Summer Youth Programs

Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse offers students in grades 8-9 and 10–12 an invigorating and exciting acting intensive experience to build theatre performance skills. We are looking for students who are passionate, who want to be part of an ensemble and are open to new techniques in theatre-making.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Conservatory Programs on the campus of La Jolla Playhouse Summer 2025

Program 1:  Junior Conservatory for Rising 8th and 9th graders

Dates:  June 23-July 3, 2025 (9 day program).  9:30-4:30 pm, M-F

Cost $500

Program Description:  Students in rising grades 8th and 9th will join La Jolla Playhouse artists in an exciting 9-day program that will dive into techniques in acting, voice, improv, and movement.  Students will have an opportunity to see behind the scenes of La Jolla Playhouse and attend a performance.  Students will demonstrate an informal sharing of learning on Thursday, July 3 at 6:00 pm.

Program 2:  Conservatory for Rising 10th-12th graders 

Dates:  July 7-25, 2025 (15 day program).  9:30 am-4:30 pm, M-F

Cost:  $850

Program Description:  Students in rising grades 10th-12th will spend an exciting three weeks at La Jolla Playhouse receiving professional training and support in finding your own artistic voice through advanced acting, voice and speech, improvisation, and movement methods. Students will be centered in the creative process.  You will attend master classes with Playhouse artists, engage with presentations by La Jolla Playhouse staff,  learn about the audition process, go behind the scenes of creating theatre, see a live performance, and receive one-on-one mentoring.  Students will demonstrate learning and experience at an open sharing for families on Thursday, July 24th at 6:00 pm.

Important Dates:

Application Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025 (Note: A complete application is the application form and two letters of recommendation)

In Person Auditions for both Conservatory Programs will be held at La Jolla Playhouse on Saturday, May 10th. After applying, students will be notified on or before May 2, 2025 if they are being called in for an audition for the program.

Participation and Scholarship* Notification: All applicants who audition will be notified on or before May 20, 2025 of acceptance into program.

Orientation:  June 21, 2025 @ 11:00 am at La Jolla Playhouse

*A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available for accepted Conservatory students.  To apply, submit the following linked application when you submit your online application. The due date for the scholarship application is Monday, April 21, 2025.

Questions?  Email:  [email protected]

La Jolla Playhouse is proud to be a recipient of funding from The San Diego Foundation and the San Diego Unified School District to bring exciting, fun, and invigorating summer theatre camps to middle and high school students in their school communities during the summer. Created in 2021 by the San Diego Unified School District and The San Diego Foundation, Level Up San Diego, featured in-person classroom instruction in the mornings at neighborhood schools with San Diego Unified teachers and summer activities offered by dozens of nonprofits in communities across the city. There is no cost to families for the classroom instruction or the activities, thanks to a $31 million commitment by the San Diego Unified Board of Education. To be eligible for #LevelUpSD, students must be enrolled in San Diego Unified for the previous school year.

In summer 2024, La Jolla Playhouse is offering three musical theatre camps to 4th-8th graders. These programs will be hosted at Knox Middle School, Dana Middle School, and Logan Memorial.

To learn more about these programs in San Diego Unified Schools, please reach out to your school admin to learn when registration will open for summer.

Since 2014, incarcerated students from JCCS, in partnership with San Diego County Probation, have attended week long Tech Theatre Camps at the La Jolla Playhouse Theatre complex. Students complete rigorous, standards-based activities throughout the week, including constructing small theatre flats, (the walls that create a set), creating props, lighting design, scenic art, costume design, and special effects makeup. Two of San Diego’s most well-respected theatre teachers and the technical staff of La Jolla Playhouse lead the course work. Students earn course credit, as well as a certificate of completion from the La Jolla Playhouse, which is a wonderful addition to the student’s resume.