Curriculum

The BUSTI curriculum combines technique classes, core acting classes, master classes, and performance projects. Class size and performance ensembles range from 11-18 students.

Morning technique classes include Design, Voice, Movement, Singing, Stage Combat, and Dramatic Literature. The Acting Core curriculum, offered in the afternoon, includes improvisation, monologue work, and scene study. Weekly master classes offer specialty training with focuses in Suzuki, Viewpoints, Audition Technique, Improvisation, Clowning, and Shakespeare, among other topics.

Each student is cast in a performance project that rehearses throughout the five weeks. At the program’s end, all students perform their projects in the College of Fine Arts studio theatres. These projects are process-oriented ensemble pieces, geared toward empowering individual students to develop a collective artistic voice.

Classes meet daily, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening rehearsals for the performance project meet Monday through Thursday, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with an additional Saturday rehearsal. On Friday evenings, the students participate in an Experimental Theatre Lab driven by their personal work as theatre artists.

A Typical Theatre Institute Day

9–10:30 a.m.: Singing class
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Movement class
12:15–1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:45–5 p.m.: Acting class
5–7 p.m.: Dinner
7–10 p.m.: Rehearsal
11:00 p.m.: Curfew

College of Fine Arts Undergraduate Audition

At the close of the summer, students entering the senior year of high school will have the opportunity to audition for the professional theatre training program at the School of Theatre at the Boston University College of Fine Arts. Students demonstrating exceptional promise and commitment may wish to apply for admission to the School under the Boston University Early Decision program.