<p>My daughter is in 8th grade and is serious about MT. She is now talking about wanting to go to Interlochen this summer. We live in Pittsburgh so there is also the CMU summer program. </p>
<p>Can anybody comment on other strong programs for her age, possibly a bit less expensive ?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I live in California, but CSSSA, which takes place at Calarts, was fantastic, although I do believe there is increased tuition for OOS. However, it is one of the best experiences of my life, period, and my life has honestly changed forever after that program, and every single one of my other friends that attended there (100+, there’s around 500 total) all agree.</p>
<p>The program is designed like a professional MBA style program, much like how a distinguished art school would run it, except it’s an intensive 4 week program in the summer. Lots of hardwired focus on not only learning professional-level basics classes, but also a ton of opportunities for available electives, and interdisciplinary projects with other departments. You do have to audition for the musical theatre class, since it is within a theatre program, but I sat in on a musical theatre workshop training - intense! Lots of training for basics, and how to avoid cliched movements on-stage, and to really dig deep into the soul of not only your character, but yourself as you perform live. Lots of backtracking, because there was no reason to be afraid for failure. And that was just the first pre-class!</p>
<p>(Funny story: The first thing you learn when you go to CSSSA, is that calling this a “camp” or a “summer school” is basically dismissing it as some sort of wishy washy summer thing you go for kicks, and this is from all of the instructors and the Director! They call it a ‘program’ for a reason, because you are working your butt off every single day - I know I did!)</p>
<p>As for diversity, of the people that were in the theatre program, several were from distinguished performing arts high schools like Lowell and Los Angeles Performing Arts High School, but there were also some that were just plain talented from regular high schools - it’s really a lot of mixed people. Also, tons of guest speakers, lectures, and workshops that are there to improve your art dramatically (whoa pun), really. Just an amazing program.</p>
<p>And if you’re wondering, OOS is really not that big of a deal, since I met people from as far away as Japan and New Jersey that got into CSSSA, in my year.</p>
<p>On the more technical aspect, it is a government-funded program, however, it is funded so much by the National Institutes of the Arts, local businesses and banks, and private donations, that funding is really a non-issue for this program.</p>
<p>[California</a> State Summer School for the Arts](<a href=“http://www.csssa.org/main.php?page=studies&sub_page=theater]California”>http://www.csssa.org/main.php?page=studies&sub_page=theater)</p>
<p>Check it out! More information here: <a href=“http://community.livejournal.com/csssa/[/url]”>http://community.livejournal.com/csssa/</a></p>
<p>Serafina, thanks!</p>
<p>This looks like a very good program, though it is pricey for out of state students @ $4600.</p>
<p>It is! Sorry about that, but I figure that one more option could help. Best of luck to you and your daughter!</p>
<p>There is a great musical theatre summer camp in Austin that is a bit lower in terms of cost.<br>
[Summers</a> @ St. Stephen’s](<a href=“http://sstxcamps.org/tap/index.html]Summers”>http://sstxcamps.org/tap/index.html)</p>
<p>First, I am not sure you saw the ongoing big list of summer MT programs tacked to the beginning of the list of MT threads on this page. Here it is:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/122525-summer-program-big-list-data-info-keep-adding.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/122525-summer-program-big-list-data-info-keep-adding.html</a></p>
<p>This was started in 2005 and updated over the years, though no posts reflect this year’s dates. There is a lot there for you to look into and most programs are for high school age. </p>
<p>However, pre-college programs tend to be for rising seniors and in some programs for both rising seniors and rising juniors. You mention CMU’s program but I am pretty sure it is for rising juniors and seniors and I doubt a rising freshman can go there. Such programs are worth exploring for your daughter to do in a couple of years though. </p>
<p>Interlochen is a good option. None of these overnight programs are cheap and you will soon discover that! A few others to look into…</p>
<p>Stagedoor Manor runs three distinct 3 week sessions. It is in the Catskills. Having a daughter who attended for 8 summers (16 sessions), I cannot speak highly enough of her experiences there. However, they are most likely booked already for this summer. But I have known kids to get into the program who were on a waitlist at this time of year and it would be worth trying the waitlist if you are interested. Next year if you are interested, it is best to sign up in September. </p>
<p>French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, also in the Catskills is another great option for your daughter and they have four 3 week sessions. I have another daughter who went there for 4 years if you have questions. I very much recommend this program. </p>
<p>Walnut Hill’s program near Boston is open to your daughter’s age too, I think. </p>
<p>Long Lake Camp for the Arts in the Adirondacks is another option.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City University also has MT programs open to your daughter’s age and they are a little less pricey I think.</p>
<p>Idlyllwild Arts Academy in CA also has a summer program open to your daughter’s age.</p>
<p>While not fully MT, Boston Conservatory has a Vocal Intensive for two weeks and since it is shorter, it would be cheaper than some of these other options. i have known MT kids who have done that program.</p>
