Interlochen Center for the Arts

Interlochen Center for the Arts is one of the most prestigious pre-college arts institutions in the world, operating both a summer Arts Camp and a year-round Arts Academy from its sprawling, wooded campus in Interlochen, Michigan, near Traverse City. Founded in 1928 by Joseph E. Maddy, Interlochen was established with the revolutionary idea that young people deserved the same caliber of arts instruction that professionals received, and nearly a century later the institution continues to set the standard for pre-professional arts education. The summer Arts Camp attracts over 2,500 students from all fifty states and dozens of countries, offering intensive training in theatre, music, dance, creative writing, visual arts, and film within an immersive residential environment that many alumni describe as the most formative experience of their youth. The year-round Interlochen Arts Academy serves approximately 500 students in grades nine through twelve and a postgraduate year, functioning as a fully accredited boarding school where students pursue rigorous academic coursework alongside intensive arts training. Notable alumni span every corner of the performing arts and include Josh Groban, Noel Fisher, Rufus Wainwright, Jewel, and many other distinguished artists whose careers were launched or shaped by their Interlochen experience.

The theatre programs at Interlochen provide aspiring actors with intensive training in acting technique, voice and speech, movement, directing, and theatrical design within a structured curriculum taught by faculty who are both experienced educators and working arts professionals. The summer camp theatre program offers multiple sessions of varying lengths, allowing students to choose intensive experiences ranging from a few weeks to the full summer season, with each session culminating in fully produced performances that give students experience working in a professional production environment. The Arts Academy's year-round theatre program provides a comprehensive high school experience where students balance college-preparatory academic classes with daily conservatory-level arts training, developing both their intellectual and artistic capabilities in a community of peers who share their commitment to the arts. Productions at both the camp and the academy are mounted at a level of professionalism that rivals many college and community theatre programs, with students performing in multiple well-equipped performance spaces including the historic Corson Auditorium and the state-of-the-art Harvey Theatre. The combination of immersive residential living, intensive daily training, and frequent performance opportunities creates a developmental environment that accelerates artistic growth far beyond what weekly classes or after-school programs can achieve.

What makes Interlochen uniquely valuable for aspiring actors is the combination of world-class instruction, immersive residential community, and exposure to multiple art forms that together create an environment of extraordinary creative intensity and cross-disciplinary inspiration. Theatre students at Interlochen do not study in isolation but are surrounded by talented musicians, dancers, visual artists, writers, and filmmakers, creating a culture of artistic ambition and collaborative creativity that broadens their understanding of performance and storytelling. This cross-pollination between disciplines is a distinctive Interlochen advantage that produces artists who think expansively about their craft and who can draw on a wider range of creative influences than students trained in single-discipline environments. The residential nature of both the summer camp and the arts academy means that students are fully immersed in an artistic community twenty-four hours a day, with spontaneous creative collaboration, rehearsals, and artistic exchange happening constantly outside of formal class time. The natural beauty of the northern Michigan campus, set among towering pines on the shores of two interconnected lakes, provides an environment that many students and alumni describe as spiritually transformative, removing the distractions of urban life and allowing young artists to focus entirely on their creative development.

The daily experience at Interlochen is structured to balance intensive arts training with rigorous academics and the physical and social development that young people need. Summer camp students follow a daily schedule that includes technique classes, rehearsals, ensemble work, and elective activities, with evenings often devoted to performances, masterclasses, or informal creative gatherings. Arts Academy students navigate a full college-preparatory academic curriculum alongside their daily conservatory training, developing the time management, discipline, and multitasking skills that will serve them throughout their professional lives. The residential community creates deep bonds among students who share the intense experience of pursuing their artistic passions in a supportive, immersive environment, and Interlochen friendships and professional connections often last a lifetime. The campus facilities include multiple performance venues, professional-grade rehearsal spaces, recording studios, and visual arts studios that provide students with access to resources comparable to those at many colleges and universities. Guest artists and visiting professionals regularly visit campus to teach masterclasses, perform, and interact with students, providing exposure to working artists at the highest levels of their fields.

