Top 13 Summer Theater Programs for High School Students in 2025–2026

Summer theater programs for high school students let you dive into college-style acting, voice, movement, directing, and even behind-the-scenes production work. You’ll train with real industry pros, build a stronger portfolio, and gain experience that looks amazing on college applications.

In this blog, we’re breaking down the best summer theater programs for high school students—what they offer, who can apply, and how each one can help you grow as an artist.

• What Are the Best Summer Theater Programs for High School Students?
• NYU Tisch – Summer High School (Drama)
• Carnegie Mellon University – Pre-College Drama
• Boston Conservatory at Berklee – Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI)
• Summer Performing Arts with Julliard
• USC School of Dramatic Arts – Summer Theatre Conservatory: Musical Theatre
• Interlochen Arts Camp – Theater Division
• UCLA – Acting & Performance Summer Institute
• Northwestern University “Cherubs” – Theatre Arts Division
• UNCSA Drama Summer Intensive
• ArtsBridge Summer – Dramatic Acting & Musical Theater
• Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center
• Idyllwild Arts – Theatre Intensive: The Play’s the Thing
• Atlantic Acting School – Summer Teen Conservatory
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Summer Theater Programs for High School Students?

The best summer theater programs for high school students offer real conservatory-style training, incredible mentors, and an authentic taste of college-level performing arts life.

You can expect classes in acting technique, voice and speech, movement, character development, audition prep, and even behind-the-scenes production.

Joining a serious summer theater program shows colleges that you’re dedicated to your craft—something admissions officers love to see. And the coolest part? You’ll be learning directly from faculty and working artists from some of the nation’s top BFA and BA theater programs, so you know you’re getting top-tier training.

Not sure which program is right for you yet? No stress—we’ve rounded up 13 of the very best summer theater programs to help you discover the perfect match for your goals.

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. NYU Tisch – Summer High School (Drama)

• Dates: July 5 – August 1, 2026
• Location: New York, NY
• Cost: $12,012: Tuition + program fees, housing, meals, and ticket fees

If you’d like to experience training at one of the world’s most famous performing arts schools, the NYU Tisch Summer High School Drama Program is a four-week conservatory-style program that offers intensive, college-level drama training right in the heart of New York City. This program uses the same curriculum taught in Tisch’s BFA program, condensed into one exciting (and very busy!) month.

You’ll spend 28 hours a week in the studio you choose, whether it’s the Atlantic Acting School, the Experimental Theatre Wing, Meisner, New Studio on Broadway (Musical Theatre), Production and Design, or Stonestreet Screen Acting.

Classes run the whole day Monday through Friday,  with evenings and weekends filled with rehearsals, homework, masterclasses, and trips to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Students also take the New York Theatre seminar, taught by NYU faculty, and earn 6 transferable college credits.

To apply, you must be at least 15 and a current sophomore or junior with a minimum 3.0 GPA. No audition is required, but the application includes essays, transcripts, two recommendations, and a creative résumé. Tisch also offers limited need-based scholarships, making this prestigious experience accessible for students with financial need.

2. Carnegie Mellon University – Pre-College Drama

• Dates: June 20 – August 1, 2026
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Cost: $12,303: Residential • $8,974: Commuter + $50 application fee

Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Drama Program is a six-week conservatory-style program that is perfect for students  who want serious, professional-level training in acting, musical theater, or design and production.

Students pick one of three tracks: Acting, Musical Theater, or Design/Production. Acting and MT students spend their days working on monologues, songs, Acting for the Camera, voice and speech, movement, Shakespeare, song coaching, and audition techniques. Musical theater students take the same classes, plus ballet and jazz, with placement based on their experience.

Design/Production students dive into the technical side of theater, building a portfolio through classes in lighting, sound, design, stage management, fabrication, and more. CMU emphasizes process—so while you don’t have a final production, you still walk away with stronger skills, deeper artistic habits, and a polished audition toolkit you can use for college applications.

To apply, you must be 16 years old by June 20, 2026 and currently in 10th or 11th grade. Auditions aren’t required. Instead, the application includes a transcript, a recommendation letter, and three short essays. CMU offers full-ride scholarships for U.S. students who apply by the early deadline, making this prestigious experience accessible to students from all backgrounds.

3. Boston Conservatory at Berklee – Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI)

• Dates: July 6 – July 24, 2026
• Location: Boston, MA
• Cost: $3,100: Tuition • $2,400: Housing • $50: Application fee

The Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) is a conservatory-style program for students aged 15-25. You’ll train with Boston Conservatory faculty, exploring character development and storytelling, and developing performance skills that make you an unforgettable (rather than just a good) performer.

