NATIONAL MUSIC THEATER INSTITUTE

Six weeks of rigorous training with opportunity to create new work alongside the O’Neill’s developmental conferences. Focus in acting, directing, or playwriting. THEATERMAKERS SUMMER INTENSIVE The Theatermakers Summer Intensive program provides six weeks of rigorous theater training and the opportunity to create new work alongside the O’Neill’s renowned developmental conferences. Whether you’re a student looking to continue your training in the summer or an artist seeking a shorter, more intense program, the Theatermakers Summer Intensive offers you concentrated training aimed at broadening your theatrical horizons. With new work at the forefront of this program, you’ll gain the skills to produce your own work as well as to be a productive collaborator in the development process. You’ll also be immersed in an O’Neill summer, mingling with the many professional artists on campus across the O’Neill’s various programs and observing them as they develop their own new plays, musicals, and puppetry performances. The Theatermakers Summer Intensive offers focuses in acting, directing, and playwriting, so you can hone in on what interests you most while also expanding your skillset and widening your creative lens. PROGRAM DATES & DETAILS Summer 2026 Semester Dates: June 12, 2026-July 26, 2026 Priority Application Deadline: March 2, 2026 Apply by this date to receive $500 off your program fee. Regular Application Deadline: April 6, 2026 Apply by this date for best consideration for admission and scholarship. Program Fees $11,900 For more details about what program fees cover, click HERE . Credits 8 Credit Hours CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS When you apply to attend our Theatermakers Summer Intensive, you’ll select a discipline to focus on during your time at the O'Neill. While many courses will be taken as an ensemble, you’ll attend specialty courses in your focus, and it will inform your role in weekly performances. ACTING DIRECTING PLAYWRITING THE THEATERMAKERS EXPERIENCE CLASSES & MENTORSHIP FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS As a part of the Theatermakers program, you’ll study with professional working artists who are experts in their subject matter. Classes vary across the different focuses but include study in New Work, Voice, Choicework, Droznin Movement, Playwriting, Directing, and more. Plus, with so many people on campus for the O’Neill’s other summer programming, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and converse with artists from all disciplines and backgrounds. WEEKLY PERFORMANCES OF NEW WORK Original pieces come to life each week written, directed, and performed by your Theatermakers ensemble. Throughout the semester, you will create around different themes and in various styles such as musicals and radio plays. Your new work is presented to the campus community of artists, arts administrators, and faculty as well as the public. PROFESSIONAL OBSERVERSHIPS As a member of the Theatermakers ensemble, you’ll get firsthand insight into the new work development process as you observe the professional artists in rehearsals for the pieces that are a part of the O’Neill summer season. THEATER ATTENDANCE While you’re on campus, you’ll see every piece of work that is being developed as a part of the National Puppetry Conference, National Playwrights Conference, and National Music Theater Conference. If the schedule allows, you may also take a trip to see a performance off campus. REQUEST INFO > Theatermakers taught me how to expand and contract time, create without inhibition, and how to function as a young artist creating new works. I took all my lessons back to my University and was able to be a leader in rehearsal rooms. - GABBY GODZECKI (SUMMER ’23)

Learn the craft of playwriting and the business of producing your work from working contemporary playwrights. Confers 16 credit hours via Connecticut College. SEMESTER PLAYWRITING FOCUS NTI SEMESTER Expand your craft and refine your voice at the home of new play development. 16 Credit Hours As an NTI Semester student with a Playwriting Focus, you will learn the process and craft of playwriting as well as the business of producing your own work under the guidance of some of America’s best contemporary playwrights. In addition to the classes and workshops taken with other NTI students, you will attend specialty courses that delve further into topics such as style and structure. Taking on various roles during Theater Labs and seeing work in London and around the region will help you broaden your perspective on what theater can be. You’ll also have opportunities to have your work developed during Playwrights and Librettists week and through Company Project. Whether you are just starting as a playwright or have been writing for a while, you will leave your NTI Semester with a portfolio of plays and a better sense of who you are as a writer. COURSE CREDITS The NTI Semester Playwriting Focus confers credit for the following academic courses totaling 16 hours: Script Analysis and Playwright Mentorship (NTI-356) An exploration of the art of dramatic structure, production dramaturgy, and the dramaturge’s role today. Recognized playwrights offer workshops and master classes in addition to weekly classes. The class allows students to see new works and meet emerging and established playwrights, directors, and dramaturges. Professional Development for Writers (NTI-357) An intense examination of professional development; including “the business of the business,” producing one’s own work, pursuing graduate studies, and submitting to play festivals. Playwrights spend a week in London seeing a wide range of theater and speaking with literary managers and artistic leaders. Advanced Playwriting (NTI-453) Students work with professional writers on a range of styles and genres to hone writing skills and develop a portfolio ready for submission. Playwrights learn lyric writing, composition, short film structure, and musical book writing. Play Lab (NTI-454) Weekly scripts are created reflecting the range of contemporary playwriting styles and musical styles. A final 30-minute play is presented at Playwrights Week. The final lab involves production, but focuses on the process of collaboration: presentation of new work while working and communicating with actors and directors in rehearsal. Connecticut College is the founding partner and the college of record for the National Theater Institute programs. To learn more about credits and transcripts, please click HERE . *The NTI Semester Playwriting Focus was previously titled "Advanced Playwriting" pre-2025. REQUEST INFO > SAMPLE SCHEDULE Every week at NTI looks a bit different as schedules are worked around our incredible faculty and artists. Scroll through to see what your week could look like as an NTI Semester student with a Playwriting Focus. Monday 8:30am-9:15am: Breakfast 9:15am-10:45pm: Embodied Movement 11am-12:30pm: Structures 12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm-2:30pm: Mental Health and Boundaries 2:45pm-5pm: Solo Works 5pm-6pm: Dinner 6pm-9pm: Playwriting NTI SEMESTER EXPLORE ANOTHER FOCUS PERFORMANCE > DIRECTING >

