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REGIONAL ACTING CAMPS & CLASSES

Camps and classes for kids, teens, and adults that are facilitated by regional or national organizations. Some classes and camps focus on children with special needs. See each organization's website to find out if they have classes or camps near you.

 

The Penguin Project

Once a year, a magical and touching celebration of the human spirit unfolds at numerous theaters across the country. A group of children in a program called The Penguin Project take to the stage to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical.

These productions are unique, however, because all the roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders.

They are joined on stage by a dedicated group of “peer mentors” – children the same age without disabilities who have volunteered to work side-by-side with them through 4 months of rehearsals and through the final performance.

By providing access to community theater, The Penguin Project demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences.

Established in 2004, The Penguin Project has evolved into a National program, with Chapter sites throughout the United States. The program provides a supportive environment for children with disabilities to explore their creative talents. It has also demonstrated that participation in the performing arts has therapeutic value by enhancing social interaction, communication skills, self-confidence and self-esteem. The impact of the program has reached beyond the stage to create a social network for children who previously had very few friends and limited social opportunities.

Website: https://penguinproject.org

 

Character Kids

For over a decade, Character Kids has brought quality after school theater classes and summer camps to thousands of students throughout the Midwest and West Coast regions. In our theater program, students learn the basics of acting, singing and musical theater dance while having a lot of fun! We play theater games, build stage skills, work on group songs or scenes - and even produce mini-musicals - so that our students can explore the world of theater.

We offer a wide variety of summer theatre camps at participating venues that teach the basics of acting, singing & musical theatre dance. Our camps cover everything from acting on camera to full musical production. Camps are typically one week long. Half and full day options are available.

Character Kids partners with elementary schools to bring quality theatre education right to your child’s school! In our fun-filled after school classes, students learn the basics of theatre while rehearsing songs and scenes from popular Broadway shows. Classes typically meet 1 hour per week for 8 weeks.

Website: https://www.characterkidsdrama.com

 

Drama Kids International

We proudly offer an array of drama classes for kids that includes: theater classes, summer camp programs, and acting classes

All of our classes serve kids of all ages, from kindergarten through high school. Our exclusive classes are offered in communities nationwide, and each of our teachers is dedicated to providing classes that are fun, engaging, and informative.

We bring our proven drama classes for kids directly to you by offering them at community and school locations. Our classes and camps provide children with a foundation of vital skills to help them succeed in school and throughout their lives. Drama classes provide children with several fundamental abilities, including self-esteem, confidence, creative thinking, acting skills, public speaking skills, as well as leadership and teamwork skills. Whether your child has an active interest in acting and the theater, or they simply want to make new friends and explore the development of important attributes, Drama Kids is the perfect choice.

ALABAMA

ARIZONA

CALIFORNIA

DELAWARE

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

TEXAS

IDAHO

INDIANA

MASSACHUSETTS

MARYLAND

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

NORTH CAROLINA

NEW JERSEY

NEVADA

NEW YORK

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

SOUTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA

Website: https://dramakids.com

 

CYT - Christian Youth Theatre

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is a national, after-school theater arts training program. Our Branches across the country offer classes in drama, music, dance, technical theater, and more! Each local program offers camps and classes for ages 4-18, and full-scale productions for ages 8-18.

CYT Phoenix, AZ
CYT Phoenix was founded in 2006.
Facebook: @cytphoenix
Instagram: @cytphoenix
Visit CYT Phoenix's Website

CYT Tucson, AZ
CYT Tucson was founded in 2005.
Facebook: @cyttucson
Instagram: @cyttucsonaz
Visit CYT Tucson's Website

CYT Sacramento, CA
CYT Sacramento was founded in 2012.
Facebook: @cytsacramento
Instagram: @cytsacramento
Visit CYT Sacramento's Website

CYT San Diego, CA
CYT San Diego was founded in 1980.
Facebook: Not Available
Instagram: Not AvailableVisit CYT San Diego's Website

CYT Santa Cruz, CA
CYT Santa Cruz was founded in 2011.
Facebook: @cytsantacruz
Instagram: @cytsantacruz
Visit CYT Santa Cruz's Website

CYT Tri-Valley, CA
CYT Tri Valley was founded in 2014.
Facebook: @cyttrivalley
Instagram: @cyttrivalley
Visit CYT Tri-Valley's Website

