Registration

Registration for our 2020 summer camps is OPEN.

All-Day Camp Deal

Students enrolled in both Shakespeare's Musicians camp in the morning and Apprentices or Players camp in the afternoon will receive vouchers to eat lunch between camps at Watterson Dining Center on the Illinois State University campus.
Fuel your mind and body!

Scholarships

ISF is proud to offer a limited number of need-based scholarships for students to take part in our Camps for Youth.

Scholarships will be applied to student registration at the time of purchase. Please wait to register until you have received confirmation of your scholarship.

Apply

Camps for Youth

Back by popular demand, our summer camp experiences immerse participants in the world of theatre.

NEW! Shakespeare’s Cardboard Fairytales

Students entering grades 3-6
June 15-26 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-noon)

Illinois Shakespeare Festival has collaborated with Peachtree Theatre’s Demitri Corbin, professional actor and current Master’s in Theatre Studies candidate, to present this fanciful and creative camp. Students will write a script, design and craft the scenery, and rehearse the play for a final performance for family and friends on June 26.

$200 per student

Shakespeare’s Apprentices

Students entering grades 6-8
July 6-24 (Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.)

This theatre intensive allows students to gain more focused experience in a variety of theatre skills (such as character work, stage combat, movement and voice). Students will be cast in and perform Romeo To Go by Jonathan Rand, with a final performance for family and friends on July 24 at the Center for Performing Arts Theatre on the Illinois State University campus.

$300 per student

NEW! Shakespeare’s Musicians

Students entering grades 6-12
July 6-24 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- noon)

This musical theatre intensive allows students to focus on skills such as voice, Broadway dance, physical character work, and musical theatre solo and partner scene work. Students will collaborate as a company to produce an original musical revue of songs from musicals based on Shakespeare’s plays, with a final performance for family and friends on July 24 at the Center for Performing Arts Theatre on the Illinois State University campus.

$280 per student

NEW! On-Camera Intensive

Students entering grades 8-12
June 22-26 (Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m.)

Have you ever wondered how movie and television actors learn the tricks of acting in front of a camera? Students will learn basic on-camera acting techniques from professional actor and School of Theatre and Dance faculty member David Prete. Student scenes will be filmed in class to learn the differences between acting for the stage and acting for film and television.

$150 per student

Shakespeare’s Players

Students entering grades 9-12
July 6-24 (Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.)

This theatre intensive allows high school students to work on skills, such as Shakespeare’s text, physical character work, stage combat, movement and voice, while collaborating as a company to produce a one-act version of Shakespeare’s bloody and suspenseful Macbeth. There will be a final performance for family and friends on July 24 at the Center for Performing Arts Theatre on the Illinois State University campus.

$300 per student

Words from our Campers:

"This is like one of the only things I look forward to in the summer besides not school. I love this camp so much." - Apprentice , 2019

"The counselors are great and it is a very accepting place." - Apprentice, 2019

"I really think you would really like the ISF acting camp! You do activities, you get to have props, costumes, and at the end you get to do a play! It is really fun!" - Apprentice, 2019

"This camp helped me meet new people and gave me opportunities to work with the professional adult actors in our Bloomington-Normal area." - Player, 2019

"This camp is the thing that got me into Shakespeare and it's really fun. Also it makes you sound smarter in English class, so that's a plus." - Player, 2019

"I have learned something from every character I've played at this camp. The experience of portraying Shakespearean roles is so unique."- Player, 2019

"Try it out. The experience and knowledge gained is just as great as the environment." - Player, 2019

Words from Parents:

"He said [it was the] best camp he did this summer." - Groundling, 2019

"Yes, we would send both of our campers again! They had so much fun and the Interns leading the camp had so much energy. They were always excited to go to camp, play games, and enjoy Shakespeare & theater in a fun, no-stress setting! Absolutely amazing, and I think they really enjoyed the people leading them...& hoped the same people would be there next year." - Groundling, 2019

"She's developed a love of Shakespeare through this camp and can't wait to learn more."- Apprentice, 2019

"It is the one thing my son looks forward to all year long and loves the most!" - Apprentice, 2019

"It's my daughters favorite camp and she looks forward to it all year! She's attended almost every theater camp that's been available in Bloomington/Normal throughout the years and this one she feels has been the most valuable in terms of all that she's learned and definitely the most fun." - Apprentice, 2019

"My daughter loves being on stage and Shakespeare so the combination is perfect for her. I think it gives her a better understanding of literature and it brings the Works to life for her. She has also made some everlasting friends who are more "her people" than her regular school classmates." - Apprentice, 2019

"She learned a lot from the guest presenters which was a unique learning experience for the kids. All and all this camp is amazing!!" - Apprentice, 2019

Questions?

Cristen Monson
(309)438-3936
cbmonso@ilstu.edu