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MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Our one-of-a-kind summer camp supports young people in building skills, confidence and long-lasting friendships through theatre. In addition to seeing several Stratford Festival productions, Theatre Arts Camp participants enjoy a variety of hands-on classes, skills-based workshops and meetings with artists. With a focus on process and play, our camp sessions are led by some of Canada’s best theatre artists and educators.

In 2027, we are happy to offer:

  • Day Camps for ages 13-16 focusing on Shakespeare, Backstage & Design, Playwriting and Musical Theatre
  • A three-day Family Camp for all ages centred around Mary Poppins and Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
  • RISE UP, our IBPOC youth mentorship program, which brings together young IBPOC artists ages 13-16 with professional IBPOC artists working in various areas within theatre for dedicated mentorship and full participation in one of our week-long camps


“This camp was one of the best experiences of my life.”

“This was the most incredible week of my life, I learned so much about theatre. It gave me a new confidence in my ability to build a future and career.”


2027 Camp Sessions for Ages 13-16
July 5-23
Monday-Friday 
9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Choose from:

  • July 5-9 Shakespeare
  • July 12-16 Backstage & Design
  • July 19-23 Musical Theatre
  • July 19-23 Playwriting

Each session includes: tickets to four productions, a backstage tour, guest artist workshops and Q&As with cast and crew members. Selected sessions include one extended day with a pizza dinner and 7:30 p.m. performance.

2027 Family Camp
July 15-17
Thursday-Saturday
9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
The session includes: a ticket to two productions, a backstage tour, guest artist workshops, Q&As with cast and crew members. 


All are welcome.
Space is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration opens at 10 a.m. January 12 and must be completed online.
Registration closes June 1, but many sessions sell out early.
Early Bird pricing ends February 26.

FAQ and Key Information

Age Requirements
Week-long day camp registrants must be 13-16 years old within the 2027 calendar year. Family camp is designed for all ages, but the shows included and associated programming are best for ages 5 and older.

Location
All camp programming takes place in Stratford, Ontario. Many camp participants will live in the Stratford area, including those a short drive away in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and London. Some families will choose to vacation in Stratford while their children take part in their chosen camp session. If you are looking for a place to stay, there are a number of bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, apartments and homes available in town.

Waitlist
If your desired session is full, you may be added to a waitlist by emailing educate@stratfordfestival.ca. 
We will notify you if a spot opens up.

What to Bring
A more tailored list of what to bring, specific to each session, will be provided at least two weeks before camp, but all participants should bring: lunch and snacks (nut-free), a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, a sweater/sweatshirt, a change of clothes, a hat, sunscreen.

Financial Assistance
In addition to their generous and sustained support of the Theatre Arts Camp programming as a whole, financial assistance is provided by Nancy and George Taylor.

A number of spots in each session are available at a reduced rate to help ensure that all those who wish to participate are able to do so.

This is intended to support young people and families who are experiencing financial barriers to access including those navigating low incomes, underemployment, single-parent households, significant medical expenses or caregiving responsibilities.

If financial assistance would make camp accessible to you, upon registration simply select the reduced rate that reflects what you are able to pay. No further explanation is needed.

If you are able to pay the full session fee, we encourage you to do so as this helps keep spots at a reduced rate available for those who need them.

If you have any questions before or during the process, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email educate@stratfordfestival.ca or phone at 519.271.4040 x2293.

SUMMER SESSIONS

Shakespeare: July 5-9

Our Shakespeare session provides a dynamic exploration of Shakespeare for young artists interested in learning classical theatre from an actor's perspective. Through creative voice work, text exploration as well as character and scene study, participants discover first-hand why Shakespeare's plays still captivate us today. This session culminates in a performance of a work in process for family and friends.

The extended day for this session will be on Thursday, July 8. Pickup will take place after the 7:30 p.m. show and a pizza dinner will be provided.
  
Cost: $479 + tax   
Early Bird price: $459 + tax
Registration opens January 12 at 10 a.m.

Backstage & Design: July 12-16

Our Backstage & Design session provides young artists with an in-depth exploration of what goes on behind-the-scenes with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Through experiential learning, mentorship and shadowing professionals working at the Stratford Festival, participants explore the breadth of theatre production including: design, stage management, carpentry and scenic artistry, set and props, costume, lighting, sound and automation.
  
Cost: $479 + tax
Early Bird price: $459 + tax
Registration opens January 12 at 10 a.m.

Musical Theatre: July 19-23

Our Musical Theatre session provides young artists with the opportunity to practically explore the musical theatre canon from its historical beginnings to contemporary hits. Through guided exercises, specialized workshops and dynamic rehearsals, participants focus on voice, dance and performance as they stage some of the genre's greatest songs. This session culminates in a performance of a work in process for family and friends.

The extended day for this session will be on Wednesday, July 21. Pickup will take place after the 7:30 p.m. show and a pizza dinner will be provided.

Cost: $479 + tax
Early Bird price: $459 + tax
Registration opens January 12 at 10 a.m.

Playwriting Intensive: July 19-23

Our Playwriting session supports budding playwrights in developing their own creative voice. Young artists experiment with different writing styles and genres through dedicated independent writing time, one-on-one dramaturgy and ensemble-based creative writing exercises. With the goal of bringing a short, original script from page to stage, this session culminates with rehearsal and a staged reading of their short pieces performed by Stratford Festival actors for family and friends.

The extended day for this session will be on Wednesday, July 21. Pickup will take place after the 7:30 p.m. show and a pizza dinner will be provided.   
  
Cost: $479 + tax   
Early Bird price: $459 + tax   
Registration opens January 12 at 10 a.m.

Family Camp: July 15-17

From siblings to grandparents to aunts to best friends, our new Family Camp is designed for families, chosen and given, to learn and play together in a multi-generational space. Centred around the themes, questions and stories explored in Mary Poppins and Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, participants will build skills, story and community through active theatre games and exercises.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.
All ages are welcome (Please note: Mary Poppins and Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang are best for age 5+).
The session includes: a ticket for each participant to two productions, guest artist workshops and Q&As with cast and crew members.

Cost: $229 Adult, $129 Child + tax
Early Bird price: $209 Adult, $109 Child + tax
At least 1 adult must register alongside a child with a maximum number of 4 children per accompanying adult. 
Registration opens January 12 at 10 a.m.

RISE UP

RISE UP, our IBPOC youth mentorship program, brings together young artists and industry professionals. Combining virtual meetings with in-person learning, this program aims to foster community and support greater inclusion on and backstage. In addition to all that is provided through Theatre Arts Camp, the mentorship component of this program focuses on career guidance, reciprocal learning and artistic development.

Upon acceptance in the program, RISE UP participants will be guaranteed a spot in one of our week-long camps. They will meet together and with their paired mentors virtually in May and June and then in person during camp in Stratford in July.

Applications for 2027 are now open with a deadline of December 1.
Space is limited.
Apply today!

There is no fee to apply, but payment (at the early bird price of $459 +tax) will be required upon camp registration, a key component of this program. Financial assistance is available to ensure that all those who wish to participate are able to do so.