Camps and Classes
Registration
Registration now open.
Limited scholarships are available. Please complete the scholarship application.
Questions?
Jimmy Chrismon
(309) 438-8949
jdchri1@IllinoisState.edu
2026 Youth Camps
Bard Buddies: Elementary
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 6-10, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Location: In-Person
Cost: $125 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 version of a Shakespeare play. Family and friends are invited to attend a public performance at the Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois State University during the last week of camp.
Who: Students entering 6th through 8th grades
When: July 13-31, 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 a one-act versions of a Shakespeare play. Family and friends are invited to attend a public performance at the Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois State University during the last week of camp.
Who: Students entering 9th through 12th grades
When: July 13-31, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon
Location: In-Person
Cost: $275 per student
Maximum enrollment: 25 students
Broadway Basics: Musical Theatre Camp (Middle School)
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 13-31, 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 (High School)
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 13-31, 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
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.
Grace Borre
Grace Borre (she/her) is a senior theatre teacher education major with a minor in English at Illinois State University. She has been doing theatre since she was nine years old and can not wait to share her love for theatre with her future students. She believes that theatre is a place for kindness, creativity, and community building, and she is so excited for camp this year.
Nina Falco
Nina Falco (she/her) is a senior theatre teacher education and acting double major, with a double minor in English and stage combat at Illinois State University. Since her breakout role as the Itsy Bitsy Spider in her 2nd grade musical, Squirm, she has been in love with performing and all things theatre. She is so excited for camp to start! She hopes to create a fun, collaborative community to share theatre and Shakespeare under the summer sun.
Lucas Suchor
Lucas Suchor (he/him) is a junior theatre education major transfer student at Illinois State University. His most recent endeavors at the school have been performing in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film's spring production of A Monster Calls and ongoing performances of Path Pals: a touring production for K-5 audiences.
Izzy Wilson
Izzy Wilson (she/her) is beyond excited to start camp this year! She is a senior at Illinois State University studying as a Theatre Education, and Production, Design, and Technology double major with a minor in Spanish. She began acting at the age of 8 and ultimately fell in love with technical theatre by the age of 13. She hopes to foster an environment which cultivates creativity, collaboration, and community."