Online Camps and Classes

Looking for ways to connect this summer? The Illinois Shakespeare Festival has everything you need!

Our summer camps are a highlight of the season, and this year we are offering online camps for both youth and adults. Explore, learn, and train from the comfort of your own home!

Please note: Because these camps will take place digitally, participants will need access to reliable internet, a computer with camera and audio, and email. Camps will be conducted via Zoom.

Youth

Magical Worlds of Shakespeare

Attention adventurers! Join us on a trek through the magical worlds of William Shakespeare. Discover who William Shakespeare was and meet fairies, ghosts, witches, bears, and more. Students will create and explore the power of storytelling through crafts and activities.  Registration fee includes some supplies in an “adventure pack” mailed to the student’s address.

Student-provided materials needed before the first day of class: colored pencils, markers, paper, pencil with eraser, glue, scissors

Lights, Camera, Action!

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. In this course, students will work on material from successful films and TV with individual coaching. Performances will be recorded and watched as a group, and students will receive instructor and peer feedback. Instructor David Prete, assisted by Max Bastounes.

Session 1
Who: Students entering 6th-8th grade
When: July 20-24, 1-2 p.m.
Cost: $70
Max: 6 participants

Session 2
Who: Students entering 9th grade-college freshman
When: July 13-17, noon-2 p.m.
Cost: $80
Max: 6 participants

Project Shakespeare

Do you have what it takes to be the next design star? Would you love to create beautiful costumes, set designs and more? Can you wow an audience with your individuality, creativity, and talent? Then sign up for Project Shakespeare! In true reality competition series format, students will participate in mini challenges and a final virtual showcase of their designs. Participants will meet with professional production designers to receive feedback on their work and learn some of the tricks of the trade! Instructors Ryan Renc and Caitlyn Martin, advised by Dr. Jimmy Chrismon. 

Student-provided materials needed before the first day of class: colored pencils, construction paper, drawing paper, newspaper, packing tape, scissors, shoebox

Shakespeare’s Words: Play On!

Shakespeare’s language may seem intimidating or scary, but it can be beautiful and open the door to rich and exciting stories and characters. Come join us as we break down Shakespeare’s text and discover the beauty and poetry of his plays and sonnets. Students will learn a monologue and rehearse with peers and instructors. Recorded monologues will be shared in an online showcase for friends and family. Instructors Ryan Renc and Jack Colombo, advised by Dr. Jimmy Chrismon.

Session 1
Who: Students entering 6th-8th grade
When: June 22-26, 10-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $75
Max: 6 participants

Session 2 - CANCELED
Who: Students entering 6th-8th grade
When: June 22-26, 1-2:30 p.m.

Shakespeare’s Words: Something Wicked!

Shakespeare’s plays offer actors some of the richest roles in theatre–such as Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Puck, or Juliet. Students will learn skills to tackle Shakespearean dialogue, select and cut a monologue, and share their work in an online showcase for friends and family. Instructor Jimmy Chrismon, assisted by Caitlyn Martin.

Who: Students entering 9th grade-college freshman
When: July 20-24, 1-3 p.m.
Cost: $80
Max: 10 participants

Adults

Method in the Madness: Uncovering Hamlet

Immerse yourself in the world of Hamlet with Associate Artistic Director Robert Quinlan. Participants will explore tools for speaking and understanding Shakespeare’s verse, analyze important scenes and moments from the play, and create their own directing approach for a production of Hamlet. Instructor Robert Quinlan, assisted by Max Bastounes.

Materials Needed: Copy of Hamlet (Can also be found free online.)

When: June 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, and 26, 7-8:15 p.m.
Who: Adults 19+
Cost: $70
Max: 10 participants

Meet Your Instructors

Max Bastounes	Max Bastounes is an acting student at Illinois State University. Though she primarily studies being on the stage, teaching others the magic of theatre is just as large of a passion. She has worked for theatres such as Collaboraction, helping high school students devise and perform an original piece of theatre. She believes theatre can be a great vehicle for change, and that young people can change the world.
Dr. Jimmy Chrismon	Dr. Jimmy Chrismon is excited to be returning to the summer camps at ISF. He is part of the theatre teacher education faculty at Illinois State University and is very much looking forward to working with you this summer. He has 17 years of experience teaching high school theatre, and is an actor and director.
Jack Colombo	Jack Colombo is a senior theatre teacher education major at Illinois State University. He has been in the theatre arts from a young age, and continues to perform, act, direct, and do lighting design. Since high school, he has been a dedicated role model, an individual who works with persons with special needs, and former co-president of One Voice, an outreach chorus that tours to assisted living facilities in the DuPage county area.
Caitlyn Martin	Caitlyn Martin is so excited to be working with ISF this summer! Martin is a junior theatre education major at Illinois State University. She recently worked as the assistant director of Guys and Dolls  as well as the production assistant of Yellow Inn, both at Illinois State! She is very passionate about teaching and creating within the classroom and outside of it. She cannot wait to have virtual camps and work with all of the wonderful students this summer!
David Prete, MFA	For 30 years David Prete has created and taught theatre (acting, movement, directing) throughout the U.S., Europe, and China. He founded The Plastiques Project and co-founded a New York theatre company.
Robert Quinlan, MFA	Robert Quinlan is a professional stage director and the Head of the MFA Directing Program at Illinois State University. Recent directing projects include Richard II, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Illinois Shakespeare Festival (Associate Artistic Director); Henry IV, Part One, Hamlet, and Richard III at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (member of the Artistic Collective); The Amish Project at Taproot Theatre in Seattle; the world premiere of The Magic Bicycle at First Stage Milwaukee; Of Debt and the Maidens, #thisrocks, and #wink with Chicago’s Fifth House Music Ensemble; and The Maids (in Mandarin) at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. Robert Quinlan holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois, and an MFA in Directing from Illinois State University.
Ryan Renc	Ryan Renc is excited to be one of the ISF assistant instructors this summer! He is a sophomore at Illinois State University, majoring in theatre teacher education and acting. He has experience in all facets of theatre and is looking forward to seeing what impact technology can have. He cannot wait to jump right in and make this an incredible summer!

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 and theater in a fun, no-stress setting! Absolutely amazing, and I think they really enjoyed the people leading them...and 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." - 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