Check out what theatre have going on for kids this summer in our Summer Camps and Classes online guide!
Create a Play with Kerfuffle at West Ridge Nature Play Space!
Kerfuffle
West Ridge Nature Play Space, 5801 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
Grab your backpacks and double knot your boots — you’re invited to join the club! Toddler Hiking Club: An Imaginative Nature Walk is Kerfuffle’s brand new interactive play for very young children that takes place in and around nature play spaces. Join us at West Ridge Nature Play Space for two free creative drama, arts, and movement workshops to develop Toddler Hiking Club. Kerfuffle, a theatre and dance company for the very young, develops all of their work in direct partnership with children to better understand what engages, interests and delights them. Workshop participants will help form ideas, characters and sound design for the environment of the play through creative drama activities and songs.
Participants may attend one or both workshops.
Who: Children aged 6 and younger, though all are welcome. Caregivers are encouraged to stay with or near their child throughout the duration of the workshops.
When: Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Marriott Theatre’s College Audition Intensive for Rising Juniors and Seniors
Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire
10 Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60005
One-Stop-Shop College Audition Intensive!
$800
September 7th and 8th: 10am-6pm
September 9th-13th: 4pm-7pm
Sept 14th: 10am-6pm
Ovation Academy Summer Camps
Ovation Academy at Madison Street Theater
1010 Madison Street
Oak Park, IL 60302
Ovation Academy’s Summer Class Session runs June 16 – July 27, 2024
Now with new “Drop-In” Option! Drop in, and only pay for the classes your child attends OR commit to the full session for a discount.
Ages 5-7
– Let’s Dance! : An introductory dance and movement class (Sundays 2:00-3:00PM)
– Broadway Kids 4PM : An introductory exploration of musical theater (Mondays 4:00-5:00PM)
– Broadway Kids 5:30PM : An introductory exploration of musical theater (Mondays 5:30-6:30PM)
Ages 8-10
– Broadway Voice I : An introductory class to music theory and vocal technique through the Broadway lens (Wednesdays 4:00-5:00PM)
– Improv For Actors : An improvisation class (Tuesdays 4:30-5:30PM)
– Broadway Dance I : An introductory class to Broadway-style dance and choreography (Sundays 3:00-4:00PM)
– Tap I : A beginner Tap class (Mondays 6:00-7:00PM)
Ages 11-13
– Broadway Voice II : A vocal class focused on Broadway-style singing (Wednesdays 5:00-6:00PM)
– Improv For Actors : An improvisation class (Tuesdays 4:30-5:30PM)
– Ballet For Broadway : A foundational dance class designed for the musical theater performer (Thursdays 6:00-7:00PM)
– Broadway Dance II : An intermediate-level class focused on Broadway-style dance and choreography (Wednesdays 6:00PM – 7:00PM)
Ages 13-18
– Showchoir : A teen-centered class focused on fast-paced choreography and music (Saturdays 10:30-11:30AM)
Ages 18+
– Page to Stage, YA Edition : A special edition class for the young adult crowd focused on improving all facets of musical theater technique (Tuesdays 7:00-9:00PM)
– Page to Stage, Musical Theater For Grown-Ups : Explore the Broadway stage with other musical theater lovers! (Mondays 7:30-9:00PM)
Stage Struck: Music Theater Works
Music Theater Works Rehearsal Center
516 4th St
Wilmette, IL 60091
For teens who want to work like professionals!
June 7, 2024 to June 22, 2024
Monday- Friday: Rehearsals 9AM to 4PM
Saturdays: Rehearsals 12PM to 4PM
June 21 to June 22
Onstage Tech and Dress Rehearsals 10AM to 4PM
June 23
Call Time 12PM
Performance Time 2PM
YouthREACH at Music Theater Works
Music Theater Works Rehearsal Center
516 4th St
Wilmette, IL 60091
Every child receives a role at YouthREACH!
