Is your child creative and loves anything theater-related? Then, check out these summer theater camps in Chicagoland where they can learn new performance techniques and what goes on behind the scenes.
These summer camps fill up fast. Be sure to register ahead of time. Prices and locations are subject to change. Many camps offer early-bird and sibling discounts; make sure to inquire when booking.
Looking for more summer camps? Check out our ultimate guide to find the best summer camps for Chicagoland kids.
Featured theater camps in Chicago
In this section, Chicago Parent’s advertising partners share their top camp offerings.
CircEsteem Summer Camp
June 8-Aug. 21, 2026
- Address: 4730 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago
- Phone: 773-732-4564
- Ages served: 6-16
- Type: Day camp
- Cost: $400 per week early bird through March 2. $450 per week regular. Four-day camps $360 June 15-18 and June 29-July 2. Ten percent sibling discount available
CircEsteem’s Summer Circus Camp is where kids trade screens for soaring, spinning and serious fun. In a safe, high-energy environment led by professional teaching artists, campers build strength, confidence and teamwork while discovering what their bodies and imaginations can do.
Each week features a new theme and an exciting mix of circus disciplines like aerial silks, trapeze, tightwire, tumbling, juggling, partner acrobatics, clowning and more. Every day is packed with movement, creative play, games and outdoor time, making each session feel like a brand new adventure.
The week ends with a joyful Show Off performance where campers take center stage and share their new skills with family and friends. It is not just a camp. It is an unforgettable experience that helps kids feel brave, capable and inspired.
Idea Box Integrated Arts
June 22-Aug. 7, 2026
- Address: 5419 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Multiple locations: 5419 N Lincoln Ave Grades 5-12 and Joel Hall 4511 N Clark St
- Phone: (312) 375-6639
- Ages served: 5-18
- Number of students: Not provided
- Type: Day camp, theater camp, STEAM camp, arts camp
- Cost:
$299.99 for three hours per day for five days
$25.00 before care one hour per day for five days
$25.00 after care one hour per day for five days
Discounts available for enrollment in multiple sessions and multiple students
Interdisciplinary arts are our specialty, bringing together performance, design, crafting, music and movement. In Prepare & Perform camp, participants develop their characters by crafting their costumes for the show. Party Camp is a week-long, half-day camp where you plan a party, make decorations, plan activities and learn new skills like face painting, dance and game design to entertain your guests. In Fashion Design, campers make wearable art of all kinds, practice hand and machine sewing and learn embellishment techniques. Digital arts include digital photography, green screen and media arts. Idea Box is well-known for its puppet-making curricula, which give students the tools to build a Muppet-style hand-and-rod puppet fully from scratch. Other offerings include musical theater development, Guerilla Theater and Dice Boss dungeon master camp.
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
June 22-July 31
- Address: 1362 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637
- Phone: 773-834-7766
- Ages served: 3-16
- Type: Day camp
There’s something for everyone at Summer Lab, Chicago’s premier summer day camp. Set on the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools campus, Summer Lab welcomes all students entering Nursery 3 through Grade 8 into a thoughtfully-designed environment where curiosity is celebrated, creativity thrives and confidence grows. With over 75 years of experience, the program brings together expert educators, leading arts and STEM partners and the resources of a vibrant university setting.
Programs are carefully curated across the arts, sciences, athletics and technology to engage the whole child through hands-on exploration and play. From high-tech classrooms to rooftop pools and dynamic performance spaces, every detail is designed to challenge and inspire your child. With new complimentary transportation and lunch offerings in 2026, Summer Lab provides a seamless, enriching season where friendships flourish and every day offers something extraordinary.
More theater camps in Chicago
This section includes additional camp options for families to explore. These listings are added separately from our paid listings.
American Eagle Productions
Various dates in July through August. Check their website as they update for 2026.
- Address: 5437 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: $480
- Best for ages: 4-13
Led by professional artists, kids engage in drama, music, and dance. Each week, campers craft an original show, from script to performance, building confidence and teamwork. Choose from musical themes for a summer of theatrical magic.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Week-and-a-half sessions from June 24-Aug. 16, 2026
- Address: 300 E. Crystal Lake Road, Twin Lake, Mich.
- Phone: 800-221-3796
- Cost: $1,875 – $1975 (varies depending on major; significant scholarships available for motivated students; campers are also required to purchase uniforms; discounts for siblings, and those enrolling in more than one session)
- Best for ages: 11-18
Celebrating 60 years, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp offers immersive week-and-a-half-long summer programs for Grades 5-12 in music, art, theater, dance and writing. Located in West Michigan, Blue Lake provides an inspiring environment where students of all skill levels grow artistically and personally. Days include expert instruction, recreation and evening performances. Campers stay in rustic cabins, forming lasting friendships.Â
With a dedicated faculty of arts professionals and no audition requirements, Blue Lake ensures accessibility through scholarships based on merit and financial need. Join 4,000 young artists each summer for a transformative experience filled with creativity, achievement and traditional camp fun.
