Cincinnati Shakespeare Company offers inspiring programs for young actors in grades K-12 to build confidence and find their voice. Through our classes and acclaimed summer camps, we’ve enriched young lives across the tri-state for over 30 years. Join us to spark creativity and a love for the arts in your student!
Whether it's your first time under the spotlight or you're already a budding thespian, Theatre Summer Camp with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is the ideal playground for artistic growth, forging friendships, and pure fun. We offer dynamic in-person programs for students in grades 1-12, tailored for those seeking an exciting and rewarding theatrical adventure this summer. Dive into a world of creativity and discover more about our programs online. These in-person camps take place at our theater or nearby walkable location Monday-Friday 9am-5pm for students who have completed grades 1 up to 12.
June 9-13: Fools, Jokes, and Jesters: Shakespeare’s Comic Genius
This week is all about laughter as students discover the secrets behind Shakespeare’s greatest jokes and wittiest characters. From clever wordplay to slapstick humor, campers will explore what makes comedy timeless while honing their acting and comedic skills. They will dive into some of the Bard’s funniest scenes and characters, creating a lively showcase packed with energy, mischief, and plenty of laughs to share with family and friends.
June 16-20: The Bard and Beyond: Adapting Shakespeare
Discover how Shakespeare’s timeless works inspire modern theatre and media. This camp will guide students through the art of adapting the Bard’s timeless works for modern audiences. Students will explore contemporary interpretations of his plays, experiment with improvisation, and even create original scripts inspired by his texts. The week wraps up with a creative showcase blending classic and modern ideas, demonstrating how Shakespeare remains relevant and inspiring today.
June 23-27: Shakespeare’s Supernatural: Ghosts, Witches, and Prophecies
Dive into the spooky and magical side of Shakespeare! From the ghostly apparitions in Hamlet to the witches in Macbeth and the enchanted world of The Tempest, campers will explore thrilling tales of the supernatural. They will develop acting techniques to bring these eerie moments to life, use movement to embody ghostly and magical characters, and let their imaginations run wild in crafting these mysterious worlds. The week concludes with an exciting showcase of spine-tingling scenes and stories that will leave audiences spellbound.
**Please note the week break between these sessions.
July 7-11: Twelfth Night Treasure Hunt
Set sail on a comedic adventure inspired by Twelfth Night! Campers will explore the hilarious twists and turns of mistaken identities, playful disguises, and foolish festivities. They will learn physical comedy, create rollicking sea shanties, and develop scenes bursting with creativity and fun. At the end of the week, students will invite loved ones to a charming showcase filled with humor, heart, and surprises.
July 14-18: The Bard’s Puppet Theatre
Let imaginations take the stage in this whimsical week of puppet making and storytelling! Campers will craft their own Shakespearean puppets and bring them to life in short, fun scenes inspired by the Bard’s most beloved plays. At the end of the week, they will create an enchanting showcase full of creativity, laughter, and puppetry that will leave everyone smiling.
July 21-25: Masks and Masquerades
Step into the magical world of masks and mystery as campers design their own masks and act out exciting scenes from Shakespeare’s masked moments. They’ll immerse themselves in the drama of Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, and other iconic moments, learning how to use physicality and movement to tell a story. The week wraps up with a dazzling masquerade and scene showcase where students shine in their handmade creations, bringing Shakespeare’s masked worlds to life.
July 28-Aug 1: Midsummer Adventure
Magic and mischief await in this enchanting camp inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Campers will explore the whimsical world of the fairies, lovers, and mechanicals, creating playful scenes filled with humor and heart. They will learn how to create props and backdrops and explore how to bring characters to life through acting, movement, and music. Families will be treated to a delightful showcase that captures the joy and wonder of Shakespeare’s most magical play.
For over 20 years, Cincinnati Shakespeare’s Theatre Summer Camp has provided students with a camp experience unlike any in the Tri-State. Campers work with members of Cincinnati Shakespeare’s professional resident ensemble, staging scenes, learning the tricks of the trade, gaining confidence, and often finding an inclusive community of friends that lasts well beyond the summer.
Whether you’ve never stepped on a stage before, or have already been bitten by the acting bug and are looking for a challenge, our camps are the perfect place to learn and improve new skills, make new friends, and have a whole lot of fun!
Questions? Contact Director of Education, Emily Bruns by email or call 513-381-2273 x. 3210
Parents need to send their students with a water bottle, lunch, and a snack each day.
Our camp runs daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, providing a full day of engaging activities for your child. Campers should plan to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before camp starts at 9:00 AM and be picked up no later than 15 minutes after camp ends at 5:00 PM. There is no additional childcare coverage available before or after these hours.
Camp begins at 9am with warm ups and group theatre games and activities. Then there is a Masterclass topic and workshop each day. These include topics like stage combat, acting techniques, backstage crafts, and more! After lunch the students work in their groups with their director on their theatrical scenes each day until 5pm. This will be shared with family on Friday at 4pm each week.
Yes! Every Friday at 4:00 PM, campers are welcome to invite their families to watch them perform at our "Camp Showcase." This is a fun and low pressure way for the students to share what they have learned! This performance is FREE.
Typically 15-20 students per with 1-3 Teaching Artists each day with many opportunities for small group work and attention.
Our staff consists of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Teaching Artists. This group of teachers are all college graduated (or in progress for interns) aged adults or older who have experience as actors, teachers, performers, and/or directors with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. All Teaching Artists must complete background checks to work at Summer Camp.
Yes! Learn about scholarships opportunities online here and below.
CSC offers two scholarship funds for interested campers. Both scholarship funds intend to assist students for whom the cost of camp is a barrier to participation. The Riah Milton Scholarship specifically prioritizes students demonstrating financial need whose identities have been historically marginalized, with a particular focus on Black, Transgender, nonbinary, and Gender Non conforming individuals. Please select the scholarship opportunity that best applies to you.
The Riah Milton Scholarship
The Jeremy Dubin Scholarship
Interested in supporting these scholarship funds so that more students can experience everything Shakespeare Summer Camp has to offer? Click below to make a gift to the scholarship fund of your choice.
The Riah Milton Scholarship Fund
The Jeremy Dubin Scholarship Fund
Director of Education, Emily Bruns by email or by phone 513-381-2273 x. 3210
Join our Groundlings program, a dynamic acting class where students in grades 5-12 explore acting techniques, build teamwork, and bring Shakespeare's words to life! Classes meet Saturdays, 10:00 am–12:00 pm, at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 1195 Elm Street. Students will be grouped by age (5th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade) to ensure tailored and challenging instruction.
Fall Dates: Oct 19, 26; Nov 2, 9, 16, 23; Dec 7, 14, 2024
Spring Dates: Feb 15, 22; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22; Apr 5, 12, 2025
Each semester concludes with an invited showcase, where students perform a solo monologue and scenes for family and friends. This format allows students to fully participate even if they miss a few classes. Grades 9-12 are required to enroll in both semesters to continue building advanced skills.
Questions? Email Director of Education, Emily Bruns or call (513) 381-2283 x. 3210.
Scholarships are available. Learn more online here.