<p>While I don’t know much about it, Broadway Artists Alliance runs a summer program in MT that is open to your D’s age too. These are very short intensives and would likely be cheaper due to the length. One issue is that it is not a residential program and a parent would have to pay to stay in a hotel for the duration. </p>
<p>These are just a handful of options for her age but look at the linked thread to find other resources.</p>
<p>[Centauri</a> Summer Arts Camp - Ontario Canada. Residential Summer Arts Camps for kids and teenagers.](<a href=“http://www.centauri.on.ca/index.htm]Centauri”>http://www.centauri.on.ca/index.htm)</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that I’ve probably suggested that in the thread that Susan linked but I’ll mention it again. It’s a wonderful arts camp, particularly for early teens.</p>
<p>CCM-prep in Cincinnati ran a MT program for high school students last summer that accommadated out of state students. They stay in the UC dorms along with dance students from the Cincinnati Ballet Program. I don’t know much about other that last year they expanded it beyond the day program from previous years. You can check on the website for information
[CCM</a> Preparatory Department | Homepage](<a href=“http://www.ccm.uc.edu/prep/index.html]CCM”>http://www.ccm.uc.edu/prep/index.html)
but I am not sure if summer stuff is up yet.</p>
<p>Not sure about the age requirement, but University of the Arts in Philadelphia runs a wonderful summer MT program that is nonaudition and quite reasonable financially compared to many others. My rising junior daughter went there last year and had a terrific time, and learned and grew so much! I was very impressed with the organization of the program, the instruction, the care given the kids and the individual evaluations they wrote on each student. It opens up for registration in early January, I believe, and is on a first come, fist served, basis. I believe you can find it under the Continuing Education part of the UArts website. I highly recommend it!</p>
<p>UArts has a min. age of 16 and like many pre-college programs is for rising juniors and seniors (some programs are only rising seniors though). The OP’s daughter will be a rising freshman and thus pre-college type programs are not an option but there are several highly regarded musical theater summer programs that high school kids can attend.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your replies and references to the summer programs thread.</p>
<p>D is interested in an intense focused program. She has been working with a local theatre group, ActOne for the last three years, both summer and during the school term and wants to take this to the next level, even though she is only 13.</p>
<p>A summer theater intensive is definitely appropriate for age 13! Simply suggesting that the pre-college programs are not where your focus should be as most will not take that age. But pre-college programs are just one type of summer theater intensive and not necessary (though great of course). As an example, my own kid did summer MT intensives for 8 summers starting at age 9 1/2 and never did a pre-college program. The ones I listed above have very good reputations, along with your D’s interest in the Interlochen program. She is surely not too young by any means. My kids went away much younger than that to intensives for six weeks. So, I think you are doing a positive thing to look into such options now given your D’s interest.</p>
<p>I believe Oklahoma City University has sessions for both high school and junior high. There is a discount for getting the application material in by January 15. PM me if you want me to find the link for it. 
</p>
<p>They also have some video on youtube of previous final performances and cabarets. There was one from Les Mis that gave me goose bumps and a cabaret performance of At the Ballet from ACL that was also impressive. I think some CC kids may have been in those.</p>
<p>Does anyone have first hand knowledge of the College Training Workshop at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio?</p>
<p>Another great summer program, that i’ve attended, is Broadway Artists Alliance. It was an experience that I enjoyed very much! Everyone that attended was extremely professional and talented and the program enabled me to grow as a performer. I had the opportunity to study with current Broadway performers, casting directors, and agents. </p>
<p>Along with the one/two week summer intensive, they also have a weekend long winter intensive, and several One Day Master Classes throughout the year. </p>
<p>I auditioned for the current revival of Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway and made it through to the final callback. At every single one of my seven callbacks I knew at least one of the casting directors sitting behind the table through classes I attended at BAA.</p>
<p>If anyone has any questions, I would be more than willing to answer them!
Happy New Year to all!! :)</p>
<p>Another great summer program, that i’ve attended, is Broadway Artists Alliance. It was an experience that I enjoyed very much! Everyone that attended was extremely professional and talented and the program enabled me to grow as a performer. I had the opportunity to study with current Broadway performers, casting directors, and agents. </p>
<p>Along with the one/two week summer intensive, they also have a weekend long winter intensive, and several One Day Master Classes throughout the year. </p>
<p>I auditioned for the current revival of Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway and made it through to the final callback. At every single one of my seven callbacks I knew at least one of the casting directors sitting behind the table through classes I attended at BAA.</p>
<p>If anyone has any questions, I would be more than willing to answer them!
Happy New Year to all!! :)</p>