Acting Pre-College Summer Programs
Do you have a bookshelf full of plays? Do you own an "I can't. I have rehearsal" t-shirt? Do you secretly (or not so secretly) dream of being the next Meryl Streep?
If you answered "YES!,” then an acting pre-college summer program is a perfect fit for you!
Below you will find 4 awesome options. We have compiled all of the important details about application deadlines, audition requirements, and scholarship possibilities, so you can compare programs and see what you like.
Want the full list of our "12 Acting Pre-College Summer Programs" including the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre Stage Elements Summer Theatre Institute, The Cherubs National High School Institute at Northwestern University, Oklahoma City University, University of Southern California Summer Theatre Conservatory, New York University-Tisch: Summer High School Drama, and many more acting pre-college summer programs?
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Pre-College Consultation here.
Pre-College Summer Programs: Acting
1. Carnegie Mellon University Summer Pre-College Drama
Location:
Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility:
2016-2017 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (16-18 years old)
Program Dates:
July 1st-August 11th, 2017 (6-week session)
Application Deadline:
April 25th, 2017 (but apply earlier because admissions is on a rolling basis)
Late Application Deadline:
N/A
Admissions Notification:
Rolling basis; applicants will begin to receive admissions decisions beginning in early February
Application/Upload Fee:
$40 (non-refundable)
Tuition/Room & Board:
On-campus: $8,097
Pittsburgh Commuter: $5,781
Scholarships:
N/A
Audition Requirement:
No audition requirement, but make sure to provide a thoughtful response to the essay requirement*.
* Essay Requirement: one-page typed essay answering one of the following
- Please describe in detail some special interest, experience or achievement that you would like us to know about.
- Describe an intellectual, cultural or creative experience occurring within the past two years that has given you the greatest satisfaction.
-What characteristics do you possess or what academic or artistic experiences have you had that sets you apart from most other people your age?
Fun Fact:
Carnegie Mellon’s program will give you an incredibly comprehensive look at what a conservatory program has to offer and what the college audition process will be like. Although their focus there is on process (not product) and there is no final production, all students have the opportunity to audition for early acceptance to CMU Drama at the end of the summer session. Realistically, only a few students over the past few years have been accepted early through this end-of-program audition. Because they allow you to bring material that you are working on (or would like to), it would be a great idea to come in prepared with well-chosen material to try out in class, so that you don’t waste any time.
For more info, check out the program here.
2. The New School Summer On-Stage Acting Intensive
Location:
New York, NY
Eligibility:
2016-2017 high school sophomores and juniors
Program Dates:
July 10th-August 4th, 2017 (4-week session)
Application Deadline:
June 1st, 2017
Late Application Deadline:
N/A
Admissions Notification:
Rolling basis; students are encouraged to apply early because scholarships and admission to your first choice track are on a first come/first serve basis.
Application/Upload Fee:
N/A
Tuition/Room & Board:
2017 Tuition and weekday lunch: $4,975 2017 University Services Fee: $130
2017 Optional on-campus housing (including weekday breakfast and dinner and full weekend meals): $TBD
For reference:
2016 On-Campus + Tuition: $7,237 2016
On-Campus + Commuter: $4,907
Scholarships:
Scholarships are available by writing an additional essay (submitted with your application) answering the following questions (maximum of 500 words): How do you think the performing arts can influence society as a whole? What are some specific changes that artists can make in their communities?
Audition Requirement:
Audition video that includes an introduction and 2 monologues (1 classical verse and 1 contemporary; 1-3 minutes each) and a 1 minute video of “you being yourself” (No rules or limitations beyond the time requirement).
Fun Fact:
On the application, you get to select your top 2 track choices from some really exciting intensives—the New & Devised Work track (develop your own piece and rehearse new plays in collaboration with Naked Angels, an Off-Broadway theatre company), Classical Theatre track (study classical scenes, verse technique, and stage combat), or Music & Theatre track (musical theatre scene study, acting through voice, and repertoire development).
