UCLA Acting and Performance Summer Institute: A Comprehensive Review

The UCLA Acting and Performance Summer Institute offers aspiring artists a chance to hone their skills. Specifically, the UCLA Intermediate Acting Summer Institute is a four-week intensive designed for those seeking to strengthen their abilities both in front of the camera and on stage. This article delves into the details of the program, its curriculum, faculty, and overall value for aspiring actors.

Program Overview

The Intermediate Acting Summer Institute at UCLA is an 8-unit intensive program. The program emphasizes practical skills. Every student will walk away with the tools to relate to the camera lens, approach to understanding a script along with identifying specific choices that can be made to prepare and connect in the audition room.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Admission to the program is by digital audition and instructor consent. Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the first day of the Summer quarter. As part of the application process, each applicant must submit an unofficial transcript along with a resume. To participate in the Intermediate Acting Summer Institute, applicants must apply and receive acceptance into the program.

The audition requires a video submission. This video should include a slate and a one to one-and-a-half minute monologue or improvised scene. Prompts are provided. The instructions for filming the monologue emphasize clarity and focus. Frame it so that you are facing the camera for a medium to close up shot. Use your best judgment for what will work best for your monologue. If you will be moving during your monologue, a medium shot may be better. You may choose to speak into the camera or slightly off-camera. The guidelines explicitly state that high production value is not a priority, and students may film using a phone or tablet. Do not send prior performances or tapings from plays. Do not put pressure on yourself to deliver the “perfect” audition. The video should be uploaded to a private link on YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar platform, with the password provided for access.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The Intermediate Acting Summer Institute is a commuter program. There is NO on-campus housing available for the Intermediate Acting Summer Institute through the institute program or UCLA Summer Sessions. Participants must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information is provided upon acceptance. Summer Sessions parking permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Upon completion, students will receive a letter grade. International students may enroll in the Intermediate Acting. The schedule and syllabus are subject to change. The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California.

Faculty Highlights

The program boasts a faculty of experienced professionals.

Lorene Chesley: A native of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. She grew up studying ballet and tap but quickly segued her love for performance into acting. Credits include “June” in the world premiere of Feeding Beatrice at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, “Marsha” in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike ( Crescent City Stage), “Valerie Johnston” in Smart people ( Arena Stage), “ Marian Almond” in the Heiress ( Arena Stage). TV credits include The Young and the Restless (CBS), Grownish ( Freeform), Shameless ( Showtime), and the Fosters (Freeform). Lorene also released her first book The Perfectly Imperfect Christian. She studied theatre at Temple University and earned an M.F.A.

Rogelio Douglas III: A Black and Afro-Costarricense multi-hyphenate artist: actor, spoken-word poet, educator, writer. The Brooklyn, NY native earned his M.F.A in Acting from UCLA TFT, and now resides in Los Angeles. Recently performed in Moliere’s Tartuffe (Laguna Playhouse), The Talented Tenth (Robey Theatre Company), The Inheritance (Geffen Playhouse), and Picnic (Odyssey Theatre). Most recent onscreen credits include: They Listen (Blumhouse Productions), and Space Lightning (Amazon Prime/Yippee). Rogelio also has a lot of experience in TV and voiceover, most recently being heard dubbing English for Rhythm + Flow France S2 & S3 on Netflix. RD3 is an instructor at the Theater of Arts Drama Conservatory - Hollywood and a lecturer at UCLA TFT.

David Kepner: A multi-hyphenate talent based in Los Angeles, wearing hats as an actor, director, and creator. With degrees and credentials from both UCLA (MFA) and Boise State (BA), he’s thriving on teaching and sharing relevant knowledge with anybody who’ll listen, especially students who understand his niche humor. Heading into his fifth year as program coordinator for UCLA TSI, David can’t wait to witness the inflow of extraordinary talent while also helping make every student’s UCLA journey unforgettable.

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Avery Clyde: An American actress known for strong, intellectual characters. “She can save or steal your baby or your business”. Known for her character Kathy Zelden on Amazon’s Bosch; it was the first time she played a character from a book series: Michael Connelly’s 4th book; Tale of Two Truths. Fun fact: Her first recurring role on Dawson’s Creek, she played a guidance counselor and was often younger than the actors she was “counseling”. TV: Tale of Santa Muerte (serial podcast), Bosch, Shameless, S.W.A.T. Avery has received numerous awards for her work, a testament to her talent.

Shinelle Azoroh: An actor, writer, and director known for her emotionally rich performances and bold storytelling. Her work spans film and television, with credits including The Good Doctor (ABC), DON’T LET GO, NOSTALGIA, and the Oscar-nominated short DEKALB ELEMENTARY. A graduate of The American Conservatory Theater, Shinelle also created and stars in the YouTube series ROXIE WOLFGANG.

Insights into UCLA's Film Program (TFT)

While the Intermediate Acting Summer Institute focuses specifically on acting, many applicants may also be interested in UCLA's broader film program (TFT - School of Theater, Film and Television). The following information provides some context and insights.

Reputation and Rankings

UCLA TFT is consistently ranked among the top film schools in the nation. Despite some potentially negative articles or concerns, it often holds a high position in "best film schools" rankings. However, it's important to look beyond rankings and consider the specifics of the program.

