Big Ben
London, England

Theatre Arts on London’s Stage

Limited Spots

Arts & Culture

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$6,950

Extended Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$6,950

Extended Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Program Overview

Bring the page to stage in bustling London, the theatre capital of the world.

Dive into the Performance Arts in London’s vibrant theatre scene, as you write and perform a collaborative mini play. Through expert-led classes, learn how to interpret texts, distinguish between theatrical styles, and take on backstage and acting roles in your culminating show.  

Meet actors, directors, producers, and writers. Get behind-the-scenes production tours of world-famous theaters and performance venues and learn about everything from lighting and design to costume and directing. Hit the town and see a range of high caliber plays and productions, from West End to Fringe. 

Take in all the culture that multicultural London has to offer. Cruise down the River Thames from Westminster Abbey to Greenwich, visit trendy boutiques, taste all kinds of foods from curries to fish and chips, stroll through Covent Garden famous for its street performers, meet local teens, and so much more. Experience life outside of London with trips to Oxford University and Stratford-upon-Avon, the medieval market town where Shakespeare was born. Don’t worry—we’ll make sure you still have time for the traditional afternoon tea and biscuits!

The Take-Aways

Real-World Experience

Experience the Theatre Arts as a creator, performer, and audience member. Build confidence as a playwright, meet professionals in the field, and come home with the skills to put on a show.

Credentials for Your Future

Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, and a Performance Portfolio to document your increasing artistic literacy and showcase your accomplishments.

Life Skills and New Friendships

Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication skills. Enjoy a broader worldview and friends of different backgrounds from across the U.S.

45

Hours of Expert Instruction

3

Weeks Pursuing Your Passion

1

Life-Changing Experience

The Destination
  • London phone booths on street
  • High school student waiting for the Tube in London
  • London Shard skyline in light fog

The Destination

Welcome to London and its legendary theatre scene with 300 performance venues in the city limits.

Often called the “cultural capital of the world,” London offers a dizzying number of options for people interested in fine art, dance, music, poetry, literature, plays, and musical theatre. There are over 170 museums, 800 bookstores, 850 art galleries, and more than 17,000 music performances a year. London is especially renowned for its theatre quarter. The West End, or Theatreland as it’s called, attracts huge numbers of visitors to sell-out musical productions and plays in its 40 theatres.  

With a diverse population of over 9 million, London is a major global city where you’ll never get bored. There’s so much to soak in—the magnificent cityscape from the London eye; the many green spaces like Kew Gardens, one of London’s four World Heritage sites; the bridges, old and new, across the Thames; music, art, and markets in the streets; famous landmarks: Big Ben, the Tower of London, Parliament to name a few. And don’t forget the world-renowned museums—there’s one for every interest, especially yours! 

Cultural Awareness

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in London.

Daily Life

Daily Life

Monday–Friday

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.

  • Breakfast at the hostel/hotel
  • Hands-on classes with expert instructors and theatre professionals   
  • Lunch with your fellow Global Navigators  
  • Out and about for a Cultural Activity or Workshop  
  • Dinner at the hostel/hotel or out in the community 

Weekends  

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites 
  • Quality time with friends 

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program.

Housing

Hostel/hotel, shared rooms with other Global Navigators

24/7 Support

1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff

Weekly Learning Goals

Settle into your new community, embark on the journey of taking a written script through to performance, and critically evaluate plays you’ll see at world-renowned theatres. Start collaborating with group members on your own play.

Through working on scripts from different genres and time periods, learn to interpret, analyze, and synthesize ideas for presentation and evaluation.

Continue to enjoy and analyze theatre performances and put your new skills into practice as you finalize your theatre piece in groups. Stage your final performance.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Royal Albert Hall

By Daniel Taylor at CIEE

Yesterday the students got a behind the scene tour of a very prestigious and historic landmark, the Royal Albert Hall. The students learned the history behind the building and the... keep reading

Matilda in London!!

By Eve H.

Ever wonder what happens when a bunch of theater kids go to London and see a musical? Why they sing along like all “revolting children” would! On Wednesday, we had... keep reading

Seeing London’s Sights!!

By Eve H.

I have finally been able to be a true London tourist!! Yesterday, after a relaxed day of classes, we had our tour of all the well known London sights! After... keep reading

Activities

Sample Activities

Shakespeare production on the stage of The Globe Theatre in London

Just imagine all the fun you'll have!

  • Go behind the scenes at Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstructed Elizabethan theatre, and discover how plays were staged in Shakespeare's day.
  • Visit the stunning Victoria and Albert Museum, the world's largest museum of applied art with over 4.5 million objects, including a fashion collection that spans five centuries.
  • Experience the artistic heartbeat of London at the National Theatre. Attend a captivating play, where world-class actors bring stories to life.
  • Hop on a river boat to Greenwich and encounter the Cutty Sark, a restored 19th-century clipper ship. Nearby, at the Royal Observatory, find the Prime Meridian that divides the western and eastern hemispheres at longitude 0°.
  • Explore London’s eclectic East End and discover its creative community through a street art tour.

Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.

What People Are Saying

  • "I learned so much about theatre and my love for it grew. You also get to travel and make friends with people who have the same interests and passions as you. It’s so much fun."

    Ella K., Global Navigator Alum

  • "This was an extraordinary experience for me as I was able to get away from everything and go do something completely new and discover new things about myself. It also made me feel more confident about what I wanted to accomplish."

    Grace B., Global Navigator Alum

  • "On the program I made meaningful friendships and dove into one of my passions."

    Noryan V., Global Navigator Alum

  • "Our daughter had a wonderful time in London Behind the Theatre Scene and gained a lot of knowledge about theatre and the people of London. Their culture and day-to-day life as well. Fantastic experience."

    Parent of Global Navigator Alum

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. 
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Application Fee

$25

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.  

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Summer Session I 2024 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,950
Program Summer Session II 2024 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,950

What's Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to Local Phone and WIFI

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Our Staff

Our Staff

Mark Simmons

Center Director

Mark Simmons has an M.A. in History from the University of Aberdeen and a postgraduate degree in Administrative and Information Management from Napier University Edinburgh. 

Ready to change your life?

Request Info