McCarter Theatre Center

McCarter Theatre Center runs a summer theater day camp in Princeton, New Jersey, in which campers create and perform an original play from scratch under the guidance of professional teaching artists. Each session is built around a new theme that campers interpret collectively, developing a story, original characters and dialogue before rehearsing toward a final informal sharing for invited guests. Because every session uses a different theme, students can attend one session or several for a new experience each time. Camps are grouped by age as Players (6-7), Company (8-9), Troupe (10-11), Performers (12-15) and Ensemble (13-17). Sessions run Monday through Friday, roughly 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and campers bring a bagged lunch. Each camp generally serves 10 to 17 children with two teaching artists, all of whom have cleared criminal background checks. Camp meets at the theatre and on the Princeton University campus, and need-based scholarships are available.

Camps run Monday-Friday in five sessions, one a one-week intensive and the rest two weeks. Drop-off 8:50-9:00 am, pick-up 3:00-3:10 pm, with a 12-1 pm bagged-lunch break. Each camp serves roughly 10-17 children with a Lead and an Assistant Teaching Artist. Registration is online only. Camps meet at McCarter Theatre Center and on the Princeton University campus.