Summer Institute Theater

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July 11–July 29, 2022

Three weeks
Three college credits
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & evening rehearsals

Join us in Center City Philadelphia, one of the nation’s largest theater destinations, for three weeks of immersive study. You’ll choose one of three tracks: Acting; Musical Theater; or Directing, Playwriting and Production. Modeled after the renowned UArts college experience, this program trains artists looking for individualized and hybrid opportunities to write, direct, design and produce, in addition to being on stage.

UArts' response to COVID-19 is developing. Masking is required on campus and all in-person events. To learn more about how UArts' coronavirus response applies to the Summer Institute experience, visit our Community Health Policy.

Student Experience

Join our community of theater artists this summer and experience master classes, performances, collaborations and more!

Student Experience /

Join our community of theater artists this summer and experience master classes, performances, collaborations and more!

Theater students sit on a bed on stage and laugh during a performance

Theater students stand in a circle and emote in the classroom

Theater students throw their hands and leg into the air on stage

Theater students watch their instructor in the classroom

Theater students sit across from one another during an exercise

Theater students discuss their scripts in the classroom

Two students sit next to each other and perform their scene in front of the class

Theater students stand in a line in the classroom

Students sit with their scripts and discuss in the classroom

Theater students sing on stage during a performance

Overview

Through a rigorous college-level curriculum, you’ll develop skills in crafting character and scene work, grasp the potential of your voice as an instrument and develop a vibrant stage presence. You’ll also explore track-specific courses that address your individual needs and other courses that span a wide range of theatrical disciplines.

Receive training from our distinguished faculty and participate in master classes with award-winning theater artists. Our faculty are currently working on Broadway, off Broadway, in film and TV, and in major regional theaters.

At the end of this program, students will

leave with audition-ready materials and preparation.
demonstrate a richer understanding and appreciation of theater-making through command of a common vocabulary.
express a deeper level of comfort performing individually, with partners and through exercises, monologues and/or scene work.
be able to connect the body, breath and voice for a free, clear, strong and authentic vocal expression through acting performance, presentation, public speaking and singing.
be able to serve as an active and constructive member of a studio atmosphere, supporting and challenging classmates through discussion, collaboration and feedback.

Programming

Core Classes

You’ll receive the following core training.

Acting Studio

Practical approaches to crafting character and scene work are combined with techniques designed to build physical and emotional stamina and encourage the spirit of play and risk that are necessary for developing a vibrant and engaging stage presence.

Collaborative Process

Focusing on the journey rather than the destination, this course expands your definitions of what theater can be and how it can be made.

Audition Techniques

You’ll learn the technique of auditioning, and explore it from the perspectives of the auditioner and the adjudicator.

Tracks

You’ll focus your training by selecting a track of study: Acting; Musical Theater; or Directing, Playwriting and Production. Tracks allow you to deepen your study with major-specific courses, some of which are listed below.

Musical Theater

Musical Theater Dance
Musical Theater Performance

Acting

Improvisation
Shakespeare

Directing, Playwriting and Production

Directing
Playwriting

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Further your exploration through a wide range of electives and workshops with visiting artists from Philadelphia’s and New York’s professional theater markets.

Elective topics may include Arts Management, Clown, Design, Disobedient Theater, Movement, Playwriting, Rasaboxes, Rock and Pop, Script Analysis, The Singing Instrument, Songwriting, Stage Management, Viewpoints and Vocal Ensemble.

Previous visiting artists have included

Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer Cesar Alvarez;
Tony Award-nominated actors Forrest McClendon and Rob McClure;
Barrymore Award-winning artists Alex Bechtel, Ben Dibble and Justin Jain; and
the internationally renowned Pig Iron Theatre Company.

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Monday

9–9:30 a.m. Warmup
9:30–11 a.m. Musical Theater Dance, Improvisation or Directing
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Acting Studio
2– 4 p.m Audition Techniques
4–5:30 p.m. Electives or Workshop

Tuesday

9–9:30 a.m. Warmup
9:30–11 a.m. Collaborative Process
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Acting Studio
2– 4 p.m Musical Theater Performance, Shakespeare or Playwriting
4–5:30 p.m. Electives or Workshop

Wednesday

9–9:30 a.m. Warmup
9:30–11 a.m. Musical Theater Dance, Improvisation or Directing
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Acting Studio
2– 4 p.m. Audition Techniques
4–5:30 p.m. Electives or Workshop

Thursday

9–9:30 a.m. Warmup
9:30–11 a.m. Collaborative Process
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Acting Studio
2–4 p.m. Musical Theater Performance, Shakespeare or Playwriting
4–5:30 p.m. Electives or Workshop

Friday

9–9:30 a.m. Warmup
9:30–11 a.m. Master Class
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Play in a Day or Rehearsal
2–5:30 p.m. Play in a Day or Rehearsal

Saturday

Optional off-campus field trips

Note: Students break for lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. every day. Some evening activities are part of this program’s curriculum. Evening rehearsals will take place during the final week of the program. Commuters should plan accordingly.

Faculty

Courses in the Summer Institute Theater program are taught by theater professionals, actors and specialty artists. The majority of our faculty teach in the degree programs at UArts. Our expert faculty is comprised of seasoned educators and dedicated artists who enjoy sharing their expertise and collaborating with the next generation of actors, playwrights, directors and artists.

Stearn Matthews in front of a gray curtain and dressed in a navy dress shirt and a pink and black and white bow tie

Stearns Matthews

Theater - Musical Theater (BFA)

Alex Bechtel

Theater - Musical Theater (BFA)

Jessica Bedford

Allison Heishman

Julia Kershetsky

Nicole Renna

Ben Smallen

Rob Tucker

How to Apply

The last day to apply was May 15, 2022

Tuition and Fees

Tuition: $3,400
Program Fee: $150
Housing and Meals: $1,390

Commuter Total: $3,550
Residential Total: $4,940

Supplies
Students are expected to bring supplies with them or purchase them once they arrive on campus. Supply lists will be shared one month prior to the start of the program with cost estimates.

Spending & Miscellaneous Expenses
Students spend an average of $80–$100 per week on additional items including laundry, snacks, personal spending and non-required supplies.

Scholarships

Scholarships for the Summer Institute are awarded to students in high academic standing with significant creative potential and financial need. Scholarship awards are competitive. Students are able to apply for either a merit- or need-based scholarship.

Learn about Summer Institute scholarships.

The feeling of being surrounded by peers and professionals who shared my enthusiasm and desire to create art was overwhelmingly positive for my wellbeing and creative ability. The amount of growth I felt in my artistry and personal identity was truly empowering.

— Chenoa Yelle ’25 (Acting), ’19 (Summer Institute)

Learn about Pre-College alumni and where they are now.