For more info, check out the program here.
3. Boston University Summer Theatre Institute (B.U.S.T.I.)
Location:
Boston, MA
Eligibility:
2016-2017 high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Program Dates:
July 2nd-August 5th, 2017 (2-week session)
Priority Deadline:
March 1st, 2017
Late Application Deadline:
N/A
Admissions Notification:
Rolling basis, decision will be sent within 3-4 weeks following submission of application; further communications will be made via the e-mail address you provide on your application.
Application/Upload Fee:
$75
Tuition/Room & Board:
Tuition: $3,975
Dormitory Cost (double occupancy room): $1,190
Board Options 14 meals/week: $891
19 meals/week: $1075
Activity Fee: $200
Total (excluding application fee): $6256-$6440
Scholarships:
Financial aid is distributed on an as-needed basis. You have to send a letter petitioning for aid including a detailed description of your financial situation and need and what you can realistically contribute. BUSTI most frequently awards financial assistance amounting to 10% of the overall tuition, or approximately $500. In select cases, BUSTI may award up to 20% of the overall tuition, or approximately $1000.
Audition Requirement:
No audition requirement, but make sure to provide a thoughtful response to the essay requirement*. They are really looking for students who are interested in collaborating artistically with their fellow classmates.
* Essay Requirement: 500 word essay answering one of the following: What does collaboration mean to you? Has a performance that you have seen changed you? If so, how? Has a theatrical process in which you have participated changed you? If so, how? Do you believe that theatre can change the world?
Fun fact:
This is a very physically demanding program, so you undoubtedly will stay (or get) fit during the 5-week session. Both the performance and design track students will take technique classes (Design and Movement, Voice and Movement, Singing, Stage Combat, and Dramatic Literature) together. During three afternoons every week, they split off into their separate groups and the performance track students take acting-focused courses. Students in both tracks devise an original ensemble performance piece that allows them to develop and express their unique artistic voice.
For more info, check out the program here.
4. Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory (R.S.A.C.)
Location:
New Brunswick, NJ
Eligibility:
2016-2017 high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Program Dates:
July 2nd- July 30th, 2017 (4-week session)
Application Deadline:
June 5th, 2017
Late Application Deadline:
N/A
Admissions Notification:
N/A
Application/Upload Fee:
$55 (non-refundable)
Tuition/Room & Board:
Room, board, tuition and all activities: $5,850
Commuter rate: $4,800
Scholarships:
Scholarships and Financial Aid are available and awarded via review of a separate application, which is due by May 15th, 2017.
Audition Requirement:
Audition: 2 contrasting monologues, not longer than four minutes total, and a 15-minute interview at the end. In addition, Musical Theater students must also prepare a song for the audition.
Essay: Why do you want to be an actor? What are your goals as an actor and how will attending the RSAC program help you attain those goals?
Musical Theater students need a recommendation from a dance teacher.
Audition Dates:
March 4, 2017
April 1, 2017
May 13, 2017
May 27, 2017
For those that live outside the tri-state area, virtual and video auditions are also accepted. You can e-mail your video audition to Program Director Marshall Jones (Mjones3@rci.rutgers.edu).
Fun Fact:
If you are an underclassmen and you love your time at R.S.A.C., you can return the next summer in the “Advance Track” and dig even deeper into the training that they have to offer. Also, guest artists from around the world and Broadway, TV, and film actors will conduct intensive evening workshops and seminars throughout the summer.
For more info, check out the program here.
Check back next week for Part 4: Voice Pre-College Summer Programs for a list of our favorites and important application and audition details.
Tom Morin is a NYC-based acting coach, co-founder of Polish Your Passion, and a professional actor/singer. He holds a B.A. in Theatre & Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross and an M.F.A. in Acting from Ohio University and has been teaching for the past 9 years, advising and coaching students through the college audition process and beyond. He loves coffee, Shakespeare, and YouTube.
