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Intermediate Acting Summer Institute

Refine your craft and master the scene

Develop techniques to take your talent to the next level and book the audition room.

The UCLA Intermediate Acting Summer Institute is a four-week, 8-unit intensive intended for artists who want to strengthen their skill in front of the camera and on stage. Participants will create content for their reel and take classes focused on acting, audition technique, improv, Kung Fu inspired stage combat and sketch comedy.

Every student will walk away with the tools to relate to the camera lens, approach to understanding a script along with identifying specific choices that can be made to prepare and connect in the audition room. Beyond the classroom, there will be guest workshops, field trips to a Hollywood Studio, improv nights and more.

The program is designed for college students who seek the discipline and training required for participation in a university theater program or a career in the entertainment industry.

Admission to the program is by digital audition and instructor consent. As part of the application process, each applicant must submit an unofficial transcript along with a resume. Both transcript and resume can be uploaded during the application process.

Fees and Payment Info

The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.

Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid.

 

Program Fee
$4,584.00
Ackerman Student Union Fee
$16.20
Ackerman / Kerckhoff Seismic Fee
$37.67
Wooden Center Fee
$7.80
SPARC Fee
$27.00
Undergraduate Student Association Fee
$55.45
PLEDGE Fee
$22.84
IEI Fee
$61.00
Document Fee
$50.00
Total Estimated Fees:
$4,861.96
* Fees only apply for certain student types

Meet Your Instructors

Lorene Chesley

Lecturer – Theater 123

A native of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Lorene Chesley grew up studying ballet and tap but quickly segued her love for performance into acting. Credits include “June” in the world premiere of Feeding Beatrice at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, “Marsha” in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike ( Crescent City Stage), “Valerie Johnston” in Smart people ( Arena Stage), “ Marian Almond” in the Heiress ( Arena Stage). TV credits include The Young and the Restless (CBS), Grownish ( Freeform), Shameless ( Showtime), and the Fosters (Freeform). Lorene also released her first book The Perfectly Imperfect Christian. She studied theatre at Temple University and earned an M.F.A. in acting at the University of California, San Diego.

Rogelio Douglas III

Lecturer – Theater 138

Rogelio Douglas III is a Black and Afro-Costarricense multi-hyphenate artist: actor, spoken-word poet, educator, writer. The Brooklyn, NY native earned his M.F.A in Acting from UCLA TFT, and now resides in Los Angeles. Recently performed in Moliere’s Tartuffe (Laguna Playhouse), The Talented Tenth (Robey Theatre Company), The Inheritance (Geffen Playhouse), and Picnic (Odyssey Theatre). Most recent onscreen credits include: They Listen (Blumhouse Productions), and Space Lightning (Amazon Prime/Yippee). Rogelio also has a lot of experience in TV and voiceover, most recently being heard dubbing English for Rhythm + Flow France S2 & S3 on Netflix. RD3 is an instructor at the Theater of Arts Drama Conservatory – Hollywood and a lecturer at UCLA TFT. | @RogelioDouglas3

David Kepner

Lecturer – Theater 138

David Kepner is a multi-hyphenate talent based in Los Angeles, wearing hats as an actor, director, and creator. With degrees and credentials from both UCLA (MFA) and Boise State (BA), he’s thriving on teaching and sharing relevant knowledge with anybody who’ll listen, especially students who understand his niche humor. Heading into his fifth year as program coordinator for UCLA TSI, David can’t wait to witness the inflow of extraordinary talent while also helping make every student’s UCLA journey unforgettable. And of course, he’s ecstatic to be teaching his sketch comedy class again — because writing jokes is no joke!

Jon Sprik

Lecturer – Theater 138

Jon Sprik earned his MFA in Acting at The University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program. Upon receiving his degree, he moved to New York City where he worked with notable theatre companies like Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and The Titan Theatre. He has appeared in the lead role of the interactive off-Broadway hit, The Awesome 80’s Prom, which received the Improvisational Theater Award for Best Interactive Show during its nine-year performance run.

He has trained with the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) in New York City and has gained credits with various regional theaters around the country, including: The Powerhouse Theatre, The Texas Shakespeare Festival, The Lost Colony, The Lincoln Amphitheater, The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, and The Door Shakespeare Festival. Now, with a home-based in Los Angeles, CA, he works regularly with the Victory Theatre Center, Sierra Madre Playhouse, Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, and is a company member of The Road Theatre in North Hollywood.

His on-screen credits span television and film, where you can catch him most recently in the third season of The Wild West Chronicles, in the first season of Elkhorn, and in the three-part film series The Gabbi Luck Mysteries. This summer (2024) he’ll be performing as Voltaire in Emilie La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends her Life Tonight at the Curtis Theatre and as Damis in Tartuffe: Born Again at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, after a successful summer playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Richard III in The War of the Roses in 2023. As an educator, Jon works with students of all ages teaching acting, auditioning, and improv. He also runs Fresh Outlook Tutors Inc., which assists students kindergarten through college with academic tutoring, test prep, and college applications.