SOCAPA (School of Creative and Performing Arts)
- NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Burlington VT
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SOCAPA offers summer arts intensives for teens in filmmaking, acting for film, photography, dance, music, and screenwriting. We operate out of four unique campuses: NYC, LA, Chicago, and Burlington, VT. Programs are structured to provide students with a pre-college living experience and college-level instruction in the discipline of their choosing. SOCAPA gives students a chance to experience what it is like to be part of the performing arts industry. The learning environment is safe, supportive, and structured, so every student walks away having created and collaborated on something new.
Program Structure
SOCAPA Summer Intensives are typically offered in 2-week and 3-week sessions, with some disciplines allowing students to combine sessions for a longer experience. Courses are organized by artistic discipline and are open to students with varying levels of prior experience, from beginners to advanced participants.
Areas of Study
Students choose a single area of focus and spend the majority of their time developing skills and completing creative projects within that discipline.
馃幀 Filmmaking
Students learn the fundamentals of storytelling, directing, cinematography, and editing while producing original films. Advanced options are available for students with prior experience.
馃幁 Acting & Musical Theater
The acting program emphasizes Acting for Film, and students gain experience acting in front of the camera as they are cast in roles for the student filmmakers’ films. Musical theater students integrate acting, voice, and movement.
馃摳 Photography
Students develop technical and creative photography skills, working toward a cohesive body of work suitable for portfolios.
馃拑 Dance
Dance intensives focus on technique, choreography, and expressive performance, often blending contemporary and multi-style approaches.
馃幍 Music
Music programs center on songwriting, performance, and creative collaboration, with opportunities for composition and recording.
鉁嶏笍 Online 6-Week Screenwriting Program
From writing roundtables to collaborative online writing projects, to peer-led critiques, and professional instruction from top-level instructors, SOCAPA’s Screenwriting Online continues to emphasize the importance of building relationships with other young artists and facilitating creative collaboration. The six-week screenwriting intensive provides students with the time, structure, feedback, and theory to hone their writing skills with a particular focus on story and character development. Students spend time workshopping and critiquing their own and each other’s work, as well as analyzing films to discover what works and what doesn’t.
Why Consider SOCAPA?
SOCAPA is best suited for students who are highly motivated, creatively inclined, and interested in intensive arts training. The program offers a realistic preview of college-level arts study, opportunities to build a strong portfolio, and a chance to work closely with like-minded peers in a focused, immersive setting.