<p>So, I am looking for a theatre program for this summer. I know there are a bunch out there, but many of them are 3-6 weeks long. I really have to work this summer and as much as I would love to do a long camp, its just not possible. I would like to find a 1-2 week program. I would love a residential camp at a college. Just because I am a high school junior and I have never attended a camp away from home, and I would like to before going off to college! I live on the east coast, so something in that area would be great.</p>
<p>I have searched the internet and so far I have found these:</p>
<p>My daughter did the summer theatre intensive at VCU in Richmond, VA last year and loved it. She took classes in acting for the camera, musical theatre, stage combat and makeup design. It is just short of 3 weeks, so may be longer than you want. She loved the opportunity to live in a dorm also. Might be worth checking out!</p>
<p>I have no direct experience with either, but I have several friends who went to the Liberty U camp. They loved it and felt they recieved amazing training for such an unknown program. The theatre buliding there is huge and one of the best I’ve seen. However, it is a christian college. I don’t know if that we’ll matter to you, because according to my friends, it doesn’t really affect any of your training, but you should be aware of that…</p>
<p>While the University of Minnesota is not on the East coast, they do have an excellent summer theater program that is only two weeks long and relatively affordable. </p>
<p>They offer short camps at a variety of college campuses around the U.S. My son went to a one-week drama camp after freshman year of high school. It was short and he was able to fit it into his other commitments and it was less expensive than other, longer programs.</p>
<p>Where are you located? If you are in the DC area check out the Summer Dinner Theater program at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. Paid internships go to college students, but many HS students participate, and somehow the department chair manages to find scholarship money so no one who enrolls for credit has to pay a cent.</p>
<p>Thanks to those who have responded to me…I am located in Delaware, So I will check out the DC program…but if is a commuter only one it’s too far! I can’t believe that it is so hard to find shorter drama programs at colleges. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info on Liberty, sounds like a solid program. The VCU one sounds good, little longer then I wanted, but maybe workable!</p>
<p>FYI…I actually spoke with someone from Milligan and they were very nice. The program is very new which is why I guess I am having trouble finding information about it, but it sounded like it was a really good program. </p>
<p>If anyone else has any info on summer programs that you could drive to in a day from Delaware please let me know!!!</p>
<p>I cannot recommend the Boston University Summer Theatre Institute (BUSTI) enough! I did it two summer’s ago and it was a truly amazing program! You’re in class ALL day every day, which for theatre kids is wonderful hahah! It’s very movement based and a lot of ensemble work – you also take a drama lit class where you study Shakespeare. The teachers are incredible nurturing but really will push you! There are tons of great programs, but I would definitely take a look at BUSTI – and if you have any questions PLEASE feel free to message me! :)</p>
<p>Hi, Drama4me–your summer program criteria are challenging! If you can stretch your timeframe by a week, the summer program at the American Shakespeare Center (3 weeks) in Staunton, VA, is absolutely superb and an easy drive from Delaware. Someone above mentioned the U. Of Minnesota program–also amazingly great and less than 2 weeks. My son has done both, so feel free to send a PM if you have questions. Yes, Minnesota is far–he flew (we’re in Virginia), but the program itself is not expensive, so that offset the cost of the plane ticket. Good luck!</p>
<p>Check out some drama schools in England. I have taken audition techniques classes in Guildford School of Acting this summer and the mock audition we had at the end of the course really helped me in my auditions this year. Besides, the audition techniques course only takes one week and the school is 35 minutes away from London which would give you the opportunity to watch amazing plays.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the info…I will check out the VA one…the England program is a little far for me. I am surprised that there are not more shorter programs at colleges! I never thought it would be this hard!!</p>
<p>Look up Interlochen in Michigan! They fufilled my entire financial aid request and offer priceless opportunities! All I know about Liberty is that it’s a very religious school-- if that has any effect on your decision process.</p>
<p>I also attended the Boston University Summer Theatre Institute (BUSTI) and cannot recommend it enough. One thing to be aware of though: it is NOT a Musical Theatre program, it is a Theatre Arts program. As someone pursuing MT in the fall, this caught me (as well as some other students) by surprise, but we all still loved the program. All the students who attended the 2011 program are still in constant communication via Facebook (we have a BUSTI 2011 group) and I still see friends regularly. The program is extremely intensive and there is no room for slack.</p>
<p>BUSTI is ensemble oriented and very focused on movement. Classes are six days a week and the program culminates in a student-created showcase. Last summer, our artistic muse was Dale Chihuly. The program encourages creative license and artistic merit. Also, Boston is a wonderful theatre city; we went on regular outings that included a dance show and attending the national tour of West Side Story. As intensive as BUSTI is, it is still an extremely supportive and nurturing environment. </p>
<p>As for Boston University: BU is a very safe school. The school has curfews set in place and there are bed checks. The dorms are single sex (this is very strictly enforced) and you’re really only inside the dorms late at night or on Sunday (the only day we don’t have classes). But even on Sunday, there is usually some planned outing. </p>
<p>I’d be more than happy to answer any specific questions!</p>