10 Summer Theater Camps for Middle School Students
If you're a middle school student interested in the performing arts and want to improve your skills over the summer, you should consider enrolling in a summer theater camp!
Early exposure to theater will allow you to explore different forms of creative expression, boost your confidence, and help you develop essential skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving. These experiences are not only valuable in the context of performing arts but can also enhance your overall academic profile and help you navigate social interactions.
Additionally, involvement in theater can give you a competitive advantage when applying to high schools and colleges. Admissions officers usually look for students who are dedicated to their passions and have a diverse range of interests. Attending theater camps along with participating in drama clubs and school plays can set you apart from your peers and enhance your prospects in the industry.
Here’s our curated list of 10 summer theater camps for middle school students that you can consider!
Cost: $6,845 per session. Pricing for two sessions is $12,695
Location: Loch Sheldrake, NY
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until spots are filled. Applications are now open for Summer 2025.
Dates: Multiple sessions are available for Summer 2025:
Session 1: June 16–July 6
Session 2: July 7–July 27
Session 3: July 28–August 17
Eligibility: Students aged 10–18 years can apply.
Stagedoor Manor is a theater camp that offers a comprehensive and immersive experience for students passionate about the performing arts. With a cohort size of approximately 300 students per session, you will get to participate in full-scale productions, workshops, and masterclasses led by professional actors. The curriculum is designed to cover various aspects of theater, including acting, singing, dancing, and technical theater, ensuring a well-rounded education in the performing arts.
The camp has produced the world-premiere production of Disney’s High School Musical and partnered with Music Theatre International and the original creators to be the first to produce a one-time workshop School Edition of Avenue Q. Stagedoor has also been involved in producing pilot productions such as RENT School Edition, the first MTI workshop production of Sweeney Todd School Edition, and the first workshop productions of student editions of both Mean Girls and Wild Party. With a focus on building confidence, teamwork, and artistic excellence, Stagedoor Manor will offer you a solid summer experience that can help you build a career in the performing arts.
Cost: $1,750–$7,475 (3 weeks) | $10,595–$11,795 (6 weeks) | $13,800 (9 weeks) | $14,800 (12 weeks). The cost also depends on the session you choose to attend.
Location: Hancock, NY
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Session 1: June 6–June 25 | Session 2: June 25–July 15 | Session 3: July 15–August 4 | Session 4: August 4–August 25 | Session 5: August 25–September 1
Eligibility: Students aged 7–17 years can apply.
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, located in Hancock, NY, offers students an exceptional and ambitious theater program. With more than 80 full-scale productions each summer, the camp provides a great environment for young thespians to hone their craft. Middle schoolers, typically placed in age groups 11-12 or 11-14, have the opportunity to audition for multiple shows, ensuring every camper gets a chance to perform.
Auditions held the day after arrival, involve singing for musicals or reading provided sides for dramas. Professional instructors teach a variety of classes, including improvisation, acting techniques, commercial techniques, creative writing, directing, dialects, musical theater, Shakespeare, stage combat, scene study, and theater games. This comprehensive curriculum will ensure that you receive a well-rounded education in the performing arts.
The camp boasts five well-equipped theaters, each with sound and lighting systems, supported by two full-scale scene shops and a massive costume shop. If you’re interested in technical theater, you can take classes and gain hands-on experience in stagecraft and design, lighting, sound, video, costuming, and makeup. Additionally, you can perform in the camp's Cabaret and Improvisation Troupes, which are invited to perform at nearby resorts and neighboring camps. French Woods also offers several one-act plays each session, some of which are directed by campers, providing even more opportunities for middle school students to excel both on stage and behind the scenes.
Cost: The prices for the different session lengths are as follows:
3-week session: $6,765
6-week session: $10,080
Additionally, there is a $65 non-refundable application fee. All students in the arts summer camp programs that are two or more weeks long can apply for need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships.
Location: Interlochen, MI
Application Deadline: Applications for Summer 2025 will open on September 1, 2024.
Dates: 3- and 6-week sessions are available for middle schoolers:
3-week sessions: June 24–July 13, 2024 | July 14–August 4, 2024
6-week session: June 23–August 4, 2024
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–12 can apply depending on the requirements of the different sessions.
