Dec 6, 2026 10am-3pm 
$50

Level 0 introduces people who are curious about improv but may be hesitant to commit to a multi-week course, a specific theater, are limited on time, are intimidated by potentially performing, or more. Level 0 introduces the fun and basic concepts of improv. We’ll focus on longform improv, which focuses on improv scene work without games. Longform is the style of improv used by Ben Schwartz and Friends.

Keep your skills sharp and learn how to pick up and nail dance combinations quickly and confidently.

Dance Audition Combo Pickup
Thursdays in January, 2026 7-8:30pm 
4 weeks: $100, drop-in: $25


Sharpen your instincts and dominate your next dance call with Audition Combo Pickup at the Conservatory! This high-energy class is designed specifically for Teens and Adults who want to master the art of the fast-paced dance audition.

In the audition room, time is luxury you don't have. This series trains your brain and body to pick up, polish, and perform complex choreography under pressure.

Cabernet Cabaret   

Tuesdays January 12- February 2, 2027 7-9pm 
Performance: Saturday, February 6 at 7pm
4 weeks: $200

 

The spotlight is calling, the glasses are poured, and Cabernet Cabaret is officially back! 
Led by our fearless leader, Gail Becker, the Conservatory’s highly anticipated, Adults-Only (21+) performance series returns for an unforgettable night of music, storytelling, and sophistication.

Under Gail’s expert artistic direction, you will step out of the audience and onto the stage. This unique performance track blends elite artistic training with a relaxed, social atmosphere—giving adult performers the ultimate space to shine.

No script, no stress—discover the joy of longform improv in a fun, supportive weekend where you'll build 15 minutes of unscripted magic from scratch!

Intro to Improv - Weekend Intensive
Sat-Sun, Jan 23-24, 2027 10am-3pm
$200

Curious about improv but unsure whether you’re ready to commit to a multi-week course or perform in front of an audience? This welcoming, two-day intensive offers a fun and low-pressure introduction to longform improv—the scene-focused style performed by groups such as Ben Schwartz and Friends.

spring

No script, no stress—discover the joy of longform improv in a fun, supportive weekend where you'll build 15 minutes of unscripted magic from scratch!

Intro to Improv - Weekend Intensive
Sat-Sun, Apr 24-25, 2027 10am-3pm
$200

Curious about improv but unsure whether you’re ready to commit to a multi-week course or perform in front of an audience? This welcoming, two-day intensive offers a fun and low-pressure introduction to longform improv—the scene-focused style performed by groups such as Ben Schwartz and Friends.

regular instructors

  • Sabra Michelle, Director of Education

    Sabra Michelle is known to Madison audiences as a Choreographer, Performer, and Teacher with CTM, Monona Academy of Dance, Disney Musicals in Schools, and Capital City Theatre, with whom she played Tessie Tura (GYPSY), Flossie/Lucy Schmeeler (ON THE TOWN), and choreographed their Award-nominated regional premiere of NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.   

    Before moving to Madison, Sabra had a full career in New York City and touring internationally. 

    Regionally in the U.S., she is best known for her performing career playing leading ladies in musicals including Lola (DAMN YANKEES), Cassie (A CHORUS LINE), Roxie (CHICAGO), and many others. Sabra has done philanthropic work for Broadway Cares, performed in Jerry Mitchell’s BROADWAY BARES (3 times), and founded THE COUGAR BALL, celebrating Fabulous, Funny, Flirty Friends at Forty, Fifty, and Forever!  

    Sabra is currently the Vice President on the Board of Directors for DANCE WISCONSIN, a proud union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) local 251, an Onboarding specialist for non-profit companies using Arts People, and a licensed real estate agent for your referral needs anywhere in the world! www.SabraMichelle.info 

  • Kristen Hammer, Ballet

    Kristen Hammer began her training in Bloomfield Hills, MI under Mary C. Geiger at Geiger Classical Ballet Academy and its affiliate company, Michigan Classic Ballet Company. Her training continued at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Boston Ballet. She went on to earn a B.S. degree in Dance Arts Administration from Butler University. Ms. Hammer has been a company dancer with Madison Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Deos Contemporary Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and more.  
     
    Ms. Hammer has performed across the nation as a guest artist with many notable organizations including Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, Capital City Theatre (On the Town, It’s A Wonderful Life), Isthmus Dance Collective, Dance at Delafield, and for Marlene Skog of the UW Dance Department. She has choreographed over 50 pieces for both professionals and students. Ms. Hammer has taught ballet at academies across the nation including Joffrey Ballet Academy, Planko Classical Ballet Academy, Madison Ballet, Synergy Dance Academy, and Naperville School of the Arts.  

  • Dennis Mulliken, Acting Essentials

    Dennis Mullikin is a Chicago and New York City based actor and teaching artist whose work is rooted in imagination, human connection, and truthful storytelling. A graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting's Three Year Conservatory and the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater's BFA Theatre Performance program, Dennis has built a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary theatre. 

    His stage credits include Prince Henry in Henry IV Part 1, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Peter in Stop Kiss, Orestes in The Furies, and King Cymbeline in Cymbeline. Drawing from the teachings of Stella Adler, Viola Spolin, and Stanislavski, Dennis is passionate about helping actors develop a deeper relationship with their imagination and creative instincts.  

  • Adolpho Blaire, artist enrichment series - "The star vehicle laboratory"

    Adolpho Blaire has worked as an Actor, Director, Choreographer, Producer, Writer, Casting Agent, Dramaturg, and Teacher.  His Bootcamp Classes (both in NYC and around the country) use a 3-pronged approach to empowering artists to reach their highest potential: Defining Branding, Strengthening Text and Interpretation Skills, and Life Coaching. 

    With over 15 years of Teaching, Adolpho’s students have found success on Broadway, National Tours, major Regional Theatres, Film/TV, Commercials and Cabaret Room as well as acceptance into every major Theatre College program in the country.  

  • D. Corey Helser, Stagecraft Studio

    D. Corey Helser has spent a lifetime in theater and education. After receiving an MFA in Theater Production (emphasis in Lighting Design and Stage Management) from UW-Madison, he worked for American Players Theatre, Dance Wisconsin, Madison Rep, Madison Opera, and touring with The Melrose Motion Company. After too many days on the road, he began working for Madison College where he managed the Mitby Theater, taught Stagecraft, supported the student performance series, and eventually led the office of Conference and Event Services.

    While still working for the college, he began Theater Support Services, LLC. Under that company he developed stage management software and consulted for several organizations, including the Stoughton Opera House and the Wisconsin Arts Board.

    After leaving Madison College, he continues to design scenery and lighting for over a dozen shows each year.  Beyond the stage, he is a musician and enjoys sailing when time and weather allow.

Past instructors

  • Telly Leung

  • E. Faye Butler

  • Rebecca Larkin

  • Anderw Keenan-Bolger

  • Kaitlin Hopkins

  • Lara Teeter

  • Adam Pascal

  • Kenny Ingram

  • Jim Weitzer

  • Michael Cassara