Camps and Classes
Registration
Registration is now open for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival summer camps and classes. "Beware the Ides of March."
Limited scholarships are available. Please complete the scholarship application.
Questions?
Cristen Monson
(309) 438-3936
cbmonso@IllinoisState.edu
2024 Youth Camps
We are expanding!
Bard Buddies: Elementary (New! Two sessions!)
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.
Who: Students entering 3rd through 5th grades
When: July 8-12, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. or 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Location: In-Person
Cost: $120 per student
Maximum enrollment: 15 students
Shakespeare’s Apprentices: Middle School
Come and learn why Shakespeare’s plays do not have to be intimidating! Join us in this three-week emersion into all things “The Bard.” This camp allows students to gain more focused experience in a variety of theatre skills such as character work, stage combat, movement and voice while collaborating as a company to produce an one-act play. Family and friends are invited to the final public performance at the Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois State University.
Who: Students entering 6th through 8th grades
When: July 15-August 2, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon
Location: In-Person
Cost: $275 per student
Maximum enrollment: 25 students
Shakespeare’s Players: High School
This theatre intensive allows high school students to work on theatre skills such as Shakespeare’s text, physical character work, stage combat, movement, and voice. Participants will collaborate as a company to produce one act of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Family and friends are invited to the final public performance at the Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois State University.
Who: Students entering 9th through 12th grades
When: July 15-August 2, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon
Location: In-Person
Cost: $275 per student
Maximum enrollment: 25 students
Broadway Basics: Musical Theatre Camp (New!)
This musical theatre camp is for middle school students who love musical theatre and want to sing and dance! Students will collaborate as a company to produce an original Broadway musical style revue performing songs from popular musicals. Group numbers, solos, and duets will challenge students to work on pieces to develop musical theatre performance skills. Teachers demonstrate healthy choral singing and fun choreography. Participants perform their cabaret for friends and family at the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts Theatre on the last day of camp.
Who: Students entering 6th through 8th grades
When: July 15-August 2, Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Location: In-Person
Cost: $275 per student (or $175 if the student is also enrolled in one of the morning camps. Students will be supervised during the lunch break.)
Maximum enrollment: 25 students
Broadway Dreamers: Musical Theatre Camp
This musical theatre camp is for high school students who love musical theatre and want to sing and dance! Teachers and guest artists will explore character development, acting the song, musicianship, and choreography. Participants perform a cabaret of musical theatre numbers for friends and family at the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts Theatre on the last day of camp.
Who: Students entering 9th through 12th grades
When: July 15-August 2, Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Location: In-Person
Cost: $275 per student (or $175 if the student is also enrolled in one of the morning camps. Students will be supervised during the lunch break.)
Maximum enrollment: 25 students
ISF Filmmaking Camp (New!)
Are you an aspiring young filmmaker? Do you love telling stories and a have a passion for cinema? Have you ever wanted to make your very own short film? Filmmaking Camp is an all-encompassing crash course in moviemaking where you will gain the technical skills, terminology, and techniques to explore the world of cinematic storytelling. Students learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and collaborate to write, direct, and edit their own short films.
Who: Students entering 8th through 12th grades
When: July 22-August 2, Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Location: In-Person
Cost: $200 per student
Maximum enrollment: 25 students
ISF Dance Camp (New!)
When: July 8-12
This session has been cancelled.
Instructors
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.
Cristen Monson
Cristen Monson is the academic advisor and recruiter for the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film. She has a B.A. in theatre from the University of Texas at El Paso and a M.A. in theatre studies from Illinois State University. When she is not advising, she is a local actor and director and co-founder of Nomad Theatre Company.