Best Summer Theater Programs – 2024

April 19, 2024

best summer theater programs for high school students

If you’re an aspiring performing artist, you’ve probably heard (at every family barbeque and birthday party since starring in your first-grade production of Jack and the Beanstalk) that your career of choice is a long shot. It’s true–acting and singing are notoriously competitive and difficult to break into–but there’s plenty you can do to prepare. In addition to participating in school and community clubs and productions, you can also build your skills through classes and summer theater programs. The best programs enable you to build foundational technique in at least one of the many acting methods (which include the Meisner Technique, Spolin Method, and Chekhov Technique, among others) and also provide valuable networking and relationship-building that will be essential to your future. Ready to sing, dance, and perform your way through the summer? Scroll down for our list of the best summer theater programs for high school students.

1) Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Rising Star Program

Location: Savannah, GA or Atlanta, GA
Residential?: Residential and commuter options available
Program Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $6,334 (residential); $4,830 (commuter)
Eligibility: Rising seniors
Application Deadline: Rolling; application opens in September of the preceding year

At SCAD’s Rising Star Program, students spend a month and change immersing themselves in two creative courses of their choosing. Interested in pursuing a film and/or television acting career? Acting for the Camera: Fundamentals (offered in both Savannah and Atlanta) provides foundational skills in that area.

Over the course of the program, students learn and practice a number of techniques related to film and television performance. Additionally, they study characters and scene structure, the lessons from which they will channel into their own work. Moreover, the multi-genre emphasis means that all students–from those interested in drama to those interested in comedy–will find value in this program.

Rising Star students need to select more than one course, which will provide exposure to other creative disciplines. For example, students might choose to supplement their acting class with Digital Film Production, Foundations of Story, or Sound for Film and Television, among others. All courses include lectures and experiential learning. However, students should keep in mind that top course selections are not guaranteed. As such, flexibility is a must if applying to these summer theater programs.

Finally, students earn college credit after successfully completing the program. To apply, students submit an application as well as an official transcript. Moreover, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and portfolios are optional but may be requested. Selection is competitive as the program is highly rigorous.

Looking for a shorter experience? Be sure to check out SCAD Summer Seminars, one-week experiences offered in both Savannah and Atlanta.

2) Summer Performing Arts With Juilliard

Location: Orlando, FL
Residential?: Residential and commuter options available
Program Length: 2 or 4 weeks
Cost: $6,550 (residential, per two-week session); $4,750 (commuter, per two-week session)
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18
Application Deadline: February/March, or until each major reaches capacity

Held on the campus of Windermere Preparatory School, Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard is an excellent opportunity for students interested in the performing arts. Five majors are available: Drama, Piano, Voice, Dance, and Musical Theatre.

Each major is led by Juilliard professors and alumni. As such, students are fully immersed in Juilliard’s approach. They’ll take part in multiple workshops, private lessons, and master classes while learning both individually and in groups. For example, Musical Theatre students might dive into Acting through Song and Dance, Alexander Technique, and artistic seminars on topics like performance anxiety and audition techniques. Alternatively, Voice students can expect to engage in courses like Musicianship and Festival Choir. Several majors–like Piano and Voice–culminate with final performances.

Since these summer theater programs are highly selective, students must submit video auditions as part of their application.

Summer Theater Programs for High School Students – Continued

3) Yale Summer Drama Program

Location: New Haven, CT
Residential?: Residential and commuter options available
Program Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $9,900 + room & board if living on campus ($4,235-4,365)
Eligibility: Rising seniors and above (including undergraduates and current professionals). Must be 16+.
Application Deadline: April; applications are considered on a rolling basis

Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong’o…all household names who attended Yale’s esteemed School of Drama. Dreaming of following in their footsteps? Yale offers an intensive summer program for aspiring thespians: The Conservatory for Actors.

The Conservatory for Actors provides an intensive immersion in basic acting skills. It’s hands-on and dynamic–students can expect to spend most of their time moving and acting. Moreover, the Conservatory is rooted in the Stanislavski System, and topics include text analysis, on-camera acting, and voice and speech. Taught by Yale faculty and local theater professionals, students work in small groups of 10-12 throughout the program. In addition, come prepared for a rigorous experience—you’ll spend thirty hours in class and ten hours rehearsing per week. Accordingly, college credit is available.

To apply to these summer theater programs, students must submit a resume of relevant experience and a personal statement. Two letters of recommendation are required, with one being from a theater professional or drama teacher.

4) Tisch Summer High School Drama Programs

Location: New York, NY
Residential?: Yes
Program Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $14,192
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: January

It would be impossible to create a list of summer theater programs without including those offered at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Students interested in acting and New York theater will receive amazing training and exposure during this six-credit-bearing, intensive program.

For starters, all students complete 28 hours of conservatory training per week at one of six studios. (Students select the studio that most closely aligns with their interests.) Options include the Atlantic Acting School, Experimental Theatre Wing, the Meisner Studio, the New Studio on Broadway, the Production and Design Studio, and the Stonestreet Screen Acting Studio. For example, Atlantic Acting School students focus on the Atlantic Technique, which provides analytical and physical training. Alternatively, Stonestreet Screen Acting students develop knowledge and skills related to film, television, and internet acting.

In addition to their workshops, students also take Introduction to New York Theatre. Here, they’ll learn the fundamentals of critical analysis from NYU faculty. Moreover, they typically spend evenings and weekends rehearsing and/or attending events. Finally, the program culminates with a showcase.

The admissions process is intensive as Tisch typically receives over 800 applications. Interested students will need at least a 3.0 GPA. They’ll also need to submit a personal statement, creative resume, two recommendation letters, and a high school transcript.

Summer Theater Programs for High School Students — Continued

5) Columbia University Pre-College Programs

Location: New York, NY
Residential?: Yes
Program Length: 3 weeks
Cost: $12,449
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
Application Deadline: May

We’re rounding out our list with another excellent NYC option: Columbia’s Residential Summer Program. During their second session (July to August), they offer a perfect program for aspiring theater majors: Creating Original Theater: Playwriting, Acting, and Directing.

In this course, students spend about four hours in class daily—two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. It’s geared toward students who hope to create original productions, and explores the relationship between actors, directors, and playwrights. During the first week, students receive a broad overview of all three areas before choosing one to focus on during the final two weeks of the program. Then, they’ll split into small, autonomous groups to create their own short plays, mentored by theater professionals. Moreover, they’ll receive feedback on their plays via supportive workshops, and ultimately present their plays to an audience of family and friends.

Students live in Columbia dormitories and have access to all facilities as well as a wide variety of activities, including fitness classes, wellness activities, clubs, an instructor lecture series, and film festivals. Additionally, outings and college workshops are offered in the evenings.

To apply, students must submit a transcript and teacher recommendations. In their application, they should be able to demonstrate their academic preparedness for their program of choice.

Final Thoughts – Summer Theater Programs

By attending summer theater programs, you’ll not only gain experience in performance technique but also receive invaluable mentorship from seasoned professionals, allowing you to apply to college with a greater sense of direction and purpose. Moreover, the skills honed from acting and performing, such as public speaking, effective communication, and creative interpretation, will benefit you in just about every possible future major and career path.

Looking for summer theatre programs in your area? Consider checking out the following:

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Kelsea Conlin

Kelsea holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Tufts University, a graduate certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her short fiction is forthcoming in Chautauqua.