Study with masters of the craft who will help you become a stronger performer and perform in new work weekly. Confers 8 credit hours via Connecticut College. SEMESTER ACTING FOCUS THEATERMAKERS Hone your acting skills as you perform new work weekly. 8 Credit Hours As a Theatermakers student with an Acting Focus, you’ll study with masters of the craft who will help you become a stronger performer and share with you their experiences working professionally. During your six weeks on campus, you’ll take classes in character creation, movement, voice, and more that will deepen your understanding of acting technique. Additionally, study of subjects like solo works and choreography will expand your theatrical knowledge. As you observe O’Neill conference rehearsals and perform in new work weekly, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what it means to create a truly new character and learn how to be a confident contributor to the development process. By the time you leave NTI to head back to your home institution or onto your next endeavor, you’ll have the experience to take your craft to the next level and ability to take on any role. COURSE CREDITS The Theatermakers Acting Focus confers credit for the following academic courses totaling 8 hours: The Collaborative Experience (NTI-470) This core course focuses on ensemble building, new play development, and the collaborative process. Each week a new one-act play, musical, short film or devised project is created by the group and performed for the community in residence at the O'Neill. Acting Intensive (NTI-473) Sharpen acting skills and heighten performance-readiness through intensive classes in contemporary scene study; as well as workshops in movement, improvisation, and auditioning. Students serve as the acting company for all Theatermakers projects and observe the NPC or NMTC projects at different stages of rehearsal from first read through tech and have conversations with the Artistic Directors and the creative teams. Connecticut College is the founding partner and the college of record for the National Theater Institute programs. To learn more about credits and transcripts, please click HERE . REQUEST INFO > SAMPLE SCHEDULE Every week at NTI looks a bit different as schedules are worked around our incredible faculty and artists. Scroll through to see what your week could look like as a Theatermakers student with an Acting Focus. Monday 8:30am-9:30am: Breakfast 9:30am-10:30am: Rehearsal 10:30am-12:30pm: Dress Rehearsal 12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm-4:30pm: Tech Rehearsal 4:30pm-5pm: Company Meeting 5pm-6pm: Dinner 6pm-7pm: Warm-Up 7pm-9:45pm: Theatermakers Performance THEATERMAKERS SUMMER INTENSIVE EXPLORE ANOTHER FOCUS DIRECTING > PLAYWRITING >

Six weeks of rigorous training with opportunity to create new work alongside the O’Neill’s developmental conferences. Focus in acting, directing, or playwriting. EDUCATION About Admissions Connect Apply NMTI YPF NTI EDUCATION NTI About Programs Student Life About Admissions Connect Apply NMTI YPF MEET THE FACULTY When you apply to attend our Theatermakers Summer Intensive, you’ll select a discipline to focus on during your time at the O'Neill. While many courses will be taken as an ensemble, you’ll attend specialty courses in your focus, and it will inform your role in weekly performances. THE THEATERMAKERS EXPERIENCE CLASSES & MENTORSHIP FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS As a part of the Theatermakers program, you’ll study with professional working artists who are experts in their subject matter. Classes vary across the different focuses but include study in New Work, Voice, Choicework, Droznin Movement, Playwriting, Directing, and more. Plus, with so many people on campus for the O’Neill’s other summer programming, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and converse with artists from all disciplines and backgrounds. WEEKLY PERFORMANCES OF NEW WORK Original pieces comes to life each week written, directed, and performed by your Theatermakers ensemble. Throughout the semester, you will create around different themes and in various styles such as musicals and radio plays. Your new work is presented to the campus community of artists, arts administrators, and faculty as well as the public. PROFESSIONAL OBSERVERSHIPS As a member of the Theatermakers ensemble, you’ll get firsthand insight into the new work development process as you observe the professional artists in rehearsals for the pieces that are a part of the O’Neill summer season. THEATER ATTENDANCE While you’re on campus, you’ll see every piece of work that is being developed as a part of the National Puppetry Conference, National Playwrights Conference, and National Music Theater Conference. If the schedule allows, you may also take a trip to see a performance off campus. REQUEST INFO >

