Pre-college
AboutThe Pre-College Program at NOCO is a two-week intensive designed for high school students who want an authentic conservatory experience.
Students train alongside the same faculty who teach in our college programs, taking part in a demanding schedule of classes, workshops, and performance training that reflects the expectations of professional arts education. Throughout the program, students develop their skills in acting, singing, dance, and performance while working in a focused and supportive artistic environment.
The experience extends beyond the studio. Students work directly with Broadway agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals, gaining valuable insight into the realities of a career in the performing arts. They also travel to New York City to see a Broadway production, giving them the opportunity to experience world-class performance while connecting their training to the professional industry.
For many students, Pre-College serves as a glimpse into life at The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts - a chance to experience the intensity, excitement, and community of conservatory training while building skills, confidence, and lasting connections with fellow young artists.
Housing and Session Dates
Housing is provided in the dormitories at the conservatory. The dorms are walking distance to all classes. With Resident Advisors, Campus Security, and City Hall right next door, students are in safe and secure accommodations in the heart of downtown Norwalk.
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Dates: July 6-17
▶ Majors Offered: Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Dance, Acting for Stage and Screen (formerly TV/Film Performance)
▶ Payment Deadline: June 15
▶ Tuition, Housing & Meal Plan: $3,300
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Dates: July 27 - August 7
▶ Majors Offered: Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Dance, Commercial Dance, Acting for Stage and Screen (formerly TV/Film Performance)
▶ Payment Deadline: June 20
▶ Tuition, Housing & Meal Plan: $3,300
Audition Information
This year we are changing from live auditions to video submissions. Applicants can apply to be considered for 1 or 2 majors. We may request a live (Zoom) callback. Applicants may be accepted without a callback.
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Two 30-60 second song cuts (approximately 30 to 60 seconds in length, not to exceed 90 seconds each).
Contemporary styles (MT or pop/rock/etc) are preferred, but choose what you do best.
You may choose to submit prescreens/self-tapes, recorded solo performances (recitals, productions, etc - but must be a clear video where you are easily identifiable.)
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One song cut (approximately 30 to 60 seconds in length, not to exceed 90 seconds). Contemporary styles (MT or pop/rock/etc) are preferred, but choose what you do best. You may choose to submit a prescreen/self-tape, recorded solo performance (recital, production, etc - but must be a clear video where you are easily identifiable).
One dance videos in the style of your choosing (each video should be 60 to 90 seconds in length, not to exceed 2 minutes). Should be MT/jazz or similar style. You may choose to submit prescreen/self-tape or rehearsal/performance video, but you must be easily identifiable.
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Description monologues or sides (approximately 30 to 60 seconds in length, not to exceed 90 seconds each).
Contemporary material is preferred (1980s or later), and can be from a play, movie or TV show.
You may choose to submit prescreens/self-tapes or performance video (either film or stage production - but you must be easily identifiable).text goes here
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Two dance videos in the style of your choosing (each video should be 60 to 90 seconds in length, not to exceed 2 minutes each). At least 1 should be Hip Hop or similar style.
You may choose to submit prescreens/self-tapes or rehearsal/performance videos, but you must be easily identifiable.
Meet the Faculty
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Fred Feeney
MT Department Head
West End MD/Arranger/Orchestrator
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Andrew Love
MT Assistant Department Head
Les Mis, Broadway
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Brittany Johnson
Acting Through Song
Glinda - Wicked, Broadway
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Tim Gulan
Scene Study
5x Broadway Actor
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Sami Saltzman
Audition Tech
Moulin Rouge (AD), Bodyguard (Director)
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Lisa Howard
Vocal Faculty
Broadway Veteran
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NoCo’s precollege program is for any young artist who will be enrolled in high school in September 2026 and is interested in a professional career in musical theater, musical theater dance or commercial dance, or television/film. PreCollege will parallel our conservatory program for two weeks to give students an understanding and feel of a professional career in the performing arts. The program is perfect for students who are interested in applying to the college.
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PreCollege 2026 has two sessions, please see the above for dates.
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On NoCo’s campus. We are located in the heart of the beautiful Norwalk, Connecticut, minutes away from New York City.
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The total cost of the program is $3,300. This includes tuition, housing and our meal plan.
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The program is audition based. We only accept 16 students per cohort (major) per session.
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Click the link above or email us at Admissions@TheNorwalkConservatory.org
Make sure to put PRECO SUMMER 2026 in the subject line for the fastest response.
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Scholarships are primarily needs based, with some merit-based awards available on a very limited basis. You will automatically be considered for institutional scholarship funding from your audition.
We recommend for those in need of additional funding the ATW’s Training Scholarship. The American Theatre Wing is committed to fostering a future generation of theatre makers that reflects the diversity and dynamism of America as a whole. Through the Training Scholarships, the Wing is promoting diversity, equity, and access to the arts to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Funding will go towards covering the costs associated with summer study and after school training programs for public middle and high school students who come from populations historically underrepresented in our industry; who demonstrate economic need, exceptional talent, and an interest in participating in after school training programs or intensive summer study programs to better prepare for future training at the university level.
The student’s area of focus can be from any aspect of theatre from performance, to design, to writing, to stage management, and others. Through the Training Scholarships, we hope to create a strong pipeline to the professional theatre for promising artists of all backgrounds.
LINK: https://americantheatrewing.org/program/the-andrew-lloyd-webber-initiative/
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Final Payment deadlines vary by Section. Please see the above chart located in ‘Session Dates’. There are many payment plans available for qualifying families. Please email admissions@thenorwalkconservatory.org for more information.
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NoCo’s PreCollege program accepts students on a rolling basis. Applicants will typically receive an admissions decision 2 weeks after auditioning. Final acceptance emails are sent out by early April, but the program is expected to fill by February with some majors filling as early as December/January.