CYT Colorado Springs, CO
CYT Colorado Springs was founded in 2020.
Facebook: @cytcoloradosprings
Instagram: @cytcoloradosprings
CYT Colorado Springs

CYT Atlanta, GA
CYT Atlanta was founded in 2003.
Facebook: @cytatlanta
Instagram: @cytatlanta
Visit CYT Atlanta's Website

CYT North Idaho, Idaho
CYT North Idaho was founded in 2007.
Facebook: @northidahocyt
Instagram: @cytnorthidaho
Visit CYT North Idaho's Website

CYT Chicago, IL
CYT Chicago was founded in 1997.
Facebook: @cytheaterchicago
Instagram: @cyt_chicago
Visit CYT Chicago's Website

CYT Baton Rouge, LA
CYT Baton Rouge was founded in 2013.
Facebook: @cytbatonrouge
Instagram: @cytbatonrouge
Visit CYT Baton Rouge's Website

CYT Lafayette, LA
CYT Lafayette was founded in 2009.
Facebook: @cytlafayette
Instagram: @lafayettecyt
Visit CYT Lafayette's Website

CYT Lake Charles, LA
CYT Lake Charles was founded in 2017.
Facebook: @cytlakecharles
Instagram: @cytlakecharles
Visit CYT Lake Charles' Website

CYT Portland, Oregon
CYT Portland/Vancouver was founded in 2013.
Facebook: @cytportland
Instagram: @cytportlandvancouver
Visit CYT Portland/Vancouver's Website

CYT Nashville, TN
CYT Nashville was founded in 2012.
Facebook: @cytnashville
Instagram: @cytnashville
Visit CYT Nashville's Website

CYT Austin, TX
CYT Austin was founded in 2015.
Facebook: @cytaustin
Instagram: @cytaustintx
Visit CYT Austin's Website

CYT Dallas, TX
CYT Dallas was founded in 2016.
Facebook: @cytdallasfortworth
Instagram: @cytdallas
View CYT Dallas' Website

CYT Houston, TX
CYT Houston was founded in 2006.
Facebook: @cythouston
Instagram: @cythoustontx
Visit CYT Houston's Website

CYT San Antonio, TX
CYT San Antonio was founded in 2011.
Facebook: @cytsanewbraunfels
Instagram: @cytsanantonio
Visit CYT San Antonio's Website

CYT Fredericksburg, VA
CYT Fredericksburg was founded in 2006.
Facebook: @cytfredburg
Instagram: @cytfredburg
Visit CYT Fredericksburg's Website

CYT Spokane, WA
CYT Spokane was founded in 1998.
Facebook: @cytspokane
Instagram: @cytspokane
Visit CYT Spokane's Website

Website: https://www.cyt.org

 

Camp Broadway

Over 37,000 children from around the world have traveled to New York City or to partner theaters in Atlanta, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Miami, San Antonio, Tempe and Westhampton Beach to attend Camp Broadway’s musical theater camp presented by a staff of experienced Broadway performers, directors, choreographers, writers, composers and designers who teach all programs.

For over two decades, Camp Broadway has played its part in developing a new generation of creative and knowledgeable artists and audiences. Camp Broadway is loved by theater-loving kids of all ages who have grown up to work professionally on stage and backstage or become creative leaders in corporate offices, small companies, school classrooms and local community organizations around the world.

SHINING STARS
starts budding performers, ages 7 – 9, on a lifelong path of theater and art appreciation through creative group play in a fun and supportive environment. They’ll begin to understand what it means to be a great player as well as a great arts patron.

Shining Stars is a 5-day camp (M-F, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm) that promotes confidence and collaboration skills in young children while a team of trained theatre professionals lead classes in singing, movement, storytelling and scenic/costume design. The Shining Stars ensemble culminates the week with the Family Finale Showcase, their musical presentation of songs and scenes from a featured musical show. Shining Stars starts budding performers on a lifelong path of arts appreciation through creative group play in a fun and supportive environment.

MAINSTAGE
is the destination where theater-loving kids learn the true meaning of Broadway: working as an ensemble to stage a theatrical production, personal growth through collaboration and hard work, performing for a live audience and expanding your circle of like-minded friends while attending a Broadway show.