We want to hear from you! Sign up to join our mailing list, so you can receive more information about the transformative curriculum the National Theater Institute has to offer. APPLICATION RECEIVED WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING IN TOUCH Thank you so much for your application to the National Theater Institute. We look forward to reviewing your materials and learning more about your artistic aspirations. Program finalists will be contacted for additional materials and to schedule an interview (via phone or Skype). Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions! We look forward to reviewing your materials and will be in touch with you within the next few days. CONNECT I N S T A G R A M F A C E B O O K T W I T T E R

Connect with our NTI team today when you visit our campus or meet our program representatives on the road at various theater conferences and universities. CONNECT WITH US VISIT OUR CAMPUS Want to see what life at the O’Neill is like? Visit campus! Reach out to ntirep@theoneill.org to schedule a visit to our seaside campus in Waterford, CT. You’ll take a tour of our facilities and meet with our staff. When in session, you can sit in on classes and rehearsals and join students and faculty for a meal. Please note: The O'Neill is not able to provide housing for visiting students. Getting to Waterford: Car: Waterford is easily accessible by driving as it is located just off of I-95. Parking is available on the O’Neill campus if you come by car. Train: If traveling by train, the closest station is Union Station - New London (27 Water Street, New London, CT 06320). This station offers both Amtrak and Shoreline East lines and is roughly a 15-minute drive from the O’Neill. Plane: The nearest airports to campus are T.F. Green International Airport (2000 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886) and Bradley International Airport (Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096). Car rental or car service can be arranged for travel from the airport to campus. FIND US ON THE ROAD Can’t make it to Connecticut? Our team travels the country teaching workshops and meeting with students at conferences and on college campuses to talk with them about our educational programing. Find us at a location near you to learn more about what our programs have to offer. Meet us for workshops, auditions, and program information at these upcoming conferences: ACTF Region 3 Conference 58 - Madison, WI - January 6-10, 2026 URTA Auditions & Interviews - Philadelphia, PA - January 9-11, 2026 ACTF Region 2 Conference 58 - Columbia, MD - January 13-17, 2026 ACTF Region 5 Conference 58 - Rochester, MN - January 18-24, 2026 URTA Auditions & Interviews - Chicago, IL - January 25-28, 2026 ACTF Region 1 Conference 58 - Albany, NY - January 27-31, 2026 ACTF Region 4 Conference 58 - Montgomery, AL - February 3-7, 2026 ACTF Region 8 Conference 58 - Glendale, CA - February 10-14, 2026 ACTF Region 7 Conference 58 - Pasco, WA - February 17-21, 2026 ACTF Region 6 Conference 58 - Abilene, TX - February 20-24, 2026 SETC Annual Convention - Chattanooga, TN - March 4-7, 2026 FOR EDUCATORS Are you an educator who would like one of our representatives to come to your school? Request a free workshop today by emailing ntirep@theoneill.org . Our workshops are the best ways to give students a taste of what it’s like to attend an O'Neill program. Depending on the interests and needs of your students, we tailor workshops towards movement, audition techniques, music theater performance, songwriting, or crafting your professional materials.

