While summer may seem far away with a major snowstorm in our forecast, DC-area parents know that January is prime time for securing coveted summer camp spots — and early bird discounts. The DC Theater Arts staff has curated a list of theater summer camps and classes available for children and teenagers within a 30-mile radius of DC. (Let us know if we’ve missed any!)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Arena Stage
Ages: 8-15
Dates: 3-Week Session: July 6 – July 24; 2-Week Session: July 27 – August 7
Hosted on the beautiful grounds of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Camp Arena Stage is a full-day, multi-arts summer camp. It is a place to explore, discover, and create with the encouragement and guidance of professional artists and educators. Campers choose their own schedules from a long list of classes in theater, dance, music, visual art, filmmaking, and writing.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Before and after care are available. Early registration for returning campers (through February 14); military, educator, and first responder discounts; full and partial need-based scholarships for 3-week session (by application through March 20).
GALA Hispanic Theatre
Ages: 14-19
Dates: Year-round; check website for updates
Paso Nuevo is GALA’s free, year-round program for high school students offered during spring, summer, fall, and winter. This is a bilingual, inclusive theater education program incorporating acting training, playwrighting, and mentorship. Students can earn community service hours, receive performance stipends, go on field trips, and train for future employment and leadership opportunities.
The Keegan Theatre
Ages: Rising grades 1-3 (PLAY Summer Camp); ages 10-14 (Summer Playwriting Camp)
Dates: June 22 – August 21 (PLAY Summer Camp); July 6 – August 7 (Summer Playwriting Camp)
Come PLAY at Keegan this summer! In PLAY Summer Camp, students build their theater skills through an immersive exploration of design, movement, music, games, and more. From Travels through Time to Remixing the Classics, every week is a new adventure, so you can join for one week or many!
New this year in partnership with Young Playwrights’ Theater, the half-day Summer Playwriting Camp features three weeks of writing original plays, followed by two weeks honing acting skills and rehearsing performances, culminating in a live performance on Saturday, August 8, at the Sitar Arts Center.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Before and after care available for PLAY Summer Camp. Sibling discount (both camps), multi-week discount if registering for 2 or more weeks of camp (PLAY Summer Camp only).
National Children’s Theatre
Ages: 6-15
Dates: 1- or 2-week sessions between July 13 and August 21
National Children’s Theatre summer camps feature creative drama exercises, theater games, art projects, lessons in performance fundamentals, and play rehearsals that are designed to inspire The Eight Acting Habits of Mind. Each session ends in a performance.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: A limited number of need-based scholarships are available on a rolling basis. After-care is offered.
Studio Acting Conservatory Young Actors Program
Ages: 12-17
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 10; Session 2: July 13-31
Classes meet daily for three weeks. Students will spend their mornings training in Voice, Movement, and Musical Theater. Using the tools taught in these classes, the Young Actors will work together to create original ensemble pieces. Afternoons are spent cultivating their acting skills with one of SAC’s most experienced faculty members. This includes playing theater games, exploring improvisations, and developing monologues and scenes from modern and classical plays.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Need-based scholarships are available (by application, with placement auditions held February 21); half of all Young Actors receive scholarships to train in the Summer Intensive.
Theater J
Ages: Rising grades 2-9
Dates: 3-week session June 29-July 16; 1-week sessions between July 20 and August 7
Theater J presents a spectacular summer of musical theater camps. The 3-week program (culminating in a performance of Frozen Jr.) is ideal for young artists who want to dive into the world of musical theater and experience the magic of being in a fully produced show with lights and costumes. One-week camp themes include Summer Spooktacular, America: The Eras Tour, and Animal Kingdom.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird (through January 30), EDCJCC member, and returning camper discounts available. Limited scholarships are available by application. Extended day care is available.
The Theatre Lab School for the Dramatic Arts
Ages: Rising grades 1-8 (Summer Acting Camp); ages 13-19 (Summer Teen Institute)
Dates: 1-, 2-, or 4-week sessions between June 17 and August 21 (Summer Acting Camp); 2- or 4-week sessions between June 15 and August 7 (Summer Teen Institute)
The Theatre Lab offers serious theater training, taught by experienced teachers and theater professionals, in a unique environment that’s friendly, supportive, and incredibly fun. Summer camp offerings range from improv and global theater to storytelling and culture to Shakespeare.