In the theater program of the Interlochen Arts Camp, you will have the opportunity to select from three distinct camps: Acting, Design & Production, and Musical Theater. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of subjects, including acting techniques, vocal development, dance choreography, stagecraft, and more. With a focus on both individual and group critiques, you can benefit from the insights of seasoned theater professionals.
Acting majors gain practical performance experience by participating in up to nine productions each academic year, allowing them to showcase their talents. The curriculum encourages the exploration of various dramatic forms and genres while fostering the development of essential acting skills. You will be taught to apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving techniques to stage management and audition preparation. You will be able to gain recognition for your efforts through the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts YoungArts competition and other prestigious contests.
Cost: The camp costs $275 for the two weeks. Limited scholarships are available!
Location: Beaufort, SC
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 17–June 28, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Students aged 8–12 years can apply.
USCB Center for the Arts and Beaufort Children's Theater offers an opportunity for students to engage in all aspects of musical theater. This camp is designed to help you gain self-confidence and the ability to express yourself as you learn basic acting skills, vocal instruction, and choreography. The highlight of the camp will be the creation of your show which takes place on the second-last day of the camp. The camp runs Monday–Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM.
During the camp, you will learn more about theater arts through active participation in a fun atmosphere with professional standards. These camps are an opportunity to work on acting, singing, and dancing skills as well as plenty of chances to play theater games and learn about theater practices and information including stage directions and performance skills. The camp will culminate in a 15-minute performance where you will get to perform three songs within a unique Broadway Bound script, allowing you to showcase your talent to other kids and families.
Cost: $65–$75; depending on the program.
Location: All workshops are held at Warren Park Amphitheatre on Florida Grove Road in Woodbridge, NJ.
Application Deadline: Registration opens in April and will remain open until July 1, or until the session is full.
Dates:
Kids in the Park: Session 1: July 8–July 19, 2024 | Session 2: July 22–August 2, 2024
Teens in the Park: July 22–August 9, 2024
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 4–10.
Kids and Teens in the Park Acting Camp, hosted by Middlesex County, offers an enriching summer program tailored for teenagers interested in the performing arts. This camp provides a great environment where you can hone your acting skills through a variety of workshops and activities.
Led by experienced theater professionals, the curriculum includes acting techniques, improvisation, scene study, and voice training. The camp emphasizes both individual growth and ensemble work, ensuring that you get to develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills. Each session culminates in a live performance, allowing you to showcase your talents to family and friends. You can also decide to help more on the costume and production side of the program, which helps students learn about stage management, lighting, and sound.
Kids-in-the-Park runs from 9 am to 12 pm Monday-Friday for young actors entering grades 4-7 while Teens-in-the-Park runs from 1 pm to 4 pm Monday-Friday for young actors entering grades 8-10. Both workshops focus on different musical pieces to practice and perform.
Cost: $775 for one week; Need-based scholarships are offered to qualifying students. Students are responsible for their housing, meals, and transportation.
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: One-week programs between June 24 and August 9, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–12.
iTheatrics Summer Theater Academy’s workshop programs offer students the opportunity to engage in newly adapted and original shows, developed in collaboration with prominent licensing organizations such as Music Theatre International and Concord Theatricals, which includes catalogs from R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark, and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. Each of the workshop programs consists of learning music, choreography, and staging, culminating in a presentation for the musical’s respective licensing company, the show’s creators, and the students’ families. You will get hands-on experience workshopping a new adaptation with some of the finest directors, choreographers, and educators in the field.
During these workshops, you will perform with scripts in hand and utilize limited costumes and props. Your families will get to attend the final performances along with invited educators, and often the show's authors or their representatives. This structured approach ensures a thorough learning experience.
Cost: The costs range from $2,994–$9,195 depending on the duration of the session. Prices are discounted for new campers as well as with an early bird discount.
Location: Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple one, two, and four-week sessions are available between July 7 and August 7, 2024.
Eligibility: Students aged 8–18 years can apply.
The Young Actors' Theater Camp (YATC), an overnight camp, is designed for campers who are passionate about the performing arts, both onstage and off-stage. The camp has gained recognition for its exceptional programs, leading to invitations to prestigious venues such as the historic 54 Below stage in New York and the Cannes Film Festival in France. Many campers who have studied at YATC have pursued successful careers in Broadway, film, and television, taking on roles such as actors, writers, directors, casting directors, producers, costume designers, comedians, and makeup designers.
