Create and perform your own story at Chicago Children’s Theatre!
Summer break camps are open for registration, with early bird discounts through Jan 5!
In our camps for ages 4-14, we prioritize young people’s creativity, ingenuity, and self-expression.
That’s why we devise with kids. Devised theatre is a method of creating original plays and theatre works as a group and then performing that original work together. Learn more about what to expect from camp here!
Learn more about Financial Assistance opportunities for camps and classes.
For rising grades 2-5
No camp June 19
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:30am, free after-care from 4:00-5:30pm
$990 | 2 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
The magic crystal has gone missing, and only YOU can save us! In collaboration with professional theatre artists, you’ll create characters, scenes, and original songs to write a brand new adventure play and complete the quest. On the last day of camp, you will perform your original show for family and friends in CCT’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For ages 4-6
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
$275 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Calling all clowns, ring leaders, and circus animals! In this half-day drama camp, you’ll explore the circus through story-based drama, over-the-top characters, music, and movement to create the greatest show on earth. On the final day of camp, you’ll share your original big top adventure with family and friends in a mini-performance!
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For rising grades 1-3
Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-3:30pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:00am, free after-care from 3:30-5:00pm
$440 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Grab your grooviest signs and join the parade! Drawing from traditions of outdoor spectacle theatre, you’ll collaborate with professional theatre artists to create your very own parade inspired by the flower power peace movement of the 1960s. Each day will feature drama activities and art projects exploring character, storytelling, and far-out themes. Camp will culminate in a unique parking lot parade performance filled with lively music, vibrant color, and larger than life storytelling for family and friends to cheer on from the sidelines.
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For rising grades 4-7
No camp July 4
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:30am, free after-care from 4:00-5:30pm
$990 | 2 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Time is running out, and we need to get back to the past! In this not-yet-written tale of time travel adventure, you will collaborate with professional theatre artists to create unique characters, dynamic scenes, and show-stopping musical numbers for the stage. On the last day of camp, you will perform your original musical for family and friends in CCT’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For rising grades 1-2
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:00am, free after-care from 3:30-5:00pm
$550 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Get your giggles on and join us for this fun-filled improv camp! KIDPROV will build your stage presence, confidence, self-awareness, and teamwork through improv games and drama activities designed for all kinds of learners and all kinds of fun. On the last day of camp, family and friends are invited to a mini-improv show by the West Loop's newest improv troupe!
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For ages 8-22
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:30pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
$900 | Financial assistance is available!
Camp Red Kite is a dynamic theatre day camp for young people on the autism spectrum and other neurodiverse learners. During three fun-filled weeks, campers ages 8-22 explore drama, music, and visual arts! Throughout each camp day, campers rotate through engaging arts classes with their age-appropriate small groups, growing their sense of community, imaginative thinking, and self-confidence.
Camp Red Kite is led by a trained team of theatre artists, administrators, and CPS Special Education teachers dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for youth on the autism spectrum and other neurodiverse learners. Join us at Chicago Children’s Theatre this summer for an exciting arts experience that encourages self-expression, social engagement, and creative exploration!
Financial assistance is available! This registration form includes a financial assistance application. Email redkite@chicagochildrenstheatre.org with any questions.
For rising grades 3-5
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:30am, free after-care from 4:00-5:30pm
$550 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Find your power and unlock your funny! Comedy Performance is a week-long improv and sketch comedy camp for those ready to find their funny bone. In a camp built on team spirit, you’ll learn to embrace your fearless, bold, and hilarious side through improv games, character exercises, and sketch writing. At the end of the week, the West Loop’s newest comedy troupe will perform for family and friends in CCT’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For rising grades 6-10
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 9:00-10:00am, free after-care from 4:00-5:30pm
$550 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Ever wanted to bring your life stories to the stage? Explore the Neo-Futurist style of using your unique voice to tell personal tales in creative and theatrical ways! Whether it’s using shadow puppetry to tell us about your best friend or transforming your school lunch disaster into a devastating dance number, a Neo-Futurist ensemble member will guide you in telling YOUR stories YOUR way! At the end of the week, you will perform up to 20 two-minute plays in a one-of-a-kind show for family and friends in CCT’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.
The Neo-Futurists are a collective of wildly prolific writer/director/performers who create:
- Theater that is a fusion of sport, poetry and living-newspaper.
- Non-illusory, interactive performance that conveys our experiences and ideas as directly and honestly as possible.
- Immediate, unreproducible events at affordable prices.
- Performance and educational programming that embraces those unreached or unmoved by conventional theater – inspiring them to thought, feeling and action.
Read more on their website!
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For rising grades 1-3
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:30am, free after-care from 4:00-5:30pm
$550 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Sing with birds, sneak with foxes, and dance with chipmunks in this lively camp for young music lovers. You’ll sing songs, practice basic acting skills, create animal characters, and dance your heart out to bring your favorite animal folktales to life. On the last day of camp, campers will perform a medley of songs and scenes for family and friends in CCT’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For ages 4-6
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
$275 | 1 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
Bow-wow, it’s time to unleash your inner star! In this half-day drama camp, we’ll explore a dog’s world through story-based drama, music, and movement. In fun-filled creative drama activities, you’ll play with puppies, howl with wolves, and boogie with poodles, all while developing social emotional skills and imaginative thinking. On the final day of camp, you’ll share your tail-wagging adventures with family and friends in a mini performance!
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
For rising grades 1-4
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before-care from 8:30-9:30am, free after-care from 4:00-5:30pm
$1100 | 2 week camp
Register by Jan 5 for a 15% discount!
All aboard, matey! Inspired by classic pirate legends, you will learn the basics of acting, character creation, song writing, dance, collaborative story development, scene and prop construction. The whole crew will work together with professional theatre artists to create an original sea-worthy saga. On the last day of camp, you will perform your pirate tale for families, friends, and scallywags in CCT’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.
Masks will be strongly recommended during this camp. For more information on precautions we are taking during the pandemic, please see our Education Policies & FAQs.
Learn more about Financial Assistance opportunities, our Education Policies & FAQs, and our current roster of Teaching Artists.
If you have questions about CCT’s education programming please contact our Education & Community Programs Manager, Sivan Spector, at sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or by calling (312) 374-8828.