Summer Teen Institutes (audition required and application deadline March 1) offer intensive instruction in musical theater, acting, and performance.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Before and after care available for Summer Acting Camp.
Early bird discounts available for Summer Acting Camp (through February 9). Limited need-based financial aid is available by application for Summer Acting Camp and Summer Teen Intensive. Payment plans available.
MARYLAND
Adventure Theatre MTC (Glen Echo, MD and Rockville, MD)
Ages: Rising grades 1-6 (Summer Musical Theatre Camp); Rising grades 7-12 (Summer Musical Theatre Training Program)
Dates: 2-week sessions between June 22 and August 14, with a 1-week mini session August 17-21 (Summer Musical Theatre Camp); 3-week sessions between June 22 and July 16 and between July 20 and August 13 (Summer Musical Theatre Training Program)
Summer Musical Theatre Camp (Glen Echo, MD) offers daily instruction and rehearsals with props, costumes, music, movement, and scene work. Your child’s experience will culminate in a performance of a full, youth-appropriate show for friends and family. Summer Musical Theatre Training Program (Rockville, MD) provides students with a foundational and expanded understanding of technique in ballet, jazz, music, and acting — and includes a trip to see a Washington, DC-area or Broadway production!
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Need-based scholarships are available for Summer Musical Theatre Camp, and competitive, audition-based scholarships are available for Summer Musical Theatre Training Program (audition dates April 25, May 16, and June 6).
Arts Barn (Gaithersburg, MD)
Ages: 5-14
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 29 and August 14
Among the Arts Barn’s many summer camp offerings are a wide array of weeklong theater camps, including Musical Theater and Designer Depot: Costume, Prop, and Set Design (ages 7-9), Makeup Magic: Stage Makeup for Young Actors (ages 9-11), Scripts & Storyboarding: Creative Writing for the Stage and All the World’s a Stage: Shakespeare Acting Workshop (ages 12-14)
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Registration opens February 11 for Gaithersburg residents and February 18 for non-residents. Residents receive discount pricing. Limited partial need-based scholarships for Gaithersburg residents are available by application.
BlackRock Center for the Arts (Germantown, MD)
Ages: Rising grades 1-5 (InspireArts Camp); Rising grades 3-8 (Performing Arts Camp)
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 29 and July 10 (InspireArts Camp); 2-week sessions between July 13 and August 21 (Performing Arts Camp)
InspireArts Camp features one-week sessions immersing campers in visual art, music, theater, and dance centered and interpreted through a theme. Young artists create art projects, learn new songs, dances, and act in different skits. Performing Arts Camp: Script to Stage will guide campers through creating and performing an original show on stage over 2 weeks.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Before and after care available. Sibling discounts and BlackRock member discounts available.
Lumina Studio Theatre (Silver Spring, MD)
Ages: 6-12+
Dates: 1-, 2-, or 3-week sessions between June 22 and August 8
Lumina Studio Theatre offers the following summerstock camps: Theatre Magic Camp (ages 6-8), Folk Tale Camp (ages 8-11), The Spoon of Loch Garve Camp (ages 9+), and Monsters Camp (ages 12+). All camps teach acting skills and include theater games and outdoor play. Folk Tale Camp, The Spoon of Loch Garve Camp, and Monsters Camp participants will rehearse and perform an original play.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Monsters Camp is sold out; waitlist available. Early bird discounts (through March 1) and need-based financial aid are available.
Maryland Ensemble Theatre (Frederick, MD)
Ages: 5-16
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 15 and July 31
Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s popular and regionally acclaimed Fun Camp returns! Offerings include Tiny Stages (ages 5-6), Creating Theatre (ages 7-11), Musical Theatre (ages 7-11 and 12-16), Costume Design, Improv/Comedy Jam, and Performance Project (ages 12-16).
