Cincinnati Shakespeare Company offers inspiring programs for young actors in grades K-12 to build confidence and find their voice. Through our 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!
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 Cincinnati Shakespeare Company teaching artists, 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!
A 2-week High School Performance Camp option will be offered June 1st-12th. Auditions are required and spaces are limited. Please check back in February 2026 for more information.
June 15-19, 2026: Shakespeare’s Rom-Coms
From bold confessions and hilarious misunderstandings to classic Shakespearean chaos, this camp dives into the funniest and most heartfelt moments of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies. Each day combines ensemble-building, acting, movement, and Shakespeare text work as students explore scenes from plays like Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It. Campers will sharpen their skills in language, timing, and character relationships while rehearsing toward a polished Friday showcase filled with wit, romance, and comedic twists.
June 22-26, 2026: Shakespearean Storytelling
This week centers on the power of storytelling through speech, movement, and space. In daily Acting, Movement, and Shakespeare Text classes, students will explore how to make strong, clear choices with their bodies and voices to bring Shakespeare’s stories to life. Campers will practice speaking with confidence, creating stage pictures, and working together to shape meaningful scenes. The week culminates in a Friday showcase, where students will share the scenes and storytelling pieces they have built throughout the week.
July 6-10, 2026: Crafting Shakespeare’s World
Step inside Shakespeare’s worlds as students explore how setting, mood, and imagination shape a story. Through acting, movement, and Shakespeare classes, paired with hands-on creative activities, campers will craft enchanted forests, stormy castles, and magical islands inspired by plays like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, and The Tempest. Each day includes ensemble-building and rehearsal, culminating in a collaborative Friday showcase that brings their worlds to life on stage.
July 13-17, 2026: Shakespeare’s Greatest Adventures
Join Shakespeare’s most daring characters on thrilling journeys filled with magic, mischief, and bold choices. This high-energy week blends acting, movement, and text work as students explore exciting scenes from Shakespeare’s most adventurous plays. With their Directors, Campers will prepare an adventurous Friday showcase that highlights their teamwork, imagination, and growth as performers.
Elementary Camp runs 9:00 AM–5:00 PM daily. However, Campers who need a shorter day may opt to only attend during core camp hours, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM. Most of the day’s main activities happen during core hours, while morning and afternoon time focuses on theatre games and creative play.
July 20-24, 2026: Shakespeare’s Wild World
Dive into Shakespeare’s stories filled with animals, magical transformations, and playful chaos! Campers will bring to life the humor and imagination of Shakespeare’s creatures through acting, movement, story exploration, and hands-on crafts. Each day includes ensemble games and creative activities, with rehearsals leading to a lively Friday showcase full of the week’s favorite animal-inspired scenes and performances.
July 27-31, 2026: Songs, Stories, & Shakespeare
Campers will explore the music, rhythm, and storytelling of Shakespeare’s plays in this lively collaborative week! Through acting, movement, and creative play, students will experiment with simple text, songs, and expressive storytelling to bring scenes to life. Each day includes ensemble-building games, hands-on activities, and rehearsal time, culminating in a Friday showcase where campers share the songs, stories, and scenes they’ve created with their peers.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Summer Camps prides itself on being a place where:
All students are welcome and can build a supportive community of peers.
Young people can build confidence by trying new things, speaking up, and taking creative risks in a safe environment.
Participants can form a meaningful connection to Shakespeare, the classics, and the performing arts through active, hands-on learning.
Everyone has space to grow at their own pace, whether they’re brand-new to theatre or returning year after year.
Creative expression is valued and students are invited to discover what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and who they are as artists and collaborators.
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.
NEW for 2026- Elementary Camp runs 9:00 AM–5:00 PM daily. However, Campers who need a shorter day may opt to only attend during core camp hours, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM. Most of the day’s main activities happen during core hours, while morning and afternoon time focuses on theatre games and creative play.
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
