Acting Intensive (New!)

Rising Grades 9-12+

Your Best Summer Starts Here:

Learn more below about our Overnight training program focused entirely on acting technique and performance for rising 9th thru 12th graders and rising college freshmen held at the Proscenium Theater @ University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMBC).

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OVERVIEW DATES PERFORMANCES SAMPLE SCHEDULE HEALTH & WELLNESS CLASSES LOCATION RESIDENTIAL LIFE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES STAFF & FACULTY REGISTRATION ORIENTATION TUITION TUITION ASSISTANCE REGISTER FAQs

Overview

YAA’s Acting Intensive is an immersive overnight training program designed to provide aspiring actors with a comprehensive and dynamic theatrical education. This program is an exceptional opportunity for students interested in further developing their acting skills.

Participants engage in daily versatile classes that may include: Voice (Diction), Classical Scene Study, Contemporary Scene Study, Improvisation, Movement and more. Students may also receive specialized seminars and workshops, all leading to a professional-quality Final Showcase.

This program is an ideal supplemental training opportunity for prospective Junior Academy, Junior Conservatory, Senior Academy, and Senior Conservatory students. 

Open to rising 9th-12th graders and rising college freshmen.

Highlights

  • Each day is thoughtfully structured to include technical training classes that expand participants’ ability to become effective and captivating storytellers. Instruction is catered to the needs of each individual's current level and experience. We strive to meet each performer where they are and move them forward on their journey as actors, building progressively to ensure meaningful growth. Young artists will develop essential skills through focused instruction in:

    • Concentration: Cultivating stillness of mind and body for focused performance.

    • Breath: Learning to use breath effectively to fuel intention and emotional depth.

    • Body: Building awareness, confidence, and physicality for the stage.

    • Observation: Sharpening spatial awareness, tonal precision, and interpretive intention.

  • Evenings are dedicated to preparation for a Final Showcase, supplemented with community building as well as specialized seminars and workshops that explore unique topics, techniques, and perspectives.

  • The culminating event will be a Final Showcase for friends and family, featuring:

    • Professional quality venue

    • Live audience of family and friends

    • Video of production will be captured and made available to friends and family.

2025 Dates

Program Dates:

Saturday, June 21 thru Thursday, June 26, 2025

  • All inclusive program, including:

    • Room and Board

    • Classes and Final Showcase

**During these dates, students can participate in either the Dance OR Acting Intensives, but not both due to overlapping schedules

Deadlines:

Registration for the Dance Intensive is due no later than Monday, June 2, 2025 at 12:00Noon EDT.

Classes

Acting Intensive students will spend their mornings and afternoons in classes studying:

  • Voice (Diction)

  • Classical Scene Study

  • Contemporary Scene Study

  • Improvisation

  • Movement

  • …and more!

Class sizes will remain small (14-16 students per class) to ensure personalized attention between teacher and students.

Final Showcase

The program culminates in a Final Showcase that highlights the skills and growth of each participant.

Depending on the work generated during the intensive, the event may feature a play, one-act performance, or a curated showcase of scenes and monologues.

Key Features:

  • A professional-quality venue that elevates the experience.

  • A high level faculty-led production offering expert guidance and artistic direction.

  • A live audience of family and friends to celebrate participants’ achievements.

  • A professionally recorded video of the production, made available for participants and their families to cherish.

Sample Schedule

  • 7:15am: Wake up

  • 8:00am Breakfast (All)

  • 9:15am: Warmup & Morning Meeting (All)

  • 10:00am: Class Rotation #1

  • 11:00am: Class Rotation #2

  • 12:15pm: Lunch (All)

  • 1:30pm: Class Rotation #3

  • 2:30pm: Class Rotation #4

  • 3:45pm: Special Masterclass (All)

  • 5:00pm: Dinner (All)

  • 6:15pm: Group Rehearsals

  • 8:00pm: Combined Rehearsal (All)

  • 10:00pm: Movie Night

  • 11:00pm: Lights Out

Health & Wellness

The health, safety, and well-being of each student is our utmost priority.

YAA has a team of registered nurses on-site/on-call during our programs. We prioritize partnering with families to ensure that students are set up for success during their time in the program.

Families will be required to complete all health and prescription forms by the deadlines provided at registration.

Location

The Performing Arts & Humanities Building (PAHB) is a LEED Gold certified performing arts education center that opened in 2014 as the largest building on the UMBC campus, providing state-of-the-art facilities for the UMBC Departments of Theatre, Music, and Dance.

The PAHB houses multiple dance studios, a 250 seat Proscenium Theatre, 125 seat Black Box Theatre, two large rehearsal studios, design studios, costume shop, scene shop, dressing rooms, conference rooms, and classrooms.

The UMBC campus is conveniently located right of I-95, within 30 minutes from most of the DC/Baltimore metro areas. The campus is only a 10-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport and the BWI Amtrak and MARC train station, allowing easy access for those coming in from out of town.

Click here to take a walking tour of the UMBC Campus. Individual 360 tours of our acting spaces appear below.

Our Venues

  • Dance Cube

    World-class Dance Studio at 3,500 sq. ft featuring:

    • Two floor-to-ceiling glass walls with a view of downtown Baltimore in the distance

    • Basket-weave, sprung marley floor

    • Retractable risers that allow the space to be converted into a performance venue seating approximately 100 people.

    • Fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and AV system

  • Proscenium Theater

    275 seat professional proscenium theater featuring:

    - An expansive stage
    - Orchestra and balcony seating, and box seats.
    - Fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and AV system

  • Dance Technology Studio

    World-class Multimedia Dance Studio at 2,400 sq. ft. featuring:

    • Basket-weave sprung marley floor

    • Flexible theatrical lighting

    • AV system with surround sound

    • Large cyclorama and a green screen for video shoots

    • Used for dance classes, rehearsals, and projects involving internet streaming, multimedia, and other innovative technologies

  • Theatre Rehearsal Studio

    2,800 sq. ft. rehearsal studio featuring:

    • Basket-weave, sprung marley floor

    • Fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and AV system

Residential Life

  • Housing

    Intensive students enjoy double dorm rooms in the Residence Halls at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

    Chesapeake Hall amenities include:

    Air-conditioned double room with shared bathroom

    Large common lounge on each residential floor

    Wireless internet connections

    24-hour service desk

    Laundry facility in each residence hall

    Direct access to the True Grit’s Dining Hall

    Located a short walk from the Performing Arts & Humanities Building.

  • Dining

    Intensive students will be provided three meals a day in True Grit’sDining Hall, adjacent to the dorms.

    CLICK HERE to see a sample menu from True Grit’s Dining Hall.

Extracurricular Activities

When not in class or rehearsing for the production, Intensive students will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular recreational activities which may include:

  • Movie Night

    Grab the popcorn!

Staff & Faculty

  • Carole Graham Lehan

    Teaching Arist

  • Montel Butler

    Voice Coach

  • Terry Eberhardt

    Director of SPAI

  • Paul Heinemann

    Assistant Director of SPAI, Junior Music Director

  • Karen Blake

    Camp Life Director

  • Kathryn Bailey

    Camp Administrator & Assistant Vocal Director

  • Jackie Bautista

    Production Manager

  • Rolando Sanz

    Producing Artistic Director

Registration

All students are automatically accepted into the Intensive program upon registration.

Students should register by June 2, 2025 at 12:00Noon EDT to guarantee a spot in the program. Students will occasionally be accepted after this deadline if space is available.

VIDEO AUDITIONS (for Placement):

All students are accepted into the program upon completion of registration. A video audition will be required after registration for class placement purposes only. Students who do not submit placement videos will be considered novices and placed accordingly.

  • Submit a video of you reciting a short monologue or speech in any style of your choice.

    • This can be a selected speech/monologue, or an excerpt from a piece you’ve performed.

    • If you would like to feature more than one style, please combine footage into one video.

    • Videos must be 30 seconds at minimum and no longer than 90 seconds

Orientation

TBA Date: June 2025 at 7:00pm

MANDATORY Virtual Orientation for all participating students and families

  • Zoom link forthcoming to registered families.

Tuition

Early-Bird Discount: ($100 discount)

  • $1,895 (automatically applied at registration through January 1, 2025)

    • includes Room and Board

Regular Tuition:

  • $1,995 per two-week fully in-person session

    • includes Room and Board

Payment:

  • A deposit of $500 is due upon registration.

  • 2nd payment of half of the remaining balance is due by March 1, 2025 (non-refundable).

  • Final balance due on June 1, 2025 (non-refundable).

  • Alternative payment plans can be arranged by contacting info@yaa.org.

Tuition Includes:

  • Participation in the Acting Intensive’s Final Showcase

  • All classes, rehearsals, workshops, and social activities

  • Extended recreational activities,

  • A six-day summer overnight intensive experience that you won't soon forget!

Cancellation Policy: Should you need to withdraw from the program for any reason, please inform us in writing. If you have any funds due to you based on the above policy, we will return them immediately to the credit card on file in your account.

  • Students with a doctor-confirmed injury or illness, which requires leaving camp early, may receive a credit for days missed. Otherwise, there are no refunds for days or weeks that students cannot attend their program/s.

  • Substitutions – having another individual attend in the registered student's place – are not allowed. 

  • If, due to health and safety concerns, certain classes are required to shift from in-person to virtual, there will be no tuition refunds or adjustments. 

Tuition Assistance

Those who wish to be considered for a scholarship or financial aid need to submit an application to us no later than April 1, 2025. Best consideration for financial aid occurs by February 1, 2025.

  1. Please contact Lisa Larragoite at lisa@yaa.org for more information.

  2. Tuition Assistance is limited.

FAQs

  • Between daily classes and showcase rehearsals, You will be working 8-10 hours a day. This is an INTENSIVE after all!

    But fear not...we always keep your health and wellness as a main priority, and our faculty will scaffold the instruction in a way that will ensure your success, regardless of your experience.

    All students will leave the program with a newfound physical and mental stamina.

  • We have laid out best practices for a successful video audition on this page. We recommend you visit it before completing your Placement Audition.

  • As always, we will have a blueprint for success. Classes and rehearsals will take place at the same intensive pace that students are used to from SPAI. We will always set every student up for success!

  • The Proscenium Theater at UMBC has a capacity of 250 in the audience, so we will be able to accommodate your friends and family for the final showcase.

    The showcase will take place on the final day of the program in the Proscenium Theater at UMBC. Tickets will be made available through the UMBC Box Office to participants in the days leading up to the showcase.

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