Mainstage is a 5-day camp (M-F, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm) that emphasizes the importance of the ensemble— that talented group of triple-threat performers who are the backbone of every Broadway musical. Taught by accomplished Broadway professionals with expertise in staging, choreography and music direction, campers are split into small groups (by age) and led through a rigorous rehearsal process to master songs and scenes from a beloved Broadway show they will present at the Family Finale Showcase performed on a New York stage.

Camp Broadway’s signature program has been proclaimed the “Camp of Dreams.” It is the original destination for theater-loving kids interested in learning about Broadway and what it means to be a creative, collaborative and contributing professional on stage and off.

Camp Broadway’s mantra is Develop Your Character. Character isn’t just the role one plays on stage. By their final bow, a Mainstage camper has gained confidence, honed their craft and learned that teamwork, respect for others and personal responsibility builds Good Character and a great performer in life.

CAMP BROADWAY ENSEMBLE
gives aspiring performers the opportunity to perform on some most iconic stages in New York and elsewhere. Rehearsing with a team of Broadway professionals, the ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in Rocktopia on Broadway, and more.

The Camp Broadway Ensemble provides young artists the opportunity to appear in a professionally produced musical theatre performance—often on one of the world’s most iconic stages such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden.

Once cast, all Camp Broadway Ensemble members participate in an event-focused rehearsal led by a Broadway team that culminates in the public performance.

Website: https://campbroadway.com

 

The Actor’s Lab

Locations:
Los Angeles, California
Palm Springs, California
Santa Barbara, CA
Portland, OR

The Actor’s Lab classes foster a nurturing, encouraging environment for working actors. Both aspiring and seasoned actors regard the school as a vital means for fine-tuning both their craft and their career strategy.

The Actor’s Lab Classes Include:
Scene Study – Classes teach script analysis, rehearsal process, and performance technique. The Actor’s Lab has been well known for its specific and effective approach to the craft. Each actor at The Actor’s Lab is working on at least one scene and one monologue at a time.
Cold Reading – Classes focus on cold reading technique, both for television and film, and commercial work. In addition, students learn to break down audition material, and to discover the most dynamic ways to approach an audition and/or cold reading.
Improvisation – As a working actor, you can expect your improvisation skills to be indispensable. Here’s where you master this all-important requisite. With The Actor’s Lab unique approach to improvisational exercises, actors are taught to develop their instincts and to be quick on his/her feet.
Commercial Study – Classes focus on working with commercial copy, cue cards, teleprompter work and on-camera auditioning technique.

In The Actor’s Lab program, each actor is put on a business plan which includes: targeting agents, targeting casting directors, creating projects, networking, and more.

Website: https://theactorslab.com

 

New York Film Academy

CAMPUSES
NYFA New York
NYFA Los Angeles
South Beach, Miami
Gold Coast, Australia
NYFA Florence, Italy
Online

LOCATIONS
NYFA at Harvard University
Paris, France
Beijing and Greater China

At NYFA’s Acting for Film School, aspiring actors get intensive training in screen acting and modern on-camera acting techniques. NYFA places emphasis on providing practical experience and hands-on education to our students so they can develop their craft and prepare for the art of acting for film.

As NYFA strives to make education in performance and visual arts accessible to a wide range of students, our Acting for Film School is a diverse community where storytellers from all over the world collaborate and begin to build their creative network.

NYFA offers undergraduate AFA and BFA degree programs and a graduate MFA degree program for students with a strong passion for acting for film. In every degree program, students study the principles of acting through core classes and time spent in front of the camera.

Students learn to break down, analyze, and rehearse scenes, gaining a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the craft of acting while building a reel that demonstrates their talent. As our Acting for Film degree programs differ in availability at our NYFA campuses, please see each program for more information.

The 1 and 2-Year Certificate Programs, offered at our NYFA New York, Los Angeles, and South Beach campuses, are ideal for aspiring actors looking to build their skills and confidence in acting for film rapidly.

Students begin acting from the first week of the program, getting the opportunity to practice their techniques and skills in front of the camera. Similar programs are available at NYFA Australia.

In NYFA’s acting for film workshops, aspiring actors can learn fundamentals skills and techniques to build their confidence and acting expertise. NYFA offers both full-time and part-time evening workshops at several campuses and locations. For students who wish to take classes remotely, there are also a selection of online workshops.

In addition to our in-person workshops, NYFA has a variety of online acting for film workshops. These workshops are an excellent fit for actors and performers who want to gain on-camera experience and enhance their acting and auditioning skills.

Website: https://www.nyfa.edu