Is NTI the place for you? Apply today! Applications are accepted via our Submittable platform and considered on a rolling basis until the deadline passes. APPLY NOW > APPLICATION INFORMATION Is NTI the place for you? Applications are open — submit yours today! ABOUT THE APPLICATION The National Theater Institute accepts applications via our Submittable platform. Applicants will be asked to create an account, which will allow access to the application and let them save their work. The application requires the following materials: Personal Information: Details such as full name, date of birth, address, etc. Program Selection: The program and focus you intend on pursuing. Personal Statement: A short one-to-two sentence explanation of how you self-identify as an artist or theater maker. Headshot: A high-quality photo of your face. Theatrical Resume: Approximately a page in length. Unofficial Transcript: Required for individuals who are currently enrolled at a college/university and those who are postgraduate students. Application Essay: A 500-word statement about why you would like to attend NTI and how the program aligns with your artistic endeavors and career goals. Supplemental Artistic Materials / Work Samples: Two required samples of your artistic work (examples include: recorded songs or monologues, script samples, design portfolios, directorial concept breakdowns, etc.). Two References: Names and email addresses (o ne reference will be asked to fill out an evaluation form, and the second reference may be contacted directly via email). $30 Application Fee Qualified candidates will be asked to schedule a virtual interview with the NTI Admissions Team, which will take place via Zoom. If the $30 application fee poses a financial barrier to you, please contact ntirep@theoneill.org before you begin your application. APPLICATION DEADLINES While applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis until the deadline passes, we recommend applying as soon as possible to take advantage of our Early Bird incentives. Summer 2026 Theatermakers Summer Intensive Deadlines Early Bird Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026 - Apply by this date to receive $500 off your program fee. Regular Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026 - A pply by this date for best consideration for admission and scholarship. Learn more about Theatermakers > Fall 2025 NTI Semester Deadlines Early Bird Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026 - Apply by this date to receive $2,500 off your program fee. Regular Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026 - Apply by this date for best consideration for admission and scholarship. Learn more about NTI Semester > ***Applications may be accepted following the deadline for waitlist consideration as well as future semesters. There was a technical issue on our end. Try again or refresh. APPLICATION FAQS

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Train with professional artists to hone your skills in all facets of creating, performing, and staging music theater. Confers 20 credit hours via Connecticut College. SEMESTER MUSIC THEATER FOCUS NTI SEMESTER Become a versatile, multi-hyphenate music theater performer and creator. 20 Credit Hours As an NTI Semester student with a Music Theater Focus, you’ll train with professional artists to hone your skills in all facets of creating, performing, and staging musical theater. In addition to courses in singing, dancing, and acting, your schedule will include playwriting, composing, directing, choreographing, and so much more. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of material as you perform pieces from the music theater canon alongside your classmates in weekly Theater Labs. You'll also get experience writing and performing new work in development during our Playwrights and Librettists week and through creating your ensemble’s Company Project. When you leave NTI, you’ll not only be a better musical theater performer, but also a confident, multi-hyphenate theater artist. COURSE CREDITS The NTI Semester Music Theater Focus confers credit for the following academic courses totaling 20 hours: Acting for Music Theater (NMTI-301) Students are given specialized actor training in a wide variety of scene work and music theater styles by core instructors and visiting artists. Classes concentrate on improving the student’s craft as an actor and on strengthening their intelligence and imagination as a vocal artist and actor/dancer/storyteller. In-depth scene study in the weekly lab in a variety of musicals from RENT to Oklahoma! to Funked Up Fairy Tales and Hello Again . Singing/Voice (NMTI-311) Students train in singing as well as vocal technique, production, and care. In addition to singing classes–using songs from classic and contemporary American musicals, songbooks, and pop music–there are speech and voice classes in a variety of techniques and styles (Linklater, Fitzmaurice Voicework, etc.). Dance/Movement (NMTI-312) Students train in a variety of dance and movement techniques for the musical actor, including: modern, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, street dance, modern, yoga, stage combat and acrobatics. Guest artists teach specific workshops in choreography and new dance forms, looking at the movement languages being employed and invented for the modern musical. Directing for Music Theater (NMTI-202) Working on classic and contemporary musicals, students learn not only the basic skills of directing through table work and practical exercises, they also practice being a confident artistic leader that is able to pull together the complicated threads of a musical collaboration, table work, music direction, intimacy direction, and choreography into a unified artistic vision. Writing the Musical (NMTI-203) Through a variety of assignments reflecting the range of contemporary musicals, students develop skills as lyricists, book-writers, and composers. The course culminates in the sharing of original songs, and Playwrights and Librettist’s week, which is dedicated to the development, reading, and staging of new 30-minute musicals created by students during the semester. Classes include composing, lyric writing as a team and writing for an ensemble. Connecticut College is the founding partner and the college of record for the National Theater Institute programs. To learn more about credits and transcripts, please click HERE . REQUEST INFO > SAMPLE SCHEDULE Every week at NTI looks a bit different as schedules are worked around our incredible faculty and artists. Scroll through to see what your week could look like as as an NMTI Semester student. Monday 8:30am-9:15am: Breakfast 9:30am-12:30pm: Playwriting: Intuitive Invention 12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch 2:30pm-4:30pm: Droznin Movement 5pm-6pm: Dinner 6pm-9pm: Solo Works NTI SEMESTER EXPLORE ANOTHER FOCUS PERFORMANCE > DIRECTING > PLAYWRITING >

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