Acting & Performance Summer Institute
Hone your techniques and gain real-world experience in all aspects of the creative process of theater-making
Hone your techniques and gain real-world experience in all aspects of the creative process of theater-making
The UCLA Acting and Performance Summer Institute is a three-week intensive for high school students in grades 9-12 who seek the discipline and training required for participation in a university theater program or a career in the performing arts. This institute focuses on developing artists’ talents and addressing areas of opportunity.
Due to the nature of this intensive, schedules can fluctuate. A typical week will include performance and movement-based classes in the morning, followed by afternoon rehearsals where students will gain practical experience while fully immersed in all aspects of the creative process- conceptualizing, writing and transforming ideas into dramatic action.
Beyond the classroom, artists will go on field trips and attend guest workshops that include but are not limited to stage combat, classical acting, hip-hop and casting for television and film. Students will apply the lessons and skills acquired through their experiences to their final performance showcase which is open to invited guests.
Admission to this institute is by digital audition and instructor consent. As part of the application process, each applicant must submit a letter of reference from a high school instructor verifying the applicant’s ability to successfully participate in a disciplined and rigorous theater program along with a resume. The letter of reference and resume can be uploaded during the application process.
*Please note, that all levels are encouraged to apply. Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English proficiency in the skill areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Housing is ONLY available to students who will be 17 years of age or older by June 23, 2025. NO EXCEPTIONS are made to this eligibility requirement. All students under 17 will have to commute to campus.
Program participants will earn units of credit on a letter-grading basis and will be recorded on an official University of California transcript. Please note that official transcripts are not automatically sent to students. To request a transcript, please contact the UCLA Registrar’s Office.
Theater 50; 2 units, Theater 72; 2 units
Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to June 1st, is highly recommended.
Applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within ~3 weeks.
Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:
A 500-word essay responding to the following prompt: How do you plan to impact the world through your storytelling?
A letter of recommendation from a teacher, director, or someone similar that can attest to your theatrical ability, challenges, and areas for growth.
A resume. If you do not have a resume, please submit a brief description of your theatrical and/or artistic experience.
A video of a 1- 1½ minute monologue or improvised scene of your choosing. See Video Audition Guidelines in FAQ below.
Note:
The essay will be prompted on the registration form; we recommend having your essay pre-written to copy/paste.
Both the letter of recommendation and resume can be uploaded (.pdf) during the application process.
All responses and links will not be accessible to edit in any form after submission of the application.
Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support
Qualified students attending grades 8th – 11th in Spring 2023 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.
Summer 2023 deadline to apply: March 15.
Application deadline
Enrollment Deadline
June 22nd-July 12th 2025