Throughout the three-week program, you’ll rotate through classes like Shakespeare, scene study, physical character, acting for the camera, vocal ensemble, storytelling through dance, and even clowning. A huge focus is audition prep—you’ll refine one to two audition pieces and leave with polished material you can use for college prescreens or professional auditions.

To join this summer theater program for high school students, you’ll submit an application with monologues, songs, and a creative piece that shows who you are as an artist. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, but applying by February 1 gets you priority consideration. Housing is available, but slots fill up fast.

4. Summer Performing Arts With Juilliard

• Dates: June 28–July 11, 2026 (Drama, Piano, Voice): Session 1 • July 12–July 25, 2026 (Dance, Musical Theater): Session 2
  
• Location: Windermere Preparatory School, Orlando, FL
• Cost: $7,050 (per session): Boarding + $5,090 (per session): Day program + $100: Application fee (15% discount for NAE students)

Want to spend your summer training like a real Juilliard artist? Summer Performing Arts With Juilliard is a two-week immersive festival for students ages 12–18, offering intensives in dance, drama, musical theater, piano, and voice. Instead of being on the Juilliard campus, the program takes place at the state-of-the-art Cypress Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando—but the faculty, training, and expectations mirror Juilliard-level rigor.

No matter your major, you’ll get college-level training from Juilliard alumni, faculty, and top industry pros, plus interdisciplinary exposure (like dancers learning acting tools, or voice majors performing in ensembles). Students can attend one or both sessions, and boarding students get to stay in gorgeous on-site townhouses with planned excursions. To apply to this summer theater program for high school students, you’ll need at least three years of experience in your chosen major and availability for the full program session.

5. USC School of Dramatic Arts – Summer Theatre Conservatory: Musical Theatre

• Dates: June 22 – July 17, 2026
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Cost: $11,570: Residential • $8,130: Commuter

If you want a theatre-intensive summer in the heart of Los Angeles, the USC Summer Theatre Conservatory: Musical Theatre is an immersive summer theater program for high school students that puts you right where the action is. As a Summer Trojan, you’ll spend four weeks training in music, movement, and acting with USC faculty whose resumes span Broadway, the West End, television, and film.

You’ll dive into dance, vocal performance, acting technique, and audition prep, working on everything from musical subtext to sheet music preparation. Each week brings new focus areas—ensemble singing, Great American Songbook work, dance technique, and even field trips to places like Sony Pictures Studios and LA’s top theatres. The program ends with a showcase performance attended by faculty, peers, and families.

Admission requires a vocal audition video with two 32-bar musical theatre selections (one up-tempo, one ballad), plus proper dance attire and your own laptop. Students must have completed 9th grade by the program start date, and international students must meet English proficiency requirements.

6. Interlochen Arts Camp – Theatre Division

• Dates: June 28–July 18 or July 19–Aug 9: Three-week sessions • June 28–Aug 9: Six-week sessions • June 20–June 26: One-week intensives
• Location: Interlochen, Michigan
• Cost: $2,050: 1-week intensive • $5,250: 2-week session • $7,265: 3-week session • $8,300: 4-week session • $10,350: 6-week session

A summer full of acting, singing, dancing, or designing the sets that make a show come alive is what defines the Interlochen Arts Camp. With nearly two dozen theatre programs—from quick one-week intensives to full six-week repertory productions—you get to choose exactly how deep you want to dive into the arts, making this summer theater program for high school students accessible to anyone, regardless of level of interest.

For instance, Interlochen’s six-week theatre production gives an intense but incredibly rewarding conservatory-style experience since the sessions let you rehearse and perform full-scale shows.

High school students can focus on Acting, Musical Theatre, or Design & Production, all taught by amazing faculty and guest artists who’ve actually done the work onstage and backstage. One moment you might be cracking open a Shakespeare monologue, the next you’re learning choreography, designing costumes, or rehearsing a full musical number with your cast.

Most theatre programs require an audition or portfolio, and students who apply by the January 15 priority deadline get full consideration for admission and merit scholarships. Interlochen also has strong financial support—85% of students who applied received aid last summer, totaling more than $5.1 million.

If you’d like to learn more about Interlochen Arts Camp—including programs, admissions tips, and financial aid—check out our full guide.

7. UCLA – Acting & Performance Summer Institute

• Dates: June 21 – July 10, 2026
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Cost: 2026 costs TBD (2025 commuter total is $4,961)

UCLA’s Acting & Performance Summer Institute is a three-week intensive built for high schoolers (grades 9–12) who want to sharpen their craft while getting a real taste of what college theater training feels like.

Mornings are packed with movement, performance, and technique classes, and afternoons are dedicated to rehearsals. Beyond the studio, you’ll jump into specialty workshops like stage combat, hip-hop, classical acting, and even casting for TV and film. Students also head out on field trips and wrap up the program with a final performance showcase for invited guests.

