Banner for 2023 Summer Theatre Camps

Learning, Laughing and Building Confidence Through Theatre

A memorable experience for kids ages 6 - 16.
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Youth Theatre Summer Camps

2026 Registration will be open in March

Campers will learn about acting, scene study, blocking basic improvisation, vocal projection, and character development . Our talented instructors guide young people through the entire process of mounting a production, beginning with the audition through to the final bows.

Campers’ days are packed with fun, games and theatre and music activities chosen to focus and teach stage skills needed for stage performance as well as everyday life. Each week will be tailored to the age and experience of the students.

The camps offer flexibility. NEW this year, we are offering camps that run for 2 weeks. The two week camps allow the students to focus on stage craft and scene study and polishing performance skills as they have a performance on the 10th day.

The Budding Actors camps are all one week camps as the focus is on fun theatre games and building confidence culminating in a final showcase. The single week camps will also have a final play which will culminate in a dress rehearsal performance on day 5.

Campers may take as many ONE week sessions as they please as they work on different plays.

Think about your child’s comfort level. A 13 year old might work well with the younger group if inexperienced and shy, but fit in with the older group if outgoing and with a great deal of stage experience.

Please contact Camp Director Mary Schultz if you have any questions regarding placement.

Camps run from 9am to 4pm at the Firehall Theatre, Cobourg.

Camp Schedule

  Budding Actors
Ages 6 - 7
12 camper max

Centre Stage
Ages 8 - 10
15 camper max

Future Stars
Ages 11 - 13
15 camper max

Name in Lights
Ages 13 - 16
15 camper max

Funny Bone Comedy
Ages 10 - 13
15 camper max

Comedy Kids
Ages 13 - 16
15 camper max
July 7 - 11 BA1 CS1; 2 week camp        
July 14 - 18   FS1      
July 21 - 25 BA2     NL1    
July 28 - August 1   CS2 FS2; 2 week camp   FB1  
August 4 - 8 BA3        
August 11 - 15   CS3   NL2    
August 18 - 22 BA4   FS3     CK1
If you are registering multiple campers, please do one camper at a time so that we can capture their registration information during checkout. Thank you!

Budding Actors

Ages 6 - 7

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$225 for 1 week, $420 for 2 weeks, $630 for 3 weeks

This program focusses on movement through music and acting through improvisation and theatre games.

A showcase will be performed for family and friends on stage on Friday at the Firehall Theatre.

Register Now →

Centre Stage

Ages 8 - 10

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

CS1: $450 for 2-week camp

New 2-week camp: Similar to the one week program but offers more in depth study of character development. Sessions will hone in on acting skills specifically needed to shape a character. Guest instructors including a music instructor who will provide a few vocal music lessons. A play will be performed at the end of week 2.

CS2/CS3: $225 for 1 week, $420 for 2 weeks

1-week camp: The program teaches acting through improvisation, games and scene study. Students will study scripts and various techniques to develop character. They will learn stage terminology. Students will be expressed to the audition process and develop the skills needed to apply stage direction. Students will present a showcase on the Friday.

Register Now →

Future Stars

Ages 11 - 13

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

FS2: $450 for 2-week camp

New 2-week camp: Similar to the one week camp but focusses on the further development of character and stagecraft. The extra time allows students to develop a polished play and apply acting skills in greater depth. Guest instructors including a music instructor who will provide a few vocal music lessons. A play will be performed at the end of week 2.

FS1/FS3: $225 for 1 week, $420 for 2 weeks

Campers will further develop acting skills as they build on previous experiences. Great focus will be placed on scene study and character development in comedy and dramatic scenes. Students will develop auditioning skills, connecting with characters in a scene and develop a further understanding of subtext in scenes to further develop character. Students will perform a play in progress at the end of the week.

Register Now →

Name in Lights

Ages 13* - 16

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$225 for 1 week, $420 for 2 weeks

These sessions are particularly valuable to students interested in pursuing more theatre classes in the future. It is highly recommended for students taking secondary drama courses.

The sessions are full of very focused improv activities and scene study activities to further develop acting skills. Students will study, movement, vocal projection and scene study in both comedy and dramatic scripts.

A show case performance will be performed at the end of the week. Students may take both the courses as they will perform different plays.

*A 13 year old with advanced skills and confidence my take the course.

Register Now →

Funny Bone Comedy & Improv

Ages 10 - 13

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$225 for 1 week, $420 if done with another 1 week camp

Do you have a funny child or a child who could use more laughter?

This camp is for anyone who loves to laugh. It will focus on comedy and improvisation. It is taught by professional comedian and comedy coach, Christel Bartelse.

