WE'RE UNIQUE


We're Unique Because:

  • Every theatre arts student performs in our highly regarded final productions, presented to the public in repertory during the final week of the program.   
  • NHSI allows students to experience their place in theatre without  placing any focus on grades or numeric evaluations.
  • We create a safe environment to explore and experiment, while at the same time pushing actors and designers to discover themselves and their art at new and unexpected levels.
  • Since we award no grades nor credit, students can feel free to try every exercise, idea, style, etc. to their fullest without fear of 'failure.'
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What Students Say

“From the moment I arrived, you created a loving, energetic community that I feel honored to be a part of.”

say image1 “I loved everything about cherubs.  Every faculty member was passionate and dedicated which helped us have fun and grow.  I think the best part of the program was that it was kept fun so that we wanted to learn.  Sure there were hard days but when I look back, everything seems useful and planned.  Thank you for an amazing summer.  I will always cherish the experience.”

"Every young actor in America should apply, should fight to have the cherubs experience.  It infects you with theatre magic, saturates your soul in the art you love ... and when you're done...it sends you out into the world as a changed person, with a feeling of self-affirmation as an artist."

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“This has been the defining summer of my life.  I have met people who inspire and challenge me and have helped me to become the person I’ve always wanted to be. This in all honesty was the best summer ever.  I feel that I’m finally an artist.”
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“Thank you thank you for taking such good care of me, for having the most inspiring, loving faculty ever, the most stimulating classes, and a curriculum that has pushed me further than I ever thought I could be pushed.”

“On the website there were quotes about how ‘this is an experience that I will never forget,’ ‘It changed my life,’ ‘It tested me in ways I couldn’t have imagined,’ etc.  To me it sounded generic or wow they had a good experience but that’s a little dramatic.  In all honesty though, it is all that and more.   I feel more prepared in approaching the world and I know that with each step I have the faculty and fellow cherubs behind me with their full support.  I will always remember this summer as one that has inspired, challenged and encouraged me beyond my wildest dreams.”
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“These 5 weeks have given me the opportunity to truly throw myself head first into what I love to do and because of that, I have gone so much farther, deeper, and fully than I have ever gone before.  Cherubs has given me the opportunity to become everything that I already am and see ahead all that I can and will become if I keep following my passion.”

 “I expected much more of a ‘camp-esque’ environment.  I was not expecting anything this hardcore.”

 
What The Faculty Say
“Actors will be encouraged to become risk-takers and self-motivators.”

“Between core, crew, and rehearsals, expect to be exerting yourself physically and mentally from 8 in the morning to 10 at night.”
“The demands placed on cherubs are not unlike the demands placed upon college students (and professional actors).

It is assumed that any student entering this program has reached the level of maturity, understanding, and dedication necessary to handle everything that will be expected of him/her.”

“I believe that there is no other program in the world like the NHSI Theatre Arts Division.

This may seem like an awfully tall statement, but given what we offer to the students and demand of them in return I don’t believe there is anything comparable”
“Warning: our definition of a fun summer includes lots of hard physical labor, intense intellectual activity and a dizzying reevaluation of one’s concept of art and the artist’s place in the world.”

What Parents Say

“I have been meaning to write to you since picking my daughter up at the end of her Cherub program this past summer. I just want to thank you for sending back a truly transformed and focused daughter. She has always excelled at drama and musical theatre but she needed to be immersed in a highly energized environment full of exceptionally talented peers outside of her comfort zone to test her commitment and long term interest. She came home committed to pursuing a theatre program major and feels strongly that it must also be one which allows for further learning and growth in other subject areas within, as well as outside of, that major. In short, she loved everything about Northwestern and is planning to apply early decision to the university.  The confidence she gained in herself at this critical stage of her learning has been elevated immeasurably, and she knows she can perform academically and theatrically in a highly competitive environment.”

"I want to thank everyone at National High School Institute-Theatre Arts Division summer program for my daughter’s wonderful experience.  From the moment we arrived to check her into the program, your top-notch staff couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful. When she became ill and was seen by the medical staff of the campus, she received excellent care and they communicated with me throughout. 
We are grateful that she had the opportunity to experience this artistic.  The directors and the cast and crew of all the shows were amazing.  I saw all 10 plays, my daughter’s twice, and thought they were all fantastic. My daughter’s director made a strong impression on her.  She learned so much from him and felt he extracted her full potential in her performance.  She feels she can take these skills and techniques she learned and apply them to her future performances.
 My daughter truly enjoyed all her classes.  The students in the program were darling! I spent some time with them and also had a chance to meet with their parents and to share experiences. Also, the administrator graciously greeted parents and made everyone feel comfortable before every performance.   
This was truly a life changing experience for my daughter.  I know she will never forget this summer and that she will take all that she learned with her throughout her life.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart."