Application deadline
13 March 2026
International applicants, 2026 reference cycle.
In-person Program
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance
Build your comedic voice through improv, stand-up, sketch and physical comedy, collaborating with professional comedians toward an original workshop show.
Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Summer Theatre Conservatory at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
High school; completed ninth grade
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, United States
Cost
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208
Duration
4 weeks
Format
In-person
ArtCreative Writing
Accommodation: Shared university residence-hall rooms
Meals: Residential: three dining-hall meals daily
Campus experience: USC libraries, labs and social activities
College credit: 3 elective units
Tutors / faculty: Professional comedians and comedy actor-writers
Instruction: 5-6 hours per day
Final output: Original workshop comedy show
Summer Theatre Conservatory summary
USC's comedy conservatory combines improv, stand-up, sketch, sitcom and physical comedy in a collaborative performance environment.
Students develop original material, see professional comedy, and rehearse a workshop show for family and friends. It suits comedy-curious learners who want to create and perform with others.
What is Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance?
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance is USC Pre-College's course in creating and performing comedy. Professional comedians and comedy actor-writers guide students through improv, stand-up, sketch, sitcom and physical comedy in a supportive conservatory environment.
Students form a comedy company, generate original material and develop their performance abilities together. The course combines training and rehearsal with visits to professional comedy shows, culminating in a workshop performance for family and friends.
Why Succeed highlights Summer Theatre Conservatory
The course connects comedy writing with live performance, helping students test material through collaboration.
Its progression from forming a company to producing a show gives the learning a concrete creative purpose.
Professional comedy instruction and visits to working comedy venues connect classroom practice with the art in action.
Successful completion earns college elective credit, adding an academic outcome to the performance experience.
Who is Summer Theatre Conservatory for?
Best for
Students who want to experiment with comedy writing and performance in a collaborative company, including beginners.
Not ideal if
You prefer independent study or cannot commit to intensive daily instruction and required attendance.
Is Summer Theatre Conservatory worth it?
The strongest reason to choose this course is the chance to develop material, rehearse with a company and perform an original show. Professional instruction and comedy field trips can help a student discover which styles they enjoy practicing.
The financial and attendance commitments deserve careful comparison with local theater classes or shorter workshops. College credit is a useful outcome, but transfer acceptance depends on the receiving institution and participation does not guarantee USC admission.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208; includes Five to six hours of instruction per day., Course materials, textbooks and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Three elective credit units upon successful completion., Residential package: shared residence-hall room and dining-hall meal plan., Residential package: academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals., Student Health Center access..
Accommodation
Shared university residence-hall rooms
Meals
Residential: three dining-hall meals daily
Provider details
Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, United States.
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 Summer Theatre Conservatory need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Begin planning six to eight weeks before the next published application deadline, allowing longer for international travel and visa preparation.
Main challenge
Creating and refining material while staying engaged in an intensive group environment.
Typical preparation
Identify a teacher, counselor or mentor who can provide your recommendation.
Arrange the school transcript request and draft your own 300-500 word application essay.
Prepare your laptop and note comedy styles you would like to explore.
International families should plan English-proficiency documentation and the applicable immigration requirements.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in comedy through sustained practice.
What do students do on Summer Theatre Conservatory?
You build a comedy company with your peers, explore different performance styles and turn original ideas into a shared show. Training, professional comedy visits and rehearsal support that progression.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore what makes people laugh while training in improv and stand-up.
- 2
Practice audience interaction, sitcom acting, clowning and sketch development.
- 3
Refine your material and expand your performance abilities.
- 4
Rehearse and perform a collaboratively created comedy show, and put yourself on tape in sitcom class.
Summer Theatre Conservatory dates and deadlines
Past
Application deadline
8 May 2026
Domestic applicants, 2026 reference cycle; portal specifies 3 p.m. PST.
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance — 2026
22 June-17 July 2026
USC's 2026 program calendar.
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance — 2027
21 June-15 July 2027
USC-wide summer calendar; application information is expected in November.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 13 March 2026 | Local | Past | |
Application deadline | 8 May 2026 | Local | Past | |
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance — 2026 | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance — 2027 | 21 June-15 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
High school students must have completed at least ninth grade.
Applicants should pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.
Domestic and international students may apply.
Beginners and experienced performers are welcome.
Participants must attend all required classes.
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency or obtain a waiver.
International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.
Commuters live with parents or guardians in Los Angeles or Orange County.
How much does Summer Theatre Conservatory cost?
Application fee
$85 — Nonrefundable.
Funding or discounts
- Domestic commuter total: $8,130 — 2026 estimated program total.
- Domestic residential total: $11,570 — 2026 estimate including room and board.
- International residential total: $12,208 — 2026 USC estimate including international service fees.
- Seat deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied toward the program total.
- Visa application fee: $185 — Government fee when applicable.
