Spotlight on 12 Theatre Summer Programs for Awesome Thespians

Written by Ashleigh Gardner

April 20. 2017

Part of the excitement of summer break is not having to worry about schoolwork, tests, studying, and waking up at 6am to get to your first-period class. But there’s another reason to celebrate summer break: theatre summer camps. Below, we’ve listed twelve that range from acting to musical theatre to improv so you can get your theatre on over the summer break.

Stagedoor Manor

Where: Loch Sheldrake, NY
Type: Acting and Musical Theatre
When: It varies. See website for details.
Tuition: $6,045

From their website: “Each session, our campers enroll in six different classes ranging from acting, musical theatre, vocal training, movement, dance, film acting, stage combat and so much more. We offer a vast amount of options and, each year, our program develops and expands. Campers can explore our 60 core classes as well as more than 25 specialty classes that are offered based on the expertise of our incoming staff.”

Click here to visit.

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp

Where: Steamboat Springs, CO
Type: Acting and Musical Theatre
When: June 24 – July 7
Tuition: $2,700

From their website: “A nationally renowned multidisciplinary program, the opportunity to study with some of the nation’s finest theatre professionals and teachers, and the ability for every student to be featured in theatrical productions – all in the most beautiful and inspiring place imaginable. With a faculty to student ratio of 8:1, actors receive unmatched personal attention and the chance to learn and perform a variety of genres.”

Click here to visit.

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Where: Interlochen, MI
Type: Musical Theatre
When: June 23 – August 6
Tuition: $9,630

From their website: “This program is designed for students with moderate to advanced experience in musical theatre. The production enjoys full design and technical support, and will have a four-performance run. […] As a musical theatre production student, you will participate in daily musical theatre production rehearsals, during which students and the creative team (director, choreographer, musical director, and designers) prepare the show, private voice lessons, acting technique class, and theatre topics class.”

Click here to visit.

Buck’s Rock Performing Arts Camp

Where: New Milford, CT
Type: Acting and Musical Theatre
When: Varies. See website for details.
Tuition: $8,390 – 11,490 (See website for details.)

From their website: “Our exceptionally talented theater staff will work with you on acting techniques, skills, methods and more. We have two fully equipped stages—a large, covered outdoor space and a more intimate indoor space. Best of all, we put on over 15 fully staged plays, musicals, and performances over the course of the summer.”

Click here to visit.

Harand Camp of the Theatre Arts

Where: Kenosha, WI
Type: Acting and Musical Theatre
When: Varies (Camps run June 17 to July 29)
Tuition: $1,279 – $5,779 (See website for details.)

From their website: “In preparation for final performances, campers take daily classes in singing, dancing, and acting. Occasional rehearsals are held in the evening (alternating with other activities). Sessions culminate with large-scale performances in our state-of-the-art theatre. Campers may also choose to enroll in extra arts courses such as technical theater, production, stage makeup, improv, stage combat, auditioning, and more! These are optional and included in tuition.”

Click here to visit.

The Second City Improv Camp

Where: Chicago, IL
Type: Improv
When: Varies (Camps run year round. See website for details.)
Tuition: $300 – $500 (See website for details.)

From their website: “Campers exercise their sense of play through improv games and exercises that are the foundation of The Second City’s unique brand of comedy. Our teachers will work with these young improvisers to help enhance their ability to communicate with others and develop confidence in their own creativity while working as part of an ensemble.”

Click here to visit.

French Woods

Where: Hancock, NY
Type: Acting and musical theatre.
When: June 7 – Aug 26 (Camps vary. See website for details.)
Tuition: $1,075 – $12,600 (See website for details.)

From their website: “French Woods is an individual choice performing arts summer camp for children from 7 to 17 years old. We offer programs in theater, dance, music, circus, magic, rock and roll, visual arts, film and video, sports, tennis, fitness, water sports, skate board, horseback riding and more. Younger campers have more guidance and supervision, while older campers are able to take on some responsibility and have a chance to work in the areas of their interest.”

