Drama


NYU – Tisch Summer High School Drama Programs

Website

The Summer High School Program is a condensed version of the professional training in the undergraduate Drama program, where the emphasis is on the process, not the product. You’ll be challenged to learn and grow as artists, see some of Broadway’s amazing shows, and have access to the incomparable theatrical resources of New York City. Each week you will have 28 hours of conservatory training in either the Experimental Theatre Wing, the Meisner Studio, the New Studio on Broadway, the Stonestreet Screen Acting Studios, or in the Production and Design Studio. You will also take a weekly Introduction to New York Theatre seminar with professional actors, directors, designers, stage managers, and faculty as guests. There are two opportunities to showcase your work: a performance for faculty and students, and an open-class day where your family and friends can attend.

Northwestern – NHSI Cherubs – Theatre Arts Division

Website

The NHSI Theatre Arts Division offers a powerful exploration into stage performance and design. A rigorous combination of classes and rehearsals challenge students every day for five weeks, giving them a taste for what their college experience may be like should they pursue a degree in the field. Working with professional theatre practitioners from around the country, students are exposed to a multitude of performance styles, receive extraordinary training in a collaborative and supportive environment, and get to take advantage of the world-class facilities offered at Northwestern. All students will perform in or stage manage a fully produced, 60 minute play directed by a professional director. Every student leaves with an expanded understanding of what is possible in Theatre.

Interlochen – High School Acting Summer Program

Website

You will strengthen your acting skills through a curriculum that explores both scripted and improvisational work. A mix of experiences that includes on-camera work will help you develop a consistent and reliable acting process that you can adapt to a variety of scripts and styles. Please note: the first three-week session will have an emphasis on improvisation and the second three-week session will focus on acting for the camera. 

As an acting camp student, you will:

  • Learn practical tools to expand your physical and vocal expression

  • Demonstrate fundamental acting and performance skills

  • Develop your physical presence and awareness

  • Strengthen your vocal instrument

Interlochen – Musical Theater Techniques Intensive for High School Students

Website

This program is for students currently enrolled in grades 9 and 10. In it, you'll work with high-caliber faculty to develop the voice, physicality, knowledge, and tools to be a successful performer. Our accomplished faculty bring their real-life expertise and give you individualized attention to help you unlock your potential.

As a Musical Theatre Techniques Intensive student, you will:

  • Gain confidence in your ability to "act a song"

  • Improve dance skills through daily work focusing on strength and flexibility

  • Increase vocal performance skills through both group and private study

  • Understand basic acting and theatre terminology

UCLA Voice Over Camera Acting Summer Institute

Website

The Voiceover Camera Acting Institute is a two-week, UC credit-bearing intensive program for students interested in the performing arts. This program provides opportunities to work with our distinguished faculty in classes such as voiceover, Shakespeare, on-camera acting and voice classes. Students will learn the technical components of acting for the microphone and the camera while gaining hands-on experience in working on content for a voiceover demo reel and self-tape audition. The combination of these courses will allow them to use their voice and training to tell a story in the voiceover environment and on camera. Beyond the classroom, students will attend guest workshops, and learn the art of collaboration.

The program is designed for artists and students who seek additional discipline and training required for participation in a university acting program or a career in the entertainment industry. Participation in this institute is open to high school (16 years and older), college and professional artists.

Admission to the program is by digital audition and instructor consent. Please note that all levels are encouraged to apply.

Stagedoor Manor

Website

Before there was Glee or American Idol, there was Stagedoor Manor, a theater camp in the Catskills where casting directors came to find the next generation of stars. It’s where Natalie Portman, Robert Downey Jr., Ansel Elgort, Lea Michele, Jon Cryer and many others got their start as kids. Since 1976, a new crop of campers have stepped onto these stages each summer to begin an intense, thrilling and magical introduction to professional theater. Every three weeks, 14 full-scale productions come to life. The faculty – all seasoned professionals – demand adult-size dedication and performances from the kids. But where did it begin?

RADA (London) - Young Actors’ Summer SchooL

Website

Acting for Young Actors is a programme for 16–18 year-olds. If you are thinking of applying to drama school, these courses will challenge your skills, deepen your understanding of acting and playmaking and give you a taste of classes at a world-leading drama school. If you are interested in theatre and storytelling, you will get a practical insight into literature and drama, gain confidence and find your voice under the guidance of RADA’s expert faculty.

USC – precollege acting intensive

Website

The USC School of Dramatic Arts offers an opportunity for you to work with theatre professionals and explore a creative experience in the dramatic arts.

This conservatory-style “Acting Intensive” training course will challenge you and offer a strong foundation in the craft of acting. The program, taught by the school’s world-class faculty, emphasizes process and includes scene study, movement, voice, as well as on-camera acting workshops and a monologue audition master class. The program culminates in a workshop performance for family and friends.

Summer Theatre Conservatory is also offered in Comedy Performance and Musical Theatre.

Yale Summer Session Acting Program

Website

In-person Course. Exploration and development of the fundamentals of the actor's craft based on the principles of Stanislavski. The course is a concise training program in which each student takes more than one class.  The classes are in the following areas: (1) text analysis class, to understand the depth of resources provided by a playwright for the actor's imagination and expand the artist's point of view; (2) acting class, to learn the application of basic acting techniques; (3) vocal production class, to improve vocal and articulation skills; (4) clowning class, to encourage a full expressive body, voice, and spirit with joy, grief, and wonder; and (5) scene study class, to understand how the classes listed above come together when working on a scene. Additionally, there are two masterclasses by visiting guest artists. The instructors constitute a teaching staff of working professionals and are assisted by teaching associates, giving the students individual attention. The summer drama program requires a full commitment of the student's time. Classes are held in the mornings, afternoons, and two evenings each week, Monday through Friday, with 26 to 28 classroom hours each week,  plus additional hours for individual tutorials and scheduled rehearsal time. Extra evening and Saturday morning sessions may be scheduled for group activities and additional classes. A single grade will be awarded for the course. Enrollment is limited. Complete applications must include a resume of relevant experience and a letter of recommendation from a drama teacher or other theater professional. Application deadline: May 8. Open to pre-college and college students.

Carnegie Mellon U. Summer Pre-College Drama

Website

Pre-College Drama prepares students for the college audition and interview process, illustrating the kind of creativity and discipline required of students studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama curriculum. Classes are taught by accomplished Carnegie Mellon University faculty and adjunct professors.

Pre-College Drama is a six-week residential program for high school juniors and seniors that offers training and preparation for college auditions and interviews within an acclaimed drama conservatory. Each of the three options offered - Acting, Design/Production, & Musical Theater - has a different focus that will bring students unique experiences, challenging opportunities, and preparation for future theater endeavors. Through this program, students may find value in a wider, liberal arts undergraduate experience where they can explore all the opportunities afforded to them.

Students will attend classes for approximately eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a daily lunch break.

Pre-College Drama students are involved in a wide variety of classroom projects, topics, workshops, lectures and demonstrations, seminars, and masterclasses. All provide curriculum enrichment.

Sitka Fine Arts Camp

Website

High school students explore new arts and hone familiar ones by choosing from over 60 different classes offered in theater, dance, music, creative writing, visual arts, digital arts, and Alaska Native arts in a two-week long session. Students can attend as day or dorm students and have the opportunity to meet other students from throughout the state and country. After classes, the counselors run a variety of recreation activities from soccer to open mics and each evening the faculty perform a live show for the camp community. The Sunday in the middle of the session is an outdoor recreation day with opportunities to explore Sitka's vast trail system. At the end of the session, students share their work through live performances, screenings, a visual art show, and rock concert.