Admission to this summer theater program for high school students is competitive and based on a digital audition (a 1- to 1.5-minute monologue), a recommendation letter, a résumé, and a short essay. Students must be 15–19 years old by the start of the program, and international students must meet specific English proficiency requirements.

8. Northwestern University “Cherubs” – Theatre Arts Division

• Dates: June 28 – August 1, 2026
• Location: Evanston, Illinois
• Cost: 2026 tuition TBD (historically comparable to past NHSI program fees)

Northwestern’s Theatre Arts Division—better known as Cherubs—is one of the most iconic and competitive summer theater programs in the country. For five intensive weeks, you’ll train on a top-10 performing arts campus and work with professional directors, designers, and teaching artists.

Every morning, all Cherubs—regardless of track—take the two signature “core classes”: Acting and Voice & Movement. You’ll then meet for a division-wide session featuring guest artists, Northwestern admissions visits, and important program updates.

After lunch, the program branches into three tracks: Performance, Musical Theatre, and Stage Management & Design/Tech. Performance students explore electives like Shakespeare, directing, auditioning, or playwriting; MT students dig into dance and acting the song; and SMDT students receive hands-on training in stage management, lighting, costuming, and design theory.

Evenings are dedicated to rehearsals for a fully produced 60-minute play, where students from all tracks collaborate, mirroring a true professional production process.

Admission is selective, and rising seniors receive priority. Applicants must be strong students (typically top 30%) and show clear passion or experience in theatre. The application includes a $60 fee, résumé, transcript, recommendation, and two essays (three for MT).

9. UNCSA Drama Summer Intensive

• Dates: June 21 – July 11, 2026
• Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Cost: $4,116: Residential • $2,483: Commuter + $50 application fee & $200 deposit

The UNCSA Drama Summer Intensive, run by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ world-famous School of Drama, is a three-week “Drama College Prep Conservatory” that lets you live and train like a BFA student while working with UNCSA faculty and guest artists (including Broadway-level pros).

Students ages 15–18 choose between two tracks: Acting or Musical Theatre. Both tracks share a seriously focused daily schedule, with most days being full—from movement and dance in the mornings to open rehearsal time in the evenings.

The Acting Track leans into text work, heightened language, monologues, movement, and on-camera skills. The Musical Theatre Track adds private voice lessons, MT/Jazz dance, ensemble work, and audition prep for both songs and monologues. Both tracks end in a final showcase of student work.

Admission is audition-based and spots are limited (about 75 students total), so applying early is important. Applicants submit an online application and video audition: two contrasting monologues for Acting, or a 32-bar MT song plus a contemporary monologue for Musical Theatre.

UNCSA doesn’t offer its own scholarships for this program, but strongly encourages students to seek outside funding.

10. ArtsBridge Summer – Dramatic Acting & Musical Theater

• Dates: July 17 – July 31, 2026
• Location: Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio
• Cost: $4,600: Tuition • $1,650: Room & board

ArtsBridge Summer is a two-week intensive built for rising seniors. Think of it as a mini conservatory where you get trained by real professors from top programs like NYU, Penn State, Juilliard, and Michigan.

You can choose between two theater tracks: Musical Theater or Dramatic Acting. Either way, expect busy days packed with classes like Acting the Song, MT Dance, vocal technique, movement, audition prep, Shakespeare, viewpoints, and tons of monologue and song coaching.

You’ll also get private “prep your rep” sessions where faculty help you perfect and polish your audition book. Class sizes stay small, so you actually get the attention you need to grow.

Students do initial assessments, get individual feedback throughout the program, and wrap up with a final mock audition.

ArtsBridge Summer is open to students 15 and up, but the MT program is mainly for rising seniors. You apply through Acceptd, where you submit an audition, along with a résumé, transcript, recommendation, and essays, depending on your track. They also offer need-based financial aid and fee waivers, with scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition.

11. Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center

• Dates: June 15 – July 5, 2026: Session 1 • July 6 – July 26, 2026: Session 2 • July 27 – August 16, 2026: Session 3
• Location: Loch Sheldrake, New York
• Cost: $6,995 per session • $12,995 for two sessions

Stagedoor Manor is one of the most iconic summer theater programs for high school students. Students from every U.S. state (and six continents!) fly in just to be part of the experience.

At Stagedoor, everyone performs—you audition once you get to camp, and every camper is cast in a full production. You also get to customize your schedule with classes like jazz, tap, acting, voice, movement, and more.

Want to try a musical one session and a straight play the next? Go for it. The directors, choreographers, and vocal coaches all have tons of experience working with young actors, so you’re learning from the real deal.

Stagedoor is open to performers ages 10–18, and high schoolers make up a huge part of the community. But slots fill up every single year—sometimes super early.

