Banner for 2023 Summer Theatre Camps

Learning, Laughing and Building Confidence Through Theatre

A memorable experience for kids ages 6 - 16.

Supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Banner for 2023 Summer Theatre Camps

Youth Theatre Summer Camps

Campers will learn about acting, scene study, blocking basic improvisation, projection, stage management, lighting and set design.

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 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.

Some sessions will have guest presenters and visits to the Costume House. Back by popular demand are our Comedy Camps.

The camp offers flexibility. Staff student ratio is 1 to 5 for the 6-7 year old group, 1 to 6 for ages 8-10, and 1-7 for ages 11-16.

We offer one week camps but all camps are different so parents can enrol children in multiple camps; discounts are offered on the second and third weeks and will be applied when you check out.

We hire staff in May so stay tuned for bios and pictures. All instructors must have police checks.

Laugh More! Worry Less!
Partnership with Stand Up for Student Well-Being and Two Comedy Camps

Two camps – Funny Bone and Comedy Kids – are being offered for campers age 10-13 and 13-16 by comedy coaches and Toronto comedians plus guest instructors.

Stand UP for Student Well-Being is an innovative Canadian charity featuring trained, industry comedian coaches that teach comedy skills to youth, to nourish well-being and resilience through the intentional use of comedy and healthy humour. They inspire, empower and build confidence. The skills developed in this program not only improve stage presence but also build life skills like public speaking through humour. Comedic self-expression makes for better actors and people.

Maximum camp size is 14 campers.

A limited number of assisted funding spaces are available for the Laugh More! Worry Less! comedy camps. Please contact Sue Stephenson (647-400-2801)

Planning Tips for Multiple Camps

This year campers may take two or three week sessions.

Campers may register for camps back to back or skip a week.

All three Budding Actor (BA) are different. Future Stars (FS) and Name in Lights (NL) integrate with the Comedy (SU) weeks but they can be taken in any order.

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

A discount is applied to the second and third weeks when registering for multiple weeks. The discount will be applied when you check out.
Budding Actors
Ages 6 - 7
Centre Stage
Ages 8 - 10
Future Stars
Ages 10* - 13
Name in Lights
Ages 13* - 16
Funny Bone
Ages 10 - 13
Comedy Kids
Ages 13* - 16
July 3 - 7 BA1 sold out CS1 sold out
July 10 - 14 CS2 FS1 sold out
July 17 - 21 BA2 sold out NL1
July 24 - 28 CS3 sold out SUJR1 sold out
July 31 - August 4 BA3 sold out FS2 sold out
August 7 - 11 CS4 sold out NL2
August 14 - 18 FS3 sold out SUINT1
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

BA1: July 3 - 7, 2023 sold out
BA2: July 17 - 21, 2023 sold out
BA3: July 31 - August 4, 2023 sold out

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$200/week
2 weeks: $380; 3 weeks: $560

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

Acting and staging concepts will be taught through theatre games and a storybook Play and spontaneity with a storytelling approach is a fun way love and learn drama skills.

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

Register →

Centre Stage

Ages 8 - 10

CS1: July 3 - 7, 2023 sold out
CS2: July 10 - 14, 2023
CS3: July 24 - 28, 2023 sold out
CS4: August 7 - 11, 2023 sold out

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$200/week
2 weeks: $380; 3 weeks: $560

The campers in the Centre Stage program will experience the different aspects of theatre including acting, improvisation, costumes and so much more through various activities games and workshops!

Actors will study scripts; specific techniques developing characters on stage will be taught.

There will be a showcase for family and friends on stage in the Firehall Theatre at the end of the week.

Register →

Future Stars

Ages 10* - 13

FS1: July 10 - 14, 2023 sold out
FS2: July 31 - August 4, 2023 sold out
FS3: August 14 - 18, 2023 sold out

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$200/week
2 weeks: $380; 3 weeks: $560

Campers in the Future Stars program will experience theatre camp on a whole new level!

The week will build on previous skills and focus on character development, blocking and acting technique in small scenes. While getting a chance to strut their stuff on stage, they will also get a chance to learn about stage management, lighting and sound!

The campers will be able to explore all aspects of what it takes to put a production together with a finished performance on stage at the Firehall theatre for family and friends at the end of the week.

Register →

Funny Bone Comedy Camp

In partnership with Stand UP for Student Well-Being

Ages 10 - 13

SUJR1: July 24 - 28, 2023 sold out

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$200/week (funding available, see below)
2 weeks: $380; 3 weeks: $560

Do you have a funny kid? Or, maybe a child who could use some more laughter?

This camp is for everyone who loves to laugh. Professional comedian coaches James Island and Christel Bartelse will help kids develop their comedic skills through their personal stories, through stand-up comedy and improv comedy skills.

This camp will tickle anyone’s funny bone!

A limited number of assisted funding spaces are available for the Laugh More! Worry Less! comedy camps. Please contact Sue Stephenson (647-400-2801)

Register →

Name in Lights

Ages 13* - 16

NL1: July 17 - 21, 2023
NL2: August 7 - 11, 2023

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$200/week
2 weeks: $380; 3 weeks: $560

This session is for students interested in pursuing theatre classes in high school or are presently registered in a secondary drama class. The classes teach more advanced skills in acting technique.

Students will explore comedic and dramatic scripts and monologues. They will learn, set design, lighting and basic make up theory. Although most of the instruction will focus on stage acting and production, a NEW unit on dramatic acting skills will be introduced. Students will record an audition tape. The program will also include guest instructors.

In addition to creating an audition tape, actors will perform a showcase and play on stage at the Firehall theatre for family and friends.

Register →

Comedy Kids

In partnership with Stand UP for Student Well-Being

Ages 13* - 16

SUINT1: August 14 - 18, 2023

9:00am - 4:00pm
Firehall Theatre

$200/week (funding available, see below)
2 weeks: $380; 3 weeks: $560

Do you have a kid who is funny and loves to laugh? Or, maybe has lost or hidden their sense of humour lately?

Making people laugh is a gift and a skill. Professional comedian Marc Hallworth knows the tricks of the trade. Marc will teach comedy skills needed to write and/or perform on stage in comedy sets through improv and stand-up comedy skills - and maybe even some sketch comedy.

The focus of this camp is to inspire kids to trust their creative instincts, to find their comedic voices and encourage their self-expression - and have fun!

A limited number of assisted funding spaces are available for the Laugh More! Worry Less! comedy camps. Please contact Sue Stephenson (647-400-2801)

Register →
Health & Safety

We know how difficult the restrictions have been on kids and are excited to provide live instruction where they can socialize and learn in a safe environment.

The Northumberland Players have medical grade air scrubbers and hand sanitizing stations. Provincial protocols and safety practices will be followed for the combination of indoor and outdoor activities.

We are back in a working theatre and the Firehall Theatre will be used for showcases and play performances. As we get closer to the camp weeks we will evaluate government Covid regulations and will inform parents of the safety protocols.

Please keep in mind we tend to be more cautious than government regulations. If government regulations change and alter the class sizes, we will reserve spots according to sign up dates so “the early bird gets the worm.” If parents want a tour of the facility please contact the Artistic director.

Registration Information
  • Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If you are unable to pay online by credit card, please contact us at camps@northumberlandplayers.ca to make alternate arrangements.
Cancellation Policy
  • If for any reason the the camps are cancelled due to government policy changes 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 a $100 refund will be given. 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

If your child is ill during camp we will give a credit for future youth workshops and camps. $40 per day missed.

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.