TCT Summer Camp
THEATRE DAY OUT 2026
Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten Theatre Camp
Our one-week, half-day theatre camps are the perfect option for all those kiddos who like to act and are imaginative storytellers. Young campers will audition, rehearse and present a short theatrical performance for family and friends on the last day of camp. These performances are adapted from story books and include every camper. Campers will play games, work on craft projects and learn about the basics of theatre. For these sessions, snacks are provided as a part of class.
Youth ages 4 – 5 years who are not enrolled in Kindergarten are eligible to join THEATRE DAY OUT! summer theatre camp experience. Scholarships are available.
$120 | Half Day | 9am – 12pm
TCT 3-WEEK SESSIONS
Session One: June 1 – 18*
$425 | FULL DAY | 8:00am – 4:00pm
A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration. Scholarship opportunities are available. (ages 6+)
Aftercare is available until 5:30 pm for an additional $10 per camper per day.
*TCT is closed for summer camp in observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, 2026. Share Day performances will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Session Two: June 22 – July 10*
$425 | FULL DAY | 8:00am – 4:00pm
A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration. Scholarship opportunities are available. (ages 6+)
Aftercare is available until 5:30 pm for an additional $10 per camper per day.
*TCT is closed for summer camp in observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Session Three: July 13 – 31
$425 | FULL DAY | 8:00am – 4:00pm
A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration. Scholarship opportunities are available. (ages 6+)
Aftercare is available until 5:30 pm for an additional $10 per day.
3-Week Theatre Camp
Our three-week camps are theatre intensive, interactive and engaging. On the first or second day of camp, campers will audition for shows picked by our qualified counselors. Campers will audition, rehearse, and produce published scripts. The camp offers a combination of rehearsal and instruction to build campers’ audition skills, characterization, dance, and improvisation abilities. A variety of theatre games and activities round out these camps to make for a fun, spectacular, challenging and exciting way to spend your summer.
Camp Groups by Age
When you enroll in our three week camp, select an age appropriate group for your camper. A list of our groups can be found below. If you have any group questions please email cassie@topekacivictheatre.com.
Theatre Day Out | Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten
(This is a one-week, half-day camp available for children Ages 4-6)
These youngest campers spend their week in creative play including costumes (aka dress-up), doing arts and crafts, and practicing social skills. They will be provided a snack each day. Their camp will finish with a short presentation highlighting the concepts they have learned.
Superstars | Going into 1st, 2nd or 3rd Grades
Superstars will learn the basics of acting, from auditioning to rehearsal to performance! Fun theatre games, crafts, singing, dancing, and camp-wide activities will help build social skills and confidence for these young performers. These campers must have completed Kindergarten.
Centerstage | Going into 3rd or 4th Grades
Centerstage campers will apply the basics of acting, from auditioning to rehearsal to performance! Fun theatre games, crafts, dancing, and camp-wide activities will help build social skills and confidence for these growing performers. Fundamental reading skills are helpful for this group.
Showtime | Going into 5th Grade
Showtime campers will expand on the fundamentals of acting, including auditioning, staging, and characterization. Theatre games, crafts, dancing, and engaging camp-wide activities- like Movie Day and Field Day- will reinforce social skills and build confidence, culminating in a Share Day performance!
Take Two | Going into 6th or 7th Grades
Take Two campers tackle more challenging scripts and continue to strengthen their performance skills, including learning staging, creating characters, and memorization. Theatre games, crafts, dancing, and engaging camp-wide activities- like Movie Day and Field Day- will reinforce social skills and team building, as well as being fun! Campers will demonstrate their skills in a final Share Day performance.
Primetime | Going into 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grades
Prime Time campers practice more advanced acting, dancing, and staging techniques. They will build their auditioning and performance skills, as well as stage presence, through rehearsals, theatre games, crafts, and camp-wide activities that require social skills, team building, and having fun!! Campers will demonstrate what they have learned in a final Share Day performance.
Tech Camp | Going into 7th Grade or up
(Must be 12 years or older due to the nature of activities)
Topeka Civic Theatre’s Academy camp exclusive! This camp is designed to focus on the technical aspects of theatre. This includes set design and construction, scenic painting, light design and instrument information, sound design and operation, costume design and prop design and execution. Taught by active and knowledgeable technical artists this camp is perfect for a kiddo looking for a hands on approach to theatre. These campers get to do all of the design, execution and props for all of the productions in camp. They may even get to assist with the Academy summer show and certain Mainstage productions!
AFTERCARE OPTIONS
Need a little extra time after camp? We’ve got you covered! Aftercare is available from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM for just $10 per day. Campers will enjoy fun games or relaxed TV time under the supervision of our camp staff. Pick-up will be in the TCT Yellow Classroom located on the second floor.
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 TCT Box Office after registering for your camp session. If you have any general aftercare questions please email Cassie Hermes, TCT Education Director, at cassie@topekacivictheatre.com.
Please note: Campers picked up after 4:00 PM without prior aftercare registration will be charged an aftercare fee.
Learn about more camp opportunities at our sister theatre, Helen Hocker Theater!
Scholarships
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy and Helen Hocker Theater are proud to offer scholarships for the summer 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
CASSIE HERMES, TCT EDUCATION DIRECTOR
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.