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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. (with one extended day each session which includes a 7:30 p.m. performance) 

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, Q&As with cast and crew members, a pizza dinner and an ice cream outing  


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 registration is 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: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/Visit/Accommodation. 


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. 


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. 

OVERNIGHT SUMMER SESSIONS

Shakespeare Focus: July 5 to 11

Registration Closed

Our Grades 7 and 8 Shakespeare Focus camps provide 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 why Shakespeare's plays still captivate audiences today.

Cost: $2,100 + tax
Early-bird price until February 10: $1,950 + tax

Information Sheet

 

REGISTER NOW

 

PLEASE NOTE:  When paying, you will be given the option to pay the full amount or to create a payment plan to divide the payment into 3 installments as follows: $25 immediately upon registration; $150 deposit charged 30 days after registration; balance charged on June 1st, 2026.

Following registration, you will receive an order confirmation email with details about CampDoc, who we are partnering with to securely collect additional information. The CampDoc platform is also where further details about each session will be posted leading up to the camp.

CampDoc

Musical Theatre Focus: July 12 to 18       

Registration Closed

Our Grades 7 and 8 Musical Theatre Focus camps provide 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.

Cost: $2,300 + tax
Early-bird price until February 10: 2,150 + tax

Information Sheet

 

REGISTER NOW

 

PLEASE NOTE:  When paying, you will be given the option to pay the full amount or to create a payment plan to divide the payment into 3 installments as follows: $25 immediately upon registration; $150 deposit charged 30 days after registration; balance charged on June 1st, 2026.

Following registration, you will receive an order confirmation email with details about CampDoc, who we are partnering with to securely collect additional information. The CampDoc platform is also where further details about each session will be posted leading up to the camp.

CampDoc

Shakespeare Intensive: July 5 to 18    

Registration Closed

  
Our Grades 9-12 Shakespeare Intensive camps provide young artists with a more rigorous, practical exploration of Shakespeare from an actor's perspective. Building on the foundations of classical theatre performance with an emphasis on developing performance skills through voice and text, participants will take part in specialized workshops as well as individual and ensemble-based exercises. Through guided rehearsals, young thespians stage their own reimagined adaptation of one of Shakespeare's classics.

Cost: $3,300 + tax
Early-bird price until February 10: $3,100 + tax 

Information Sheet

 

REGISTER NOW

 

PLEASE NOTE: When paying, you will be given the option to pay the full amount or to create a payment plan to divide the payment into 3 installments as follows: $25 immediately upon registration; $250 deposit charged 30 days after registration; balance charged on June 1st, 2026.

Following registration, you will receive an order confirmation email with details about CampDoc, who we are partnering with to securely collect additional information. The CampDoc platform is also where further details about each session will be posted leading up to the camp.

CampDoc

Musical Theatre Intensive: July 19 to August 1    

Registration Closed

Our Grades 9-12 Musical Theatre Intensive camps provide young artists with a more rigorous exploration and deeper understanding of the musical theatre genre. Through individual and ensemble-based exercises, specialized workshops, coaching and dynamic rehearsals, participants focus on voice, dance and performance as they stage some of the greatest songs in the musical theatre canon.

Cost: $3,600 + tax
Early-bird price until February 10: $3,400 + tax

Information Sheet

 

REGISTER NOW

 

PLEASE NOTE: When paying, you will be given the option to pay the full amount or to create a payment plan to divide the payment into 3 installments as follows: $25 immediately upon registration; $250 deposit charged 30 days after registration; balance charged on June 1st, 2026.

Following registration, you will receive an order confirmation email with details about CampDoc, who we are partnering with to securely collect additional information. The CampDoc platform is also where further details about each session will be posted leading up to the camp.

CampDoc

Backstage & Design: July 19 to 25

Registration Closed

Our Grades 8-12 Backstage & Design camps provide young artists with an in-depth exploration of what goes on behind-the-scenes with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Through experiential learning and mentorship with 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: $2,300 + tax
Early-bird price until February 10: $2,150 + tax

Information Sheet

 

REGISTER NOW

 

PLEASE NOTE:  When paying, you will be given the option to pay the full amount or to create a payment plan to divide the payment into 3 installments as follows: $25 immediately upon registration; $150 deposit charged 30 days after registration; balance charged on June 1st, 2026.

Following registration, you will receive an order confirmation email with details about CampDoc, who we are partnering with to securely collect additional information. The CampDoc platform is also where further details about each session will be posted leading up to the camp.

CampDoc

Playwriting Intensive: July 26 to August 1

Registration Closed

Our Grades 8-12 Playwriting Intensive camps support budding playwrights in developing their own creative voice. Young artists experiment with different writing styles and genres through dedicated independent writing time, 1:1 dramaturgy and ensemble-based creative writing exercises. With the goal of bringing a short, original script from page to stage, the camp culminates with rehearsal and a staged reading of their short piece performed by Stratford Festival actors.

Cost: $2,100 + tax
Early-bird price to February 10: $1,950 + tax

Information Sheet

 

REGISTER NOW

 

PLEASE NOTE:  When paying, you will be given the option to pay the full amount or to create a payment plan to divide the payment into 3 installments as follows: $25 immediately upon registration; $150 deposit charged 30 days after registration; balance charged on June 1st, 2026.

Following registration, you will receive an order confirmation email with details about CampDoc, who we are partnering with to securely collect additional information. The CampDoc platform is also where further details about each session will be posted leading up to the camp.

CampDoc

RISE UP: AN IBPOC YOUTH MENTORSHIP ENSEMBLE  

Thank you for your interest in RISE UP: An IBPOC Youth Mentorship Ensemble! If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to us at educate@stratfordfestival.ca.

Application Information
Applications for this program are now open.  APPLY NOW
Applications are due February 14.
Space is limited.

This mentorship program brings together young IBPOC students ages 14-18 with professional IBPOC artists working in various areas within theatre.

Program dates for the 2026 program are listed below. The one-hour mentorship meetings will take place at a mutually agreed-upon time between each mentor and participant pair. The spring meeting will take place virtually, via Zoom, and the summer meeting will take place in person, during the Theatre Arts Camp.

2026 Program Dates and Information
February 14, 2026: Applications Due
March 14, 2026: Program Acceptances Emailed
March 21, 2026: Deadline for Participants to Accept Offer of Participation
April 13, 2026, 7-8 p.m.: Virtual Welcome Meeting (Zoom)
May 9, 2026, 12-6 p.m.: Opening Retreat at the Stratford Festival including tickets to Guys and Dolls. (We offer a travel stipend of up to $180 to cover mileage or a round-trip ticket on the Stratford Direct Bus between Toronto and Stratford).
June 2026: Virtual Mentorship Meeting (Zoom) with date/time TBC based on mentor/participant availability
July 2026: Theatre Arts Camp at the Stratford Festival

This year, a key part of the program is full participation in our summer Theatre Arts Camp. Participants may choose one of the following options: Backstage & Design, Playwriting, Musical Theatre Intensive, or Shakespeare Intensive. Each camp experience includes tickets to performances, shared meals and active workshops taught by professionals in the industry. During their time at the Theatre Arts Camp, participants will also meet once in person with their paired mentor.

Financial assistance is available for our Theatre Arts Camp for participants who require it. Financial assistance includes support for camp fees as well as travel costs to and from Stratford, Ontario.