July 8-13: Wizard of Oz- Young Performers’ Edition
July 15-20: Annie, Jr.
July 22-27: Mean Girls, Jr.
July 29-August 3: Guys and Dolls, Jr.
August 5-10: Legally Blonde, Jr.
Monday-Friday: Rehearsals 9AM to 3PM
Saturday: Dress Rehearsal at 2PM, Performance at 4 PM
Chicago Tap Theatre Summer Intensive July 8-12
Chicago Tap Theater at Visceral Dance Center
3121 N Rockwell St
Chicago, IL 60618
Tap Dancers are equal parts musician and dancer, and yet most teachers focus only on tap as a movement art. Students will spend five days digging deep into Tap Dance with CTT Artistic Director Mark Yonally, Rehearsal Director Molly Smith, and Artistic Associate Sterling Harris and expand their knowledge and skills in the areas of choreography creation, jazz music & history, improvisation & soloist skills, tap technique & vocabulary, tap history & historical repertoire. Each day, students will participate in technique classes with their level before enjoying a combined lunch/lecture period on topics relevant to Tap Dancers.The intensive will culminate in an opportunity for students to share what they’ve learned throughout the week with their peers and families.
Additional events (including a tap jam Monday evening!) have been added to engage students in a relaxed, social setting to meet other students and share the skills they’ve learned during the intensive.
Intermediate track will be each day from 10am-2pm
Advanced track will be each day from 1pm-5pm
Classes will take place in the beautiful Studio 3 of Visceral Dance Center, with sprung wood floors.
Lombard Park District Theater Camps
Sunset Knoll Recreation Center
820 Finley Rd,
Lombard, IL 60148
(All camps run M-F 9am-12pm)
July 8-12
Broadway Dance Intensive
Theatrical dance is more than jazz hands. Learn a classic routine or two and sone common (and uncommon) movement styles and steps in this high energy camp.
July 22-26
Technical Theatre
Discover all of the artistry that goes into a show, even if you never step onstage. We explore how scenic design, lighting, projection, sound, costuming, makeup, and props bring productions to new heights
Porchlight Music Theatre Camps
Holtschneider Performance Center at the DePaul School of Music
2330 N. Halsted
Chicago IL 60614
Create and perform with Porchlight all summer long! Our expanded program offerings for actors aged 4 – 17 include skill based classes to stretch their creative muscles and grow in their music theater goals in acting, dancing and singing!
Our Foundation Classes – Mini Musicals for ages 4 – 6 and Broadway Basics for ages 7 – 10 – introduce musicals in an open and welcoming environment. Growing from exploring environments in Mini Musicals to creating characters through play and improvisation in Broadway Basics, campers will spend their day singing, dancing and creating an original musical story to share on the last day.
Returning and new middle school aged actors join us to grow in Intermediate Ensemble for ages 11 – 13. Actors will focus on classic or contemporary musicals as they learn musical theater songs, choreography, and create a musical revue to share with family and friends.
Pre-professional and high school aged actors (14 – 17 years) focus on leveling up specific skills in our Broadway Dance Intensive and Broadway Singing Intensive. We highly recommend both classes for any actors curious about or planning on auditioning for college music theater programs. Actors will leave more confident in their music theatre skills and more prepared for their Common Music Theatre Prescreen Audition.
New this year (based on family feedback!) we are so excited to announce our first ever Porchlight Youth Presents – Lion King, JR! Actors aged 7 – 13 years are invited to join us in applying their skills as they rehearse and perform a full script in an extended camp.
The Revival Summer Camps
The Revival
906 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL, 60605
Campers ages 6-12 can expect a warm, joyful, and supportive environment that celebrates each day with a variety of fun, “on-your-feet” activities including: improv, sketch comedy, music, and more. Our instructors are among the best in Chicago with a wealth of classroom and stage experience. Summer Camp at The Revival offers a wonderful opportunity to jumpstart creativity, develop new skills, and have fun!