The HotHouse Summer Institute invites professional and emerging actors to train on stage at the Wilma in the HotHouse Company’s practice of embodied acting. The 3-week Institute is led by HotHouse Company members including Wilma Co-Artistic Director Lindsay Smiling, and culminates with training led by The Wilma’s founder, Blanka Zizka.
Applicants will be asked to provide a resume of theater experience and training, as well as a statement of artistic intent. All applicants are invited to apply for the full 3-week progression. Students new to the HotHouse training are required to complete week one to be eligible for weeks two and three. Returning students may elect weeks two and three only, with permission of the Head of HotHouse Professional Training, Suli Holum (SHolum@wilmatheater.org).
Week 1: HotHouse Training Fundamentals
(Required for all participants with no prior HotHouse training)
Foundations of HotHouse training methodology led by HotHouse Company Members. Participants will be led through the physical and vocal techniques of embodied acting that are fundamental to HotHouse work.
Weeks 2 and 3: Deepening and Applying the Practice
After building a foundational practice of vocal and physical embodied acting technique, participants will be led in advanced HotHouse training with Wilma Co-Artistic Director Linsday Smiling to deepen their embodied acting practice and build ensemble. This will culminate in a final week of training and exploration of a script with Wilma founder, and creator of the HotHouse training, director Blanka Zizka.
| EARLY BIRD PRICE (Apply before April 15) | REGULAR PRICE (After April 15) | |
| Full Program – 3 WEEKS | $1500 APPLY | $2100 APPLY |
| WEEK 1 ONLY | $600 APPLY | $800 APPLY |
| WEEKS 2 & 3 | $1200 APPLY | $1600 APPLY |
Important Dates
April 15, 2026 – Early Bird Pricing Ends
June 1, 2026 – Applications Close
The Hothouse Institute is unlike any acting training I’ve ever done before. Not only does it provide specific skills and techniques that can be used in rehearsal, it also conditions the mind and body to meet challenges with more openness, curiosity and intentionality.
I had forgotten how much I loved training as an actor — that it’s a practice. Thanks to this intensive, I rediscovered the joy of practicing for its own sake. I feel more connected to this art form than ever before.
Not only did the Hothouse training at the Wilma allow me to reevaluate how I work as an actor, it guided me toward a deeper understanding of myself as a human being. The instructors were both passionate and caring as they guided the students to engage with the exciting techniques they offered, each in their unique expertise. I left the program with so many new tools to incorporate to my craft, but mostly I left wanting more. Thank you so much HotHouse, for an incredible two weeks of the highest quality acting training!
Photos by Wide Eyed Studios
