Final admission
17 May 2026
General deadline for Summer Springboard programs.
In-person Program
Theater Arts High School Course
A hands-on theater arts course focused on script analysis, stage design, live performance observation, and collaborative visual storytelling.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
In-person Program
Theater Arts High School Course
A hands-on theater arts course focused on script analysis, stage design, live performance observation, and collaborative visual storytelling.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Theater Arts Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
San Luis Obispo, California
Cost
$2,998; $5,298
Duration
2 weeks
Format
In-person
Art
Accommodation: Shared campus dorms
Meals: Full board or commuter lunch
Certificate / Outcome: 3 Cal Poly CEUs
Tutors / faculty: Cal Poly theater faculty
Campus experience: Classes, excursions and student life
Theater Arts Course summary
This is a studio-based theater course centered on the visual side of live production. Students move from script interpretation to practical work with scenery, lighting, projection, color and costume concepts.
The experience combines individual design work, collaborative projects, instructor feedback and observation of live theater. It suits students interested in how designers transform a written text into a coherent stage world.
The wider campus experience adds college-readiness workshops, excursions and social activities. Students can therefore test both an academic interest and the realities of campus life.
What is Theater Arts High School Course?
The Theater Arts High School Course is an immersive studio experience in theatrical design and production. Summer Springboard runs it in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education, with teaching that reflects Cal Poly’s hands-on approach.
Students analyze scripts, develop visual storytelling concepts and experiment with scenery, lighting, projection, color and drawing. Individual and collaborative projects, professional feedback and live theater observation show how design decisions shape a performance.
Why Succeed highlights Theater Arts Course
The course treats theater as a visual storytelling discipline, extending beyond performance into scenic, lighting and costume design.
Students create practical design work instead of spending the course entirely in lectures.
Live theater observation connects studio exercises with professional production choices.
The named instructor brings extensive university teaching and professional theater-design experience.
The Cal Poly setting combines subject study with college-readiness workshops and campus life.
Who is Theater Arts Course for?
Best for
Students drawn to scenery, lighting, costume, visual storytelling or backstage production who want practical studio work and collaborative feedback.
Not ideal if
You want a performance-led acting course or prefer independent academic study without group design projects, structured campus activities or shared residential life.
Is Theater Arts Course worth it?
The course can be worthwhile for a student seriously exploring theatrical design because it combines script interpretation, practical making, live observation and feedback from an experienced instructor. The resulting design pieces may also help students discuss their interests more concretely in future applications or interviews.
The main limitation is value for money: the experience is intensive but brief, and residential tuition represents a substantial family commitment. It is strongest as a way to test subject fit and develop practical insight, not as a substitute for sustained theater involvement at school or in a local company.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,998; $5,298; includes Residential: academic course, lodging and all meals, Residential: weekday and weekend excursions, Commuter: academic course and lunch, Commuter: weekday excursions and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. programming, Four 90-minute college-readiness workshops, Completion certificate and professor recommendation letter.
Accommodation
Shared campus dorms
Meals
Full board or commuter lunch
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 weeks; San Luis Obispo, California.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Theater Arts Course need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin four to six weeks before the next published admission deadline to prepare short answers, discuss residential needs and gather any supporting documents.
Main challenge
Turning script themes into a coherent visual design.
Typical preparation
Read a short play and note how setting, light and color could express its themes.
Collect examples of stage designs you admire and explain what makes each one effective.
Practice quick sketches that communicate space, atmosphere and movement rather than polished illustration.
Discuss accommodation, dietary, health and travel requirements with a parent or guardian before applying.
Useful if
You already enjoy theater, art, design, drawing or collaborative production.
What do students do on Theater Arts Course?
Students follow a design process from reading and interpretation through experimentation, making, critique and reflection on professional theater.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Analyze scripts to identify themes, metaphors and visual possibilities.
- 2
Develop stage concepts using layout, composition, color, light and projection.
- 3
Experiment with drawing, painting and scenic elements to communicate design intent.
- 4
Create individual and collaborative theatrical design pieces.
- 5
Use instructor critique to refine work against professional standards.
- 6
Attend live theater and reflect on production choices.
Theater Arts Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Session 1
21 June-3 July 2026
Two-week Theater Arts course.
Session 2
5-17 July 2026
Two-week Theater Arts course.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Final admission | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 1 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 2 | 5-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Students in Grades 9-12
3.0 GPA or local equivalent
Rising high school freshmen may apply
Spring high school graduates may apply
International students must demonstrate English proficiency
Applicants must meet Essential Eligibility Criteria
How much does Theater Arts Course cost?
