<p>Can anyone tell me some competitive and/or prestigious summer theater/acting programs for high schoolers? I'm looking at the Yale Conservatory, Northwestern Theater Arts, and Brown Theatrebridge...which of these are the most highly-regarded, or are they equal?</p>
<p>I have no idea about levels of prestige (do you mean to ask which programs are more impressive appearing on your college application?) My daughter is currently at the CMU drama program and reports that it’s excellent-- she feels that she is learning a lot.</p>
<p>Interesting. I’ll definitely look into that program as well…anyone else?</p>
<p>[Drama:</a> Tisch School of the Arts at NYU](<a href=“Special Programs”>Special Programs)</p>
<p>[Summer</a> Teen ConservatoryStella Adler | Stella Adler](<a href=“http://www.stellaadler.com/classes/teen/summer-teen/]Summer”>http://www.stellaadler.com/classes/teen/summer-teen/)</p>
<p>Stagedoor Manor may have the most prestige–or Idlewild–its where the stars send their kids. But you may want to define what you want you want to accomplish. Are you looking to improve your skills? Which ones or all of them? Programs differ widely in what they have to offer–do you want just acting (a specific technique or all around?), do you want to include voice and dance? Is Musical theater a priority? Do you want stage combat? Do you want circus skills? Do you want to help participate in some of the stagecraft opportunities or directing? Do you want theater acting skill development or acting for camera? How long do you want the program to be? How much do you want to spend? Programs range from 1 week (US Performing Arts Camp) to all summer at some colleges. </p>
<p>Sometimes smaller programs offer a better sense of community and have more opportunities for students to try things they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do even though they don’t have a lot of prestige.</p>
<p>(BTW, I think Stagedoor Manor has a year waiting list to audition for the summer program)</p>
<p>From the Stagedoor Manor brochure: “There is no audition to attend Stagedoor Manor.”</p>
<p>It looks like they audition for placement purposes once campers arrive.</p>
<p>My daughter went to Stagedoor for two summers. I was hesitant to send her at first because there was no audition-- I did not understand how they would manage to put together an elite program without entrance auditions. But they do a good job placing kids after they arrive (yes, there is an audition soon after arrival.) There is variety in the level of talent-- kids with less talent/experience are generally placed in minor roles, so it works out. (There are some exceptions when very talented kids are put in the chorus, especially if they stay for more than one session and have had a lead role previously-- but being in the chorus is also a learning experience.) </p>
<p>“Where the stars send their kids–” I suppose it all depends on your definition of prestige. Many wealthy, famous parents do send their kids to Stagedoor. Some of the campers are movie or Broadway stars. But there are plenty of ordinary kids there, as well. All it takes to get in is a willingness to pay the tuition and a a bit of time on the waiting list. If you apply in September, you will probably get in from the waiting list, as spots do open up throughout the year. </p>
<p>My daughter felt that she learned a lot during her time at Stagedoor. I would not call the camp prestigious, however, as campers are unscreened.</p>
<p>A few other camps (that do screen) are Interlochen and Walnut Hill.</p>
<p>Boston Conservatory just started a program and I believe it is by audition only.</p>
<p>University of Michigan’s MPulse TDA (Theatre and Drama Academy). Auditions in the winter. Excellent program.</p>
<p>Summer programs do not need to be ‘prestigious’ in order to be a good choice. I’m not even sure to whom they’re supposed to be ‘prestigious’. 
There are a ton of excellent choices out there for summer theatre programs. In a segment on CBS Sunday recently, they said that the increase in this type of program in the past 10-15 years has been extraordinary, and that there are now over 800 across the country. Interestingly, its focus was on Stagedoor Manor, which is as good a program as any, in my opinion. My D did not go there but everyone we know who has attended has loved it. There are, as I said, many options so do some research, find the one that you can afford and that interests you, and forget about the ‘prestige’ factor.</p>
<p>I would mention University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Several friends of mine have attended and have had nothing but good things to say about it.</p>
<p>Boston University Summer Theatre Institute. It really helped prepare our D for her college auditions. They run it like a convervatory for 5 weeks. If you’re a high school senior, they also allow you to audition for their BFA program at the end of the 5 weeks. Not cheap, though: I believe it costs around $6K.</p>