Explore the actor's craft and learn how to work as part of a creative team.
Our summer Drama programs are built for the most passionate, energetic, and motivated young artists and include studies in acting, voice, singing, dance, and movement. Students live and work among ambitious and dedicated classmates and are taught by teachers who've spent their lives in the profession.
Students are challenged physically, vocally, and imaginatively in a community where art is not just one of the courses, but the main course. For some, it's the first step in their journey to our world-class Residential High School program. For many, it's the most important, fulfilling, and exhilarating of their young lives.
Arts Odyssey Program
Rising 8th & 9th-Graders
June 14 - 19 / June 21 - 26, 2020
Explore, imagine, create, and discover: that's what students do every day in our introductory Drama program. Rising 8th and 9th graders become members of the Arts Odyssey ensemble and experience the freedom and power of collaboration. In acting, voice, singing, movement, and dance classes, they grasp the values necessary for excellence in the theatre and life. Students who complete the one-week challenge emerge with a clearer sense of possibilities and enter their next school year with increased artistry and confidence. The Arts Odyssey one-week intensive culminates in a showcase of student work for parents and family.
Students apply in the 7th or 8th grade and must be legal residents of South Carolina to apply.
Academy Program
Rising 10th-Graders
July 5 - 18, 2020
Academy Drama is where things begin to get serious. Rising sophomores are challenged to work from the top of their physical, emotional, and intellectual aptitude. Classes taught by professional artists engage students in an advanced study of acting, voice, singing, movement, and dance. By immersing themselves wholeheartedly in the pursuit of artistic excellence, students acquire fundamental skills, gain essential self-awareness, and glimpse new horizons. The two-week intensive culminates in a presentation of student work for parents and family.
Students apply in the 9th grade and must be legal residents of South Carolina to apply.
Academy Application
Thank you for your interest in our Academy Program! The application period is now closed and will reopen in September 2019 for summer programs in 2020. Please join our admissions email list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to receive useful notifications about our programs and admissions information.
Application Process
If you already have an account from a previous year, then you can login using the same login credentials. If this is your first time applying, then you’ll need to create an account in our online application system. The application has several different components, and you don’t have to complete it in one sitting. Once you create an account, you can pick up where you left off at any time.
Candidates may apply for up to two art areas, but may attend in only one.
Here’s what you’ll need to complete the online application for Academy Drama.
- ID Photo
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A passport-style photo of yourself from the shoulders up. This will be used as your student ID photo if you are accepted.
- Grades and Attendance
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A copy of your most recent report card can be uploaded to the application on the Current School page. If attendance is not part of your report card, you will also need to include an attendance report.
- Teacher Recommendations
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You’ll complete a short online form that will let us request grades and attendance and send the appropriate recommendation forms to your teachers while you continue to work on your application. You’ll need names and email addresses for:
- Arts Teacher Recommendation
- Academic Teacher Recommendation
- Homeschool Recommendation (if applicable)
- Arts Experience
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You'll list any classes/training/experience you may have had in the past two years. Limited experience won't hurt your chances.
- Parent/Guardian Contact Information
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General contact information for the legal guardian(s).
Once you have submitted the application, you can login to your account at any time to view the application checklist. When all required application materials are received, you will receive an email confirming your audition. Audition locations fill up quickly, so please submit your completed application as early as possible.
The Admissions Office will notify you if information is missing from your application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
Arts Odyssey Application
Thank you for your interest in our Arts Odyssey Program! The application period is now closed and will reopen in September 2019 for summer programs in 2020. Please join our admissions mailing list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to receive useful notifications about our programs and admissions information.
Application Process
First, you’ll need to create an account in our online application system. If you already have an application account from a previous year, then you can login with the same credentials. The application has several different components, and you don’t have to complete it in one sitting. Once you create an account, you can pick up where you left off at any time.
Candidates may apply for up to two art areas, but may attend in only one.
Here’s what you’ll need to complete the online application for Arts Odyssey Drama.
- ID Photo
-
A passport-style photo of yourself from the shoulders up. This will be used as your student ID photo if you are accepted.
- First Quarter Grades
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A copy of your first quarter grades will be uploaded to the application on the Current School page.
- Teacher Recommendations
-
You’ll complete a short online form that will let us request grades and attendance and send the appropriate recommendation forms to your teachers while you continue to work on your application. You’ll need names and email addresses for:
- Arts Teacher Recommendation
- Homeschool Recommendation (if applicable)
- Arts Experience
-
You'll list any classes/training/experience you may have had in the past two years. Limited experience won't hurt your chances.
- Parent/Guardian Contact Information
-
General contact information for the legal guardian(s).
Once all application materials have been received, you will receive an email from the school confirming that your application is complete. The Admissions Office will notify you if information is missing from your application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
See the "Important Dates" section for decision notification information.
Academy Audition
During the Academy Drama audition...
the student begins by performing two monologues and a song. A panel of theatre professionals will conduct a personal interview with the student following the performance component of your audition.
