Students will deepen their skills in acting, musical theater, and live performance through four weeks of focused studio training. Modeled after Cornish College of the Arts’ BFA approach, this morning intensive will combine acting, voice, and movement with practical audition preparation.

Through guided exercises, scene work, and ensemble collaboration, students will explore how imagination, sensory awareness, and physical expression can bring a character to life. They’ll practice connecting voice, body, and emotion to create believable performances in spoken scenes and musical selections.

Daily studio work will give students opportunities to make creative choices, respond to direction, and learn from one another. They’ll strengthen their performance skills while building the preparation habits and collaborative approach they’ll need in future rehearsals and productions.

Fridays will focus on audition preparation and performance coaching. Students will:

• Receive individualized feedback on monologues and musical selections.
• Practice audition techniques, professional etiquette, and strategies for managing nerves.
• Participate in mock auditions and receive panel feedback.
• Develop materials for college or conservatory applications, including song and monologue selections and personal statements.

The intensive will support students considering college-level training in acting or musical theater, as well as those who want to grow as performers and gain confidence on stage.

What Students Will Create

Students will develop rehearsed scenes, musical selections, and audition material that reflect their individual strengths and growing skills. The program will culminate in a performance on a Cornish stage, where they’ll share selected scenes and musical performances with family and guests.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this intensive, students will be able to:

• Use imagination, sensory awareness, and physical expression to develop a character.
• Connect voice, body, and emotion to make purposeful choices in spoken scenes and musical selections.
• Collaborate with scene partners and an ensemble during rehearsal and performance.
• Apply direction and feedback to refine scenes, musical selections, and audition material.
• Practice audition techniques, professional etiquette, and strategies for managing nerves in mock auditions.
• Select and develop monologues, songs, and supporting written materials for future college or conservatory applications.
• Present rehearsed scenes and musical selections to an audience.

What Registration Will Include

This registration will cover the morning intensive only. Afternoon electives and housing will require separate registration.

Students will be able to take this intensive on its own or combine it with afternoon electives for a full-day Summer@Cornish experience. No afternoon elective will be required for students attending mornings only.

How Students Will Build Their Schedules

Full-Time Program
Students will register for this morning intensive and two afternoon electives, one from each schedule. The morning intensive will meet Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon, with a lunch break from noon–1 p.m.

Morning Intensive Only
Students will register for this course and attend Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon.

Morning Intensive + One Afternoon Elective
Students will register for this intensive and one afternoon elective. They’ll attend every morning and stay for the afternoons listed in their elective’s schedule.

Afternoon electives will run from 1–4 p.m. Students who wish to attend every afternoon will choose two electives: one that will meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday and one that will meet Tuesday/Thursday.

Students will be able to deepen their performance training through theater electives or explore new creative interests across disciplines.

Students will need to add each course to their cart separately.

Explore Summer@Cornish theater courses →

Browse all Summer@Cornish courses →

Housing Options

A residential option will be available to full-day students and will include supervised housing, evening and weekend activities, and extra studio time.

Students who plan to stay in housing will need to begin with the residential application before registering for courses. They’ll receive instructions for selecting a morning intensive and two afternoon electives as part of the residential package.

Learn about the residential program and how to apply →

Questions?

Students and families will be able to get help choosing courses and building a schedule by emailing cornishplus@seattleu.edu.