Camp Activities
Campers get to choose their own schedule from activities in theater, music, visual arts, dance, filmmaking and writing. Each camper takes five activities each day. They take the same five activities for the full camp session, allowing them to build their skills and make friends through art.
How schedules are made:
- Registered campers are emailed an activity selection form.
- Our goal is to give every camper as many of their first choices as possible. Activities are not on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Campers get their schedules on the first day of camp and can change them within the first three days on a space-available basis.
Daily Activities
Ages 8-12
FANTASTICAL ART WITH JENNIE
Does your imagination know no bounds? Create fantastical worlds, like fairy villages, and incredible creatures, like magical monsters. This is a “mixed media” Daily, which means we’ll use all kinds of supplies, transforming ordinary objects into something otherworldly.
MASK MAKING WITH BRANDON
Unleash your imagination! Create incredible masks and headgear, some to wear and others to admire.
ACTING SCENES WITH KEVIN
Actors bring text to life! We’ll learn how to work with a script and the techniques that top actors use to transform into different characters. Listening and teamwork are key!
IMPROV WITH DAVE (3-Week Session Only)
Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment, and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Through fun group games try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes!
MUSICAL THEATER DANCE WITH SAVINA (2-Week Session Only)
In musicals, when a character can’t express themselves in words, they sing. When singing isn’t enough, it’s time for a dance break! Explore different styles of musical theater dance and learn show-stopping numbers.
PICK-UP SPORTS WITH AARON
Even the most accomplished artists need the chance to run around and move their bodies! In this Daily, we’ll play classic games like soccer, ultimate frisbee, kickball, capture the flag, and explore that greatest of arts: sportsmanship.
STOP MOTION-ANIMATION WITH SVEN
Before CGI animation there was stop-motion animation. Explore this amazing technique where you create movement and special effects by capturing many still images per second. Stretch your imagination as you use props, toys, and clay to create short animated videos.
BEGINNING ROCK BAND WITH REED
Experience the creative rush when musicians get together to play. We will work on rehearsing and performing songs as a group - and maybe even write a song of our own! This Daily is for campers with at least one year of experience on their instrument. All instruments and voices welcome.
Ages 8-15
YOGA AND STRETCH WITH SKYE (2-Week Session Only)
S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Guided by a certified yoga instructor, ease into and then activate your camp. Use yoga poses, stretches and core work to prepare your mind and body to make your best art throughout the day.
Ages 12-15
ILLUSTRATION WITH CHLOE
A picture is worth a thousand words. In this Daily we will explore the process of illustrating stories. From book covers to editorial illustrations to illustrating our own short stories, try a variety of projects a freelance illustrator might work on.
FASHION UPCYCLING WITH TAYLOR
Combine sustainability with creativity in this fun, sewing Daily. Using scrap fabric like old t-shirts and bed sheets, turn something old into something new. Give new life to clothes you haven’t worn in years and make a tote bag, new clothing, and more!
MUSICAL THEATER AUDTION WITH TERALIN
Musical theater artists are triple threats, so they should be prepared for singing, dancing, and acting at their auditions. Learn about the parts of the audition process, material selection, and how to step into auditions with confidence. You’ll walk out of this Daily ready to book it!
THEATRICAL DESIGN WITH MINJOO
Costumes, lights, sound, and set: these production elements are powerful storytelling tools. Learn how to use a stage as your canvas as a scenic, lighting, and costume designer. Guided by a professional designer, learn aspects of the design process including drafting, swatching, and model making.
ACTING FOR CAMERA WITH HASAN
Lights! Camera! Action! Have you ever wondered what makes the performances in your favorite TV and movies so captivating? Explore what it takes to move an audience through the screen by exploring acting techniques and different styles and genres.
Ages 8-12
DANCE PARTY WITH JESSICA
Get ready to move! Each day we will explore different styles of dance, including African dance, Afro-Brazilian, hip-hop, party dances, and more. By the end of camp, we will be ready for a dance party like none other!
ART THROUGH THE AGES WITH CHLOE
From medieval stained glass to batik wax resist paintings, impressionist painting to pop art collages, art history is full of interesting projects. Join us to explore many styles and materials and learn the stories behind these art forms while we create our own timeless works of art.
SEWING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH TAYLOR
Ever want to learn how to use a sewing machine and have some fun along the way? This Daily is for you! We will sew simple projects for you to wear or decorate your room…all after learning how to sew in a straight line.
SETTING THE STAGE WITH MINJOO
Costumes, lights, sound, and set: these production elements are a big part of plays and musicals. Learn how professional designers work and create set and costume designs for stories you love.
JEWELRY MAKING WITH JENNIE
Express yourself with beaded jewelry. Make wearable works of art with string, wire, and beads, starting with simple bracelets and advancing to more complex jewelry.
ACTING WITH DAVE (3-Week Session Only)
Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment, and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Through fun group games try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes!
MAKE A PLAY WITH SKYE (2-Week Session Only)
Calling all aspiring playwrights and actors! Let your creativity shine and your imagination run wild as we make a play together. We’ll choose a story to create or reimagine and work together to write, rehearse, and perform our own 10-minute play.
