Summer Camps
Located in beautiful Gage Park, Helen Hocker Theater offers a unique camp experience for children who want to enhance their theater skills, be creative and enjoy outdoor adventures. Our 2026 Summer Camps will run in three sessions:
Session One | June 1 – 18
Session Two | June 22 – July 10
Session Three | July 13 – 31
Experience theatre magic – with some new friends – at HHT’s Summer Camp!
camper groups
Broadway Bound is a half-day “theatre day out” camp for ages 5–7 filled with outdoor fun, dress-up days, and on-stage adventures — all in beautiful Gage Park! They will be provided a snack each day to fuel their creativity.
Monday – Friday
8 AM – 11 AM
for 3 weeks
These youngest campers spend their week in creative play including costumes (aka dress-up), doing arts and crafts, and practicing social skills. Their camp will finish with a short performance highlighting the concepts they have learned.
Campers ages 8–9 will explore a world of theatrical expression — from improv and puppetry to dance, mime, makeup, music, and more. Each session ends with a special showcase where campers share their original creations with family and friends!
Monday – Friday
8 AM – 3 PM
for 3 weeks
These campers will explore different forms of theatre performance and expression during each of the sessions. They will work as a team to create a final showcase, tying in with the session theme, which may incorporate a variety of skills such as improvisation, puppetry, dance, singing/rap, mime, theatrical makeup, costuming, etc. Campers will share their showcase of creations and performance pieces with family and friends on the last two days of each session.
Step into the spotlight and behind the scenes. In this unique summer camp experience, kids ages 10-11 will:
- Write original scripts
- Act in each other’s plays
- Design costumes, props & sets
- Learn technical theatre skills
- Perform their creations for family & friends!
It’s a hands-on, all-in-one experience where young artists dive into every part of the production process — from concept to curtain call.
Monday – Friday
8 AM – 3 PM
for 3 weeks
Campers will experience all aspects of a production from concept to performance. Campers work in teams to create original scripts. The focus is on writing, characterization, dialogue, and performance, while also learning about technical aspects of staging a short play. Quality arts training with a chance to write, perform, and tech all rolled into one! Campers perform for family and friends the final two days of the session.
This camp is designed for middle schoolers, ages 12-13, who want to sharpen their stage presence and explore behind-the-scenes theatre magic! Campers will:
- Audition, rehearse & perform a published script
- Learn improv, dance, and characterization
- Help build sets, props & costumes
- Get an intro to stage management
- Perform for a public audience at the end of camp!
Monday – Friday
8 AM – 3 PM
for 3 weeks
This camp offers a combination of rehearsal and instruction to build campers` audition skills, characterization, dance, and improv abilities. Campers may also help create set, props, and costumes and learn stage management basics. This class prepares campers to enter our Bath House Players program (starting at age 14/going into their freshman year of high school). Two days of public performances will conclude the camp session. (Campers get two complimentary tickets and additional tickets are $3 each.)
SCHOLARSHIPS & AFTERCARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE!
A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration. Scholarship opportunities, in accordance with Shawnee County Parks + Recreation guidelines, are available. Aftercare is available from 3:00 – 5:30 pm for an additional $15 per day.
*HHT will be closed for summer camp in observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, 2026. Share Day performances will be held on Thursday, June 18. HHT will also be closed in observance Independence Day on Friday, July 3, 2026.
ABOUT OUR CAMPS
Helen Hocker Theater has a long and rich tradition of providing outstanding summer camp opportunities for the youth of Shawnee County. Camps are a fun, creative and constructive way to build confidence, use creativity, collaborate with a team, and develop public speaking skills.
HHT’s camp is located in beautiful Gage Park and our campers have opportunities to enjoy many of the features of the park. In case of bad weather, indoor facilities are available.
Our camps offer something for all ages and skill levels, indulging just-for-fun campers and those who want to hone their theatre skills.
At the end of each session, campers will perform their show for friends and family.
OUR GOALS FOR YOUTH
To stress the value and importance of each individual.
To seek the best in each individual and to guide them in their creative process.
To provide a quality artistic experience.
To provide top-notch learning in a fun environment.