Chicago Academy for the Arts
June 8-18, 2026
- Address: 1010 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $995
- Best for ages: 12-14
Explore dance, media storytelling, music for social change, and theatre in dynamic programs for ages 12-14 in thos two-week intensive camp. Unleash creativity, build skills and express artistry through intensive experiences in dance, media, music and visual arts.
Chicago Children’s Theater
Various dates in June through August
- Address: 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $250-$1,640
- Best for ages: 6-15
Choose from drama-themed camps, including acting and prop design. With varying age ranges and costs, there’s something for everyone, from Musical Theatre Adventures to The Flower Power Parade. Explore Story Explorers, a half-day drama camp for ages 8-12.
CYT Musical Theater Summer Camp
Various dates in June through August.
- Address: 18 camp locations in the Chicago suburbs, Rockford and southeast Wisconsin throughout the summer
- Cost: Varies, see website for details
- Best for ages: 5-12
Camps focus on theater, building performance skills, self-confidence and teamwork through drama, dance and music rotations. Camp concludes with a showcase for family and friends.
FACETS Film Camps
June-August 2026
- Address: 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago
- Phone: 773-281-9075
- Cost: $275-$800, including 15% off for FACETS Members
- Best for ages: 5-17
Get creative this summer with Film Camps for all ages and skill levels! Chicago’s legendary film forum and education center, FACETS, offers 5+ films camps. With options for all ages, FACETS has hands-on filmmaking opportunities for all skill sets.Â
Start your journey with My First Film Camp (ages 5-7), build foundational skills with Film 101 (ages 8-10 and 11-13), and top it off with more advanced work in Film 102 (ages 11-13 and 14-17). FACETS also offers specialty camps in film editing, animation, and acting. Sharpen your visual storytelling skills and media literacy at our unique Film Camps this summer.
Lifeline Theatre
Multiple one-week sessions in July through August.
- Address: 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Varies, see website for details
- Best for ages: 3-13
Kids explore imagination and performance through theater games and storytelling, with half-day sessions for little ones and full-day intensives for older kids—fun for all ages!
Merry Music Makers Summer Camps: It’s Showtime!
June-August 2026
- Address: LYRIQ Music School, 1909 W. Byron Ave., Chicago
- Phone:773-270-8284
- Cost: $475Â
- Best for ages: 10-14
Unleash your talent, learn from the pros and shine on the stage, all at It’s Showtime camp. This full-day camp, held at LYRIQ Music School, 1909 W. Byron Ave. location, combines the best parts of theater and musicals into a week jam-packed with fun. Led by industry professionals, campers work on scenes, vocal technique and choreography culminating in an end of camp performance for friends and family.
Music Theater Works YouthREACH Kids Company
Various dates from June to August.
- Address: Weekly rehearsals at Music Theater Works’ Joyce Saxon Rehearsal Hall, Wilmette; Dress Rehearsal and performance at Community House Winnetka, 620 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka
- Cost: $430
- Best for ages: 8-13
Every child shines in Music Theater Works YouthREACH! Kids build confidence through acting, singing, and dancing, culminating in a performance after six days of fun rehearsals. This summer, take part in productions like High School Musical JR. or Into the Woods JR. among others.
Porchlight Music Theatre
June-August 2026
- Address: Holtschneider Performance Center at the DePaul University School of Music, 2330 N. Halsted St., Chicago
- Phone: 773-777-9884
- Cost: Varies, see website for details
- Best for ages: 4-17
Chicago’s favorite musical theater camps are back! Foundation Classes introduce theater skills in a fun, welcoming setting for ages 4-13. Porchlight Youth Presents: Willy Wonka, JR. (ages 7-13) lets young actors rehearse and perform a full show. Broadway Dance & Singing Intensives (ages 14-17) focus on advanced skills.
PMTeens (ages 14-17) offers professional training and the chance to perform in the Broadway in Your Backyard concert series. Scholarships, financial aid and payment plans available. Aftercare offered (ages 4-13) from 3:30-5:30 p.m.Â
Stages Chicago
June-August 2026
- Address: The Drucker Center, 1535 N. Dayton St., Chicago; Soul City Church, 1150 W. Adams St., Chicago; Fame Center, 1319 S. State St., Chicago
- Phone: 773-812-3039
- Cost: Varies, see website for detailsÂ
- Best for ages: 2-15
What do you get when you combine the magic of Broadway with the fun and freedom of summer? Summer at Stages! Â
Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you!Â
Skyline Children’s Theater Summer Camps
Various dates in June through August.Â
- Address: 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $475
- Best for ages: 5-9
The Revival – Improv Summer Camp
Various one-week sessions in June through August. Check their website as they update for 2026.
- Address: 906 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, ILÂ 60605
- Cost: $450/week
- Best for ages: 6-12
The Revival’s improv camp for kids ages 6-12 in the South Loop fosters creativity, confidence and fun through engaging, on-your-feet activities in a supportive environment.
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