About our Acting Program
Acting is the art of living truthfully under imaginary circumstances — and at LyriCo Conservatory, we teach it with the same rigor and intentionality that defines every program we offer. Our acting classes in Gainesville develop real skills: presence, instinct, technique, and the ability to command a room.
We are one of the few places in North Florida offering structured, ongoing acting instruction for students of all ages — not just summer camps or after-school productions, but a serious curriculum designed to build actors from the ground up.
Programs Offered
Improv for Kids — Creative, high-energy classes built around improvisational games and exercises that develop listening, spontaneity, confidence, and the ability to think on your feet. Perfect for young students discovering performance for the first time. The skills built in improv carry into every other area of acting — and into everyday life.
Acting Technique and Scene Work — Our core acting program for kids and teens. Students work with real scenes from published plays, building foundational technique in character development, emotional truth, script analysis, and stage presence. This is not games and improv — it is structured work that produces real actors.
Adult Acting Seminars — A unique offering in Gainesville: 90-minute intensive seminars for adult students, each focused on a specific acting technique or methodology. Every seminar course culminates in a showcase performance, giving students real stage experience in a supportive, professional environment. Seminars rotate topics — contact us for the current course schedule.
What You Will Learn
- Stage presence: Build confidence and connect authentically with an audience
- Voice and movement: Develop control, clarity, and expressive physicality
- Improvisation: Think creatively, stay present, and react truthfully in the moment
- Scene study: Analyze scripts and bring characters to life through dialogue and action
- Character development: Explore emotional depth, motivation, and backstory
Why Acting At LyriCo
Most acting programs in Gainesville are community theater pipelines or seasonal camps. LyriCo offers something different: year-round, curriculum-driven instruction that actually develops actors. Our faculty brings real performance and teaching credentials to every class. Whether your child is curious about the stage or you are an adult who has always wanted to train seriously, there is a place for you here.
Our Acting Teachers
Rikki Baynard
Acting
Rikki Baynard is a classically trained actor and teaching artist with a background in musical theatre and literature. A graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School and the University of Florida, she brings a blend of performance skill and academic insight to her work. Gainesville audiences may recognize her from Cabaret, No Exit, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Rikki is passionate about helping students explore story, structure, and self-expression through the arts.
Bennie
Radford. Jr
Voice - Acting
Bennie Radford brings a vibrant blend of performance experience and dedicated teaching to the LyriCo Conservatory voice faculty. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology, Vocal Performance, and Theatre from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Bennie has performed in professional and community theatre across Illinois, New York, and Florida, with credits including Once Upon a Mattress, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Ragtime, and Little Shop of Horrors. As an instructor, Bennie works with singers of all ages and skill levels, helping them prepare for musical theatre auditions, worship performances, and confident, healthy vocal growth. His warm and encouraging teaching style, grounded in real world stage experience, equips students with the tools they need to thrive on stage and beyond.
Early
Whitaker
Acting
Early is a Gainesville-based director, actor, and arts educator passionate about uplifting young artists. She is currently studying at the University of Florida for her Bachelor’s in Digital Film & TV Production, where she has recently worked as assistant director at the School of Theatre & Dance and a stage manager for the student-founded nonprofit The Mountain Productions. With a background in character development and performance, she encourages students to dive deep into theatrical conventions and hone in on techniques they can carry with them on future projects.
Morgan
Vanderlaan
Voice
Acting
Dance
Morgan Vanderlaan helps young singers and performers fall in love with the stage. A playwright, librettist, and Dramatists Guild member, she has music directed shows around Gainesville and trained for years in competitive tap, dance, and acting. At LyriCo, she brings that full toolkit to her students — building confidence, joy, and stage presence from the very first lesson.
FAQ
How old does my child have to be to start taking acting lessons?
Acting lessons are great at any age! But we focus on acting starting at around 6.
Do you offer private Acting Lessons?
Yes! Our Acting instructors are available to help you grow or get you ready for an audition in private sessions.
Do I need to stay for my child’s lesson?
You are welcome to drop off your child and return a few minutes before their lesson is done! If you would like to sit in on your child’s music class, we always have an open door policy and you are free to sit in at any time.
How many students in each group class.
Classes range from 5- 8 students. Class size varies to make sure all students get individual attention.
How much do classes cost? What's included?
You can see our tuition Here
All books, level wristbands, and access to our knowledge base and scheduling software are included.
Do you have any perfomances?
Yes we do! For music students, we have two big events every year (typically one in the winter, and one in late spring). We also offer smaller performance opportunities throughout the year as well.
How long do classes run?
These classes will run year round, but if you want to withdraw we just ask for a 30 day notice.
Acting basics
Monologues
Dialect
Stage Presence
Projection
Audition prep
Confidence
Articulation
Mask Work
LOCATION ADDRESS
3601 SW 2nd Ave, Gainesville
FOR FURTHER INQUIRY
(352)-756-0005
EMAIL ADDRESS
LyriCo@LyriCoConservatory.com
Simple Monthy Tuition
Group Lessons
Make Music with Friends!-
50 Minutes
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Books included
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Similar age groups
Private Lessons
30 Minutes-
Personalized attention
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Books included
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Reschedule on our platform
WANT A LONGER LESSON?
We also offer 45 Minute And 60 Minute Private Lessons.
Have more questions?
Click Below and We'll Send You More Info
Have questions or just want to learn more about what LyriCo has to offer? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know which programs you’re interested in, and our team will personally follow up with information tailored to your goals. Whether you’re looking to teach, take a class, or get involved in our creative community, we’re here to help you find your place at LyriCo.
FOR FURTHER INQUIRY
(352)-756-0005