Undergraduate Program Considerations

Applying to UCLA TFT as a freshman undergraduate for screenwriting/production can be competitive. Some applicants have noted a lack of specific information available during the research phase. Communication from TFT and UCLA may sometimes leave something to be desired.

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Program Size and Admit Rates

The screenwriting admit rate is very competitive. The number of students admitted to TFT can be small.

Virtual Information Sessions

Some applicants have found virtual information sessions to be vague or lacking in detail. The admission officer said I can make as many movies as I would like. She was vague about the one-sentence answer she gave. She didn’t elaborate on what resources the program would provide, what filmmaking aspects we would learn in specific courses, etc. Some felt that the information provided wasn't as comprehensive as that offered by other film schools.

Alternative Options: Chapman's Dodge

Some applicants who are admitted to both UCLA TFT and other programs, such as Chapman's Dodge, may consider the strengths of each. While UCLA is highly ranked, other programs might offer a better fit based on individual needs and learning styles.

Comparison with Other Summer Acting Programs

To provide a broader perspective, here's a comparison of the UCLA Intermediate Acting Summer Institute with other summer acting programs:

ArtsBridge Summer Programs: These programs offer intensives in dramatic acting, musical theater, and screen acting. ArtsBridge focuses on preparing students for conservatory-style actor training and the college audition process.

AMDA High School Summer Conservatory: AMDA offers intensives in Musical Theatre and Acting for Stage and Screen. Students work with experienced performers and directors and leave the program with valuable material for their reels.

Berklee College of Music, Musical Theater Workshop: This workshop provides professional-level training in voice, dance, acting, and audition technique for students aged 15 and older.

Boston Conservatory Programs: Boston Conservatory offers intensives in Musical Theater Acting and Musical Theater Dance, focusing on character development, audition techniques, and triple-threat performance skills.

Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensives: BAA offers one-week intensives with advanced Master Classes in Voice, Acting, or Dance, culminating in industry showcases.

BroadwayEvolved NYC Summer Intensive: This program offers personalized training in acting, dance, vocal health, college prep, and audition prep for students ages 14 to 18.

Carnegie Mellon University, Pre-College Drama: This 6-week program offers focuses in Acting, Music Theater, and Design/Production, preparing students for the college audition and interview process.

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts: This camp offers programs in theater, dance, music, and more, with opportunities for campers to participate in full-scale productions and take classes in various acting techniques.

Interlochen Arts Camp: Interlochen offers a variety of summer theatre programs for students grades 3 to 12, including musical theatre, acting, costume design, and production.

Summer Theatre Conservatory at Ithaca College: This conservatory offers intensive musical theatre training and prepares students for the college audition process.

La Jolla Playhouse Conservatory: This program provides students grades 10 to 12 with professional training in acting, scene study, voice and speech, and ensemble-devised performance.

Marymount Manhattan, Musical Theatre Program: This program provides individualized coaching and a supportive learning community, focusing on script analysis, acting choices, and audition techniques.

The Muny Summer Intensive: This program offers a three-week immersive experience at a professional theater, with opportunities to rehearse alongside a professional cast and take master classes with industry professionals.

Neighborhood Playhouse, Six Week Summer Acting Intensive: This intensive focuses on the Meisner Technique and includes coursework in acting, voice and speech, acting for camera, and dance.

Northwestern University, National High School Institute (Cherubs): This program offers immersive, hands-on exploration into stage performance and production, with students receiving training from professional theatre practitioners.

NYU, Tisch, Summer High School: This program offers college-level courses in artistic tracks such as Dance, Drama, Production & Design, and Dramatic Writing.

Oklahoma City University, High School Musical Theater Program: This program offers students in grades 9 to 12 the experience of a college musical theatre major, with master classes, live auditions, and a fully-staged musical performance.

Open Jar Institute, Broadway Summer Intensive: This program allows students to learn directly from Broadway professionals in workshops in acting, singing, dancing, and audition technique.

Paper Mill Playhouse, Summer Musical Theater Conservatory: This program builds professional skills in acting, auditioning, vocal technique, and dance, with a focus on performance skills and professionalism.

Penn State University, Summer Theatre Artistic Training Experience (S.T.A.T.E.): This intensive program for rising high school juniors and seniors focuses on voice, acting, and dance with Penn State’s Musical Theatre faculty and guest professionals.

Perry-Mansfield Intensives: Perry-Mansfield offers two summer theater intensives for high school aged artists, focusing on technique and performance.

Other University Programs: UNCSA’s summer session for high school drama students uses a multi-disciplinary, process-focused approach to train young actors of all levels. A lucky 200 students per year enroll in these summer sessions from the highly respected University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Rising juniors and seniors learn from renowned U-M faculty in the Theatre & Drama Academy, and the Musical Theatre Workshop, and classes mimic those of BFA students. Summer at USC with this intensive program, and learn voice, speech, on-camera technique, theater history, and more from esteemed members of USC’s year-round faculty. The university known for training greats like Meryl Streep, Christopher Durang, and Lupita Nyong’o extends that top-notch schooling to passionate young artists each summer. Five-week sessions are based on the Stanislavsky approach to acting, and rising juniors and seniors take a variety of courses including play analysis, scene study, improvisation, and mask work.

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