Every summer, Shakespeare Theatre Company gives students between the ages of 6 and 18 the chance to dive into the world of one of the most celebrated playwrights in history: William Shakespeare.

Camp Shakespeare offers two-week sessions for youth (ages 6-11) and teens (ages 12-18). Returning teens can audition for a three-week Intensive.

At Camp Shakespeare, campers:

• Transform into Shakespeare’s characters through voice, movement, and imagination
• Unlock Shakespeare’s language through text analysis
• Develop acting skills for their level of experience
• Learn the safety and storytelling of stage combat
• Perform for friends and family

Our Commitment to Inclusion:
Camp Shakespeare provides a safe and supportive environment for everyone regardless of ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, cultural background, national origin, citizenship, faith, ideology, and income. Together we ensure that everyone feels secure and has the opportunity to build confidence in the power of their own voice, imagination, and artistic ability with dignity. We endeavor to create a fully inclusive culture that values equality and fosters respect while we collaborate to explore and perform Shakespeare’s plays.

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE—UPDATED DECEMBER 9, 2024

Dear Camp Shakespeare Families,

The STC Learning team is delighted to share our plans with you for another Shakespearean summer! We’ve changed the location of some sessions—including sessions in Penn Quarter that will be held right around the corner from our theatres at the wonderful Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company—so please double check the location when you register. We will continue to offer after-care for all youth sessions at DC locations.

Detailed session information will be emailed to all registered campers by May 23, 2025...

SUMMER INTENSIVE 2025

Ages 13–18 (by audition only)

The Summer Intensive invites returning students to experience an actor’s journey from audition to performance. Participants will be challenged in a collaborative and encouraging environment with advanced acting techniques, text analysis and stage combat. Intensive ensembles produce fully-realized productions culminating in three public performances. Acceptance into the Summer Intensive is through auditions held in April.

TUITION, DISCOUNTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Tuition

• Two-Week Camp: Youth 9am–3pm/Teens 10am–4pm | $895 ($800 for Session I—No Camp on July 4)
• Youth After-Care: 3pm–5pm | $150 per week
• Three-Week Intensive: 10am–5pm | $1,349
• One-Week Camp at McLean Community Center: 10am–4pm | $449
• Spring Break Camp: Youth 9am–3pm | $449

Full tuition is due upon registration. Registration closes the Friday prior to the camp’s start date OR once a camp is full. There is a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $250 ($125 for one-week camps) per registration.

If you are no longer able to attend camp as scheduled, please submit a written request to CampSTC@ShakespeareTheatre.org. Tuition (minus the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit) will be refunded if registration is withdrawn two weeks prior to the first day of the camp session. Starting two weeks prior to the first day of the camp session, TUITION IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

After-Care

Youth campers (ages 6-11) attending sessions at D.C. locations may register for after-care from 3 pm–5 pm. Group activities such as games, age-appropriate movies, and art projects will be led by staff and Student Teachers, however campers may opt to spend the time reading, drawing, or playing games brought from home. Please note most performances will be held at 4pm on the final day of the session.

FAQs

What’s a typical day like at Camp Shakespeare?
All Camp Shakespeare sessions meet Monday through Friday. There is no Camp on July 4. A typical day begins with team building activities and warm-ups followed by voice and movement instruction, during which students practice techniques for character creation and storytelling. The morning continues with acting class, where students explore improvisation and scenes from plays, followed by text analysis, which provides strategies for understanding and communicating Shakespeare’s language. Students also train in the art of safe stage combat. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to applying what has been learned in rehearsal.