Interlochen attracts exceptionally talented and motivated young people from diverse backgrounds who share a serious commitment to artistic development and who are looking for a community of peers who understand and share their passion. The summer camp draws students ranging from those exploring their artistic interests for the first time to advanced young performers who are preparing for professional careers or applications to elite college arts programs. The Arts Academy attracts students who have already demonstrated significant artistic talent and commitment and who are willing to leave home to attend a boarding school that prioritizes arts training alongside academic excellence. The geographic diversity of the student body is remarkable, with students coming from all fifty states and numerous countries, creating a community that exposes young people to perspectives and experiences far beyond their home communities. Many Interlochen alumni go on to attend the most competitive college arts programs in the country, including Juilliard, NYU Tisch, Carnegie Mellon, and the Yale School of Drama, with the Interlochen experience providing both the artistic preparation and the credential recognition that strengthen their applications.

Interlochen's summer camp tuition varies depending on the program length and discipline, with sessions ranging from approximately two to six weeks and tuition typically ranging from several thousand dollars for shorter sessions to over ten thousand dollars for the full summer experience, including room and board. The Arts Academy's annual tuition and boarding fees are comparable to those of other elite private boarding schools and represent a significant financial commitment, though the investment includes both college-preparatory academics and daily conservatory-level arts training that would cost substantially more if pursued separately. Interlochen is deeply committed to financial accessibility and provides over twenty million dollars in financial aid annually, ensuring that talented students from all economic backgrounds can attend regardless of their family's ability to pay full tuition. Scholarships are awarded based on both artistic merit and financial need, and the institution's substantial endowment allows it to fund aid programs that cover a significant portion or even the full cost of attendance for qualifying students. Compared to paying separately for private school tuition and intensive arts training, Interlochen provides strong value by integrating both into a single immersive experience. The financial aid commitment means that families should never assume they cannot afford Interlochen without first exploring the available support.

Interlochen is the definitive choice for talented young performers who want the most intensive, immersive pre-college arts training experience available, whether through the transformative summer camp or the comprehensive Arts Academy boarding school program. The summer camp is particularly well-suited for young people who want to explore their artistic potential in a community of like-minded peers, develop their skills under expert instruction, and determine whether they want to pursue the arts more seriously. The Arts Academy is ideal for high school students who have already committed to serious artistic development and who want an education that integrates rigorous academics with daily conservatory-level training in a residential community of exceptional young artists. Families should explore Interlochen's financial aid options thoroughly, as the institution's commitment to accessibility means that talented students from all economic backgrounds have genuine opportunities to attend. If your child is passionate about acting but not yet ready for a residential program, consider the summer camp as an entry point that can help determine whether the full boarding school experience would be appropriate.

Begin the application process well in advance of deadlines, as both the summer camp and the Arts Academy have competitive admissions that require audition materials, academic records, and recommendations that take time to prepare thoughtfully. For the summer camp, choose a session length that matches your child's readiness and experience level, recognizing that even the shorter sessions provide meaningful artistic growth and community experience. Prepare audition materials carefully, selecting monologues and songs that showcase your child's authentic talent and personality rather than trying to impress with material that is beyond their current development level. Research the financial aid options early and apply for aid simultaneously with the admissions application, as Interlochen's generous aid programs can make the experience surprisingly affordable for families who might assume the cost is prohibitive. If your child is accepted to the Arts Academy, prepare them emotionally and practically for the boarding school experience by discussing the adjustment period, homesickness management strategies, and the extraordinary opportunities that await them. Encourage your young artist to embrace the cross-disciplinary community at Interlochen by attending performances, exhibitions, and events outside their primary discipline, as this exposure to other art forms will enrich their work as performers and expand their creative vision.