Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI)

How to Enroll

Submit your application by February 1.* Begin by submitting your application online. You must prepare additional application materials that will be reviewed with your submission.
*Please note: This program has limited capacity. To participate, you must first be offered a spot in the program, then you must confirm your participation by accepting the offer and paying the tuition cost in full.
Make your tuition payment by February 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
Request housing by February 1. Students who are 15 years of age or older by the start of their Boston-based program are eligible to stay in on-campus housing. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have indicated that you would like to request on-campus housing, please revisit your application portal and submit a Residence Hall Agreement.

Curriculum

This program is designed for emerging theater artists who want to train with theater professionals and develop the acting, singing, and movement skills essential to developing a role and that character’s personality. The Musical Theater Acting Intensive also focuses on audition preparation, so it is ideal for students interested in pursuing theater, whether academically or professionally.

Schedule

This is a sample schedule to give you an idea of what to expect.

Monday	Activities
8AM-10AM	Check-In
12:30 PM–2 PM	Student Orientation
2 PM–6 PM	Cohort Share and Campus Tour
7 PM–9 PM	Open Mic Night
Tuesday	Activities
9 AM–10:45 AM	Musical Theater Scene Study
1 PM–2:45 PM	Shakespeare
3 PM–4:30 PM	Physical Character
7:30 PM–9:30 PM	Vocal Ensemble
Wednesday	Activities
9 AM–10:30 PM	Music Theater Solo
11 AM–12:45 PM	Voice and Speech
3 PM–4:30 PM	Acting for Camera
5 PM–6:30 PM	Storytelling Through Dance
Thursday	Activities
9 AM–10:45 AM	Musical Theater Scene Study
1 PM–2:45 PM	Shakespeare
3 PM–4:30 PM	Physical Character
7:30 PM–9:30 PM	Vocal Ensemble
Friday	Activities
11:00 AM–12:30 PM	Acting for Camera
3 PM– 4 PM	Music Theater Solo
5 PM–6 PM	Voice and Speech
7:30 PM–9:30 PM	Master Class
Saturday	Activities
10 AM–12 PM	Alexander Technique
2 PM–6 PM	Master Class
7 PM–8 PM	Boston Theater Experience
Sunday	Activities
4:30 PM–9 PM	Sunset Boat Cruise

Schedule subject to change.

Requirements

General Requirements

This program is designed for emerging theater artists between the ages of 15 and 25.

Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.

Required Materials

Music repertoire book or two audition-ready songs (with sheet music for the pianist)
At least three additional songs to work on (duets are welcomed)
Monologue selections for exploration and mock auditions
Outfits for mock auditions
Comfortable clothing for easy movement, such as athletic wear and sneakers
Jazz or character shoes if you have them (something comfortable for dancing)
Socks for dancing
Black clothing suitable for our final presentation
Yoga mat
Water bottle
Notebook and pencil

Program-Specific Details

Application Details

Priority Deadline to Apply: February 1

Applications received by February 1 will receive priority consideration and will be issued a decision by March 1. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a rolling basis until the program has reached capacity.

This program is application-based and requires the preparation and submission of additional application materials along with your registration form. Once your materials are reviewed, you will be notified of your decision via email. Due to limited availability, you must accept your offer and pay tuition in full in order to reserve your spot in the program.

Students ages 15-25 who are interested in applying to this program should prepare the following materials:

one brief contemporary monologue;
one song from the musical theater repertoire (32 bars); and
one piece of your choosing. This is your opportunity to show us your creativity. In this piece, we are looking to see what sets you apart as an artist. Show us your interpretation of Shakespeare, a performance of your own original music, how you dance, or anything else you can imagine—the sky's the limit.

Video Recording Submission Guidelines

Sound quality is important, and the featured performer must be clearly audible.
Videos should be appropriately lit and in focus, and applicants are encouraged to introduce themselves to the faculty.
Videos can be home, live, or studio recordings.
Recordings of the performances should be recent (within the last year).
Ensure your video submissions are easily accessible and not set to private.

Instructions on how to submit your materials are available in the online application portal. Once received, your application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Program Director

Laura Marie Duncan

Professor of Theater

Laura Marie Duncan joined Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2017 and is a professor of theater. She teaches senior musical theater courses and also directs the Conservatory's annual Musical Theater Senior Showcase in New York City.
M. Bevin O'Gara

Associate Professor of Theater

Once You've Enrolled

The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you've taken the first step! Now that you've enrolled, here's what to know, to be sure you're prepared before and after you check in for the experience of a lifetime.

