Education Policies & FAQs

COVID-19 In Person Programming Precautions (updated 1/4/2024)

CCT will hold in-person class or camp as scheduled, and CCT will communicate to families as necessary about any changes, postponements, or cancellations. 

COVID-19 Policies for all CCT Camps and Classes:

  • Masks are strongly recommended for campers and their families while indoors and not actively eating or drinking.
  • If you are feeling ill, or experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, or sore throat, please do not come to camp.

COVID-19 Safety Acknowledgment

CCT is taking precautionary measures in alignment with CDC recommendations, state and local mandates and the policies of our venues with regard to COVID-19 safety with regard to the planning and execution of our in-person events. By virtue of their attendance, in-person attendees have expressed their agreement to adhere to these CDC, state and local guidelines, and venue policies in place for COVID-19 safety.  Further, by virtue of their attendance, in-person attendees acknowledge that they knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm and loss associated with COVID-19.

Duty Of Care

Individuals who fall within any of the categories below should not attend CCT in-person events. By attending the in-person events, you certify that you do not fall into any of the following categories:
• Individuals who currently or within the past ten (10) days have experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
• Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities or the health care team responsible for their treatment.

General

Does my child need any previous experience?
Not at all! We welcome beginners and experienced performers.

The session has already started. Can I still register my child(ren)?
Because our classes include ensemble work and is based in devising, we do not accept new registrations after the second class. You must register before the second class begins to join. You will receive a prorated amount for missing the first class. If you would like to register for a West Loop class that has already started, please contact sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org. If you would like to register for an off-site class that has already started, please contact meagan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

Does CCT do after-school pick-ups for their onsite/offsite classes/camps?

We have partnered with specific schools near CCT  for after-school pick-ups. Unfortunately, we do not offer after-school pick-ups for our classes currently in Lincoln Park. For Skinner West Families please fill out the After School Pick Up Form.

Can we audit classes at CCT?

Unfortunately, only registered participants are allowed in our classes. We do not offer the option to audit.

Classes and Camps

What should students wear to class?

Dress to move! Skirts and dresses are fine, so long as shorts or leggings are worn underneath. We recommend wearing clothing you are comfortable moving in, which is not too loose-fitting. Close-toed gym shoes should be worn to all classes unless noted otherwise.

Note: Many of our classes/camp activities can include crafting props, set pieces, instruments, and costumes. We recommend campers bring a smock or oversized t-shirt from home, or to wear clothes that can get craft supplies, such as paint and glue, on them. We do our best to use craft supplies that are completely washable. Most days, we will travel outside to a nearby park for recess, so we advise bringing layers on colder days.

Do you offer make-up classes?
We only offer make-up classes for some of our Early Childhood classes. You must email Sivan Spector, at sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org before or on the day of the missed class to ensure the availability of a make-up class.

Do I need to stay and wait while my child is in class?
No. However, we do require all students be signed-in and signed-out at the front desk for every class period. Parent/caregiver participation is required for some Younger Stages classes. For those who would like to wait in the building during classes, there is seating in our lobby and free WIFI is available for our guests.

What should I expect for my child(rens) first day of class?
You should expect to sign-in at the check-in desk when you arrive and wait in our lobby until the teaching artist(s) comes down to collect students for class. For younger students, we offer the option for parents to come up to class with them for an easier transition into a new environment. Our lobby has toys, books, and coloring activities they can enjoy while families wait.

Am I allowed to sit in on my child’s class?
No. Parents are not allowed to sit in on classes, unless it is a parent/caregiver participation based class. We do have sharings for family and friends during the final class. We will send email communications regarding sharings ahead of the final class.

What are the Lobby/classroom expectations?
We ask that students and their families wait in the lobby for their class to begin. We ask kindly that students do not run in the lobby for safety and that they clean up any items used before they head to class.

Do you have gender-neutral bathrooms?
Yes. We have two multiple stalls but only one person can use it at a time. We ask that you lock the door when doing so.

What should my child bring to class?
They should dress to move, and we suggest bringing water that is bottled. We also recommend packing a change of clothes for younger students in case of an accident.

Do I need to pack lunch for camp?
Yes. You will need to pack a nut free lunch and 2 nut free snacks for each day of camp. While most students do not refrigerate their lunches, we do have a refrigerator available if necessary. Please label their lunches and bottled waters with their names, if possible. We cannot allow students to utilize the microwave during camp except

Do you have a lost/found?
Yes. If your child(ren) leaves an item at CCT, please feel free to email sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org to let us know. You are welcome to stop by the building during business hours to take a look at our lost and found.

Do you have a first aid kit?
Yes. We keep a fully stocked first aid kit. If your child has allergies that require use of an epi pen or prescribe medicines, please let the CCT staff know by filling out the Education Waiver.

When will I receive more information about class/camp?
The week before the class/camp starts, our Education Department sends out a full information packet with the schedule for each day, a list of teaching artists for that week, and the themes that will be explored. If you need any more information before then, contact our Education and Community Programs Manager, Sivan Spector, at sivan@chicagochildresntheare.org to learn more.

When can I watch a class?
Parents, friends, and guests are invited to attend class on observation days only, which take place on the final class period of each session. An email reminder will be sent to families from our Education Department with details regarding observation days. On the last day of each camp session, there will be a show in the theatre.

What type of classes do you offer? 

We offer early childhood classes and classes geared toward ages 4-11 years old, as well as Day Out camps for CPS out-of-school days/holidays. We also offer two acting intensives, Elementary Ensemble (Ages 8-11) and Showtime Ensemble (Ages 12-? ). Classes range from acting, improv, dance/movement, musical theatre and more! Our approach is in devising theatre and ensemble work around the themes of the class. We teach students self-confidence, empathy, and the importance of using their imaginations! 

How do I register for a class/camp?

You can register under the class/camp drop-down menu on the home page. You will pick the age group/grade level of the child(ren) you want to register to view available classes. 

How do I get on the waitlist for a class/camp?

For all onsite classes or camps, please fill out the waitlist form. For our offsite class in Lincoln Park (The Menomonee Club), please contact Meagan Dilworth at meagan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

What is the education waiver and do I have to sign it?

Yes. It is important that you fill out the education waiver. It allows the education staff and our teaching artists to meet the needs of your child and provide us with your contact information in case of an emergency. We ask for this to be updated each year. You may fill one out for your child: https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/education-waiver/.

How can I subscribe to CCT’s emailing list to know about upcoming classes/camps?

You can subscribe to our emailing list by the filling out the form: https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/email-subscribe/

Payments, Discounts, & Refunds

Do you offer payment plans?
We may be able to offer payment plans on an as-needed basis. Contact our the Education Programs Manager, Sivan Spector at sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org to inquire about payment plans.

Do you offer discounts for siblings or students attending more than one class?
We do not currently offer sibling discounts. Financial Assistance applications are also accepted on a rolling basis.

What is your refund policy for classes?
A full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee, will be issued for canceling before the start of the first-class session. If a cancellation request is made before the beginning of the third-class session, a refund, minus the $25 administrative fee and the prorated cost of the first classes, will be issued. No refunds will be granted after the third-class session.

We do offer patron credit instead of refunds that can be used toward a CCT production, event, and/or future class/camp.

What is your refund policy for camps?
A full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee, will be issued if cancellation occurs up to seven-weeks before the start of camp. If cancellation occurs after the seven-week deadline, a $100 fee will be added to the $25 administrative fee for a total of $125. No refunds are granted if cancelation occurs within two weeks of the start of any camp session.

Do you offer any online classes?

At this time, all our programming is in person. We do not have any online classes available.

What should I do if my child tests positive for COVID and they have been at CCT?

Please notify us as soon as possible. If your child tests positive and has been at any CCT programming, we will notify all the families and staff that they came in contact with, while keeping their identity confidential. Please do not come back to CCT until your child has fully recovered. If one of your family members tests positive for COVID, we ask that you have your student get tested for COVID before coming to back to class at CCT.

If you have questions about CCT’s education programming please contact our Director of Education & Community Programs, Sivan Spector, at sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or by calling (312) 374-8828.

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