Welcome to Camp
We hope you are as excited to join us are we are to have you at Summer Camp 2026!
Here are a few details to help you prepare for the first day of theatre fun & adventure.
DROP OFF & PICK UP DETAILS
Drop-off begins at 7:45 AM.
Camp starts promptly at 8:00 AM.
Pick-up is at 3:00 PM.
Broadway Bound pick-up is 11:00 AM
Please be sure to check your camper in and out each day with their counselor.
Everyone must complete the Pick-up Authorization Form linked below. Anyone listed on your camper’s Pick-up Form—including parents/guardians—must present a government-issued ID to HHT staff to verify authorization before we release your camper.
WHAT TO BRING
- A lunch and refillable water bottle every day.
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes (we play games, move a lot, and may get a little messy!)
- Pencil and script (once they receive it)
- Sunscreen and/or bug spray, if desired
You can find more details, like the daily schedule, special activities and performance dates, in the Parent Info Packet that is sent to the parent/guardian email provided at registration.
NEW! AFTERCARE OPTIONS
Need a little extra time after camp? We’ve got you covered! Aftercare is available from 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM for just $15 per day for those in Star Struck Players, Production Workshop or Break-a-Leg Players groups. Campers will enjoy fun games or relaxed TV time under the supervision of our camp staff. Pick-up will be in the HHT Administrative Building Classroom next to Helen Hocker Theater.
Aftercare is a flexible option for busy families! Sign up for one day, just Wednesdays, or all camp days—whatever fits your schedule. To sign up, contact the HHT Box Office after registering for your camp session.
Please note: Campers picked up after 3:15 PM without prior aftercare registration will be charged an aftercare fee.
Scholarships
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy and Helen Hocker Theater are proud to offer scholarships for youth theatre programming. Each scholarship requires a separate application. For example, if you would like to apply for scholarships for Helen Hocker Theater, you must use the HHT scholarship application form and submit it to the HHT Box Office. If your child would like to attend a TCT summer camp session, you must use a TCT scholarship application form and submit it to the TCT Box Office. There are two merit-based scholarships that have additional requirements. See all scholarships that are offered using the LEARN MORE button below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
JOANNA LASSLEY, HHT ARTISTIC & EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Learn about more camp opportunities at our sister theatre, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy!
Additional Information
Children with special needs are welcome at Topeka Civic Theatre and Helen Hocker Theater camps and classes. Our camps and classes are available to children who are fully toilet trained, able to individually participate within our counselor-to-child ratio groups, and interact socially and comfortably with peers of their own age and physical size.
We are unable to provide one-on-one counselor care, a counselor with specialty training, or counselor-assisted medical attention. After a session starts if it is determined that a child’s needs exceed our ability to provide as detailed above, a refund will not be given.
NEW! FAMILY PROFILES & ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Before you enroll, set up your family profile
1. Create a new account
2. Add your information (parent or purchaser) FIRST
3. Once you have added yourself, add another parent and/or child(ren) to your profile
4. Begin enrollment
Additional features and instructions:
- With our new enrollment platform, you can use the options on the left to filter by age, by session and by location (TCT or Helen Hocker Theater).
- We recommend filtering by age range first to ensure you enroll the student in the appropriate class/camp group.
- Select “register” for the camp/class and choose the student listed in your family profile under “select attendees”.
- On the top right, select the “reserve class” button.
- From here you can add another student to the same class/camp session by selecting “add more” or “continue shopping” to enroll in a different class/camp session.
- When you have completed adding sessions/students to enroll, go to your cart or select “checkout”.
- You may consider adding a donation to the education programs with your enrollment. Select the donation option that is best for you and click “continue”.
- Be sure to check the boxes located in the “legal” section and add emergency contact information under “class registration” on the review page at check-out.
- Continue to payment. Add payment information. Once you select “submit” at the top right, your students will be enrolled. Look for a confirmation email.
- Scholarships are available. Scroll down for more details or contact the Box Office.
- At the end of each class/camp session, Share Times will be open for friends and family. Tickets for the performance will be $3 each and can be purchased through the enrollment link or the Box Office. Students will be required to perform in Share Performances.