Program tuition
$2,998; $5,298 — Commuter; residential
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable
- Program deposit: $600 — Paid with the application
- Alumni scholarship: $500 — Published for the verified 2026 cycle
What's included
Residential: academic course, lodging and all meals, Residential: weekday and weekend excursions, Commuter: academic course and lunch, Commuter: weekday excursions and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. programming, Four 90-minute college-readiness workshops, Completion certificate and professor recommendation letter
How to apply to Theater Arts Course
- 1
Ask a parent or guardian to register an application-portal account.
- 2
Confirm the registration email and complete the account details.
- 3
Create a new application and select Cal Poly SLO, the session, Theater Arts and tuition type.
- 4
Enter the student information and complete the short-answer questions and agreements together.
- 5
Pay the program deposit and application fee, then submit the completed application.
- 6
Check email for the enrollment decision and complete any additional forms requested.
What does Theater Arts Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Script and concept analysis
Identify themes, metaphors and visual storytelling possibilities in dramatic texts.
Scenic design
Use space, composition, scenic painting and objects to shape a stage world.
Lighting and projection
Experiment with color, light and projection to create mood and atmosphere.
Design communication
Practice drawing and prototype-making techniques that communicate theatrical intent.
Production reflection
Observe live theater and critically evaluate professional production choices.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Theater Arts Course?
A typical day during the program.
Academic course
The selected college-style course begins at 9 a.m. and runs until lunch.
Excursion or activity
Students join a course-related excursion or recreational activity after lunch.
College readiness
Workshops or the True You curriculum begin around 3 p.m.
Residential activities
Dinner is followed by clubs or other supervised evening activities.
Who teaches on Theater Arts Course?
The named instructor, Brian Healy, holds an MFA in Theatrical Design and has 23 years of teaching experience across lighting design, scenic design, stagecraft and dramatic theory. He is an Associate Professor of Stage Design and Technical Production and Department Chair of Cal Poly Theatre and Dance.
Residential mentors live on student hall floors and support the wider campus experience.
Where do students stay on Theater Arts Course?
Residential plan
- Campus housing: Students share Cal Poly dorm rooms on gender-segregated floors.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, mainly through campus dining.
- Pastoral support: Mentors live on student floors, with additional staff available around the clock.
- Campus security: Dorms use electronic access, 24-hour security and university patrols.
- Weekend excursions: Residential tuition includes supervised weekend excursions.
Non-residential plan
- Day attendance: Commuters attend weekday programming from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Commuter meals: Lunch is included during weekday programming.
Students share dorm rooms and communal bathrooms; Cal Poly rooms do not have air conditioning.
What happens after Theater Arts Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Build practical theatrical-design pieces for future reflection or portfolio development.
Develop clearer insight into scenic, lighting and production-art careers.
Strengthen visual analysis and communication through scripts and design work.
Earn Cal Poly Continuing Education Units for the completed campus program.
Receive a completion certificate and professor recommendation letter.
The course builds exploratory evidence and skills but does not replace a sustained theater portfolio or formal qualification.
Where does Theater Arts Course take place?
The program takes place at Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, on California’s Central Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Students use the campus environment while also exploring nearby coastal and local attractions through activities and excursions.
The Cal Poly program is run in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education.
Theater Arts Course FAQs
Students study script analysis, visual storytelling, scenery, lighting, projection, costume concepts, scenic painting and drawing techniques. They apply these areas through practical individual and collaborative projects.
No. The documented curriculum centers on theatrical and stage design, visual storytelling and production choices rather than acting training.
Brian Healy is the named instructor. He holds an MFA in Theatrical Design and has taught lighting design, scenic design, stagecraft and dramatic theory for 23 years.
Yes. A commuter option includes the academic course, lunch, weekday excursions and programming from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals, excursions and weekend excursions. Airport pickup and drop-off are optional services charged separately.
Students share rooms with roommates and use communal bathrooms on gender-segregated floors. Rooms include an extra-long twin bed, desk, drawers, mirror and closet.
Campus dining can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher and halal diets, as well as common food allergies.
Summer Springboard says all program participants receive a completion certificate and a professor recommendation letter. The Cal Poly campus program also advertises Continuing Education Units.
Alternatives to Theater Arts Course
Compare these creative, design-led summer programs if you want a different artistic focus, location or age range.
Alternatives to Theater Arts Course
Art exploration combined with English-language learning
Art
Deadline: Not announced
From £1795
11-15
Brighton, UK
In-person
Best for
Younger students wanting art alongside English study.
Two-week practical exploration of art and design
Art
Deadline: Not announced
Cost not listed
11-16
Wimborne
In-person
Best for
Students seeking a broader creative course before specializing.
Creative design applied to interactive games
Design
Deadline: Not announced
From £4295
14-18
Los Angeles
In-person
Best for
Students interested in visual design and interactive media.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Terra Education
- Terms & Conditions | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- (1) New Messages!
- Main FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- (1) New Messages!
- (1) New Messages!
- Theater Arts at Cal Poly SLO | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)
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