At YATC, you can choose a specific focus track in each session while still engaging in a variety of classes and activities in the performing arts. The available tracks include Acting, Musical Theater, and Creative tracks:
The Acting track covers a range of subjects, including acting techniques, scene study, vocal study, improvisation, and audition techniques.
The Musical Theater track focuses on performance skills relevant to musicals, such as vocal and dance techniques, audition preparation, and songwriting.
The Creative track offers a broad curriculum for those interested in behind-the-scenes work, including writing, directing, filmmaking, podcasting, and various production elements like stage management, sound, set, lighting, costume, and makeup.
Each track will culminate in a showcase on the last day of camp, allowing you to demonstrate your newly acquired skills and talents.
Cost: $315 for a 5-day week camp
Location: Dunwoody, GA
Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed, but the waitlist is available to join
Dates: One-week sessions are available between May 30 and August 4, 2024.
Eligibility: Students aged 3–18 years can participate.
Stage Door Theatre Camp offers summer theater camps for middle school students interested in the performing arts. With a one-week session format, the camp ensures intensive and focused training, allowing campers to dive deep into their theatrical passions. You will receive comprehensive training in acting, including improv workshops and scene study, guided by experienced instructors. The small cohort size of approximately 25 students per session ensures personalized attention, fostering individual growth and skill development. Each week culminates in a final performance where you can showcase your talents to family and friends.
Beyond acting, the camp provides a well-rounded experience with opportunities to explore various aspects of theater production. You can engage in technical theater, learning about stagecraft, lighting, sound, and costuming. The collaborative environment will help you build confidence, enhance your teamwork skills, and express your creativity. With its focus on developing well-rounded performers, Stage Door Theatre Camp offers a solid experience that will equip you with valuable skills for your future endeavors in theater.
Cost: The cost ranges from $1,295 to $1,995 depending on the track selected and the available early-bird discount.
Location: New York City, NY
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions are available in 2024:
Session 1: July 15–July 19 | Session 2: July 22–July 26 | Session 3: July 29–August 2 | Session 4: July 29–August 4
Eligibility: Open to ages 10–21.
Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) offers five Summer Intensives, including Sessions One through Four and a BAA Junior Track, specifically designed for students with a solid technical foundation who want to refine their skills at an advanced level and network with top industry professionals. Over a week, you will get to attend advanced Master Classes in your chosen major (Voice, Acting, or Dance) and select electives to develop your talents. Before arriving, you’ll work with a BAA Student Advisor who specializes in your major to assist with preparations. You will receive private coaching in your major and participate in a special Q&A/Master Class taught by a surprise Broadway guest.
The in-person Summer Sessions One, Two, Three, and the BAA Junior Track each culminate in an industry showcase where you will get to perform a solo piece in your major for NYC’s top casting directors, agents, and managers, receiving individual feedback. Session Four concludes with a fully staged showcase in an off-Broadway theater, where you’ll perform a solo piece live onstage for an audience of family and friends, as well as top industry professionals. This showcase also includes several group dance numbers open to students of all majors, providing a comprehensive and fun performance experience.
Cost: The cost ranges from $104 to $520, depending on the class selected.
Location: Portland, OR
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple one-week classes are available between July 29 and August 23, depending on which session you choose.
Eligibility: The theatre offers programs to all students aged 6–18 years. Different classes have different age restrictions.
Oregon Children's Theatre (OCT) offers a diverse and engaging summer camp program designed for students passionate about the performing arts. The camp provides a variety of classes that cater to different interests and skill levels, including acting, improvisation, musical theater, and playwriting. Each session is led by experienced instructors who will encourage you to explore your creativity and build your confidence. The curriculum is designed to develop essential performance skills through interactive workshops, scene study, and ensemble work, culminating in a final showcase where you’ll get to display your newly acquired talents.
In addition to performance skills, OCT's summer camp emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. During the camp, you will have the opportunity to engage in behind-the-scenes aspects of theater, such as stagecraft, costume design, and technical production, providing a well-rounded understanding of theater arts. By offering a comprehensive and immersive theater experience, Oregon Children's Theatre summer camp will equip you with the tools and confidence to excel both on stage and off-stage.
One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.