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Musical Theater and Performing Arts Summer Camps in Los Angeles and OC

Get into character! Summer Camp photo courtesy of A Noise Within Theatre
Get into character! Summer Camp photo courtesy of A Noise Within Theatre
3/12/23 - By Roberta B

Performing arts summer camp or musical theater camp will be perfect for your future star this summer. Most performing arts summer camps around Los Angeles and Orange County offer a specific show each session, so you can pick your week based on the show or theme that most interests your young thespian. 

Each of these LA summer camps offers something unique—it might be location, depth of offerings, small camp sizes, or after-hours care. And if your child is not interested in performing, maybe a traditional outdoor day camp or a serious STEM camp is just the ticket. Whatever your camper's interests, you'll find fresh ideas in our Summer Camp Guide.

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The yellow brick road leads to summer camp. Photo courtesy of Upstage Theatre Arts Schools
The yellow brick road leads to summer camp. Photo courtesy of Upstage Theatre Arts Schools

Musical Theater and Performing Arts Camps in LA County

The Colburn School

DTLA
June & July
Ages 7 months - 18
An internationally renowned performing arts school located in the cultural corridor of downtown Los Angeles, the Colburn School provides the highest quality music and dance education to students at all levels of development, from those about to embark on professional careers to students just beginning their artistic journey. Summer camps and seminars invite musicians and dancers to enhance their skills, and Summer Saturdays offer beginners an opportunity to try out classes before registering for the fall semester. READ MORE

Upstage Schools

South Pasadena, Oak Park, and Westwood
Sessions at multiple locations from June - August
Ages 5-17
Upstage's summer camps focus on the production of a show from rehearsal through to final performance, with costumes, lighting, and scenery. Each camp session ends with two performances (or in the case of Hamilton, a showcase performance). READ MORE

YADA - Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts

Mid-City & Studio City
June - August
Ages 3-16
YADA offers camps and classes for kids of all ages from tots to teens. Summer camps take place in one or two-week sessions (some are half-day and some are full) at both locations and culminate in an amazing show. READ MORE

A Noise Within

Pasadena
June & July
Ages 3-18
Summer With Shakespeare is the Noise Within summer camp that blends hands-on theatre experience and good old-fashioned fun celebrating the works of the Bard. Kids learn swordplay, acting, improv, set and costume design, and more. The program is open to children of all skill levels ages 3 -18. READ MORE

Summer Acting Camp

La Canada
Session 1: June & Session 2: July
Ages 5-15
Campers are divided by age into small groups these groups move through their ten daily classes together. The camp offers daily classes in acting, improv, magic, musical theatre, movement, and stagecraft and features a different performance theme every week! READ MORE

Kids on Stage - Camps

Santa Monica
Sessions from June - August
Ages 4-15
Kids on Stage is an award-winning theater arts company providing summer programs for children ages 4 to 15. Campers act, sing, dance, create art, and play theater games while learning to collaborate and express themselves in a non-competitive, engaging environment. READ MORE

Performing Arts Workshops Camps

Northridge, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Studio City & West LA
Sessions from June - August
Ages 5-14
PAW offers the ultimate arts experience, from rehearsal to performance, in a safe, nurturing, and non-competitive environment. Offering camps in musical theater, guitar, debate, stage make-up, comedy, and more, PAW lets kids ages 5-14 explore performative arts however they choose. Each musical theatre camp ends in a performance, such as Hamilton, Encanto, High School Musical, or The Little Mermaid.  READ MORE

Emerging Artists Musical Theatre Academy

Torrance & Long Beach
Sessions from June - August
Ages 5-17
Emerging Artists Musical Theatre Academy is a children's theater company specializing in musical theater. Kids ages 5 and up can enroll in camp and be a part of shows such as Mulan, Oliver, and Seussical.  READ MORE

Theatre 31 - Camps

Venice / Santa Monica
June - August
Ages 7-13 & 12-17
Theatre 31 Camps have been making theatrical magic for years, creating musical theater productions that are fun to perform and fun to watch. All kids get a shot at a good role, and the final production is always impressive.  READ MORE

Santa Monica Playhouse

Santa Monica
June - August
Ages 7-11
Weekly workshops and week-long theatre camps take kids on a fun-filled creative jaunt to create their own mini-play! Check the schedule for when camps and classes are being held for every age group. Santa Monica Playhouse also offers teen theatre workshops.  READ MORE

Theatre 360

Santa Monica
Session 1: June & Session 2: July
Ages 3-19
Theatre 360 students are embraced as aspiring artists with stories to tell, songs to sing, and dances to create. Children with the ability to jump on stage at a moment's notice and those who need a little more encouragement all flourish at Theatre 360. This is considered one of the more affordable theatre camps in LA, with options availble for your preschoolers all the way up to high school aged thespians.  READ MORE

ESCAPE Theatre Summer Camps

Santa Clarita
July & August
Ages 7-16
Get ready to sing, dance, and have a blast while learning theatre fundamentals at a summer camp with ESCAPE Theatre. This phenomenal childrens' theatre company has both a camp and a showcase running this summer for kids ages 7 - 16.  READ MORE
Time to take your curtain call. Photo courtesy of Center Stage Studio
Time to take your curtain call. Photo courtesy of Center Stage Studio

Musical Theater and Performing Arts Camps in Orange County

Center Stage Studio

Aliso Viejo
Sessions from June - August
Ages 4-18
Center Stage offers themed camps featuring daily theater techniques, rehearsals, and lots of games to keep things fun. CSS is a community that empowers and refines students with artistic talents that can be used on and off the stage for the rest of their lives. Day and night camps are available, with sibling discounts and a variety of different shows throughout the summer, including Encanto, Mean Girls, Hamilton, and Matilda.  READ MORE

Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County

Newport Beach
July & August
Ages 8-16
MTA has been around for more than 30 years, giving OC kids a chance to shine on stage. Classes run all year at the academy, and summer camp this year in an intensive 3-week musical theatre workshop for students ages 8 to 16. READ MORE

South Coast Repertory Theater Conservatory

Costa Mesa
July & August
Ages 8-15
Two-week summer camps at South Coast Rep focus on a variety of theatrical skills, including musical theater. Campers learn the process from audition through performance, including how to act a song and sing a scene. Morning or afternoon sessions are available. READ MORE

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About the Author

Roberta Brown

Editor-in-Chief

Years spent at Nickelodeon prepared Roberta to launch Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles branch in 2011, eventually becoming Mommy Poppins Editor-in-Chief in 2013. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which works out well for her son, who has grown up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.

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