If you’re a high school student interested in theatre, consider a summer program in the field!
What is a summer theatre program for high school students?
A summer theatre program allows you to develop advanced skills, work with industry professionals, and gain hands-on experience in acting, directing, musical theatre, or stage production. These programs offer intensive training in performance techniques, voice work, movement, and character development, helping you develop your craft and explore new aspects of theatre.
Many of these programs take place at popular universities and conservatories, providing access to top-tier faculty, professional rehearsal spaces, and real-world performance opportunities. Whether you’re looking to prepare for college auditions, experiment with different acting styles, or collaborate with like-minded peers, a summer theatre program can broaden your perspective and deepen your understanding of the performing arts.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 summer theatre programs for high school students, each offering a unique approach to training in acting, musical theatre, and stage production:
1. Tisch Summer High School – NYU
Cost: Varies by track
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: Applications closed on December 2. Check the website for updated information on future programs.
Location: New York, NY
Who is Eligible: High school students currently in 10th or 11th grade with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Tisch Summer High School program at NYU is an intensive, pre-college experience designed for high school students looking to hone their craft in drama, dance, production design, recorded music, and more. The drama track offers conservatory training in some of NYU’s acting studios, including the Atlantic Acting School, Experimental Theatre Wing, and Meisner Studio.
The program follows first-year undergraduate curricula, providing a rigorous and immersive experience. You’ll also live on campus in NYU housing, with access to the university’s resources and social activities, including Broadway shows and iconic NYC landmarks.
2. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama
Cost: $11,887 (Residential), $8,671 (Commuter)
Application Fee & Deposit: $50 application fee (non-refundable) + $800 enrollment deposit (non-refundable)
Program Dates: June 21 – August 2
Application Deadlines:
- Early Decision & International Applications: February 1
- Scholarship & Regular Decision Applications: March 1
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Who is Eligible: High school students entering 11th or 12th grade in summer, must be 16 years and at the beginning of the program
Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Drama is a conservatory-style program for students preparing for college theatre auditions and interviews. You can choose from three specialized tracks: Acting, Design/Production, and Music Theater. The Acting and Music Theater options focus on audition preparation, monologue selection, voice training, and movement, while the Design/Production track helps you build a professional portfolio in areas like technical production, lighting, costumes, and stage management.
This program offers a pre-college experience similar to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) curriculum, with an intensive daily schedule from 9 AM to 6 PM. You can live on campus or commute if you reside within 30 miles of CMU.
3. Summer Performing Arts With Juilliard
Cost: Starts at $4,950 + $100 application fee
Program Dates: Session 1 (Drama, Piano, Voice): June 29 – July 12 | Session 2 (Dance, Musical Theater): July 13 – July 26
Application Deadlines: Applications close on February 17
Location: Windermere Preparatory School, Orlando, FL
Who is Eligible: Ages 12-18, with at least three years of experience in their major
Juilliard’s Summer Performing Arts program is a two-week festival designed for young performers in drama, musical theatre, dance, piano, and voice. You will receive conservatory-style training through studio classes, workshops, rehearsals, and masterclasses, all led by Juilliard faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
The curriculum includes college-level coursework, preparing you for college auditions and conservatory training. You can attend one or both sessions, living in boarding townhouses or participating as day students.
5. Yale Conservatory for Actors
Cost:
- Tuition: $10,295
- Housing and Meals: $4,400
- Application Fee: $80 (non-refundable)
Program Length: 5 weeks
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; all materials must be submitted before the final deadline
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Who is Eligible: High school seniors, undergraduates, and post-graduates; no audition required
The Yale Conservatory for Actors is a five-week summer program designed for theatre students looking to refine their craft through rigorous conservatory training. Rooted in Stanislavski’s principles, the program focuses on foundational acting techniques, including scene study, text analysis, voice work, and on-camera acting. It also incorporates unique training elements such as clowning, masterclasses, and interdisciplinary workshops led by Yale School of Drama faculty and industry professionals.
You train in small groups (10-12 students per section) with a 1:4 faculty-to-student ratio, ensuring personalized feedback and attention. The program follows a laboratory approach, with no public performances, allowing you to experiment, refine techniques, and focus on personal artistic growth without the pressure of an audience.
5. Musical Theater Acting Intensive – Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Cost:
- Tuition: $3,100
- Housing: $2,400 (optional)
- Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)
Program Length: 3 weeks
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadlines:
Priority Deadline: February 1 (decisions by March 1)
Rolling admissions after February 1 until full
Tuition Payment Deadline: June 1
Location: Boston, MA
Who is Eligible: Students ages 15-25 with an interest in musical theatre
The Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) at Boston Conservatory at Berklee is a three-week pre-college program that offers a rigorous exploration of acting, singing, and movement for musical theatre performers. Modelled after Boston Conservatory’s musical theatre program, this program provides daily classes in scene study, vocal technique, Shakespeare, physical character work, and acting for the camera.
