Superior Pre-College Musical Theatre Summer Program for High Schoolers in New York City

Course Description: Superior Pre-College Musical Theatre Summer Program for High Schoolers in New York City

This 3-Week Musical Theatre Camp in New York City is an intensive, conservatory-style summer experience designed for aspiring young performers who want to build real skills in acting, singing, movement, and stage performance.

Set in one of the world’s most iconic performing arts cities, the programme offers hands-on, professional-style training in a supportive and structured environment. Students train daily in core musical theatre disciplines while developing confidence, discipline, collaboration skills, and stage presence. The experience culminates in a fully staged graduation performance, giving students the opportunity to apply their training in front of a live audience.

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🌟 Programme Experience Overview

Over three immersive weeks, students experience what it is like to train as a working musical theatre performer. Days are filled with technique classes, rehearsals, labs, and creative collaboration, all designed to reflect the pace and expectations of professional theatre training.

The programme follows a “learn by doing” educational approach, meaning students are actively performing, rehearsing, and refining material from the very first week. This structure allows students to progress rapidly while gaining meaningful stage experience.

This programme is ideal for students who:

• Are passionate about musical theatre

• Want intensive, practical training

• Enjoy collaborative, creative environments

• Are ready for a structured and demanding schedule

• Want real performance experience in New York City

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🎬 Musical Theatre Curriculum

Students train across a wide range of core subjects essential to musical theatre performance:

Acting

Students study modern acting techniques with a focus on truthful performance, listening, character development, and script analysis. Classes emphasize theatrical storytelling and emotional clarity on stage.

Voice Studio Lab

This class focuses on healthy vocal production, breath support, resonance, and vocal stamina. Students learn how to maintain strong, sustainable vocal technique throughout demanding rehearsal and performance schedules.

Ensemble Singing

Students are introduced to harmony, part-singing, and musical structure while working collaboratively on choral selections from the musical theatre repertoire.

Performance Lab

Each student works closely with an instructor and accompanist on solo musical theatre songs. Emphasis is placed on interpretation, storytelling through song, and performance technique.

Improvisation

Improv classes build confidence, creativity, spontaneity, and adaptability—skills that are essential for auditions, rehearsals, and live performance.

Movement & Dance

Students train in key musical theatre dance styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, and theatre dance. Classes focus on technique, coordination, musicality, and expressive movement.

Stage Combat

Students are introduced to safe and effective theatrical stage combat techniques, learning how to perform choreographed physical action convincingly while maintaining safety and control.

Masterclasses

Special sessions led by professional musical theatre performers provide industry insight, career guidance, and real-world perspective on life in the performing arts.

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🗓️ A Day in the Life (Sample Schedule)

Based directly on the programme timetable, a typical weekday follows a structured, professional training rhythm:

Morning

Students arrive and begin with technique-based classes such as ballet, jazz, tap, or orientation sessions. Morning training focuses on physical preparation, alignment, strength, and movement fundamentals.

Late Morning

Classes continue with dance styles or vocal and ensemble work, allowing students to build technical consistency and musical precision.

Lunch Break

Students take a supervised lunch break and eat at nearby cafés and restaurants in Lower Manhattan (meals not included). A strict buddy system and sign-out procedure are enforced.

Afternoon

Afternoons are dedicated to performance-focused classes such as voice studio lab, performance lab, acting technique, or scene-to-song work. Students rehearse material that contributes directly to the final showcase.

Selected Days

Certain afternoons include supervised city experiences, such as a Times Square walking tour, blending cultural exposure with structured supervision.

Classes typically conclude around 5:00 p.m., after which residential students transition into supervised evening activities.

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🎤 Final Graduation Performance

The programme concludes with a fully staged graduation showcase featuring solo performances and ensemble song-and-dance numbers. This final production allows students to demonstrate their artistic growth and experience the excitement and discipline of performing live on stage.

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🏙️ Location & Facilities

Classes take place in Lower Manhattan, within walking distance of major cultural landmarks. Classroom and rehearsal facilities are fully equipped for performing arts training. Exact locations are confirmed closer to the programme start date.

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🏠 Accommodation (Optional – Priced Separately)

Students may attend as commuters or choose residential housing.

Residential Housing Includes:

• Shared dormitory-style rooms

• Furnished rooms with Wi-Fi and small refrigerator

• 24/7 supervision by residential advisors

• Evening and weekend activities and excursions

Indicative 2025 Housing Fees (subject to change):

• 3-week shared room: $3,780 USD

• Refundable room & key deposit: $250 USD

Students must bring their own linens, pillows, and towels (twin XL).

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🍽️ Meals –

Meals are NOT included in tuition or housing fees.

Residential Students

• Grab-and-go snacks provided in residence

• Lunch and dinner eaten at local cafés and restaurants

• Estimated food budget: $200–$250 USD per week

• All meals are supervised using a buddy and sign-out system

Commuting Students

• Lunch and snacks not included

• Students may eat at nearby eateries during lunch break

• Supervised sign-out procedures apply

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🗽 Excursions & Supervised Activities (Residential Students)

Residential students participate in structured evening and weekend activities, all included in the housing fee:

Weekday Evenings

• Guided neighbourhood walks

• Times Square visits

• Game nights and film screenings

• Social and group activities

Weekends

• Coney Island day trip

• Central Park excursions and scavenger hunts

• Optional museum visits on Sundays

All excursions are fully supervised, with transportation provided where necessary.

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🔐 Supervision & Student Safety

• 24/7 residential supervision

• Strict buddy system at all times

• Curfews enforced

• Sign-in / sign-out procedures

• Emergency RA hotline available

Students may not travel alone at any time.

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✈️ Arrival, Transfers & Travel

Optional airport transfers are available from JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR) for a one-time $50 USD fee covering arrival and departure.

Students should arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on arrival day and depart no later than 3:00 p.m. on departure day.

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🌍 International Students & Visas

Students attend on a tourist visa or visa waiver. Student visas are not required, as this is a recreational summer camp. Entry purpose should be stated as “summer camp.”

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🎒 Preparation & Packing

Musical theatre students should bring:

• Comfortable athletic clothing

• Jazz shoes, ballet slippers, tap shoes

• Prepared monologue (30–60 seconds)

• Two contrasting songs with sheet music (32-bar cuts)

• Binder with sheet protectors

• Recording device

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✨ Who This Programme Is For

This programme is best suited for motivated teens who want:

• Serious musical theatre training

• A structured, intensive experience

• Professional-style instruction

• Real stage performance experience

• A safe, supervised New York City summer