Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute

"SSTI saved my life. I learned more about myself as an actor and human being in that magical month than I have in the past four years"
-Kris S, SSTI '17, '18Penn State Musical Theatre '23

Southeastern Summer Theatre Instituteas featured on Playbill, BroadwayWorld, Buzzfeed

You've seen so many ads, you've heard a variety of recommendations, and you may have even found yourself on page 80 of forum discussing summer programs. We get it. Summer programs are a dime a dozen. And you just want the right fit. The program that presents the best training, and greatest opportunity for future success. 

So you're likely wondering Why SSTI?​

I'm glad you asked.​ The world at SSTI is filled with some of the most incredible professional theatre makers and educators in the United States. Many of these artists work on the latest and greatest Broadway musicals. While others teach at the nation's top schools, filling the stages of Broadway with their own students. They choose to spend their summers with us because they know SSTI's level of detail and artistry, and the unending potential found in our students.

SSTI's productions are designed and crafted by these industry leaders working alongside some of the nation's brightest young talent. But most importantly, we're shaping the next generation of human beings who will take on leadership roles both in the theatrical world and well beyond. Yes, we celebrate the discoveries made by our students every single day. Yes, we rejoice with them as they're coached and interviewed by professors from their dream schools. But in our mind, all of those successes and growth points are expected. When you combine the legion of outstanding staff members found on our team with the dedicated young people who grace our campus, how could it not change lives? Our productions are incredible. Our masterclasses are unique and challenging. But our personal development and encouragement of these young people to be their authentic selves, is unmatched.

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SSTI is about family. Whether you're a student for one year or four, we celebrate you. We're your cheerleaders for life, just as you will be ours. At SSTI, we're preparing our young people for careers on-stage and backstage, but most importantly, we're preparing them for the rest of their lives.

The Programs

SSTI Musical Theatre Production

This is the hit musical theatre session that launched SSTI in 2007, and led to SSTI’s ranking among the TOP FIVE SUMMER THEATRE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION. Students spend the first three weeks of this program with the development of a professional musical- helmed by a director from a major university program or Broadway. The final week of programming is devoted to college-level coursework and structure, allowing students a glimpse into their future education. The program concludes with preparing audition materials one-on-one with visiting professors from the nation’s top colleges and universities. 

SSTI Essentials
Students at SSTI Essentials will spend two weeks working in small group and one-on-one coaching sessions with three professors from the top musicals theatre universities. Boasting at 5:1 student to teacher ratio, this program presents the educational opportunities afforded in our longer program, but on a more compressed time table. Daily dance classes, individualized voice lessons, and monologue and movement instruction are just the beginning of the college readiness that this program offers. As with our four week program, juniors and seniors find this to be an incredible opportunity to polish and perfect pre-screen materials with professors from their dream schools!

SSTI Tech
This specialized program is one of a kind and draws attention from colleges across the nation for its advanced coursework and thoughtful preparation for young technicians preparing to interview and attend college. SSTI Tech pairs a limited number of technical theatre students with our professional staff members to design, construct, and run a professional musical, all while taking daily classes to strengthen not only their focused area of interest, but also skills in other technical arenas. By crafting a professional portfolio, and sharpening skills across an array of technical fields, SSTI Tech alums have an unmatched success rate applying to the schools of their dreams. They’ll also have guest artist masterclasses similar to the performance program, preparing them thoroughly for the process of presenting their work and successfully navigating the college interview process. THIS is the program for that talented student who wants to thrive and live in the world of backstage theatre. 

SSTI Junior
This challenging five-day session for middle school students is always a quick sell out. They’ll be pushed, just like the high schoolers, to become triple threat performers on-stage, and mature, responsible professionals off-stage. Daily curriculum will be varied and include individualized instruction and group instruction, concluding with a final showcase performance. 

2025 Dates

Musical Theatre Production and SSTI Tech

• Session One: June 2-29 (*June 2 Travel Day)
• Session Two: July 7-August 3 (*July 7 Travel Day)

SSTI Essentials

• June 8-21 (*June 9 and June 21 Travel Days)

SSTI Junior

• July 1-5 (local, non-boarding)

The Deadlines

SSTI Tech, Musical Theatre Production, and SSTI Essentials:
Early Admissions: January 3, 2025
Regular Admissions: March 3, 2025*
*Space sometime remains following March 7 decision release. Check our website for latest openings through June 1.

SSTI Junior
Rolling Admissions, first decisions sent on 3/3/25

The Deets
Find out more info with these helpful links:
SSTI's Frequently Asked Questions
Contact SSTI for More Information

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