General Info
What type of classes and camps do you offer?
We offer a wide range of theatre and performing arts programs for ages 1-14. Offerings vary depending on the age range, but may include acting, improv, dance, movement, musical theatre, and more. Our approach is primarily in devising theatre, which means creating and performing original theatre pieces as a group. We support students of all ages and all abilities in building self-confidence, empathy, and bold imaginative thinking! During the summer, camps culminate in a final performance. During the school year, classes are focused on skill-building and process with an informal final sharing during the last day of class.
Does my child need any previous theatre experience to participate?
Not at all! All kids deserve a place to make art, get creative, try something new, and make a friend!
How do I register for a class/camp?
You can register here on our website or over the phone. Online you can locate classes and camps under the class/camp drop-down menu. Click on your child’s age group to view available programs.
Does CCT do after-school pick-ups for their classes?
CCT offers after-school pick-up for students at Skinner West Main Campus and Intercultural Montessori West Loop. Unfortunately, we do not offer after-school pick-ups for our classes in Lincoln Park. To sign your child up for after-school pick up, please fill out the After School Pick Up Form.
How do I get on the waitlist for a class/camp?
For all classes or camps, please fill out the waitlist form.
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.
Can we audit classes at CCT?
Unfortunately, only registered participants are allowed in our classes. We do not offer the option to audit.
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.
How can I subscribe to CCT’s emailing list to learn about upcoming classes/camps?
You can subscribe to our emailing list by the filling out the form: https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/email-subscribe/
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.
Do you have a lost and found?
Yes, it is located near the lobby and a staff member can help you find it. If your child leaves an item at CCT, please feel free to email sivan@chicagochildrenstheatre.org to arrange a time to stop by the building during business hours to take a look through the lost and found.
Class and Camp Details
I registered for a class/camp. When will I receive more information about the class/camp?
One week before the class/camp starts, our Education staff will email you detailed information including what to expect when you arrive at CCT, camp/class policies and procedures, a list of teaching artists for that week, and any additional need-to-know info. If you require more information before that time, contact our Education and Community Programs Manager, Sivan Spector, at sivan@chicagochildresntheare.org to learn more.
What should students wear to class/camp?
Dress to move! We recommend wearing clothing you are comfortable moving in, which is not too loose-fitting. Closed-toe shoes that stay on your feet easily should be worn to all classes unless noted otherwise. Skirts and dresses are fine, so long as shorts or leggings are worn underneath.
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.
What should my child bring to class?
They should dress to move, and we suggest bringing a bottle of water. We also recommend packing a change of clothes for younger students in case of an accident.
Do I need to pack lunch and snacks for camp?
Yes. You will need to pack a nut-free lunch and 2 nut-free snacks for each day of camp. Please label their lunches and bottled waters with their names, if possible. We do not have a microwave for student use.
What should I expect for my child(ren)’s 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 K-2 classes, we invite parents/caregivers to join for the first few minutes of class to meet the teachers and to support the child’s transition into a new environment. Our lobby has toys, books, and coloring that kids can enjoy while families wait together for their class time.
Do I need to stay and wait while my child is in a class?
No. However, we do require all students be signed-in and signed-out at the check-in desk for every class period. Parent/caregiver participation is required for some Early Childhood classes. For those who would like to wait in the building during a class, there is seating in our lobby and free Wi-Fi is available for our guests. We do not have space available for parents/caregivers to remain in the building during camps.
What are the Lobby 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 or climb in the lobby for safety and that they and their grown-ups clean up any items used before they head to class.
Am I allowed to sit in on my child’s class/camp?
No. Parents/caregivers are not allowed to sit in on classes/camps, unless it is a parent/caregiver participation based class. We invite family and friends to attend an informal sharing during the final class. We will send email communications regarding sharings ahead of the final class.
Do you have a first aid kit and first aid training?
Yes. We keep a fully stocked first aid kit, and our full-time Education staff is First Aid/CPR/AED trained. If your child has a severe allergy and brings an epi pen or other emergency medications to camp with them, please let the CCT staff know by filling out the Education Waiver.
What is the education waiver and do I have to sign it?
Yes. It is important that you fill out the education waiver form. 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 school year. You may fill one out for your child: https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/education-waiver/.
Payments, Discounts, & Refunds
Do you have late pick up fees?
Yes. Late pickups will result in an additional fee. A late pick-up fee of $10 will be issued if a camper is picked up 5 minutes late from the end of class or camp aftercare, with an additional $1 charged for every additional minute the authorized adult is late for pick-up.
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. We do offer a 15% discount for early registrations in all of our onsite classes and camps. 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.
COVID-19 and Severe Illness
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 welcome but not required for campers and their families while indoors.
- 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
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.
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.
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.