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird pricing available through January 31. Limited scholarships are available, and payment plans are offered at the discretion of the registrar.
Olney Theatre Center (Olney, MD)
Ages: Rising grades 1-12
Dates: 1-week sessions between July 6-24 (grades 1-3); 2-week sessions between June 22 and August 21 (grades 4-12)
Sing, dance, write, act, and learn during Olney’s two-week-long summer programs, taught by local DMV professional theater artists. Offerings include Discovery Stages (grades 1-3, NEW for 2026), Summer Stock (grades 4-6), Musical Theatre Intensive (grades 7-9), and Summer Audition Studio (grades 10-12).
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: After care and payment plans are available.
Ovations Theatre (Rockville, MD)
Ages: Rising grades 3-12
Dates: 2-week summer intensives July 13-24 (grades 5-12) and August 10-21 (grades 3-10)
Ovations’ camps are jam-packed with rehearsals, arts and crafts, games, and master classes that will take your musical theater dreams to new heights. Each two-week intensive culminates in a showcase performance: Into the Woods (Session 1) and Matilda (Session 2).
Round House Theatre (Bethesda, MD and Silver Spring, MD)
Ages: Rising grades K-12
Dates: 1- or 2-week sessions between June 22 and August 21
Campers entering grades K-3 will go on weekly themed theatrical adventures through acting, design, and movement. Campers entering grades 4-6 will explore filmmaking or playmaking in 2-week sessions, with improv-themed mini camps (3-5 days) also available. Campers entering grades 6-12 may choose from 1- or 2-week sessions featuring playmaking, filmmaking, improv, standup, or musical theater. Sessions will be held at Round House Theatre in Bethesda and at its Education Center in Silver Spring.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird discount available through January 31 with code EDUEARLYBIRD. Need-based scholarships are available by application. After care is available.
Young Artists of America (College Park, MD, Olney, MD, and Baltimore, MD)
Ages: Rising grades 3-12
Dates: June 27 – July 2 (overnight intensives); July 4-16 (day camps); July 18-31 and July 19-30 (overnight camps)
Young Artists of America offers three Summer Performing Arts Intensive day camps: Kids Academy (grades 3-5), Junior Academy (grades 6-9), and Senior Academy (grades 9-12), as well as overnight conservatories for grades 7-9 and 10-12 and weeklong overnight intensives for dancers in grades 6-12+ and actors in grades 9-12+. Day camps and overnight conservatories offer two weeks of classes in acting, dance, and voice, culminating in a stage production. Overnight intensives feature 6 days of acting or dance instruction culminating in a final showcase. Day camps will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD, overnight camps at the University of Maryland, College Park, and overnight intensives at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Application deadline is June 1 for all programs to guarantee a spot. All students are accepted to the programs upon completion of registration; auditions will be required for placement. Overnight intensives are also open to incoming college freshmen. Tuition includes room and board for overnight programs. Payment plans are available.
VIRGINIA
Creative Cauldron (Falls Church, VA)
Ages: Rising grades K-8
Dates: 2-week sessions between June 8 and August 14; 1-week “Final Fling” mini-camp August 17-21
Creative Cauldron presents two summer Arts Adventure Camps filled with storytelling, drama, music, movement, and visual arts: Magical Mythical Creatures (June 8-19) and Golliwhoppers: American Tall Tales and Legends (June 22-July 2). The Cauldron’s wildly popular Musical Theater Summer Camps are back as well, immersing campers in music, choreography, scenic, costume, and lighting design. Themes include Broadway on Broad Street (July 6-17), Disney on Broadway (July 20-31), and Stage to Screen (August 3-14).
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Need-based scholarships (by application), sibling discounts, and before and after care are available.
Educational Theatre Company (Arlington, VA and Falls Church, VA)
Ages: Rising grades preK-12
Dates: 1, 2, or 3-week sessions between June 15 and August 28
From half-day camps for preschoolers to multi-week teen intensives, Educational Theatre Company has a camp for everyone! Topics include acting, film, directing, improv, playwriting, Shakespeare, musical theater, and more. Camps are held at multiple locations in Arlington and at Falls Church Meridian High School.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Need-based scholarships (one slot per camp/per family) and payment plans are available only for Arlington locations. Extended-day care is available for most camps (excluding preschool and teen camps).
