Spend Summer 2024 Training at UCLA

Join the UCLA Department of Theater Summer Institutes for a transformative experience that will allow students to expand their creative horizons in every way. Artists will train with world-renowned faculty and build a foundation in their chosen area of study while learning the art of networking. For more information, visit our website, where you'll find registration, program schedules and more.

Dolann Adams, UCLA Department of Theater's Director of Special Programs, answers your questions.

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What are the Summer Institutes and what sets these intensives apart from other college and pre-college programs?

The UCLA Department of Theater Summer Institutes are two- and three-week intensive programs that give high school and college students the opportunity to gain top-notch training from one of the best college theater programs in the country (Go Bruins!). We offer a conservatory experience that nurtures the individual artist while working collaboratively with others. Our undergraduate programs have a large focus on creating a strong ensemble and we strive to establish a similar environment for our visiting college and high school students. 

What programs do you offer?                                                                                 

This summer we are bringing back our extremely popular pre-college summer institutes in…

• Acting and Performance
• Camera Acting
• Content Creation and Scriptwriting
• Costume Design
• Lighting and Sound Design
• Scenic Design
• Musical Theater 
• Stage Management
• Voice-over and Camera Acting (college and pre-college)

And *BRAND NEW in 2024* we are adding…

• Augmented Reality — This institute is geared toward students 18 years or older and provides a mix of classroom, studio, and on-stage instruction that brings together strategies for collaborative devising of live performance with development of augmented reality (AR) that is integrated into the audience experience.  Students will have skills classes that cover conceptualization, direction, lighting, sound, and media for the stage, as well as introduction to web-based AR development.  They will then have an opportunity to take on more specialized roles in smaller groups to co-develop a final performance project.  There will be a good balance between work “on their feet” in the theater and in preparation.
•  PIT Orchestra Summer Institute— is an immersive two-week program in collaboration with the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. It is designed to equip high school musicians with the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in the dynamic world of playing in a pit orchestra. Participants will embark on a musical journey, learning the intricacies of preparing a musical production, refining sight-reading abilities, exploring the music business and various platforms in technology, and honing a wide array of musical and collaborative skills. From rehearsal techniques and orchestration to networking in the industry, this program offers a comprehensive exploration of the pit orchestra landscape and an opportunity for the musicians to perform in the culmination of a fully- staged musical.

The entertainment industry is constantly evolving. How have your institutes responded to these changes?

Throughout the past three years, the entertainment industry has had to reimagine itself to meet the demand of its audience in a pandemic and post-pandemic world.  We have adapted our institutes to ensure that every student's needs are met while preparing them  to work and meet these new expectations. 322.8Exclusive: The Opposite Of Se

 Our consistent commitment has allowed us to create groundbreaking programming across all disciplines within theater. We have had the opportunity to see students use their talents and innovation to achieve their goals through established, transformative and proven training techniques. These artists have created work that demonstrates resilience and a tenacity to excel in their craft. 

What can students expect?

Students will actively engage in various types of classes and industry workshops, from singing and Latin dance to technology, screenwriting, lighting and scenic design, orchestra lab, technology, portfolio creation and voice-over work. They will develop a broad range of new skills pertaining to their craft. For example, actors will write and create new content while learning how to edit their own recorded auditions, and costume designers will examine the process of costume design from script to performance.

Do students have to audition to take part? Do they need to be at a certain skill level before classes begin?

Yes, an audition is required for the Acting and Performance, Camera Acting, Musical Theater, Pit Orchestra and Voice-over and Camera Acting Theater Summer Institutes. All students are encouraged to apply, regardless of skill level. Our faculty is prepared to challenge every student and provide the additional training needed to elevate their craft.

Why should college and pre-college students take part in a program like this?

The UCLA Department of Theater Summer Institutes provide a safe space that allows students to create, grow artistically and collaborate while earning college credit that is transferable to universities across the country. Our instructors are committed to developing and encouraging every student so that they learn and feel empowered to make artistic choices grounded in authenticity within an experiential learning environment.

Do you have  questions about summer 2024? Need more information on one of our existing or brand new programs? Or just want to hear more about how our technical theater, pit orchestra and musical theater institutes work together? Please feel free to join us for a Q&A on Monday, Feb. 12th 2024 at 3:00 pm PST to learn more about our institutes. Click this link to register or email theatersummerinstitutes@tft.ucla.edu. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @ucla_tsi. 

 

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