Ages 12-15
MUSICAL THEATER WITH KAYLA
Are you ready to let your inner star shine? In this singing and dancing class, we’ll create a polished group performance. By the end of this class, you’ll be ready to take on the biggest and best numbers from the stage as a dancer, singer, and actor.
PRINTMAKING WITH BRANDON
Roll up your sleeves and roll out the ink! Learn a variety of print techniques for cards, posters, wrapping paper and other works of art. Using found materials, nature, and rubber blocks, get ready for lots of experimentation!
AUDITIONING WITH KEVIN
In this Daily, we’re going to hone in on what makes you a great performer. In addition to expert coaching on monologues, you will learn techniques for auditions that involve cold readings and ways to handle stage fright. Confidence is key, and together we’ll highlight what makes you a unique talent.
WRITING FOR THE STAGE
What's the play YOU want to see at Arena Stage in the future? As playwrights, we'll find our own voices through the characters and situations we create, whether it's a Shakespearean tragedy or a slapstick comedy set on Mars. We'll collaborate with each other to see our work come to life as we work on our plays.
THE MAGIC OF PRACTICAL VIDEO EFFECTS WITH SVEN
Want to know some of the basics of how to make things disappear on camera? Interested in experimenting with greenscreen and special effects? We’ll explore all these elements to help you make sci-fi, film noir, or action-based shorts of your own.
Ages 8-12
DISNEY MEDLEY WITH KAYLA
Ready to journey into the Unknown? Come sing and dance your hearts out to your favorite Disney songs! You will learn music and choreography to group numbers from various musicals like Encanto, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Moana, and many more! We don’t talk about Bruno, but we do talk about the magic of Disney!
ART OASIS WITH JENNIE
Do you need time in the day for quiet crafting? To be able to do fun projects in a calm environment? Then this restful arts oasis - where we’ll do many types of arts and crafts - is the place for you!
CALLING ALL ACTORS WITH TERALIN
Theater happens when a group of people come together. This Daily is full of all the fun theater games and activities a group can do. We’ll work toward making a short group performance, but the most important thing we’ll make is a supportive community!
MINI MASTERPIECES WITH MINJOO
Welcome to the world of arts and crafts! This Daily is all about making small projects of all kinds with different themes. Get ready to experiment with many different materials and bring lots of art home.
PHYSICAL THEATER WITH KEVIN
An actor doesn’t need to say a word to tell a story. In this Daily we’ll explore ways of acting through physical theater, like mime and clowning. Come ready to move, have fun, and support each other!
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA WITH HASAN
Lights! Camera! Action! Have you ever wondered what makes the performances in your favorite TV and movies so captivating? Explore what it takes to move an audience through the screen by exploring acting techniques and different styles and genres.
Ages 8-15
CAS NEWSPAPER WITH MAGGIE
Interview campers! Snap a photo! Doodle a cartoon! Together we’ll come up with a name for the paper, the stories we want to report, and the best way to capture all of the things that go on around camp.
Ages 12-15
CONTEMPORARY DANCE WITH JESSICA
The leaps, extension and emotion of contemporary dance make it a crowd favorite. With this combination of modern dance and lyrical jazz, we will start with a full-body warm up, execute dynamic sequences across the floor and learn varied pieces of choreography to different styles of music. Learn to fly, to fall and to dance between the edges!
DRAWING & PAINTING WITH BRANDON
Use familiar materials, such as pencil, ink, charcoal and paint, in new and creative ways. This Daily strengthens observational skills by doing a variety of activities that focus on drawing and painting from life, both inside and outside the classroom.
LONG FORM IMPROV WITH DAVE (3-Week Session Only) / LONG FORM IMPROV WITH SAVINA (2-Week Session Only)
Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment, and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Through fun group games try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes!
CREATIVE WRITING
Do you love to write? Have you always dreamed of starting a novel or writing a short story? Here's your chance to grab a notebook and pen, and let your imagination take you away.
ROCK BAND & SONGWRITING WITH REED
Experience the creative rush when musicians get together to play. We will learn to play as a group and then create songs of our own, developing stage presence and rocking out as a band. This Daily is for instrumentalists with some experience. All instruments and voices are welcome.
Ages 8-12
PAINTING WITH MINJOO
Artists, get your paintbrushes ready! Learn to mix colors and experiment with materials to paint pictures of landscapes and animals.
SEWING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH TAYLOR
Ever want to learn how to use a sewing machine and have some fun along the way? This Daily is for you! We will sew simple projects for you to wear or decorate your room…all after learning how to sew in a straight line.
SHOW CHOIR WITH TERALIN
Get ready to sing and dance your face off in this high energy show choir! The group will perform show-stopping acts and learn how to shine as a group and individuals.
MUSICAL THEATER DANCE WITH ZOE (3-Week Session Only)
In musicals, when a character can’t express themselves in words, they sing. When singing isn’t enough, it’s time for a dance break! Explore different styles of musical theater dance and learn show-stopping numbers.