Encore Stage & Studio (Alexandria, VA and Arlington, VA)
Ages: 3-15
Dates: 1 or 2-week sessions between June 15 – August 28
Encore Stage & Studio offers Pre-K camp (ages 3-5), featuring song and movement, music and rhythm, storytelling and crafts featuring favorite characters including Bluey, Snoopy, and Winnie the Pooh; Elementary camp (ages 5-9) featuring movement, character creation, problem solving centered around fun themes from Disney to Broadway to K-Pop Demon Hunters; Scenes for Tweens (ages 9-12) with themes from Broadway Bootcamp to Stage Combat Adventures to Costume and Makeup Design; and Stage Door and Tech Camp (ages 12-15) giving students a glimpse of what it’s like to work as a theater professional. Camps are held in multiple locations in Arlington and Alexandria.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird discount available through January 31. Scholarships and extended day care are available for all camps.
George Mason University’s Community Arts Academy (Fairfax, VA)
Ages: 3.5-18
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 22 and August 7; 2-week Summer Devised Theater Ensemble for ages 12-18 from July 27 to August 7
Acting for Young People (AFYP), the theater program of Mason Community Arts Academy, has provided actors of all ages with professional-level training in a supportive and fun environment since 1997. This year’s summer camp offerings include the half-day Summer Acting Discoveries (ages 3.5-5), Weekly Acting Camps (ages 5-18), Summer Musical Theater Adventures (ages 7-10), Middle School Improv Comedy Workshop (ages 10-13), Middle School Musical Theater Workshop (ages 11-13), Summer Devised Theater Ensemble (ages 12-18), Musical Theater Cabaret (ages 13-18), and High School Musical Theater Intensive (ages 14-18).
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: $5 early bird discount if registering before May 15. Payment plans available if registering before May 1; registrations after May 1 require full tuition at time of registration unless an extended payment plan is requested. Limited scholarship funds available by application. Sibling discount available for Weekly Acting Camps.
Little Theatre of Alexandria (Alexandria, VA)
Ages: 3 years through rising 8th grade
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 1 and August 28
Little Theatre of Alexandria offers a wide variety of half-day and full-day summer camps for children from tots to teens, exploring skills ranging from playwriting and puppetry to improv and Broadway. Campers can also choose from fun weekly themes, including Act Out! D&D Edition, Murder Mystery, or LTA’s newest offering for teens, Brain Rot Shakespeare.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Payment installment plans are available, along with before and after care.
Lopez Studios Performing Arts Preparatory School (Herndon, VA and Reston, VA)
Ages: 6-18
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 22 and August 14; 3-week summer conservatory July 20 – August 8 for ages 12-18
Lopez Studios offers weeklong themed summer camps featuring acting, singing, and theater for ages 6-9, two weeklong intensives (Broadway Bootcamp and Acting for the Stage) for ages 10-15, and a 3-week summer conservatory for ages 12-18 culminating in a full production of Disney’s The Descendants (One-Act Edition).
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Registration fee waived if registering before March 1. Before and after care offered for ages 6-9.
NextStop Theatre Company (Herndon, VA)
Ages: Rising grades 1-12
Dates: 1- or 2-week sessions between June 22 and August 14
With a variety of different camps for grades 1 through graduating seniors, students can explore everything from musical theater to Shakespeare to technical theater, from stage combat to improv to stage design.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird pricing available through March 1. A limited number of need- and merit-based scholarships are available by application.
Signature Theatre (Arlington, VA)
Ages: 14-17
Dates: July 20-31
Signature Theatre’s Stage One is a two-week musical theater workshop for high school students, focused on training in acting, music, and dance, with masterclasses from different DC theater professionals, local university faculty, and members of Signature’s Artistic Department. Stage One is an incredible opportunity for high school students to work with award-winning actors, directors, choreographers, musicians, casting directors, and university faculty.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Auditions required — either in person on Saturday, February 7, or submitted as pre-recorded videos by Monday, February 9.
