Hi! I’m a junior, and I am planning on majoring in either Acting or Musical Theatre. My family isn’t really in the position to send me to expensive summer programs, especially with the cost of auditioning in my senior year. Also, I am expected to work over the summer, and taking 3 weeks off would be pushing it, let alone 5 or 6 weeks like some programs require. I’m thinking about doing three sessions (3 weeks total) of my local university’s (a state flagship with an excellent music department and a pretty good theatre department) summer intensive: one week of choir, one week of Musical Theatre, and one week of Acting. It wouldn’t cost very much money for us (because I could commute), I could keep working (even if I didn’t take quite as many shifts-- my job is mostly evenings), and the training would be pretty good. Does this seem adequate for schools like NYU, CMU, UMich, or should I try to figure out a way to go to a more prestigious intensive? Will it put me at a disadvantage at auditions/in a review of my resume?
Not at all. Your plan sounds fine. Intensives are not a requirement at all. Many kids who get acceptances have not done summer programs.
My D is a student at NYU. She did an intensive in HS- but MANY of her friends there did not. Keep up your grades, work on your audition, and you will be fine
@lizcal03, this forum is for theatre majors applying to BFA Acting programs, in which acceptance is determined by audition. The article you linked is for academic programs - it’s not relevant to the OP.
@theatredancekid , all that matters is how well you do at the audition. The local intensive you describe sounds like it will give you great acting and musical theatre training at an affordable price, which is wonderful. Go for it! It doesn’t matter at all if a summer program is “prestigious” - just get good training that will enable you to give a great audition.
Summer intensives are nice but certainly not necessary. Your plan sounds good. In my opinion (2 of my kids did college summer intensives, 1 did Stagedoor Manor), I might look at putting the funds toward preparing for the audition season with a coach.
@theatredancekid Agree with earlier responses that a summer program isn’t absolutely necessary and if you can’t work it out to attend one, you’ll find other ways to keep working and growing. Meanwhile, you might want to check into the Stage Elements program offered by University of MN and the Shakespeare summer programs in Stratford, Ontario. Less expensive, less time. My D did the former and loved it, and I have heard great things about the latter. Good luck!
I am clearing out some emails and found information about Berridge Program that is based out of Normandy France… If you’re interested, below is information. I believe they are still accepting applications for their summer 2018 program. If you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer them
Berridge Programs started in 2007 under the name Acting Abroad. For eight wonderful summers we have brought young artists from around the world together with professional actors, directors, producers, choreographers, writers and filmmakers to study the craft of acting and filmmaking in the extraordinary setting of Chateau le Mont Epinguet in Normandy, France. We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality programs that offer young artists the unique opportunity to combine a performing arts camp, college residential program and study abroad experience.
Many of our students have gained admission to the college of their choice by writing and talking about their unique experience with us. Our alumni attend some of the most prestigious colleges in the world including Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt and Vassar as well as many reputable theatre programs including NYU Tisch, Carnegie Mellon, AMDA, Webster Conservatory and USC and also programs abroad at RADA, LAMDA and Drama Studio London.
We are always looking for passionate young actors. We have a very generous scholarship program and try to find a way for any kid who wants to join us in the summer to get to our program. We are now accepting applications for our Summer 2017 program. For more information please visit our website www.berridgeprograms.com
In the US Arts Bridge and MUNY are two top summer programs.
My daughter attended SUTE in the Summer before her Senior year and definitely helped her during the whole college process - from picking the programs that were for her, to working with the faculty.
https://summeruniversitytheatreexperience.com
She worked with faculty from CMU, UM, Texas State, PACE, Otterbein, USC, Syracuse, Ithaca… to name a few. They work with the students 1:1 and as a group, and suggest audition songs as well…
Great option to keep in mind.