2026 Summer Arts Academy Information

What is it?

A cast and crew made up of students from all across the district will learn a complete Broadway musical in 5 weeks and will give three public performances at AUHSD's historic William A. Cook Auditorium at Anaheim High School. There are opportunities to act, sing, and dance as cast members and also opportunities to work in the areas of costuming, makeup, prop building, stage management, graphic design, promotions, lighting, sound, and set design and decoration.

When and where is it?

We rehearse on weekdays from 8:30am-12:30pm at Anaheim High School from May 31-June 18. Beginning on June 22, the hours will adjust to allow for "Tech Week" rehearsals.

• 6/22-25:  9am-5pm (lunch provided)
• 6/26:       Rehearsal: TBA / SHOW at 7:00pm (dinner provided)
• 6/27:         Rehearsal: TBA / SHOWS at 2:00PM and 7:00pm (dinner provided)
• 6/28:         9am-12pm (strike set and turn in costumes)

So this is a summer school class?

YES! Students who audition for and are selected for the Summer Arts Academy musical will automatically be enrolled in the Summer School course Professional Musical Theater-Summer Intensive (VP193FS). This course earns 10 credits of VAPA elective credit (A-G approved) and also satisfies the Career Education requirement for AUHSD high school graduation. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances and significant home practice are required.

How can I do this?

We are holding an audition workshop on Saturday, 3/7 at Kennedy HS from 9am-1pm. You will learn how to prepare for a musical theater audition and the workshops will cover dancing, singing, and acting.

The casting auditions are Saturday, 4/4, at Anaheim HS from 9am-1pm. You should plan to audition in person during that time window. If you have a specific scheduling need, please contact us at arts@auhsd.us.

Pit orchestra auditions will be held at Savanna HS on 3/17. Winds, strings, pianists, and percussionists can audition to be in the pit orchestra.

Students interested in technical or design work should fill out an application and they will be contacted directly. They will not need to attend the auditions.

Who gets to do this?

Current grade 7-11 AUHSD students who are currently enrolled in any VAPA course are eligible to participate. You should also like to have fun!! We do a lot of that while we work hard on the show.

Contact your VAPA teacher or Brian Belski, Director of Arts Education, at 714-999-1082 or at belski_b@auhsd.us if you have any questions.