Every Winter, Spring, and Summer, Chicago Children’s Theatre offers a variety of 1 and 2-week camps for children ages 5-13. Students will learn the basics of acting, songwriting, scenic and prop design, choreography, and collaborative story development as they work together to create dynamic performances for friends and family.
Most performances for camps culminate on the final day of camp at 4pm in our Pritzker Family Studio. More information will be sent out closer to camp.
Learn more about Financial Assistance opportunities for our camps
For 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
$515 | Register by 2/15 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 at 3:30pm, 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 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
$515 | Register by 2/15 for a 15% discount!
In this unique theatre camp, you get to do it all. Create a character, then design the costume! Step into the scene, then behold the scenery you’ve painted! Join us as we explore our city through drama activities and crafts. On the last day of camp, you will share your creations and perform our city for friends and family!
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 2-5
Thursday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before care from 8:30-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$205 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
Schools out! Join us for an awesome 2-day mashup of drama, design, music, and dance. Campers will rotate through a variety of dynamic performing arts classes such as clown, dance, improv, beatbox, puppetry, and more! After a long school year, kick off the summer with a fun-filled camp that is sure to spark your imagination.
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
No class June 19th
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before care from 8:30-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$930 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
What might you see when you hold a magnifying glass up to an anthill? You’ll find them singing, dancing, and getting up to all kinds of wacky adventures! Through music, improv storytelling, crafts, and movement, you will collaborate with professional theatre artists to create characters, stories, and songs for the stage. On the last day of camp at 4pm, campers will perform their original show for families and friends in CCT’s Pritzker Family 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 Kindergarteners
No class June 19th
Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-3:30PM CST at UChicago Lab Schools
Surf’s up! In this dynamic two-week drama camp, young actors will develop their communication skills, imaginative thinking, and stage presence, while creating an original short theater piece. On the final day of camp, campers will perform their brand new mini-play for family and friends! This class also has a weekly rotation of sports, music, library, art, and outdoor water play to round out their day.
For rising grades 1-2
No class June 19th
Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-3:30PM CST at UChicago Lab Schools
Surf’s up! In this dynamic two-week drama camp, young actors will develop their communication skills, imaginative thinking, and stage presence, while creating an original short theater piece. On the final day of camp, campers will perform their brand new mini-play for family and friends! This class also has a weekly rotation of sports, music, library, art, and outdoor water play to round out their day.
For ages 4-6
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
$275 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
Calling all explorers to the concrete jungle! Join us for this half-day camp as we explore our city through story-based drama, music, and movement! Through multi-sensory creative drama activities, you will scale skyscrapers, travel on the train, and buzz about the busy city , all while developing motor skills, social emotional skills, and imaginative thinking. Join us on the final day of camp as we share our city adventures with family and friends through 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 2-6
No class July 4th
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before care from 8:30-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$930 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
Mythical monsters strike the stage! Through explorations of legendary creatures from all around the world, you will gain confidence in acting, character creation, movement, collaborative story development, and more, all led by professional theatre artists. On the last day of camp at 4pm, campers will perform an original myth mashup 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
No class July 4th
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
$220 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
3…2…1… drama time! In this half-day camp, blast off into story-based drama, music, and movement. Through multi-sensory creative drama activities, you will explore the moon, stars, and alien worlds, all while developing motor skills, social emotional skills, and imaginative thinking. Join us on the final day of camp as we share our intergalactic adventures with family and friends through 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 3-5
No class July 4th
Monday-Friday, 8:15AM-12:25PM CST at UChicago Lab Schools
Shake out the nerves and take the stage as collaborative performers in this energizing two-week camp! Through character work, movement-based drama, and vocal exploration young actors will create and stage their own movement-based stories. Young actors will develop essential skills for taking the stage confidently and charismatically. During the final day of camp, campers will perform their own new story for families.
For rising grades 1-2
No class July 4th
Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-3:30PM CST at UChicago Lab Schools
Get lost on a car ride across the country! In this adventurous two-week acting camp, young actors will explore the open road through creative drama activities, improv games, and theatrical design. On the final day of camp, campers will perform their own new story for families. This class also has a weekly rotation of sports, music, library, art, and outdoor water play to round out their day.
For rising grades 1-3
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before care from 8:30-9:00am and free after care from 3:30-5:00pm
$515 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
The Great Planet Earth Parade is setting off from Chicago Children’s Theatre! Drawing from traditions of outdoor spectacle theatre, campers will collaborate with professional theatre artists to create your very own parade to celebrate our planet! Each day will feature drama activities and art projects exploring character, storytelling, and environmental themes. Camp culminates in a unique parking-lot parade performance at 3:00pm Friday, 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 4-8
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before care from 8:30-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$1030 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
Who’s that new kid in town, and why do they have such big feet? In this coming-of-age story like no other, you will collaborate with professional theatre artists to create brand new characters, scenes, props, and songs for the stage. On the last day of camp at 4pm, campers will perform their original show for families 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 3-5
Monday-Friday, 8:15AM-12:25PM CST at UChicago Lab Schools
Take to the stage like a pro in this two-week theater camp! Through playwriting, dramatic play, and vocal/physical exploration young actors will create and stage their own scenes. Young actors will make new friends and create wonderful worlds while gaining confidence in their creativity and stage presence. During the final day of camp, campers will perform their own new story for families.
For rising Kindergarteners
Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-3:30PM CST at UChicago Lab Schools
Ride the coasters! In this thrilling two-week acting camp, young actors will bring their favorite stories of the theme park to life through creative drama, music, and movement. On the final day of camp, campers will perform their own new story for families. This class also has a weekly rotation of sports, music, library, art, and outdoor water play to round out their day.
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 and free after care from 3:30-5:00pm
$515 | Register by Dec 31st 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 at 3:30pm, 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, 8:30am-12:15pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
$950 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
Camp Red Kite is a dynamic theatre day camp for young people on the autism spectrum. 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 Diverse Learner teachers dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for youth on the autism spectrum. Join us in-person this summer for an exciting arts experience that encourages self-expression, social engagement, and creative exploration!
Financial assistance is available! Please complete our financial assistance form here to apply before your register. Email redkite@chicagochildrenstheatre.org with any questions.
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 5 - 9
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Drop off from 9:15-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$515 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
Find your power and unlock your funny! The Future is Funny is a week-long improv and sketch comedy camp for youth whose gender identities have been underrepresented in the comedy scene, specifically girls (both trans and cis), non-binary kids, and trans boys. In a camp built on camaraderie and confidence, 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 at 4pm.
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, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Drop off from 9:15-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$1030 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
In this teen drama camp, we will devise an entirely original show in the tradition of Chicago’s storefront theatre scene. Through ensemble building work, drama activities, and collaborative playwriting, you will be empowered to speak your true stories, and to use theatre as a rehearsal for changing the world. On the last day of camp at 4pm, campers will perform their original show for families 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 - 5
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm at CCT, 100 S Racine Ave
Free before care from 8:30-9:30am and free after care from 4:00-5:30pm
$515 | Register by Dec 31st for a 15% discount!
All aboard, matey! Inspired by classic pirate legends, campers will learn the basics of acting, character creation, song writing, dance, collaborative story development, scene and prop construction as you work together with professional theatre artists to create an original sea-worthy saga. On the last day of camp at 4pm, campers will perform their 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.