Program Reviews

I had an extremely valuable experience developing my skills as an artist and my creative practice. The chateau is a beautiful place to live and visit and the staff are always accommodating with any questions you might have. The resident chef prepares a delicious blend of traditional French/Normandy dishes and food from all over. All in all, this I had a great time here in the chateau with the Berridge programs. I would definitely recommend this program and space if you are looking to grow as a creative!

This experience is indescribable in the feelings it brought me and how it equipped me with who I want to be in this life. Every person, staff, and other is so supportive and fosters such a beautiful community where everyone can be themselves. I went into it worried I was underqualified but came out with so much confidence in myself and my art. The chateau touches your heart and soul in ways that I never knew were possible of a place. I will never forget the people experiences and things I’ve learned here.

It was a super good experience that I enjoyed a lot- even though every once in a while some of the students would have problems with each other because we live with each other we are forced to work out the problems instead of ignoring them. Everyone is super nice and the staff are really sweet and supportive. Gonna miss being here a lot 😢

Berridge is a great opportunity to figure out if acting for stage is the path for you while you decide on what to do after high school. I can not express how WONDERFUL the acting (including some of the film) staff were. I can only speak on behalf of my acting experience but this is an acting basics program. This is not the place if you are looking for an intense, advanced program. If you're just starting out, absolutely do it, no questions asked. It's a great experience culturally and to make connections. But is not for an actor who is looking for a pre-professional program. I also worked with some of the film students and teachers and would recommend the film program but can't speak on behalf of studio art. Have specifics of what you want and don't want when you do interviews, ask questions, and do your research!

I had such a good time on this program. The faculty were so fun to work with. They all pushed me to keep learning and trying new things while encouraging me to be more independent. I started the program wanting to experiment with light painting. None of the faculty members had a lot of experience, but a few faculty waited till it was dark and we all experimented together. The results turned out pretty cool. I also was able to experiment with new forms of cameraless photography, jewelry making, developing film, and even making a magazine. This program has helped me create a more experienced portfolio.

The Berridge Program opened my eyes to how teamwork and collaboration not only allows for converging opinions to form a creative project, but also boosts creativity. Meeting friends with similar creative interests, I could not have asked for a better environment to learn, film, and explore - especially in a foreign country. I would recommend the Berridge Gap Year program to anyone who is looking to expand their creative horizons and wants to get out of their comfort zone and learn about various creative fields in a beautiful place.

The staff and kids are really dedicated in the projects that they are working on. The food is great, the housing system is really cool. I do wish that the two houses could interact more, as each house only holds 13 students, and we did most of our socializing at night because we were so busy during the day. Overall, I learned a ton and made a bunch of new friends. You also get to be in the middle of nowhere France, which is amazing because you get real French culture and you get to get away from your day to day life. It is definitely what I would search for in a gap year experience.

My summer at Berridge could not have been a more enriching, enlightening, and enthralling experience! Three weeks in a chateau in Normandy, France surrounded by like-minded creatives and artist mentors sounded like a dream, and it was indeed. Despite having done theatre my entire life, I learned a staggering amount of new skills and got insights into the acting business that enhanced my overall understanding of the art and my own performances. Collaboration was a focal objective of the program, and it quickly delivered in the many introduction exercises we did to initiate the program. The trust and excitement between both returning and new Berridge participants made bonding easy, and because of that, the work we were able to present was powerful and uplifted. I learned the importance of feeling empowered as an artist. At Berridge, we could really hone in on our artistry without the cut-throat/ inherent competitive nature of the industry. Of any program I have done this one felt truly like a group effort in which everyone just wanted everyone to do their very best. People were able to bring what they uniquely had to the table and were celebrated for it. It is unusual to be in an environment so supportive. It really enabled everyone to improve and enjoy their work without the pressure to “be the best”. We were given a variety of tools to work with in the classes we took, and it’s nice because there is not one specific approach to it. You are able to take what works for you and implement it into your own process. Again, having this autonomy over your own work and being able to embrace your singularity is vital in a creative environment. In terms of achieving the quintessential summer intensive goals, Berridge hit all the marks. First and foremost, we were procuring new skills for our own acting purposes, and I'd have been satisfied with just this because it is specifically an acting intensive. However, in addition to that we were exploring Normandy, making new friends, making new connections, eating good food, getting a dorm-life experience, managing our time, and so much more. I wasn’t sure what to expect entering the program in late June, and when reflecting on my 3 weeks there I can see that it exceeded anything I could have dreamed. I cannot recommend the program highly enough. Andrea is able to draw in such wonderful groups of people and create a safe and exciting place to be.

I've attended two summers in a row now and both times I've texted my family back home saying, "I have never felt more creatively fulfilled than I do right now." The faculty succeeds at creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where the students can share and hone their specific talents as well as learn how to work in groups towards a specific goal- whether it be a short film or a play. The weekly talent shows were often the highlight of the week. Performances included anything from monologues to stand-up to poetry to music.

I went to Berridge's film program in the summer of 2019 and it was the best summer of my life! Now, I go to the film program at NYU and the experience I had at Berridge was invaluable not only to my development as a filmmaker but as a person. Going away to a foreign country on my own with 40 new people was not the easiest for me, but I feel like I found myself at Berridge. My experience gave me a better perspective on my life as it did with filmmaking–helping me develop the skills and ideas that allowed me to become a better artist. If they had a gap year program, I would have definitely done it because at that period in one's life the experience at Berridge is irreplaceable.