Train on camera and on stage with professional actors and directors, then star in original short films made with SOCAPA’s young filmmakers. Ages 14–18 in New York City, Los Angeles and Vermont.
Pre-College Summer Intensives
At SOCAPA, actors don’t just study their craft—they put it into practice. Students develop their skills through scene study, on-camera technique, and performance, working alongside SOCAPA’s young filmmakers to bring original short films to life.
Every session ends with headshots, a live performance, and finished films to share and add to an acting reel.
Core Acting: build foundations in stage and screen craft. No prior acting experience required.
Advanced Acting: deepen technique and tackle more demanding material.
Musical Theater: combine singing, dance, and acting for camera (New York City, ages 15–18).
Three Intensives
SOCAPA offers multiple acting pathways for teens ages 14-18. For new students, we recommend Core Acting. Return students can level up in Advanced Acting. In New York City, students ages 15–18 can also train in Musical Theater.
Lumiere Film (1-2 min)
Porter Film (2-3 min)
Headshots + Live Improvisational Scene
Two short films you star in, plus headshots and a live scene.
Hitchcock Film (2-3 min)
Kurosawa Film (6-8 min)
Headshots + Live Master Scene
Cast in films directed by SOCAPA’s advanced filmmakers, plus headshots and a live master scene.
Musical performance and vocal instruction
Acting for film + student film performance
What Families Say
Hear how SOCAPA Acting helps students grow in confidence, craft, and collaboration.
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Read hundreds more reviews from families around the world
Student Work
Highlights from acting films and performance work.
2027 Summer Campuses
Core and Advanced Acting run at all three campuses. Musical Theater is offered in New York City.
Pre-College
Core Acting · Advanced Acting · Musical Theater
Film scenes on location around Greenwich Village. The only campus offering Musical Theater.
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Summer Camp & Pre-College
Core Acting · Advanced Acting
Act on camera on Occidental College’s campus, with a real taste of college life in Los Angeles.
Explore acting camp in Los Angeles
Summer Arts Camp
Core Acting · Advanced Acting
A more traditional sleep-away camp setting at Champlain College, great for younger high school students.
Explore acting camp in Vermont
College Experience
From NYU to Pace University, Occidental College, and Champlain College, all of SOCAPA's programs are run directly on college campuses, using the classrooms, dormitories, and facilities of undergraduates.
Residential SOCAPA students enjoy the emerging independence of dorm life together with roommates and floormates under the supervision of SOCAPA's staff.
College dorms with roommates & community
Eat where college students eat daily
University classrooms, dorms & facilities
Attend as a day student and save on room & board
Who We Are
Our school is our faculty. Learn from working actors and directors with deep experience in stage and screen performance.
Ready to learn from the best?
Explore Acting ProgramsWhat Families Say
Stories from families and students about growth, confidence, and creative breakthrough at SOCAPA Acting.
"a life-changing moment for Ally... she emerged from the program with emerging confidence and the belief that she could have a future in the arts... I wish I could have left her for 2 more weeks."
Gina F., California
"a taste of what college life will be like"
Sue M, Washington, DC
"Simply stupendous!"
Daniel S, California
"Not only do I believe the acting classes improved my abilities as an actor, but the overall experience taught me the basics of film production."
Tom C, New Hampshire
"She learned a lot from the acting teachers... and discussed ways to reach her goals as an aspiring actress. She came home very confident and motivated about pursuing her dreams. The only thing we would change would be for her to stay longer."
Laura C, Maryland
"provided the necessary artist’s environment she needed as she explores and makes big life decisions as she enters her senior year in high school."
Christine T, New Jersey
"as far-reaching as they come... actors leave with some extra padding for their online portfolio."
We’d love to help you choose the right program and campus.
Who teaches Acting?
Explore the working artists, educators, and industry professionals who mentor SOCAPA students.
