High School Summer Tech Theatre Programs

Hi there!
I am currently a sophomore in high school and would love to pursue technical theatre, although I do have a very nice background in acting. I was hoping to do some sort of summer program this year with a well known college or university with an excellent theatre program. I am already looking into which schools to go to and am looking into Ohio State, Ohio U, Cincinnati, Boston U, Boston C, Emerson, among many others. I would love to focus on stage management, possibly lighting design. I do have a decent background with tech, I am by no means a beginner, but I also am not extremely experienced. I do around or above 5 shows a year with my school and a nearby respected community theatre, and fill my summers doing internships, acting, and more tech. I truly take a deep interest in this field and would like to spend a summer doing a conservatory program from an accredited college to not only have something eye catching to put on my resume, but to be able to learn as much as I can in the weeks that I am given. I know that there are already a few posts on this but I was hoping to get some updated reviews of good programs. I am looking into the Northwestern Cherubs Tech program, but I cannot do that one until next summer because of age. In the mean time, if I can't find a tech program to do this year I hope to do Brown's TheatreBridge program.
Any length is great - the longer the better! Location does not matter, the same with price currently (I am willing to spend the money if it is really worth it), I am just looking for the programs with the best reputations.
All reviews would be so greatly appreciated, thanks so much!!
Jenny

We have an excellent summer precollege program for Design & Production here at CMU...

CMU School of Drama | Summer Pre-College

We've had rising juniors before.

As someone who was a Cherub, definitely keep it in mind for next year. It's an incredible program.

Interlochen in Michigan has a summer program. I know we have some people on this board who have attended, hopefully they will share their thoughts.

I know that the Oregon Shakespeare festival has a summer program for HS students. ( my daughter attended one summer)

Thanks so much!
CMU sounded amazing, I thought it was only for rising seniors but I read more on it and not only was I wrong, but it sounds so great. Cherubs is what I plan on for rising junior year, I have only heard great things about the program, at least for the acting. I don't know much about the Shakespeare fest, but I have heard the name. Thanks so much for the input!
Jenny

also, gafftapegreenia, were you part of the tech program with Cherubs? I would love to hear anything about it if you were!

Sure was, summer of 2006.

They only admit ten Tech and Design students into the program, out of the 140 total. Every Tech and Design student acts as a stage manager for one of the ten one acts mounted in the final week. Along with being a stage manager, the T&D students take their own course of classes. In addition, there are certain core classes that everyone takes as well as electives. Yes, you will get chances to do design in all the major areas. I think they do a great job of getting D&T students acqainted with the most fundamental building blocks of theatrical design. For me, it was a foundation that I have built upon as I have moved forward, through undergrad, and into my career.

It was an incredible experience because it allowed me to connect with WORKING professionals in the Chicagoland area. Learning from people who make their living in the theatre was a huge inspiration. It was that summer that theatre went from a sidebar to a "this is what I want to do with my life".

For me, Cherubs is one of those special places where the magic and art of theatre thrives. It is a very safe, open community, and it has been a joy to watch the progress of my fellow classmates since that summer.

Apply, and if you get in, go. And this is cliche, but seriously, the more you put in, the more you will get out.

That sounds like a great experience, it is definitely on the top of my list for where I would like to train. I especially love how the students get the opportunity to stage manage a final show. Thanks so much for the information!

gafftapegreenia has said most of the things that I would say about cherubs. but being a cherub myself I just have to say how amazing the D&T program was (I was a D&T.) another cliche thing to say other than you get out what you put in (which is extremely true) is that cherubs is a life changing experience both for your life in theatre and for you in general.

The more I hear about this program, the better it sounds! I have to say, "you only will get out what you put in" is something that I always try to remind my company of while we are working, and I would love to be a part of a group of students that always apply that principle. Thanks!