Teen Conservatory
Summer Program
Professional Training. Inspiring Mentorship. Extraordinary Growth.
Ages 13-17
McCarter’s Teen Conservatory is a transformative two-week intensive for young artists who are ready to take their craft to the next level. Designed for teens with a genuine interest in acting and performance, whether they’re stepping into focused training for the first time or already working at an advanced level, this program blends rigorous conservatory-style study with the joy, curiosity, and ensemble spirit that define McCarter’s educational approach.
Each session offers brand-new artistic material, new industry guests, and distinct learning outcomes, giving students the option to join for one session or build a multi-session, cumulative training experience.
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At the heart of the program is daily, pre-professional training in three essential disciplines:
Acting
Vocal Instruction
Movement & Dance
Teens train in an environment that models professional expectations while remaining encouraging, energizing, and deeply supportive. Classes emphasize craft, risk-taking, disciplined practice, and the development of each student’s artistic voice. Under the guidance of McCarter Teaching Artists, teens gain confidence as performers, collaborators, and creative thinkers.
This summer’s Teen Conservatory is just the beginning. McCarter is expanding its commitment to teen artists with a new year-round conservatory program, offering ongoing training in the fall, winter, and spring for students who want to continue their artistic journey with us.
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McCarter’s Teen Conservatory is ideal for teens who:
Love acting, storytelling, and expressive arts
Want focused training in a joyful, uplifting, and supportive environment
Are excited to learn from inspiring educators and working industry professionals
Are exploring performance more seriously, or are ready to strengthen and refine their craft
Whether teens are exploring acting for personal growth or looking ahead to college auditions and professional training, families will appreciate the program’s combination of rigor, mentorship, and meaningful performance experience.
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Every session features workshops with working professionals from Broadway, television, film, and the wider entertainment industry. These guest artists bring real-world expertise and authentic insight into the rehearsal room, offering mentorship that broadens students’ understanding of both the artistic process and the profession itself.
Each session also includes a workshop with McCarter’s Casting Coordinator, who supports casting for McCarter’s mainstage productions. Teens receive thoughtful guidance, personalized feedback, and a valuable window into how casting decisions are made.
This combination of industry access and individualized attention elevates the learning experience and makes the conservatory truly unique.
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Under the mentorship of experienced McCarter Teaching Artists, teens participate in a structured conservatory schedule focused on:
Acting technique, character development, and script analysis
Healthy, expressive, and confident vocal production
Movement for actors, choreography, and physical storytelling
Ensemble building and collaborative problem-solving
Vocal clarity and performance presence
Rehearsal etiquette, discipline, and leadership development
The training is intensive, rewarding, and thoughtfully designed to nurture not only skill, but also resilience, creativity, and confidence. We challenge students to stretch their abilities while also honoring their individual strengths, ensuring every teen grows at a pace that feels supportive and authentic to them.
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Each two-week session culminates in a final showcase where families are invited to see scenes, monologues, musical selections, and/or movement pieces created in class. This culminating performance highlights the ensemble’s growth, skill development, and artistic process.