*HELP REALLY NEEDED!!! If someone could take the time to help me it would save my summer or even maybe my whole career! Thank you!!
Hello, I’ve been looking all over this website all year for information on different summer programs to apply to! It’s been insanely helpful! Now that lots of summer programs deadlines are really soon I really really need any info anyone has. The hard part is it’s extremely difficult to judge for me which programs are best.
I live basically in the middle of nowhere with not even an acting class (even a bad one!) within two hours of me. I’ve known I wanted to perform for the rest of my life since I was about 11, and I’ve especially gotten interested in acting, even though musical theatre is definitely my passion as well.
I am dying to be a professional actor right now, but unless we move (which I highly doubt would happen), it is absolutely impossible. It’s really pretty soul crushing to want this so much I feel like I’m just exploding all the time, while I know lots of kids with half my passion have been getting weekly lessons and are being in sitcoms and things.
Regardless, I’ve had lots of health problems the last few years so I couldn’t participate in any summer intensives until FINALLY this year I can! I’m a current sophomore, rising junior, and 16 - which seems to be pretty versatile because a lot of programs maximums and minimum ages are 16!
It can’t be more than 3/4 weeks though, and my parents said it couldn’t be more than $2000. Which I know is pretty ridiculous as far as summer programs go, but I don’t have time to have a job so I’m not really sure what I could do about that. We don’t qualify for any scholarships I’ve looked at. I think as long as its not more then $3000ish that could work as long as its a really great program.
Since no one in my town even remotely cares about performing let alone rigorous technique, I have no one to ask about summer programs! I feel like I really need more information. I’ve been searching up every program that exists, but I really would like maybe some direction.
I am primarily involved in musical theatre, but have recently gotten much more interested in acting (specifically on camera, which I have never done and have absolutely NO experience in and I would love), and I really want to learn everything I can about Meisner, as well as comedy.
The main point is I really need technique and training, so less performance-based overall and DEFINITELY not at all juvenile. I’m fine with a 16+ program, but often they don’t supply boarding because most of the people there are full adults. That’s been a problem because I definitely need boarding as there’s no summer programs I’ve found that I could drive to every day.
Plus I would love to engage with actors my own age I’ve never really done that before! But it cannot be juvenile and watered down I want it to be intense and I want so much to learn every single thing I can! A program that an average aspiring teen actor might think is too full/intense! And of course they have to still be accepting applications. I’ve found a ton of programs I love but whose application fee is nearly $500! That is of course impossible unless I knew that was the only program I would want to go to, and I don’t think I can do that for any program since I can’t tell which would be best for me!
I REALLY REALLY NEED UNBIASED REVIEWS OF THESE PROGRAMS based on how desperately I need training if you could! Here are the programs I’m considering but really would need to speak to someone who actually attended it/has information about it given how much I really need this training (especially focused on acting OR possibly improving not so good singing technique-wise)
- Wagner SMTI (applied, but it is not focused on acting)
- Interlochen (applied for waitlist, but it is not focused on acting)
- AMDA (I hear such mixed reviews about their summer program. Really - how is it? Is it rigorous or more laid back? Are you taught real technique? I'm getting the sense the students aren't but then again my drama teacher highly recommended it! Not the school but the SUMMER program. And is the ACTING summer program good? Or should I apply for voice but concentrated in musical theatre?
- AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts) - (I REALLY like this based on the info I've heard, but I haven't heard hardly anything! The youth program goes UP to 16, like it's the maximum age. So I can't help but think the youth program would be very juvenile. But it really does look amazing. The adult summer programs go up FROM 16, no age limit. That sounds more rigorous to me I'm assuming, but I don't know if it would be weird for me to be in a class with mostly people that might be my parents age, I mean since the classes last all day for weeks. Plus I don't think they bring you things like food, and I wouldn't have access to a car. PLUS on the website it says there is boarding but I contacted them and they said there is no boarding - which sounds strange since they say most students come from all over - and that I need a parent with me - which I think would be impossible since the program is four weeks.)
- Broadway Artist Alliance (about to apply) - (This looks really great for musical theatre training, and they CAN provide board which is good, and it's about the only one in my price range, but again I really really do need just acting training especially in Meisner!)
- UCLA - (This sounds good but I have absolutely NO information on the actual training so I'm not sure what to do, I can't even find that much about the school itself!)
- Triple Threat Boston Conservatory (I have NO information on it but it sounds good, but I'd rather be in a larger city plus it's not completely focused on acting)
- TPAP (The Performing Arts Project) - (I've heard lots of great things about this.)
- Young Actors Camp - (Their description sounds amazing but I've also heard once that it was a scam? I just really need training it sounds great but it has to be professional and not very juvenil.)
I’ve looked up but have no reliable info anywhere on: the Relativity School, Broadway Dreams Foundation (quality training?), the Actors Space West, Maggie Flanigan Studio, and more.
Here are the programs I absolutely loved but have an insanely high application fee so I could only apply if they were my only option which is unlikely:
- SOCAPA (I really really love how this sounds, but I just don't have any info on how rigorous it is. Plus there's a non refundable $500 fee so I'm not sure what to do)
- UNCSA (This program looks like exactly what I want, it just looks insanely amazing, but again there is a several hundred dollar application so this would have to be my one shot, and I'd rather be on one of the coasts, plus two teacher recommendations which I don't know where I could get from because I currently have no teachers or old ones that I could contact. It's possible, just a bit messy.)
- Northwestern Acting on Film (I LOVE the sound of these programs, but it has a pretty expensive application fee and getting a teacher recommendation would be very complicated for me - plus I haven't heard that much about THIS specific program, it's not just the general acting program, so even though I love it I just don't know what to do)
But I’m really open to any suggestions anyone has given my ramifications! Please please read this I really need help and the clock is ticking down please and thank you so much for taking the time to read this ANY information is welcome thank you!!!