Admissions are first-come, first-served, and you’ll need a $1,500 deposit to secure your spot (with $500 non-refundable deposit). There are no auditions required to apply and no scholarships available, so early planning is key. International students are welcome too, and Stagedoor can help with airport pick-up.

12. Idyllwild Arts – Theatre Intensive: The Play’s the Thing

• Dates: June 28 – July 11, 2026
• Location: Idyllwild, California
• Cost: $5,275: Residential • $2,675: Day (Commuter)

This two-week Idyllwild Arts theatre intensive takes place on a forest campus and is open to teens aged 14-17 of all skill levels. The Play’s The Thing focuses on acting technique, ensemble-building, voice work, and rehearsal process.

Students are cast in a show on day three, then rehearse daily. If the production is Shakespeare, you’ll even study his world and watch a filmed performance to deepen your understanding. The intensive also includes a field trip to see a live show.

In general, you’ll spend your days doing theater games, movement work, vocal warm-ups, and scene study—and by the end of camp, you’ll perform a fully produced play for an audience of family and friends.

This program is open admission, but each student submits a 1-minute Shakespeare monologue video before camp. However, admissions officers don’t treat this as an audition. Instead, it’s only used to help faculty understand your skill level and cast the show appropriately.

Idyllwild Arts also offers generous financial aid—including need-based support, Native American youth scholarships, and merit awards in music and dance—so motivated students can access the program regardless of cost.

13. Atlantic Acting School – Summer Teen Conservatory

• Dates: July 6 – 31, 2026
• Location: New York, NY
• Cost: $3,250

If you’re dreaming about spending your summer training like a real conservatory student in NYC, the Atlantic Teen Conservatory is a four-week intensive that centers on Practical Aesthetics (the same technique taught in Atlantic’s full-time conservatory and at NYU Tisch), giving you hands-on training every day from working professionals who truly know the craft. If you apply early—by November 15, 2025—and submit your deposit by December 22, you’ll score a $500 Early Decision discount.

You’ll take classes in acting, movement, voice, speech, Shakespeare, monologue work, script analysis, and on-camera audition technique. Many alumni go on to top theater programs like Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, BU, Yale, and NYU Tisch.

Admission requires an audition and a small application package (recommendation, headshot, résumé, essay, and a one-minute monologue video). Financial support options also exist through Atlantic’s Institutional Financial Aid program.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best summer theater programs for high school students?

The best summer theater programs for high school students offer real conservatory-style training, professional faculty, and a taste of college-level theater. Top choices include NYU Tisch, Carnegie Mellon Pre-College, Northwestern Cherubs, Interlochen, Boston Conservatory MTAI, UNCSA, ArtsBridge Summer, UCLA, Idyllwild Arts, and Atlantic Acting School. These programs help students grow quickly in acting, musical theatre, or design/tech.

2. Are there free or low-cost theater summer programs?

While most intensives charge tuition, many provide strong financial aid. Interlochen awards millions each year, Idyllwild Arts offers need-based and special scholarships, and CMU, NYU, UCLA, and ArtsBridge all provide aid or fee waivers. Early applicants may also receive discounts, like Atlantic’s $500 early decision offer.

3. What subjects do theater summer programs typically cover?

Examples of subjects that theater summer programs typically cover include acting technique, movement, voice, Shakespeare, script analysis, monologue work, audition prep, and ensemble training. Musical theatre tracks add dance and vocal performance, while some programs offer design/tech, directing, or on-camera training.

4. How can theater summer programs help with college admissions?

Theater summer programs help with college admissions by helping students build polished audition material, demonstrate commitment to their craft, and train directly with faculty from top BFA/BA programs. Many participants earn strong recommendations, improve prescreen portfolios, and gain confidence for college auditions.

5. When should I apply for theater summer programs?

Applications typically open in the fall with deadlines from December to March. Competitive or audition-based programs fill quickly, so applying early increases your chances—especially if you want financial aid or early-decision discounts.

Takeaways

• Summer theater programs for high school students offer true conservatory-level training, giving you the chance to study acting, musical theatre, and design/tech with faculty from top BFA and BA programs across the country.
• These programs strengthen your college audition toolkit, helping you refine monologues, songs, movement work, and on-camera skills while building a portfolio that stands out in competitive performing arts admissions.
• Financial aid is widely available, with many summer theater programs—such as Interlochen, Idyllwild Arts, CMU, UCLA, and ArtsBridge—offering need-based scholarships, merit awards, or discounted early-decision options.
• Each program gives you a taste of the real performing arts world, from daily studio classes and rehearsals to final showcases and full productions, making these theater summer programs a powerful way to grow creatively and discover the right path for your future.
• Ready to take the next step? Work with our Private Consulting Program to strengthen your applications, perfect your audition materials, and get expert guidance on choosing the best theater summer programs for high school students for your goals.