<p>I am a freshman theatre major in a BA program at Berea College. I am planning on pursuing an MFA after graduation. I am worried that my program doesn't provide enough training for me to be ready for the auditions for graduate school. I have been looking into some summer training programs and I am hoping some of you could give me your impressions. I am currently looking into The School for Film and Television's Summer Program, Atlantic Theatre Company's Summer Intensive, American Conservatory Theater's Summer Training Congress, Pioneer Playhouse's Summer Internship, Georgia Shakespeare's Summer Acting Internship, and Shakespeare & Company's Summer Acting Internship.</p>
<p>I'm afraid I don't know enough about all those programs to comment no them, specifically. But here are just a few thoughts you might find useful.</p>
<p>Shakespeare training: The last I heard, Shakespeare is still the single most produced playwright in the English-speaking world. My experience, though, is that there are only a few actors that do Shakespeare well. By "well," I mean that every word, ever action, every motivation is crystal clear to the audience. These actors exist, and they turn down a LOT of work because they are so in demand. Studying Shakepeare teaches you vocal variation, tonality, rhythm, and a host of other skills it's very difficult to acquire anywhere else. It will improve your voice-over work. And, usually, these programs include stage sword training which is also very useful. </p>
<p>I'd look for a program that provides classroom training PLUS on-stage experience working with real pros (Equity theaters are far preferable to non-Equity ones, in my experience).</p>
<p>Camera training: I think this is the most neglected area of acting training. Camera training is extremely useful because acting is an odd art. One is inside the art hoping one is creating the proper illusion to those actually experiencing the art. Camera training is cruel, but it is cruel to be kind. I can't think of ANYTHING that will make you a better method actor more quickly than camera training.</p>
<p>There's a practical side of this, as well. A single national commercial can keep you going financially for a year or more. Local commercial work can be the difference between taking that waiting job and not taking it.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>For acting, in general, do Circle in the Square or Neighborhood Playhouse offer summer training?</p>
<p>Also, for Shakespeare, you might call the American Shakespeare Center in (of all places!) Staunton, Va. They run an excellent summer program for teens andd (I believe) some college-aged students, but I think they also may have some higher-level offerings. Also, there is a Shakespeare center in Washington, DC.</p>
<p>^I attended the American Shakespeare Centers summer program several years ago (when it was still Shanendoah Shakespeare), and would recommend it, but as far as I know the program is mainly through highschool. it's possible they've changed it, but I don't know of any college level programs there.</p>
<p>knoxcounty - the programs you have listed are very good ones... as is circle in the square. You may also want to look at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's semester program. It is geared for students who attend more liberal arts based schools and are looking to throw themselves into training for a semester. You earn credit through Connecticut College. They also have a Moscow Program that they sponser</p>
<p>Powerhouse Theater, run by NY Stage and Film, has a resident summer at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY designed for college student theater majors from all around the country.</p>