<p>I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for any schools with programs in technical theater or production management on the west coast. We just returned from NYC and Boston where my daughter loved NYU Tisch and Emerson College. Reading posts to this site, I’ve been able to list other schools, too, but we live in California and would love to find something closer to home if possible.</p>
<p>I’d also like to know if anyone can recommend a west coast summer program in tech theater for h.s. students? My daughter is a rising junior.</p>
<p>Finally, I would love to hear from anyone with first-hand experience with any of these schools. Did your child apply? With what success? Did they actually attend? How did it go? Do you know of any working professionals from these schools? </p>
<p>Thanks, much. Nice to hear from other parents.</p>
<p>theater mom, I believe that several of the schools in CSU system offer design/production programs. A friend of mine is currently enrolled in the program at Fullerton.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it does not appear that any of these schools run a pre-college program. Here are the programs I could find. This list is by no means exhaustive.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Program - six week program in Pittsburgh, PA. Fin aid available for minority students. I attended this program in 2005 and was offered admission for fall 2006 (about half of the tech participants get this offer).
Adelphi Summer Theatre Intensive - 11 day program in Garden City, NY. Courses include scenic construction, mechanical drafting, scenic painting and lighting technology.
Alfred University Theater Institute for High School Students - two week program in Alfred, NY. Focus on two or three areas, including costumes, scenery, lighting, props, and stage managing.
Interlochen Arts Camp Theatre Design and Technology - six week program in Interlochen, MI. Students have crew position assignments and spend the majority of the program creating portfolio pieces.
Simpson College Summer Theatre - High School - one week program in Indianola, IA. Consists of performance based and production based workshops (must take part in all classes).</p>
<p>If these programs don’t work for you (most have tuition costs of nearly $1000/week, not including travel costs and any additional costs like art supplies), consider volunteering for a local theatre. Ushers are almost always needed, and give a good foot in the door. You could also try taking classes at a community college, which often have summer session productions.</p>
<p>I know you just said you’d like to look on the West Coast as well, but my friend is in this major at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts, and it appears to be both very rigorous and very good, judging by the amount of time she spends at the theatre. BU also has a huge, beautiful Hillel (us goyim are jealous), with Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative services available for anyone on campus.</p>
<p>My other friend went to Interlochen (as mentioned by the previous poster) and she wouldn’t stop talking about it for like 4 months after school started. She went for harp, but her compliments were so numerous and glowing that I assume going for any program would be enjoyable.</p>