Click here to visit.

Young Actors’ Theatre Camp

Where: Felton, CA
Type: Acting and musical theatre.
When: (Camps vary. See website for details.)
Tuition: $2,093 – $3,995 (See website for details.)

From their website: “YATC is a coed theatre camp in the Bay Area offering overnight summer and winter sessions and weekend workshops for kids ages 8-18 of all levels. From YATC’s creation in 2001, our goal has been to deliver a program that we would have desired as young actors. Year after year the Young Actors’ Theatre Camp is voted San Francisco’s ‘Best Sleep-A-Way Camp’ & ‘Best Children’s Theatre Workshop!’”

Click here to visit.

Broadway Workshop

Where: New York, NY
Type: Acting and musical theatre.
When: (Camps vary. See website for details.)
Tuition: (Prices vary by class type. See website for details.)

From their website: “Since 2007, Broadway Workshop has given young actors of all skill levels the opportunity to explore their creativity through acting, singing and dance. Our Programs are taught by working professionals, from Broadway stars to Casting Directors and Agents. Our Students not only learn about and experience all aspects of the theatre through our Workshops, Industry Showcases, private and small group coachings but they also gain skills in the areas of communication, self confidence, and teamwork in a supportive, positive and most of all FUN environment!”

Click here to visit.

Camp Broadway

Where: Atlanta, GA and New York, NY
Type: Acting and musical theatre.
When: (Camps vary. See website for details.)
Tuition: (Prices vary by class type. See website for details.)

From their website: “Camp Broadway LLC is the recipient of the 2016 Special Drama Desk Award ‘for introducing young people to the magic of theater and for playing a crucial role in creating tomorrow’s audiences for over 20 years.’ Proclaimed ‘The Camp of Dreams,’ Camp Broadway® Mainstage is designed for theater-loving kids, ages 10-17, to develop their confidence, character and presentation skills through ensemble performance. Open to all children, regardless of previous performing experience, this 5-day program encourages aspiring artists and future audiences through a wide array of classes, workshops and experiences. Our staff of experienced Broadway professionals work closely with small groups to immerse our young cast in an active rehearsal process that features an authorized script and score from a popular Broadway show that enables all campers to successfully stretch their skills regardless of his/her experience level.”

Click here to visit.

Broadway Dreams

Where: (Cities vary. See website for details.)
Type: Acting and musical theatre.
When: (Camps vary. See website for details.)
Tuition: (Prices vary by class type. See website for details.)

From their website: “Broadway Dreams is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit performing arts education organization with programs year-round that inspire students to awaken their highest potential. The Weeklong Intensive is the trademark Broadway Dreams initiative — a program of strenuous professional training, with sessions in major metropolitan areas. Throughout the week, the international student pool employs the classroom to prepare for a formal showcase in which they perform alongside celebrated talents for an exclusive audience of industry professionals. Intensives are available in Acting for Stage and Film or Musical Theatre, with a focus on acting, vocal performance, and dance.”

Click here to visit.

California Actors Workshop

Where: Varies (Stanford, CA / Los Angeles, CA / Berkeley, CA)
Type: Acting
When: Varies (Camps run July 8, 2017 – Aug 4)
Tuition: $1,655 – $4,815

From their website: “This hands-on, conservatory-style program gives students a chance to learn some of the most important and influential acting practices of the modern theater. Our core curriculum draws from Stanislavski’s An Actor Prepares, the foundation of twentieth-century realistic acting. Other courses (based on faculty expertise) may include Improvisation, Voice, Movement, Script Analysis, Shakespeare, and Acting for the Camera. Courses become more advanced and intensive over the course of our three specialized sessions.”

Click here to visit.



Need some advice? We’ve got you covered.

Ashleigh Gardner received her AA in Theatre/Drama/Dramatic Arts from Valencia College and her Bachelors Degree in English Literature and Masters Degree in Literary, Cultural, and Textual Studies from the University of Central Florida. She is a playwright, and an actor.