High school students are introduced to the art and design college experience in London. The program is open to high school students entering their junior or senior year and recent high school graduates.
Rising high school juniors and seniors (must be 16-18 years of age)
No previous experience in theater or film required; course offered is not for college credit
Completed online application
One letter of recommendation (must be from a high school teacher or guidance counselor; can be submitted separately)
Most recent grade report
Valid passport
Program Details
What You’ll Study
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
High school students are introduced to the art and design college experience in London. The program is open to high school students entering their junior or senior year and recent high school graduates. Students will choose to explore Theatre OR Film over the 10-day program. No pre-requisites required.
LONDON: THEATER
Home to the West End-- akin to New York City’s Broadway-- there is no question that theatre and the performing arts are a key ingredient to the rich culture and deep history of metropolitan London. In addition to learning about these creative disciplines at one of the world’s top universities in the heart of the city, participants will have exclusive access to backstage tours as well as the opportunity to explore English literary and artistic history by visiting Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford and attending a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company!
LONDON: FILM
As the birthplace of James Bond and Harry Potter, it is impossible to deny the timeless influence British cinema has had on the world. Through a detailed and practical introduction to the fundamentals of film and video from production to post-production, admirers of moving images will undoubtedly thrive in a fun and exploratory course resulting in an original short film sequence! In addition, participants will visit the London Film Museum (including the James Bond exhibit), enjoy a film at one of London’s oldest cinemas, and explore London by visiting popular film and television locations, including Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare in Love, and Harry Potter, just to name a few.
Courses
Students will participate in an intensive 5-day, non-credit course at either Central Saint Martins or London College of Communication, world-renowned colleges specializing in art, design, communications, fashion, and the performing arts. With campuses located in the center of one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and cutting-edge cities, students interested in theatre and film will encounter endless muses to spark their creativity and passion for their art!
LONDON: FILM
This fun and an exploratory course will introduce students to the fundamentals of film and video from production to post-production. Students will have the chance to try out the documentary, fiction, experimental moving image, and sound. There is a large emphasis on the editing process of making moving image-based work. Throughout the week students will consider the relationship of image and sound equally. The practical skills students will learn and their ability to speak about their work will help them make an application for further study in film or moving image.
LONDON: THEATER
Reflecting Central Saint Martin's Drama Centre ethos, the course will introduce students to the basic principles involved in the Method approach to acting. Students will explore textual analysis, movement, voice, and be introduced to improvisation. Material will be drawn from renowned English and American dramatic texts from Shakespeare to Miller, Odets, and Osbourne. Famous Central Saint Martins alum include: Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Solo: A Star Wars Story), Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice, The King's Speech, Bridget Jones's Diary), Tom Hardy (Legend, Inception, Dunkirk)... just to name a few.
Highlights
Participate in interactive workshops organized exclusively for API and delivered by top-class professionals in the fields of theater or film
Explore an interest in theater or film through an intensive week-long course at one of Europe's top art schools
Enjoy daily social and cultural activities related to your area of interest, including backstage tours, performances, and museum visits
Faculty
Kelsey Patton
Kelsey Patton will be your Program Coordinator and prepare you to go abroad!
Heather Lees will be your Resident Director in London and a resource for you on-site.
Anna McCole
Anna McCole will be your Student Services Coordinator in England and a resource for you while you are abroad with us!
Excursions
Cultural Activities and Excursions
Cultural activities for this program may include:
Overnight trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, best known as the home of William Shakespeare
See some of the sets, costumes, and ‘magic’ that went into filming the Harry Potter movies at Harry Potter Warner Brothers Film Studios
Take in London’s famous sites on a quintessential double-decker red bus tour, explore the British Museum, and enjoy a West End show!
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-Upon-Avon is one of the most historic and picturesque towns in the U.K., beautifully preserved since Shakespeare's day. Dating back to the 13th-century, Holy Trinity Church (where Shakespeare and his wife are buried) has copies of Shakespeare's baptismal and burial records.
Housing
Dates & Fees
Note: Students can receive $100 for each applicant they refer to an API high school summer program (excluding the Parsons Paris Pre-College program). The applicant must include the student's name as the referral source on the online application.