A major focus of the program is audition preparation, where you refine one to two audition pieces and develop stronger confidence for college and professional auditions. With a faculty of professional theatre artists, this program offers a deep dive into character development and performance skills.
6. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) – Theater Program
Cost: Check CSSSA’s website for updated tuition details
Program Length: 4 weeks
Program Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 28 (6 PM PST)
Location: California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
Who is Eligible: High school students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2025 (including graduating seniors)
The CSSSA Theater Program is an intensive, professionally-oriented summer training experience designed for high school students. Rooted in physical training and performance techniques, the program offers core acting classes and specialized training in Tai Chi Ch’uan, movement, physical comedy, stage combat, dance, voice, and Shakespeare.
You can also choose electives like mask work, theatrical clown, acting for the camera, and a musical theater workshop. With a faculty of working professionals and guest artists, you gain firsthand exposure to the theatre industry through masterclasses, lectures, and seminars with casting agents, directors, and renowned actors.
7. Midsummer Conservatory Program – British American Drama Academy (BADA)
Cost:
- Tuition: $3,600
- Accommodation (includes a single private room and meals): $3,350
- Application Fee is $55 (non-refundable) and a deposit of $500 (non-refundable) is required upon acceptance
Program Dates: July 12 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (closes once spots are filled)
Location: London, UK
Who is Eligible: Students ages 16–18 (must be 16 by July 1, 2025)
The Midsummer Conservatory Program at BADA is a three-week theatre training experience focused on Shakespearean acting, voice, movement, and cultural studies. You will train five days a week (9 AM – 6 PM), with evenings reserved for rehearsals. Coursework includes Acting Shakespeare Through Text and Character, Cultural History, Movement, Period Dance, and Voice Training.
The program also features visits to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare’s Globe in London, providing first-hand exposure to professional productions. You will receive one-on-one tutorials with faculty and participate in ensemble-based work, developing a deeper understanding of classical performance techniques.
8. Interlochen Arts Camp – Acting Summer Program
Cost: $6,985
Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 22 – July 12
- Session 2: July 13 – August 3
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (applications currently being accepted)
Location: Interlochen, MI
Who is Eligible: High school students (Grades 9–12)
The Interlochen Arts Camp Acting Summer Program offers an intensive three-week training experience in both stage and screen acting. The curriculum provides practical tools to expand physical and vocal expression, focusing on acting technique, improvisation, and audition skills.
You will receive training from theatre faculty and guest artists, including professionals from Broadway, TV, and film. The program includes scene work, movement training, and vocal technique, helping you develop a consistent and adaptable acting process. Additional programs include a one-week Acting Intensive and a six-week Acting Company Production program.
9. National High School Institute (NHSI) Theatre Arts Division – Northwestern University
Cost:
- 5-Week Institute: $7,500
- 7-Week Institute (including the 2-week Musical Theatre Extension): $9,500
Program Length:
- 5-Week Institute: June 29 – August 2
- 2-Week Musical Theatre Extension (Optional): August 2 – August 16
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (applications currently being accepted)
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Who is Eligible: High school students interested in theatre (grades 9-12)
Ranked among the top 10 theatre programs in the U.S., the National High School Institute (NHSI) Theatre Arts Division, also known as “The Cherubs”, is a five-week theatre training program for high school students. You will train in acting, stage management, or design/tech, working with professional theatre practitioners and using the facilities at Northwestern University.
The program features daily classes, rehearsals, and workshops, culminating in a fully produced 60-minute play directed by a professional director. If you are interested in musical theatre, NHSI offers a two-week Musical Theatre Extension, allowing you to spend a total of seven weeks at Northwestern for specialized training in singing, acting, and movement.
10. UCLA Acting and Performance Summer Institute
Cost: Residential (includes housing and meals): $6,320 | Commuter: $4,961
Program Dates: Session A.1 (Residential): June 22 – July 12 | Session A.2 (Commuter): June 22 – July 11
Application Deadlines: Residential Application Deadline: June 6 | Commuter Application Deadline: June 13 | Enrollment Deadline: June 20
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Who is Eligible:
- Commuter: High school students (grades 9–12) who are at least 15 years old
- Residential: Students must be 17 years old
The UCLA Acting and Performance Summer Institute is an intensive three-week theatre training program designed for high school students interested in pursuing theatre at the university level. The program offers daily training in acting, movement, and performance techniques, including classical acting, stage combat, acting for the camera, and playwriting.
The residential track includes evening and weekend activities, while the commuter option allows you to attend daily classes at UCLA. You will participate in a performance workshop, gaining hands-on experience in the rehearsal and performance process. The program culminates in a final showcase, where you create and present your own devised theatre pieces.
Other Programs:
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like art, culture, history, and politics, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here
Image source: New York University