- Two Contrasting Monologues
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Select two contrasting monologues from modern playwrights (after 1940) that are 1-2 minutes long and reflect your age, experience, and understanding. This should be material you connect with personally.
Check out the list of modern/contemporary plays (published after 1940) below. These plays contain one or more monologues suitable for audition purposes, though some may need to be cut together or edited somewhat. You may use the list as a guide, or choose material not on the list by written by established professional playwrights.
- One Song
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Memorize a short selection from a song – preferably 16 bars. Be prepared to sing this selection without accompaniment.
- Interview
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There will also be a short interview with a panel of theatre professionals. Be prepared to speak about your monologues, and why you would like to participate in the Academy Drama program.
- Helpful Tips
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- Dress appropriately for the audition in neat attire (no torn jeans, flip-flops, or t-shirts).
- Read the ENTIRE PLAY from which each monologue is taken, so that you understand what’s happening, where you are, who you are talking to, and why you are talking to them. We may want to talk to you about the play or coach your monologue.
- Prepare and fully memorize your monologues well in advance of your audition so that you are confident and can engage your talent and imagination. This takes many hours.
- Avoid plays written expressly for high schoolers or internet-only sources, as well as accents or characters far from your age and understanding.
Arts Odyssey Application Video
As part of the Arts Odyssey Drama application process...
all applicants must submit a 5-minute application video that includes the following items:
- Perform a short monologue (1-2 minutes long) or a poem, or use a piece of fiction that you're excited by. Whatever you choose, put your heart into it.
- (OPTIONAL) Sing 16 bars of a song (30 seconds); not singing won't hurt your chances.
- Answer three interview questions.
- The Monologue
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- Prepare an acting monologue from a modern play (published after 1940 that is 1-2 minutes long and suits your age range, experience, and understanding. You should connect with the material personally, because that's what will help you stand out.
- Check out the list below of modern/contemporary plays (published after 1940). These plays contain one or more monologues suitable for audition purposes, though some may need to be cut together or edited somewhat. You may use the list as a guide, or choose material not on the list by written by established professional playwrights.
- Monologue Helpful Tips
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- Read the entire play so that you know what's happening, where you are, who you are talking to, and why you are talking to them.
- Fully memorize your monologue well in advance of recording so that you're confident enough to engage your imagination and make the piece your own. We want to experience a character in a dramatic situation and not just a young person reciting.
- Work from yourself. Avoid put on accents, funny walks or talking, and crude attempts at "character."
- Avoid monologues written just for young people, or internet sources. There's a lot of bad material out there that will put you at a disadvantage. You can only go so far as the writing will take you, so it's the most important choice you'll make in the preparation process.
- The Interview Questions
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You'll briefly answer each of the following questions as part of the video. Remember, after the monologue and if you choose to sing, you'll only have about two minutes left on the video, so time your answers accordingly.
- Tell us three things you're passionate about.
- Reveal one of the most challenging things you've done all by yourself.
- What do you hope to gain by coming to the Odyssey Drama program?
- (OPTIONAL) Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you related to Arts Odyssey Drama?
- Before Recording the Application Video
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Download and read the guidelines below. These guidelines walk you through how to prepare before recording (lighting, sound, what to wear), as well as when to stop and start the recording.
- After Recording the Application Video
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If you have not already downloaded the recording guidelines above, we STRONGLY encourage you to do so now. After you have read the guidelines and made the video, download the submission directions below.
Important Dates
Academy Program
- Application Deadlines
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- November 30, 2019 - Application fee waiver deadline
- January 8, 2020 - Application deadline
- After January 8 - Applications will be processed on a space-available basis.
Teacher recommendations, grades, and attendance must be submitted by the above deadlines in order for your application to be considered complete.
- Audition Dates
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- February 1, 2020 - Midlands - Columbia College
- February 8, 2020 - Lowcountry - College of Charleston
- February 22, 2020 - Upstate - SCGSAH
- Admission Decision Notification
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- April 1, 2020 - Decision notifications sent by email
Note: Decision status will not be given over the phone.
Arts Odyssey Program
Spaces in the Arts Odyssey program are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you an advantage. Students do not audition for the Arts Odyssey program.
- December 13, 2019 - Application deadline
- After December 13, 2019, applications will be processed on a space-available basis.
- February 14, 2020 - Admission decision notifications sent by email
* Teacher recommendations and other art area specific requirements must be submitted by December 13 in order for your application to be considered complete.
Fees
Application Fee
For those in need of financial assistance, the Application Fee Waiver, located on the Submission Confirmation page of the application, may be submitted instead of the application fee.
- Arts Odyssey: no application fee
- Academy: $25 application fee after November 30
Deposit & Tuition
Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, students must submit a non-refundable deposit to secure a place in the program.
- Arts Odyssey Tuition: $500, includes the $100 non-refundable deposit
- Academy Tuition: $950, includes the $150 non-refundable deposit
Financial aid is available to residents of South Carolina with validated financial need.