Yes. It’s that time again. Time for the kids to be out of school, and time for you to figure out what to do with them. If your children are a bit dramatic, you’re in luck. The Louisville community is chock-full of theatre camp opportunities for your child, many of which are led by industry professionals.
Quickly becoming the gold standard in theatre camps, Derby Dinner Summer Musical Theatre Camp enters its 5th year with five sessions of week-long camps for students 7-17. Each camp is taught by theatre professionals and culminates in an on-stage performance. Spots fill fast for this high-quality, high-energy camp. Some weeks are already sold out; long waiting lists are common. $175 per week.
Looking for Lilith offers three different camps for students in grades K-12. High school students will focus on the actor’s instrument in morning sessions, and participate in a collaborative playwriting process in the afternoon. Courses can be taken separately or as a whole. Younger students will focus on advancing their acting skills and storytelling, as well as problem solving, teamwork and self-esteem. $100-$300 per week.
The Jewish Community Center of Louisville provides Spotlight Youth Musical Theatre camps for students in grades K-4. The two-week camps focus on all aspects of theatre and end their camp experience with a performance. JCC’s Spotlight on GLEE Camp is for students in grades 5-7. Tuition for theatre camps starts at $285 for the two-week experience. Before and after care is available.
The Walden Theatre offers a vast array of skill building workshops and camps for students aged 9-18, including Shakespeare and Acting Intensives, Playwriting and Auditioning. $125-$495 for one to three week sessions. Younger students can participate in Imagination Workshops.
Kentucky Shakespeare’s summer programming features drama instruction and technique development centered around the works of William Shakespeare. Students ages 4-18 can participate in $150 for a week of half-day sessions to $695 for a 5-week high-school conservatory program.
StageOne Family Theatre has developed 17 week-long DramaWorks camps for kids ages 4-18. Half and full-day opportunities include performance camps and Technical Theatre intensives, focusing on behind-the-scenes theatre aspects such as stage management and costuming. Costs range from $145 for half-day camps to $400 for three-week “Broadway Bootcamps” that culminate with public performances.
Squallis Puppeteers engages students ages 5-14 in theatre through puppetry. Younger students will develop their own puppets to use in performance, while older students will explore Asian cultures and puppet traditions, including Indonesian Shadow puppets, Chinese Processional puppets and Japanese Bunraku puppets. $225 for full-day camp.
Oldham County Schools Arts Center presents half-day camps on a variety of topics ranging from movement and characterization to show-specific workshops. $150-$250.
Image and video: Courtesy Derby Dinner Playhouse