What to do first?

Important: continually check the email you used to enroll

Please regularly check the email you used to enroll in your program for important updates. A detailed check-in email, containing information about your assigned arrival location, housing assignment (if applicable), and program schedule, will be sent one to two weeks before your program's start date.

Make your tuition payment

All programs have a limited capacity. Complete your full tuition payment in order to reserve your space in the program.

Request on-campus housing

On-campus housing is limited, and spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis based on the completion of the following steps:

Read, sign, and submit the residence hall agreement on the registration portal.
The Summer Programs team will review your signed residence hall agreement within 3-5 business days. After review, we will send you an email inviting you to return to the registration portal to view your on-campus housing decision letter.
If your request has been approved, secure your spot by accepting your offer and paying the housing fee in full.

Important Considerations

For students enrolled in multiple programs, please complete a separate residence hall agreement (along with the accompanying housing fee payment) for each program.
To be eligible to request on-campus housing, a student must be 15 years of age before the start of their program.
If a student is under the age of 18, the request for on-campus housing must be filled out by a parent/guardian, and both the student and parent/guardian must agree to all the terms and conditions.
Applicants for Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) and Vocal/Choral Intensive (VCI) must first be offered admission and accept their offer before their residence hall agreement submission will be considered.
Since space in our residence halls is limited, a spot in our residence halls will only be guaranteed once a student has fully registered for their chosen program and paid the program tuition in full. Any housing requests or payments made before the completion of both these steps do not ensure a guaranteed place in on-campus housing.

Learn more about housing and campus life by exploring the Help Center.

Request accessibility accommodations (if needed)

Accommodations are provided for students with documented medical needs, offering services such as academic accommodations, academic coaching, special housing arrangements, dietary adjustments, and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring.

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Requests for academic, housing, and dietary accommodations can be made by following the steps outlined in this Help Center article.

Complete These Tasks by June

Complete the items in your Magnus Health account by June 1

We require up-to-date health information, documentation for the required immunizations mandated by Massachusetts law, as well as conduct and consent forms for all students. Instructions on accessing your Magnus Health account will be sent via email to all registered students in mid-spring.

If you have more questions you can review our help center. Here are some articles that might be helpful:

Submit a photo for your ID by June 1

Students participating in a Boston-based Summer Program will receive an ID card upon arrival at Berklee. This card provides access to campus facilities and, if you have chosen to reside in our residence halls, it also allows entry to the dining hall. Please submit a photo for your ID by June 1. If you do not upload a photo, one will be taken upon your arrival on campus.

Prepare to Arrive and Check In

What to pack if you’re staying on campus

All of our on-campus residence halls follow a standard college-style layout, with each room equipped with a closet, bed, and desk for each resident.

Students staying in a Berklee residence hall should bring the following items:

Bedding (sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blanket) for an extra-long twin bed (36 inches by 80 inches)
Towels (bath towels, washcloths, hand towels, etc.)
Toiletries

We also recommend bringing the following:

Alarm clock
Clothes hangers
Earplugs
Extra spending money for snacks, drinks, or public transportation (costs for Berklee-coordinated events will be covered by the school; students are responsible for additional expenses during events)
Headphones
Laptop computer, tablet device, cell phone, etc., including chargers
Laundry detergent and quarters (coin-based laundry facilities available in every residence hall, although we recommend bringing quarters)
Plastic bin for storing snacks or food
Prescription/first-aid needs
Small refrigerator
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Water bottle
A fan

Items available upon request from the resident advisor's office:

Basic cleaning supplies
Games
Movies
Toilet paper (for private bathrooms)
Vacuum cleaners

The following items are not allowed in a student’s residence hall room:

Candles/incense
Weapons
Cooking appliances (hot pots, toaster ovens, grills, popcorn makers, or anything with a visible heating element, etc.)
Air conditioners
Bicycles
Futons, chairs, couches, or any other non-Berklee-issued furniture
Wall hangings
Pets (including fish)
Halogen lamps and holiday lights

Download the Guidebook app

A few days before your program starts, you will receive instructions to download the Guidebook app. This app enables you to access your program schedule and connect with fellow Summer Programs students.

Getting to campus, parking, and hotels nearby

Access the Summer Programs Help Center

Explore some of these top articles from the Summer Programs Help Center.