Musical theatre is a dynamic art form that combines acting, singing, and movement, requiring both technical skill and creative expression. For high school students looking to refine their craft, summer programs provide an immersive way to train with industry professionals, explore new techniques, and gain performance experience.
These programs cover a range of focus areas, from scene study and vocal technique to audition prep and stage production. Whether you want to strengthen your stage presence, experiment with different acting methods, or develop your musical theatre composition skills, there’s a program suited to your goals.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 8 musical theatre summer programs for high school students looking for professional-level training and hands-on experience!
1. Berklee Musical Theater Workshop
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: Ages 15+ with some background in musical theatre
Application Deadline: July 1
Program Dates: August 11 – August 15
Cost: $1,295 (tuition); $895 (housing); $50 (nonrefundable registration fee)
Berklee’s Musical Theater Workshop is a five-day intensive that focuses on core performance skills: voice, acting, dance, and audition technique. You’ll participate in daily training sessions, working on vocal technique, movement for the stage, and character development. Electives allow you to specialize in areas like healthy belting, monologue interpretation, and contemporary musical theatre styles.
Masterclasses feature Broadway professionals, providing insights into industry expectations and performance refinement. The program also includes ensemble work, where you’ll rehearse and perform in a final showcase open to family and friends. Throughout the week, you’ll develop a polished audition package, including 16–32 bar cuts and performance-ready monologues.
2. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Rising Star Program
Location: Savannah, GA & Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Application Deadline: Rolling (recommended at least 30 days before program start)
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25
Cost: $6,490 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and fees)
SCAD Rising Star is a four-week, college-level program where you’ll take two SCAD courses and earn 10 quarter hours of college credit. You’ll study in professional studios, classrooms, and labs while using industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Cloud. The curriculum includes foundation studies, general education, and major-specific electives, allowing you to refine artistic techniques and build a competitive portfolio.
Courses incorporate lectures, demonstrations, and studio work, with access to SCAD’s libraries, galleries, and production suites. Professors evaluate your work for college credit, which may be applied toward a SCAD degree or transferred to other institutions. The program also includes extracurricular activities, giving you a glimpse into college life while developing your creative skills in a structured environment.
3. Summer Performing Arts With Juilliard
Location: Orlando, FL
Eligibility: Ages 12–18 with at least three years of experience in their major
Application Deadline: February 17
Program Dates:
- Session 1 (Drama, Piano, Voice): June 29 – July 12
- Session 2 (Dance, Musical Theatre): July 13 – July 26
Cost: Boarding: $6,850 per session (includes housing, meals, classes, and excursions); Day: $4,950 per session (includes classes, lessons, and lunch)
This two-week immersive program, hosted at Windermere Preparatory School, offers training in dance, drama, musical theatre, piano, and voice. In this program, you’ll engage in daily studio classes, rehearsals, and seminars led by Juilliard faculty, alumni, and guest artists. The curriculum integrates technical skill-building with interdisciplinary workshops, exposing you to college-level coursework and audition preparation.
Sessions include individualized coaching, ensemble work, and performance-based learning tailored to your artistic discipline. Boarding students participate in additional cultural excursions, while all students benefit from an intensive, conservatory-style experience.
4. Tisch Summer High School Drama Programs
Location: New York, NY
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Cost: $14,721 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and fees)
NYU Tisch’s Summer High School Drama Programs offer conservatory-style training across multiple disciplines, including acting, musical theatre, screen acting, and production design. You’ll train at one of six studios, each with its own specialized curriculum—options include the Atlantic Acting School, Experimental Theatre Wing, Meisner Studio, New Studio on Broadway, Stonestreet Studios, and the Production & Design Workshop.
Classes cover acting techniques, voice and speech, movement, and scene study, with additional seminars on New York theatre. You’ll also attend Broadway shows and participate in workshops with industry professionals. The program culminates in a showcase for faculty and peers, providing a platform to apply your training in a performance setting.
5. Berklee Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI)
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: Ages 15–25
Application Deadline: February 1 (priority consideration); rolling admissions afterward until full
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Cost: $3,100 (tuition); $2,400 (housing); $50 (nonrefundable application fee)
The Musical Theater Acting Intensive at Berklee’s Boston Conservatory provides focused training in acting, singing, and movement, modeled after the Conservatory’s professional program. You’ll work on character development through musical theatre scene study, Shakespeare, physical character work, and on-camera acting. The program emphasizes audition preparation, helping you refine monologues and vocal pieces for future auditions.
Classes also cover vocal ensemble singing, storytelling through dance, and the Alexander Technique for movement efficiency. Masterclasses with faculty and guest artists provide additional insights into performance techniques. The program culminates in a final presentation, giving you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in a performance setting.
6. BroadwayEvolved NYC Summer Intensive
Location: New York, NY
Eligibility: Ages 14–18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (first-come, first-served)
Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 26 – 29
- Session 2: July 9 – 12
- Session 3: July 31 – August 3
Cost: $2,995 (tuition); $15 non-refundable application fee
BroadwayEvolved’s NYC Summer Intensive is a four-day musical theatre training program designed to provide conservatory-style instruction in acting, singing, and dance. You’ll participate in masterclasses led by Broadway professionals, receive individual vocal coaching, and refine audition techniques through casting clinics with NYC agencies.
Additional sessions focus on college prep, self-tape skills, and the business side of Broadway. The program includes a professional headshot session, a group performance, and a Broadway show outing. Prior to the intensive, you’ll complete four weeks of self-paced online preparation to maximize your learning experience.
7. Marymount Manhattan Musical Theatre Program
Location: New York, NY
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)
Application Deadline: February 17 (priority consideration); rolling admissions afterward until full
Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 22 – July 5
- Session 2: July 6 – July 19
Cost: $3,500 (tuition); $1,100 (housing); $100 (meal plan); Optional Private Voice Lessons: $225
The Musical Theatre Intensive at Marymount Manhattan College provides students with two weeks of in-depth training in acting, voice, and movement, tailored for college audition preparation. You’ll receive individualized coaching on song interpretation, acting choices, and self-tape techniques while studying music fundamentals and musical theatre history.
Faculty-led sessions focus on material selection, audition strategy, and organization for both in-person and virtual auditions. Students will also participate in Broadway guest seminars, panel discussions with MMC alumni and current students, and group outings to Broadway shows. The program culminates in a final performance, offering students the chance to showcase their progress before an audience.
8. Penn State University, Summer Theatre Artistic Training Experience (S.T.A.T.E.)
Location: University Park, PA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2025)
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 23 – July 5
Cost: $3,250 (includes tuition, private lessons, masterclasses, housing, and meals)
The Summer Theatre Artistic Training Experience (S.T.A.T.E.) is a two-week intensive musical theatre program designed to immerse students in collegiate-level training at Penn State. You’ll receive instruction in voice, acting, and dance from Penn State faculty, guest professionals, and notable alumni. The program emphasizes an integrated approach to musical theatre through studio classes, private lessons, and masterclasses.
Evening activities include cabarets, Q&A sessions, and industry-focused discussions. Students also receive personalized guidance on college auditions, with faculty providing practical insights into navigating the professional theatre world. The program culminates in a showcase where students apply their training in a performance setting.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like music, art, and culture, 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!
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