The camp will help campers develop comedic skills through learning to write comedy and learning comic timing. The camp will include improv games and will culminate in a stand up routine and show case for parents on the Friday.

Register Now →

Comedy Kids

Ages 13* - 16

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$225 for 1 week, $420 if done with another 1 week camp

The camp is taught by two professional comedians, Chili Davidson and Marc Hallworth.

The comedy genre and stand up comedy techniques are taught and further developed for kids who took the camp last year. If you are new to the program no worries as techniques will be reviewed.

The improv games and one on one comedy writing instruction will develop timing and delivery and will focus on laughter and building confidence. If you have a funny kid, then this is the right place. The week will culminate in a comedy showcase for family and friends on the Friday.

Register Now →

Health & Safety

The Northumberland Players have medical grade air scrubbers in every studio.

Provincial protocols and safety practices will be followed for the combination of indoor and outdoor activities.

The studios are air-conditioned.

If parents want a tour of the facility please contact the office.

Registration Information
  • Please fill out the application form in detail. It is important for our staff to know your child. Health information, including mental health, are critical for our preparation.
  • Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your spot is not confirmed until payment is received and you have received a confirmation email from us.
  • Payment instructions are included in the checkout process. 
  • Camps fill very quickly. Last year 12 of 14 camps were sold out.
Cancellation Policy
  • If for any reason the the camps are cancelled before the camps start a full refund will be given.
  • If a camp is cancelled part way through the camp a refund for the days not attended will be given.
  • If you cancel less than 14 days before the start of your session we will not provide a refund unless we fill the spot from a waiting list. A full refund less a $40 admin fee will be given if the spot is filled with a camper on a waiting list.
  • If you cancel after payment but more than 14 days before the start of your session, you will receive a refund less a $40 admin fee.
Illness During Camp
  • Health issues during camp will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Camp Instructors

Emma Aitchison-Madill, camp instructor
Emma Aitchison-Madill is currently studying Theatre at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she has had the opportunity to perform in and direct multiple productions. Her theatre journey began here, at Northumberland Players, with her role of Shere Kahn in The Jungle Book. Emma is also the technical director of Impulse Theatre Company and holds multiple positions at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre. She is very excited to be the Lead for the camp this summer!
Bria Chalovich, camp instructor
Bria Chalovich lives in Cobourg and is a recent graduate of Trinity College School in Port Hope. She is heading to Queen’s University next year for their concurrent education program, with hopes of becoming a teacher. Bria has had a passion for theatre and music her entire life. She has sung in the Trinity United Church youth choirs, La Jeunesse Choirs and the TCS Chapel Choir. She plays the piano and the trumpet in her school’s jazz and winds bands. She has also performed in plays and musicals with La Jeunesse Choirs, Trinity College School, Northumberland Players and Capitol Theatre Kids. She attended Northumberland Players Summer Theatre Camp for many years as a child and was a volunteer mentor last year. Bria is thrilled to be back at the camp this year in the position of counsellor.
Camryn Chalovich, camp instructor
Camryn Chalovich lives in Cobourg and is a graduate of Trinity College School in Port Hope. She plans on attending St Lawrence College in the fall for the joint musical theatre program between St Lawrence College and Queen’s University in the fall. She worked as a camp counsellor at Northumberland Players Theatre camp last summer, and has also worked as a childcare instructor with the Northumberland YMCA in the past. She is a mentor at La Jeunesse Choirs, after participating in the choir for 7 years. She has a great passion for theatre and singing, and has performed in many local productions such as The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde, Honk! The Musical, Peter Pan, and Descendants the Musical. Camryn attended Northumberland Players Summer Theatre Camp for many years in the past, and is very excited to come back as a counsellor this year!
Ethan Edwards, camp instructor
Ethan Edwards is a starting out actor and musician. His dream is to be an entertainer of all kinds but he mostly has a love for music. He plays 8+ instruments and has begun to write songs of his own. He has also seen some time on the stage performing plays, musicals, and music. He is very excited to share and teach his passion this summer.
Mackenzie Smith, camp instructor
Mackenzie Smith is a passionate and driven musician from Cobourg. She has previously attended Acadia University in Nova Scotia, and will be continuing her education in the fall at Wilfred Laurier for performance and opera. In the future, she plans on getting her degree in Music Therapy, a profession she feels is very important, rewarding and inspiring. Mackenzie has always had an immense love for the arts; participating in many musical theatre, dance, and choral performances. She is very excited to be part of a wonderful and talented staff this summer.