STARS Performing Arts (Great Falls, VA)
Ages: Rising grades 3-9
Dates: 2-week sessions July 6-17 and July 20-31
STARS Performing Arts offers high-quality training for serious young actors. Students work with professionals to hone their acting, singing, and dancing skills to produce a full (junior-length) musical in just 2 weeks. All students enrolled in camp will be cast in the show, or may choose to be on tech crew.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Sibling and multi-week discounts available, along with scholarships.
Synetic Theater (Arlington, VA)
Ages: 7-13
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 22 and August 28
At Synetic Theater’s Fractured Fairytales summer camp, campers learn to express themselves using their bodies, voices, and imaginations through dance, pantomime, stage movement, ensemble games, and world-building activities. Each week features a single fairytale theme, rotating through a series of three fairy tales, so campers can experience new characters and challenges each week.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Payment plans available.
Traveling Players (Tysons, VA)
Ages: Current grades 1-5
Dates: 1-week sessions June 22-26 and July 6-10; 2-week sessions July 20-31 and August 10-21
Traveling Players offers two weeklong Acting Studio Camps for children in current grades 1-3, and a two-week Players Studio Camp for children in current grades 3-5. Both camps teach acting, improv, and stage combat, and culminate in a showcase performance.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird (through January 31), multiweek, and sibling discounts are available, along with a referral rebate. Financial aid is available by application. After care is offered.
Workhouse Arts Center (Lorton, VA)
Ages: 10-18
Dates: 1-week sessions between June 15 and August 21
Workhouse’s Summer Theater Camp is a high-energy, laugh-filled experience designed to help students from 5th grade to 12th grade discover their creative confidence, spontaneity, and performance skills. Perfect for aspiring actors, comedy lovers, and kids looking to break out of their comfort zone! Step into the spotlight with hands-on acting, directing, and playwriting. Campers will write, design, and perform with guidance from theater professionals.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Sibling and multi-week discounts are available (limit one discount per registration). Before and after care available.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Imagination Stage (Bethesda, MD, Rockville, MD, and Washington, DC)
Ages: 3-18
Dates: 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-week sessions available between June 8 and August 21
Imagination Stage offers summer camps in acting, musical theater, performance, dance, and filmmaking. Camps are held at five convenient locations (Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD; Unity Dance in Bethesda; Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD; American University in Washington, DC; and Takoma Elementary School in Washington, DC). Pick your favorite or mix and match each week to create a memorable summer experience that fits your schedule!
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Financial aid available by application. Imagination Stage offers a 20% discount for school employees, first responders, and military servicemembers. Payment plans and after care are available.
Camp Levine (Bethesda, MD, Falls Church, VA, and Washington, DC)
Ages: 4-18
Dates: Session 1: June 22-July 10; Session 2: July 13-31
Camp Levine is a 3-week summer day camp that provides an engaging, fun-filled artistic experience for children of all musical backgrounds and levels of ability! In a program grounded in the philosophy of nurturing the “total musical child,” children develop skills for creative expression through singing, dancing, playing instruments, musical theater, creating visual art, and enjoying a variety of games and activities.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Registration opened for returning campers on January 14. Open enrollment begins January 21. Before and after care is available. Tuition assistance is available by application only for the SE DC location. Half-day Pre-K/K session available at the Bethesda location only. Before and after care is available at all locations.
Shakespeare Theatre Company (McLean, VA, and Washington, DC)
Ages: 6-18
Dates: 1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions available between June 22 and August 15
Every summer, Shakespeare Theatre Company gives students between the ages of 6 and 18 the chance to dive into the world of one of the most celebrated playwrights in history: William Shakespeare. Camp Shakespeare offers two-week sessions for youth (ages 6-11) and teens (ages 12-18). Returning teens can audition for a three-week Intensive.
Details, Deadlines, and Discounts: Early bird (through January 31), sibling, multi-week, and military discounts are available. Scholarships available by application. After care is available for ages 6-11 at DC locations.