IMPROV WITH SAVINA (2-Week Session Only)
Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment, and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Through fun group games try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes!
ACTING WITH HASAN
Learn how to take the words off the page and bring them into the world! We will practice the skills that actors use to tell stories by working collaboratively on monologues and scenes.
THE AFTERNOON MORNING SHOW WITH SVEN
Lights…Camera…Action! During this fun-filled Daily, campers will create a daytime television show with different segments like commercials, interviews, music videos, and the weather.
Ages 12-15
DEVISED THEATER WITH REED
Instead of starting with a script, devised theater starts with the actors in the room and their ideas. Learn how to create evocative, ensemble performance pieces using movement, poetry, and personal writing. Arena Stage is nationally and internationally renowned for its devised theater program, Voices of Now.
MUSICAL THEATER DANCE WITH JESSICA
In musicals, when a character can’t express themselves in words, they sing. When singing isn’t enough, it’s time for a dance break! Explore different styles of musical theater dance and learn show-stopping numbers.
THE ART SHOW WITH CHLOE
This Daily is for visual artists who want to create and put together a small collection of work. Experience the process of creating an independent art show, including choosing a theme and creating pieces for your portfolio.
JEWELRY MAKING WITH JENNIE
Express yourself with beaded jewelry. Make wearable works of art with string, wire, and beads, starting with simple bracelets and advancing to more complex jewelry.
SHAKESPEARE
Comedy! Tragedy! History! William Shakespeare wrote many different types of plays, and people still love them centuries later. We’ll delve into the world of Shakespeare and have fun learning how to act scenes from his plays by exploring physical movement and language.
START YOUR NOVEL WITH SKYE (2-Week Session Only)
Have you got an idea for your book? Carve out time and space to start it in this afternoon Daily. As a writing group, we’ll do writing exercises, plan, plot, and begin to write our novels, offering support (and maybe a snack?) along the way.
Ages 8-12
JAZZ DANCE WITH JESSICA
Jazz dance is a vibrant and versatile style of movement which includes leaps, turns, jumps, and the entire body. Enjoy an introduction to multiple styles of jazz. Come ready to move!
MUSICAL THEATER WITH KAYLA
Are you ready to let your inner star shine? In this singing and dancing class, we’ll create a polished group performance of musical theater songs. When we’re done, you’ll be ready to take on the biggest and best numbers from musical theater as a dancer, singer, and actor.
COMICS & CARTOONING WITH CHLOE
Do you have a story you want to tell? Do you like to draw? Then this Daily is for you! We’ll learn how to write a story through drawing. We’ll create our own worlds, characters and learn more about making comics.
CLAY CHARACTERS WITH BRANDON
Build your own sculpted characters! We’ll learn the basics of shape and form to create 3-D pieces of all shapes and sizes.
IMPROV WITH DAVE (3-Week Session Only) / IMPROV WITH SAVINA (2-Week Session Only)
Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment, and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Through fun group games, try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes!
SHAKESPEARE
Comedy! Tragedy! History! William Shakespeare wrote many different types of plays, and people still love them centuries later. We’ll delve into the world of Shakespeare and have fun learning how to act scenes from his plays by exploring physical movement and language.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA WITH HASAN
Lights! Camera! Action! Have you ever wondered what makes the performances in your favorite TV and movies so captivating? Explore what it takes to move an audience through the screen by exploring acting techniques and different styles and genres.
Ages 10-15
UKULELE & SINGING WITH REED
Are you a singer who wants an easy way to accompany yourself? Good news! CAS can teach you how to play this Hawaiian instrument. This relaxing and fun class will focus on learning basic chords that you can use to accompany yourself on your favorite songs. Bring your own ukulele or use one of ours. Come sing and strum along with us!
Ages 12-15
SEWING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH TAYLOR
Ever want to learn how to use a sewing machine and have some fun along the way? This Daily is for you! We will sew simple projects for you to wear or decorate your room…all after learning how to sew in a straight line.
ACTING THE SONG WITH TERALIN
Learn how to breathe life into a song in this music Daily! One of the most important parts in the performance of a song is making the audience feel it with you. Through text analysis and vocal technique, we will bring your singing abilities to the next level. We’ll sing in a variety of styles, solo and in small groups.
ACTING TECHNIQUE WITH KEVIN
Learn how to become a truthful, in-the-moment actor with objectives, obstacles, tactics and operative words. This Daily will guide you through famous acting techniques, helping you to bring honest and believable characters from the page onto the stage.
SHORT FILM WITH SVEN
Let your creativity fly! In this Daily we will work as a group to make short films from start to finish. We’ll brainstorm, storyboard, write, act, direct, and even edit!
MAKE A PLAY WITH SKYE (2-Week Session Only)
Calling all aspiring playwrights and actors! Let your creativity shine and your imagination run wild as we make a play together. We’ll choose a story to create or reimagine and work together to write, rehearse, and perform our own 10-minute play.
More Camp Information:
