summer intensive training
Our 4-week Summer Intensive Training Programs are designed to give promising actors an intensive skill-building experience.
Whether you are already working in the industry, studying acting in college, or still in high school, our programs are built to offer you the personalized training you need.
Classes meet weekdays and may be scheduled between 9am – 8pm ET. Students under the age of 18 will complete class by 6pm each day.*
Our class sizes are small, to maximize individual attention.
*You will be assigned to a class based on age and experience
2025 SUMMER SESSION DATES:
JUNE 2025
June Classes: June 9th – July 3rd, 2025
JULY 2025
July Classes: July 14th – August 8th, 2025
2025 SUMMER INTENSIVE SESSION COST:
Tuition: $3,650
(includes a non-refundable $400 enrollment deposit)
Tuition scholarships up to $1000 are available based on audition.
Students will also need to budget extra funding for expenses, which could include a metro card, meals and up to $75 for school supplies.
Optional housing available (Students must be 16 years old to live in school provided housing):
Shared Occupancy Room (up to 4 students per room): Cost $1,500 (Cost will include a non-refundable $300 housing deposit)
programs
Media Production for the Actor
The Summer Intensive Program in Media Production for the Actor is a four-week journey that acts as a sort of boot camp for the creative process that lives behind creating a film, from script to screen. Students will be tasked with finding their artistic voice and given the tools to create work that will be shared at the end of the four weeks. With all the participants working as actors, the focus will also be on screenwriting, directing, cinematography and editing. Participants will spend time both behind and in front of the camera. The intensive aims to immerse the students in the heart of the generative process of creation and introduce them to the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Theatre Performance
The Summer Intensive Program in Theatre Production offers actors of all levels an invigorating experience that will prepare them to fully embody characters and thrive on-stage. Course work includes: theatre history to root your performances and augment your understanding of how the past effects the present, audition classes focused on monologues, cold reads and self-tapes, and advanced acting styles that push away from naturalism and expand your range as a performer. An Industry event with a casting director and agent/manager are included during the four-week session.
Acting for Film & Television
The Summer Intensive Program in Acting for Film & Television offers actors of all levels a challenging workout as they engage in coursework that prepares them to act both on stage and screen. While the curriculum emphasizes on-camera technique in both single- and multi-camera performance, foundational support in movement and voice work is also offered. An Industry event with a casting director and agent/manager are included during the four-week session.
Coursework Overview
Acting for Film & Television Summer Intensive coursework includes classes such as:
Commercials
Students will develop their acting skills specifically geared for television commercials. Students will leave understanding the clear distinction between “commercial acting” and “acting in commercials”
Voice-Over / Microphone Technique
Students will work in front of a microphone using copy from television and radio voice-overs. Practice animation, narration, and industrial voice-over work.
Auditioning for the Camera
Students will learn how to successfully audition on-camera, using scenes from television scripts and screenplays. Discussions will cover callbacks, interviews, and evolving media such as self-taping and auditioning online.
Scene Study
Students will learn the craft required, both artistically and technically, to act on-camera. Students will learn acting fundamentals to ground and craft an authentic performance, analyze scenes, practice acting in different sized shots, learn how to deal with on-set challenges, and be able to arrive fully prepared without any rehearsal.
Actor’s Movement
Students will develop awareness of physical and mental tensions in order to clearly and compellingly express intentions and emotional point of view through physical actions. Understanding of proper alignment, kinesthetic responsiveness, psychological gesture, mind-body connection, and exploration of vocabularies to develop behavior and express a character’s inner life will be combined with other skill sets to continue the development of an expressive instrument. The pedagogies of Michael Chekhov, Viewpoints, Grotowsky, Meyerhold, Alexander, Feldenkrais, Williamson and Stage Combat principal will be utilized based on instructor preference.
Voice
Students will explore techniques for authentic expressive communication and developing clear speech and articulation. Exercises cover alignment, organic breathing, open sound, resonance, and clarity of speech.
Acting Technique
Students will explore the fundamentals of acting through script analysis, monologues, exercises, and scene work.
Musical Theatre Performance
The Summer Intensive Program in Musical Theatre introduces students to the NYCDA experience and trains students in the three components of musical theatre performance: voice, dance and acting. With an emphasis on preparing the musical theatre audition, the coursework is designed to challenge students at all levels. Industry nights with a casting director and agents are included during the four-week session, as well as a master class with a Broadway professional.
Coursework Overview
Musical Theatre Performance Summer Intensive coursework includes classes such as:
Acting
Students will explore the foundation of acting training in America using the philosophies of Stanislavski, Strasberg, Hagen, and Meisner. This exploration will be practical. Students will have a chance to participate in various exercises that come from each of these teachers’ work.
Song Performance
Students will focus on applied vocal technique to repertoire, lyric interpretation and how to present a finished song performance. Reinforcement of good vocal technique and the use of real and imagined circumstances to communicate lyrics truthfully. A group song reinforces ensemble singing and basic staging. In-class performances offer students the opportunity to use techniques learned. Basic business skills introduced: how to communicate with an accompanist, headshot, resume basics, mechanics of auditions and professional use of social media.
Monologues
Students will be assigned 2 one-minute monologues over the course of 4 weeks. Monologue(s) will be approached through analysis, research and rehearsal.
Vocal Technique
Students will learn techniques that encourage healthy singing are taught. In-class performances offer students the opportunity to use techniques learned.
Dance
Students will learn Ballet basics leading into a series of exercises across the floor and combinations in Jazz styles. An emphasis is placed on the great Jazz choreographers including but not limited to Jack Cole, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett.
Movement
Students will focus on strengthening the body to be adaptable and responsive at dance and theater movement. This workout and training focus on the different muscles needed for various genres of dance, theater and movement.
Musical Theatre Scene Study
Students will work on musical scenes assigned by the instructor. This course addresses the challenges of the scene into song. Students are put into groups of two or more and work on assigned scenes culminating in a final presentation on the last day of class.