Summer Acting and Performance Institute
The UCLA Summer Acting and Performance Institute is a six-week intensive program for high school students in grades 9-12 who seek discipline and training required for participation in a university theater program or a career in performing arts. This program includes performance-training classes, guest workshops, field trips and a final performance project.
College credit: The program carries eight quarter units of UC credit.
Schedule: Classes are held Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dates: June 22 – July 31, 2015
Applications open in February
Each morning begins promptly with tai-chi exercises, followed by acting and movement classes. Other classes may include, but are not limited to: classical acting, combat, acting for the camera and playwriting.
In the afternoon, the performance workshop provides students with practical experience in the rehearsal and performance process. Students are involved in all aspects of the creative process – conceptualizing, writing and transforming ideas into dramatic action. There will be a final showcase on Thursday, July 30 for invited guests.
Throughout the six weeks, students will have the opportunity to participate in scheduled workshops and field trips. These may include, but are not limited to: a trip to the Geffen Playhouse, a mask workshop, an industry talk and a resume workshop.
Classes are held Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm
June 22–July 31, 2014
On the first two days of class, students will attend a program orientation in Macgowan Hall at 9:00 a.m.
Each morning begins promptly with tai-chi exercises, followed by acting and movement classes. Other classes may include, but are not limited to, Playwriting, Acting for the Camera, Combat, Classical Acting, and Mask Work.
In the afternoon, the performance workshop provides the student with the practical experience of the rehearsal and performance process. Students are expected to be involved in all aspects of the creative process – conceptualizing, writing and transforming ideas into dramatic action – while guided by an instructor/director. The performance project fosters a mature approach to theatrical responsibility, commitment and issues of collaboration resulting in a final showcase by the students for invited guests.
Excursions / Workshops
Students will have an opportunity to participate in scheduled workshops and field trips that allow behind-the-scenes understanding of live theater. The workshops and field trips expose students to the wide range of opportunities in theater, film and television and help students make more informed decisions about potential college programs.
Past workshops have included Commedia dell’arte mask work, acting for the camera, stage combat, and professional puppet work. Past field trips have included visits to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Getty, and opportunities to see professional performances of premiere plays and observe final dress rehearsals.
Final Performance / Strike
During 6th week, the students will spend the entire day rehearsing for their final projects, which will be presented on Thursday, July 30, 2015. The final performance will be presented to invited family and friends both in the afternoon and the evening. Strike on Friday, August 1st, is mandatory and absences will affect grading.
Please keep in mind that this program does not teach audition technique, nor does it focus on the film industry. There may be elements of these in special workshops, but the focus is on theater performance.
Vik Adam is an actor, voiceover artist, director, producer, and writer. As an educator, he's taught acting, voice, and movement based studies from elementary to undergraduate levels. He was Program Director for Junior Players, Dallas' oldest non profit youth arts organization, and during his tenure worked closely with various school districts and recreation centers to implement free after school visual and performing arts based programming with working actors and artists teaching. In addition to this, he annually co-produced PUPFest (a young playwright's festival) with Kitchen Dog Theater as well as the third show in the Shakespeare Dallas Summer season which included a critically acclaimed Bollywood version of A Midsummer Night's Dream which he also sound designed and dramaturged. As a teacher, Vikas is constantly updating his curriculum and employs improvisation, movement, ensemble, and character building exercises with an emphasis on thinking outside of the box' and building discipline and self-confidence. Audiobook credits include: Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game Alive: The Audioplay and Earth Afire (Earphone Award); International bestselling epic The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye; S.E. Hinton's Some of Tim's Stories; Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill (screenwriter of Sinister); The City of Devi by NY Times notable Manil Suri. Favorite past theatre roles include Alceste in The Misanthrope, Orlando in As You Like It, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, and Ariel in The Tempest. Vikas has a BFA in Theater from Syracuse University and a MFA in Acting from UCLA.