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.
Intermediate Acting Summer Institute Program Overview
Application deadline: June 13, 2025 | Enrollment deadline: July 18, 2025
Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to June 1st, is highly recommended.
To participate in the Intermediate Acting Summer Institute, applicants must apply and receive acceptance into the program. Applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:
- A resume. If you do not have a resume, please submit a brief description of your theatrical and/or artistic experience.
- A video of a 1- 1½ minute monologue or improvised scene. Prompts are provided. See Video Audition Guidelines in the FAQ below.
Intermediate Acting Summer Institute is a commuter program, there is NO on-campus housing available for the Intermediate Acting Summer Institute through the institute program or UCLA Summer Sessions. Additionally, please note that only students aged 17 and older as of June 23rd, 2025 are eligible to sign a housing contract, and not all program dates correspond to when contracts are available. Students interested in exploring this option should review information at UCLA Summer Housing.
Participants of the Intermediate Acting Summer Institute must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program.
Parking
Summer Sessions parking permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have the option to purchase a summer term permit or a daily permit.
Please review the Transportation and Parking Services web page and read the “Summer Quarter Parking (All Students)” section for more information on all permit types, including cost.
Coursework
Theater 123 & 138; 8 units
Grading
Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
In order to successfully complete the program, students must not have more than 2 excused or unexcused absence.
International students may enroll in the JumpStart Summer Institute. International students enrolling in this program may qualify for an F-1 visa.
More information for international students attending Summer Sessions can be found here.
Program Dates: July 20, 2025 – August 15, 2025
Program Type: Commuter
Program Eligibility: High school diploma (or equivalent)
Application Deadline: June 13, 2025
Enrollment Deadline: July 18, 2025
The schedule and syllabus are subject to change. Enrolled students will be given updated materials closer to the program start date.
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.
Meet Your Instructors
Lorene Chesley
Lecturer – Theater 123A 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 138Rogelio 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 138David 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!
Avery Clyde
Lecturer – Theater 138Avery Clyde is an American actress known for strong, intellectual characters. “She can save or steal your baby or your business”. Known for her character Kathy Zelden on Amazon’s Bosch; it was the first time she played a character from a book series: Michael Connelly’s 4th book; Tale of Two Truths. Fun fact: Her first recurring role on Dawson’s Creek, she played a guidance counselor and was often younger than the actors she was “counseling”. Her experience is vast and includes:
Regional: The Heiress-Santa Barbara; The Circle-The Fountain; Stick Fly- The
Matrix; Emptier-Hudson, Women and Wallace-Actors Lab; Crimes of the Heart-Orlando Shakes; Bash, Brilliant Traces-Orlando Int’ Fringe; numerous shows with her home companies: The Road Theatre and Antaeus Theatre Company since 2005 respectfully; 100+workshops and readings.
TV: Tale of Santa Muerte (serial podcast), Bosch, Shameless, S.W.A.T. , Criminal Minds, Animal Kingdom, Crash & Burn, Damnation, Colony, The Forgotten, Grey’s Anatomy, Medium, ER, NCIS, Joan of Arcadia, Dawson’s Creek, Tanner on Tanner, Love Life, Aces, Going to California.
Film: Sinister Assistant, Monsters of California, Shimmer, Lapin, Sleep No More, Killer Vacation, Suicide Squad, If I Could Tell You, Unwound, Alice’s Birthday Wish, The Selena Incident, Your Name Here, Moon Lake Casino, Life with Fiona.
Avery has received numerous awards for her work, a testament to her talent. She has been honored by Steppenwolf West, Larry Moss, Virginia Tech; Ovation, Garland, Los Angeles Drama Critics & NAACP Award Winner; LA Weekly Nominee, StageScene LA Award Winner, Lillie Stoates Award – Nominee, Irene Ryan Candidate, ACTF; Best Actress – Television category HollyShorts.
Avery is a member of SAG/AFTRA Equity and lives in Los Angeles with EP/director Rob Clyde and their two boys.
Shinelle Azoroh
Lecturer – Theater 138Shinelle Azoroh is an actor, writer, and director known for her emotionally rich performances and bold storytelling. She stars opposite Trevante Rhodes in BRUISER (Hulu/Onyx Collective) and earned critical praise for her lead role in Apple TV+’s SWAGGER, named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “10 Best Shows of 2021.”
Her work spans film and television, with credits including The Good Doctor (ABC), DON’T LET GO, NOSTALGIA, and the Oscar-nominated short DEKALB ELEMENTARY. A graduate of The American Conservatory Theater, Shinelle also created and stars in the YouTube series ROXIE WOLFGANG. Currently pursuing a master’s in psychology, she is passionate about the intersection of mental health and storytelling.
Intermediate Acting Summer Institute FAQ
You will need to upload one file into a private link on YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar platform and include the password to your private link. The link will be your audition, which consists of your slate and monologue. There is no need to explain what is happening in the play. Feel free to say hello!
Slate: Please provide:
- Your name
- The name of the play your piece is from
- The character’s name
- The playwright
Monologue Length: 1- 1 ½ minutes is preferred
How to film the monologue: Frame it so that you are facing the camera for a medium to close up shot. Use your best judgment for what will work best for your monologue. If you will be moving during your monologue, a medium shot may be better. You may choose to speak into the camera or slightly off-camera. Please remember to review your takes, see what works, and adjust as needed before submitting your audition. Trust the process and try not to be overly critical of yourself.
Audition Guidelines
- Audition against a blank wall or door.
- Complete your monologue in one take.
- If you would like to shoot your slate in a separate take and then edit the take of your monologue into one file, that is acceptable.
- You may film it from your phone or tablet. We are not worried about high production value. The most important thing is that we can see and hear you.
- Do not do a scene with someone reading lines off-camera.
- Do not send prior performances or tapings from plays. Record a new video according to the audition specs for the purposes of this application.
- Do not put pressure on yourself to deliver the “perfect” audition. Do your personal best, be authentic, and don’t forget to have fun!
If you have questions about the audition requirements, please contact TheaterSummerInstitutes@tft.ucla.edu.
Students should bring a laptop.
Still have questions? Check out the general Summer Institutes FAQ.