BWW Guide: The Best Performing Arts Summer Camps in Orlando

Times have changed since the days of "Summertime, and the livin' is easy." Now or days summertime for kids means a jam packed schedule filled with activities only imaginable to people my age. With so many summer camp options in Orlando it's hard to decide whether performing arts camp should be mixed into that schedule. Whether your kid is passionate about performing or just discovering their talent, performing arts summer camps provide a fun way to hone those skills, find new talents and make a lot of friends.

Performing arts grow self-confidence, teach collaboration, and reawaken creative skills that become latent throughout the year. The specialized performing arts camps in Orlando are exceptional. There is something for every budget and every interest.

For the adults who want to get in on the summer intensive feel without the full week experience, scroll to the bottom to see adult summer performing workshops.

2016 Orlando Summer Camp Guide

Dr. Phillips Center - School of the Arts

These top tier summer performing arts intensives are great for students who really want to cultivate specific parts of their craft. The very popular "Take It From the Top" is a Broadway Intensive that provides well-rounded "triple-threat" training. There are also theater, jazz music, vocal performance, and dance intensives. Each intensive ends with a final showcase performance for family.
Price: Varies depending upon workshop. Scholarships are available.
Dates: First workshop starts June 13th. Each is about a week long.
Register by May 15 to avoid additional late fee.
For more information visit https://www.drphillipscenter.org/arts-education/

Orlando Shakespeare Theater

These camps are great for families with a variety of student ages. The 4 year old to Grade 1 camps introduce campers to basic performance techniques. Every week there is a different show, which is another opportunity for students to learn more. Grades 2-5 have similar performance opportunities. For this age group there is also an interesting option called STEAM CAMP that is a collaborative experience between Orlando Shakes, Orlando Science Center and Orlando Museum of Arts. STEAM CAMP explores the art and science that is involved with making a show. Then there are production camps for middle and high schoolers, which focus on the performance of Shakespeare plays.
Price: Ranges from $200 - $375. Optional lunch is additional cost.
Dates: Starts June 13th for all ages. Usually week long.
Registration Deadline: Day before class starts or until full.
or more information and to register, visit http://www.orlandoshakes.org/education/classes/camps.html or call the Orlando Shakes' Education Department at 407-447-1700.

CFCArts "Broadway Bound" Summer Camp

Central Florida Community Arts provides musical theater camp for all ages Pre-K through 12th grade. For young ones, it's all about exploring the world of music in a fun environment. For 3rd graders and higher, campers begin to learn vocal, dance and theater skills from some well-known Broadway shows. All musical theatre camps end in a showcase for parents. There is also a "Young Artists Orchestra" for ages 6 to 18 for students of all levels for students who play strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion.
Price: Varies
Dates: Each camp starts at a different time beginning June 20th through late July.
Registration Deadline: Anytime up until the camps are full or first start date
To register or learn more visit www.cfcarts.com or contact Katherine Gray, katherine@cfcarts.com, 407-937-1800 Ext 702.

Orlando Rep - Youth Academy Summer Programs

What I like best about Orlando Rep Summer Camp is that there are multiple locations throughout Central Florida including Celebration, Lake Nona, Princeton House Charter School and more. There are camps for all ranging in age from 3 years old to graduating high schoolers. Subjects range based on interest from theater arts to performance intensives with shows designed for young audiences.
Price: Ranges from $85 - $350 depending upon camp type
Dates: Varies depending upon location. Most camps begin at the end of June.
Registration Deadline: 2pm on the Friday prior to the following week's camp or until full.
For more information visit http://www.orlandorep.com/season/summer/

2016 Adult Summer Performance Workshops

Florida Theatrical Association is hosting workshops for high school graduates or older who want to hone their skills in different aspects of theater including singing, acting, directing and auditions. To register or for more information, email Jayne@TeamTrue.com.

June 18: Vocal Intensive Workshop
All participants will present two 32-bar selections and will be split into two groups that will work directly with both instructors.
Instructors: Priscilla Bagley and Andrea Canny
$150 Registration (16 Slots Available). 5 hours long.

July 9: Theater Directing Workshop
A hands-on workshop focused on directing scene work. Each student will present his or her scene at the end of the workshop for feedback. Material will be provided.
Instructor: Kenny Howard
$100 (12 Slots Available). 5 hours long.

July 23: Audition Intensive Master Class
Each student will bring two contrasting monologues and a 32-bar cut that they will present as an "audition." The instructors will provide feedback and coaching in both vocals and monologue.
Instructors: Priscilla Bagley, Andrea Canny and Kenny Howard
$100 (16 Slots Available). 5 hours long.

August 20: "Fly On The Wall" Workshop
Students will present an audition and will be able to be a "fly on the wall" and stay in the audition room to hear deliberations and what goes into choosing the perfect person for a role. This will be followed by a Q&A session with the instructing panel. Sides will be provided. At least one person from this workshop will be cast in a staged reading or workshop for Florida Theatrical Association New Musical Discovery Series, which is a paid opportunity scheduled for the beginning of September.
Instructors: Kenny Howard, Andrea Canny, Priscilla Bagley and Eric Desnoyers
$75 (30 Slots Available). 5 hours long.

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Dr. Phillips Center School of the Arts also has two workshops for adults. For more information visit https://www.drphillipscenter.org/arts-education or cal 407-455-5551.

June 18 - June 19th: Take It From The Top
For adults 19+ who want to dive deep into the disciplines of "triple threat" (music, dance, and theater) this intensive promises to be an experience to learn from experienced Broadway professionals and casting directors. There is also an opportunity to network with professionals in the industry.
$150 (40 spots available)
Register by May 15 to avoid additional late fee.

July 16: Adult Intensive Jazz Music Workshop
Taught by renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker, this class is for jazz musicians seeking opportunity to rehearse as big band and combo. There is an emphasis on jazz performance and improv.
$100 (40 spots available)
Video submission for placement required by June 13th. Register by May 15 to avoid additional late fee.

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Are you or a family member planning to attend any of these camps? Let us know below!

Photo Credit: Dr. Phillips Center - School for the Arts