SUMMER THEATRE CONSERVATORY: MUSICAL THEATRE

Become a “Summer Trojan” and earn college credit.

This summer, immerse yourself in music, movement (or dance), and play with the “Summer Theatre Conservatory: Musical Theatre” course! In movement classes, you will be exposed to different styles of dance that will enhance your ability to tell a story physically. In song coaching classes, you will learn how to act the song and feel the music. Acting classes will be devoted to your personal connection to character and text and the basic principles of acting. The USC School of Dramatic Arts experience offers rigorous play and skills to celebrate your unique self through Musical Theatre.

Summer Theatre Conservatory is also offered in Acting Intensive and Comedy Performance.

PROGRAM DATES
June 15 – July 12, 2025

PREREQUISITES
Audition (see below in COURSE OVERVIEW)

COURSE DRESS CODE
None

DAILY SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES
MONDAY – FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Classes in session
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Classes in session

Evening rehearsals may be scheduled, as necessary

COURSE OVERVIEW

Highlights

  • Learn from theatre professionals in a collaborative and interactive, conservatory-style environment
  • Participate in off-campus field trips to see professional theatre in Los Angeles
  • Culminate your summer experience with workshop production viewed by faculty, students, family, and friends

Topic of Study

  • Core practice: movement / dance, voice, acting
  • Auditioning for universities

Audition
Each applicant must create an audition video file. You are encouraged to sing with accompaniment, but you may sing a cappella if accompaniment cannot be arranged. The selections should not be digitally edited or altered to change the sound of your voice in any way.

Your recording should include two (2) 32-bar selections from the musical theatre that best showcase your voice and personality, as follows:

  1. The first selection must be an up-tempo song
  2. The second selection should be a ballad

Email video link to: sonnyhay@usc.edu

HEAR FROM OUR FORMER STUDENTS

The instructors were very enthusiastic and informative and gave important specific feedback that allowed me to change and grow as a singer and actor.
I came from a place where the musical theater industry is essentially non–existent, and so it was an amazing experience for me to meet more people who have the same interests as me, as well as improve my performing skills.
Getting to watch other people who have different strengths and interests as you was really interesting. I learned a lot from watching them perform and more from listening to the feedback they received and how it was applied. I also learned a lot of MT history that I would not have even bothered to learn before and a lot of it was really mind–blowing.
This course broadened my horizons of musical theater and I gained a new passion and understanding for vocal technique and the history of musical theater. I will carry carry the lessons and critiques with me in the future for musical theater related experiences and life
in general!