# Theater & Performing Arts Programs & Competitions for High School Students Performing-arts programs include pre-professional summer intensives, youth companies, and national festivals in theater, musical theater, and dance. These programs double as portfolio and audition preparation for BFA-track applicants. 25 verified programs match this page; 12 of the featured listings are free; 3 can be done online. ## Programs (25 total) | Program | Organization | Cost | Format | Grades | Deadline | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Young Playwrights Festival](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/young-playwrights-festival) | Young Playwrights Inc. | Free | in_person | Grades 10–12 | 2027-01-29 | | [Yale Summer Conservatory for Actors](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/yale-school-drama-summer) | Yale School of Drama | $4,500 | in_person | Grades 10–12 | 2027-05-08 | | [Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/julliard-summer-dance) | Juilliard School | $4,500 | in_person | Grades 12–18 | 2026-12-15 | | [International Thespian Festival](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/thespian-festival-international) | Educational Theatre Association | $600 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-04-01 | | [FAA High School Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/faa-high-school-competition) | University of Illinois College of Fine and Applied Arts | Free | virtual | Grades 9–11 | 2027-02-01 | | [Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/stagedoor-manor) | Stagedoor Manor | $6,000 | in_person | Grades 10–18 | Rolling | | [National Student Playwriting Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/national-student-playwriting-competition) | Kennedy Center | Free | virtual | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-06 | | [NYU Tisch School of the Arts Summer Programs](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/nyu-tisch-summer-arts) | New York University | $5,000 | in_person | Grades 10–12 | 2026-12-01 | | [Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Lit Fest](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/tennessee-williams-new-orleans-literary-festival) | Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, Inc. | $100 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2026-10-15 | | [National High School Dance Festival](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/national-high-school-dance-festival) | Dance Teacher Magazine | $800 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-20 | | [Odyssey of the Mind](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/odyssey-of-the-mind) | Creative Competitions, Inc. | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2026-12-01 | | [Youth America Grand Prix](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/youth-america-grand-prix) | YAGP | $200 | hybrid | Grades 9–19 | 2026-09-15 | | [Kennedy Center VSA Playwright Discovery Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/kennedy-center-vsarts) | Kennedy Center | Free | virtual | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-07 | | [Pacific Northwest Ballet School Summer Course](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/pacific-northwest-ballet-school-summer-course) | Pacific Northwest Ballet | $4,000 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-31 | | [English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/shakespeare-competition-esf) | English-Speaking Union | Free | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-02 | | [CMU Drama Pre-College](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/cmu-drama-pre-college) | Carnegie Mellon University | $6,500 | in_person | Grades 10–12 | 2027-03-01 | | [Sarah Lawrence Pre-College Programs](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/sarah-lawrence-pre-college-programs) | Sarah Lawrence College | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-05-01 | | [Syracuse University Summer College](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/syracuse-university-summer-college) | Syracuse University | Free | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2027-05-01 | | [Young Actors Summer Institute](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/trinity-rep-young-actors-summer-institute) | Trinity Repertory Company | $450 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [August Wilson Monologue Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/august-wilson-monologue-competition) | True Colors Theatre Company | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-31 | | [NAACP ACT-SO](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/naacp-act-so) | NAACP | Not listed | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [Teen Ensemble](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/alliance-theatre-teen-ensemble) | Alliance Theatre | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | Rolling | | [New York Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/new-york-summer-school-of-the-arts-nysssa) | New York State Education Department | Free | in_person | Grades 10–12 | 2027-03-14 | | [ASC Theatre Camp](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/asc-theatre-camp) | American Shakespeare Center | $3,975 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) Pre-College Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/amda-american-musical-and-dramatic-academy-pre-college-program) | AMDA | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | ## Frequently asked questions ### How many theater & performing arts programs are listed for high school students? ExtracurricularHub currently lists 25 verified theater & performing arts opportunities for high school students, each with cost, eligibility, deadline, and an official application link. ### Are any of these theater & performing arts programs free? Yes — 12 of the programs featured on this page charge no participation fee. Free programs are often funded and can be more selective, so apply early. ### Which deadlines are coming up soonest? The next deadlines: Youth America Grand Prix (September 15, 2026); Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Lit Fest (October 15, 2026); NYU Tisch School of the Arts Summer Programs (December 1, 2026). Deadlines change every cycle — always confirm on the program's official site. ### Do theater & performing arts extracurriculars help with college admissions? Yes — sustained, escalating involvement in theater & performing arts (participation → awards or leadership → independent work) reads far stronger than scattered one-off activities. Pick one or two programs from this page and go deep. ## Related pages - [Music Programs & Competitions for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/music) - [Film & Video Programs & Competitions for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/film) - [Arts for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/arts) - [Summer Programs for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/summer-programs) - [Browse all extracurriculars](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars) - [Find My Fit — 3-minute matching quiz](https://extracurricularhub.com/find-my-fit) --- Canonical page: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/theater Source: ExtracurricularHub (https://extracurricularhub.com) — a free directory of 1,826 verified extracurricular programs for high school students. Cite the canonical page above; always confirm binding details on each program's official site.