Two students sitting facing each other, both with eyes and mouths wide open, appearing to mirror the other's expressions. Muted trees and foliage form a background through a large glass exterior wall.

STATE ON STAGE! Acting Summer Program

STATE ON STAGE!

Acting Summer Program

Immersive theatre training!

Our Acting Summer Intensive (STATE ON STAGE) is an intensive program for high school students about to enter 11th or 12th grades.

Mission

To give young artists a week-long immersion in collegiate acting training at Penn State. Students will get a sample of the rigors of artistic training as well as an idea of the unique components of integrated training. Practical classes and advice in navigating the college audition process as well as the professional industry will also be included.

Highlights

Students will train with Penn State faculty, guest professionals, and noted alumni. Individualized attention and private instruction are also included. Days also include the integrated approach to acting unique to Penn State through studio classes. Evenings include master classes, cabarets, and a menu of offerings.

Program Details

  • Dates: July 13–25, 2025
  • Cost: $3100 (Includes instruction, private lessons, master classes, housing, and food)
  • Participants: 30–35 (Acceptance is by audition; students interested in applying should be entering the 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2025)
  • Decisions: Will be sent the week of April 14, 2025

Information for Parents

Important Program Details

How Can I Apply?

Deadlines and Decisions

Applications will be accepted from November 25, 2024 – April 1, 2025, with a priority deadline of February 1, 2025. Decisions will be sent via Acceptd the week of April 14, 2025.
The registration and health forms will be due – along with payment in full – by May 1, 2025.

We will follow all University COVID-19 guidelines that are in place at the time of camp. You can learn about Penn State’s current COVID response and view up-to-date policies and frequently asked questions on the Coronavirus Information site. Additional COVID guidelines specific to residential camps are currently under development and will be shared in the near future. Anyone who registers before the guidelines are announced will have the option to cancel their registration with no penalty if they choose.

Application Materials

All students interested in applying online for the Acting Intensive must submit the following via digital upload at the Penn State Theatre Acceptd website.

  1. Theatrical Resume
  2. Headshot or Recent Photo
  3. Video Submissions: Two contrasting pieces (monologues), less than three minutes total for both.
  4. Brief essay response: Why do you want to be an Actor?​
  5. Contact Information for Two References (no letters needed!)

For questions or more information contact Shannon Ritter.

About Penn State Acting

The B.F.A. Acting degree program at Penn State is a rigorous, pre-professional training program intended for students intending to pursue a career in acting.

Students accepted into our program undertake thorough training in acting, movement and voice throughout their four years with us. With an advantageous teacher-to-student ratio, we are proud of our ability to provide pre-professional training that capitalizes on a students’ unique individuality. Outside classes, students have plentiful and varied opportunities to perform, create and devise as they develop into well-rounded theatre artists.

Our faculty is comprised of dedicated educators who are active professionals in their fields. Our team – actors, directors, coaches and more- has experience working in film, tv and at the most well-respected theatres in the country. Students also work with world-class faculty at the Theatre Academy of London during the spring of their third year, while they live and study in one of the most prolific theatre cities in the world.

Visit the B.F.A. Acting degree page

Summer camp students rehearsing in the Pavilion Theatre