- SEVIS I-901 fee: $350 — Additional government fee when applicable.
- Financial aid: Not offered
What's included
Five to six hours of instruction per day., Course materials, textbooks and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Three elective credit units upon successful completion., Residential package: shared residence-hall room and dining-hall meal plan., Residential package: academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals., Student Health Center access.
How to apply to Summer Theatre Conservatory
- 1
Create an account or log in through USC's Summer Programs application portal.
- 2
Use your legal name and an email address you check frequently.
- 3
Select your course choices, listing Comedy Performance according to your preference.
- 4
Write your own 300-500 word essay using the portal's instructions.
- 5
Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.
- 6
Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF high school transcript.
- 7
Provide English-proficiency evidence or a waiver if you are an international applicant.
- 8
Pay the $85 application fee, review every task and click Submit.
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What does Summer Theatre Conservatory cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Improv and stand-up
Explore your comedic voice and what makes people laugh through improv and stand-up training.
Sketch and comedy writing
Create original material while studying comedic characters, writing and sketch techniques.
Sitcom and physical comedy
Practice sitcom acting, physical comedy and clowning, including a taped sitcom-class performance.
Rehearsal and workshop show
Refine material, expand performance abilities and rehearse a show created by the comedy company.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Summer Theatre Conservatory?
A typical day during the program.
Course instruction
USC requires attendance at every class meeting.
Residential evenings
Return to the residence hall by 10 p.m.; lights out is 11:30 p.m.
Commuter evening activities
Commuters participating in organized evening activities must leave campus by 9 p.m.
Who teaches on Summer Theatre Conservatory?
Experienced professional comedians and comedy actor-writers guide the course. Teaching takes place in a collaborative, interactive conservatory environment.
Where do students stay on Summer Theatre Conservatory?
Residential plan
- Shared residence-hall room: Students share rooms in USC residence halls with gender-specific roommate and floormate assignments.
- Residential meal plan: Room and board covers dining-hall meals, academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals.
- Live-in support and security: Residential Advisors are available at all times, with USCard-controlled hall access and 24/7 campus patrols.
- Campus activities: Residential participants attend organized activities, including weekend field trips.
Non-residential plan
- Local commuter option: Eligible local participants live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County.
- Commuter dining: Commuters purchase meals individually; a commuter meal plan is not offered.
- Activities and field-trip transport: Commuters may join evening and weekend activities and must use program transportation for field trips.
Roommate requests cannot be accommodated.
What happens after Summer Theatre Conservatory?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Develop original comedy material and a clearer comedic voice.
Perform a workshop show for family and friends.
Put yourself on tape in sitcom class.
Earn three elective credit units upon successful completion.
Request an official graded transcript and potentially seek faculty recommendations.
Credit transfer depends on the receiving college; recommendation letters and USC admission are not guaranteed.
Where does Summer Theatre Conservatory take place?
The program is based at USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with access to campus libraries, computer labs and the Student Health Center. Course field trips include Sony Pictures Studios and professional comedy shows.
International participants arrange their own travel; early-arrival and late-departure accommodation is not offered.
Summer Theatre Conservatory FAQs
No. The course welcomes both experienced drama students and students who have never performed, with a focus on developing a comedic voice through collaboration.
Topics include improv, sketch, stand-up, scripted comedy, physical comedy, clowning, comedy writing and comedy analysis.
Students generate original comedy material and collaborate on a workshop show for family and friends. The final week also includes putting yourself on tape in sitcom class.
Successful completion earns three units of college elective credit. Other colleges decide whether to accept those units, so retaining the course syllabus is useful.
Residential participants share a room in a USC residence hall and receive a dining-hall meal plan. Residential Advisors live in the halls and are available at all times.
International participants and domestic participants currently living abroad must reside on campus. International participants must also meet USC's English-proficiency and immigration requirements.
USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance. USC employee tuition benefits also do not apply.
No. Admission to or participation in USC Summer Programs does not guarantee undergraduate admission to USC or its schools.
Alternatives to Summer Theatre Conservatory
These broader creative-writing options may suit students who want to focus on developing written material.
Alternatives to Summer Theatre Conservatory
Creative writing study in St Andrews.
Creative Writing
Deadline: Not announced
From £7400
15-18
St Andrews
In-person
Best for
Students prioritizing writing over stage performance.
Creative writing study in Cambridge.
Creative Writing
Deadline: Not announced
From £5495
16-24
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Older students exploring writing as their main creative interest.
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 & verification
Source types reviewed
- Summer Programs Application Management
- USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
- Comedy Performance Summer Program | USC Pre-College
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Application requirements reviewed
Calendar and deadlines compared
Fee options distinguished
Housing and meals reviewed
Credit conditions checked
Safety policies reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Summer Theatre Conservatory: Comedy Performance
by USC Pre-College
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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