Confidence. Creativity. Connections.

These are just a few of the positives that families report seeing in their children after attending GREAT Summer Camps. After a year of pared-back offerings, we are thrilled to return with new themes and stories while keeping the smaller class sizes and focus on the joy that live theatre brings!

Camps are designed to meet the needs of each individual participant whether they are a seasoned performer or someone stepping on stage for the first time. With a renewed focus on process and skill development, additional intensive opportunities, new stories as well as past favorites, we are excited to offer a thrilling experience for all of our young theatre artists.

Welcome back to a summer of creating, playing, learning, and fun!

2022 SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE

SCHOLARSHIP REQUEST FORM

We are committed to the safety of our campers, teaching artists, and families. GREAT will continue to follow MDH and CDC guidelines effective at the time camp occurs. As of right now, that means masks will not be required

Camp dates, times and locations subject to change.

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

BUILD CONFIDENCE. MAKE ART.
BE CREATIVE. MEET NEW FRIENDS. HAVE FUN. PLAY. BE GREAT.

These camps have been a great experience to help my children open up and express themselves, connect to the community, grow as people, and find talents they didn’t know they had!

My son’s connection to GREAT Theatre has changed his life and opened him up to new friendships and experiences that he could never get anywhere else.

“This was an exceptional way for my son to spend a week of his summer vacation. It has given him increased confidence!”

“Another GREAT Theatre camp! My son can’t wait until next summer. He was so sad when it was all over!”

“Your programs generosity with scholarships means the world to our family!”

GREAT EDUCATION: Play for All Stages

 

Led by professional teaching artists, each camp is designed to explore the artistic process of creating theatre and building life skills through quality arts education. Consider this your invitation to transform your child’s life. 

Register for the grade your student will be entering in the fall 2022.

STORY PLAY: AGES 4-KINDERGARTEN

2 hour session per day | $100

Discover the worlds of your favorite books and movies through singing, dancing, and theatre games. Spend a week making new friends, cultivating imagination, and working as a team as we enter the creative world of theatre. Creative Drama camps are built to help kids develop social skills and harness creativity and imagination.

Highlights:

  • Wearable Craft
  • Singing, Dancing, and Theatre Games!
  • Friday Show-And-Tell for family and friends!

 

DANCIN’ DISNEY Join us for a dancing adventure as we sing and move along to our favorite Disney songs! Includes music from Moana, Encanto, Frozen, and more!

LET’S GO! Thumpa-thumpa, bumpa-bumpa! BEEP BEEP BEEP! Join Little Excavator, the dogs from Go, Dog, Go! and more in a musical and story adventure exploring the wheels, wings, and rails that make us move.

PAGE TO STAGE: GRADE 1 & 2

3 hour session per day | $150

Discover the worlds of your favorite books and movies through singing, dancing, and theatre games. Spend a week making new friends, cultivating imagination, and working as a team as we enter the creative world of theatre. Creative Drama camps are built to help kids develop social skills and harness creativity and imagination.

Highlights:

  • Wearable Craft
  • Singing, Dancing, and Theatre Games!
  • Friday Show-And-Tell for family and friends!

 

MAGICAL CREATURES Polish your unicorn horn and get your dragon-fire ready! We’re going on an adventure to a magical land. Release your imagination and let your creativity soar as we explore the stories of magical creatures.

SPACE ADVENTURES 3…2…1…BLAST OFF! Let’s go to the moon and explore space in a theatrical adventure like never before! Combining picture books, theatre games, and creative movement, campers explore stories that are OUTTA THIS WORLD!

CREATE-A-PLAY: grades 3-6

4 hour session per day | $200

Create-A-Play inspires kids to create their own play! Spend a fun week making new friends, telling stories, and working together to develop and perform an original play. This is a unique experience for kids with a strong imagination and enthusiasm for telling stories. Rather than only focusing on performance, kids will craft the story they will perform!

Highlights:

  • Costume Accessories & Props
  • Introduction to Acting
  • Friday Sharing for family and friends!

 

SPY MISSION TOP SECRET. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create an original spy adventure with your fellow campers. You have one week to create and perform a play that explores the mystery and intrigue of a spy adventure.

SCRIPT TO STAGE: grades 3-6

4 hour session per day | $200

Take the stage and perform in a fully scripted short play. Page to Stage is a great introduction to acting and provides an opportunity to learn the basic skills required for performance. Walk away with performance skills, projection, diction, and confidence.

Highlights:

  • Costume Accessories & Props
  • Introduction to Acting
  • Friday Sharing for family and friends!

 

TORTOISE AND THE HARE It’s race day and all the animals are headed to the finish line! But does the slow old tortoise have a chance to win? Discover if slow and steady is really better than fast in this modern retelling of the well-known fable, The Tortoise and the Hare.

PERFORMANCE SERIES: Grades 4-12

All Day | $350

Do you like to sing, dance, and act? Begin to develop the skills of Broadway stars with the Performance Series. These camps offer a glimpse at the process and skills needed to be in a show. Everyone auditions, everyone performs, everyone experiences the thrill of theatre.

Highlights:

  • Full Costume & Props
  • Microphones 🎤
  • Friday Performance for family and friends!

 

MUSICAL: Annie KIDS | Grades 4-12 | The Broadway Musical about a spunky orphan girl who gets it all. Featuring the beloved songs “Tomorrow,” “Hard Knock Life,” and many more!

MUSICAL: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr | Grades 4-12 | An under the sea adventure based on the movie Disney’s The Little Mermaid!

MUSICAL: Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS | Grades 4-12 | A jumpin’, jazzy, and swingin musical based on Disney’s The Jungle Book!

PLAY: Peter Pan | Grades 4-12 | Follow the second star to the right to get to Neverland. Join Tink, Peter, and Wendy as they battle Captain Hook in this inventive adaptation.

PLAY: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Grades 7-12 | Forbidden love, playfully vengeful fairies, and a midsummer night make for a silly frolic in the woods in this one act version of one of William Shakespeare’s most loved comedies.

Intensives: Grades 6-12

3 hour session per day | $150

Dive into the aspects of theatre through skill-building intensives! Whether interested in developing scripts or onstage performance, intensives allow students to hone their theatrical skills.

 

PLAYWRITING | Grades 6-8 | Join us as we explore a world of magical realms and kingdoms. Using improv skills and creative thinking, students will write original scripted scenes based on their favorite iconic characters or imagine new ones. This intensive concludes with a Friday showcase performance of their final play.

SKETCH COMEDY & IMPROV | Grades 9-12 | The masters of Saturday Night Live had to start somewhere! Learn the basics of improvisation and sketch writing using creative techniques adapted from SNL and Second City to develop an original showcase for family and friends!

MUSICAL THEATRE: HAMILTON | Grades 7-12 | Be in the room where it happens. This vocal and choreography intensive will give you the tools to master the complexity of Hamilton. This Intensive concludes with a Friday showcase performance. You won’t wanna miss this shot!

MUSICAL THEATRE: YOU WILL BE FOUND | Grades 9-12 | Become a singular sensation! Learn songs and choreography from the most popular Broadway musicals, including Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls, Be More Chill, Wicked, and Six. Get an in depth lesson in performance, technique, and style to help you shine. This intensive concludes with a Friday showcase performance.

Special partnership opportunity: grades 9-12

All Day | $200

DEVISED THEATRE: Stearns History Museum Shakespeare used history as a starting place for many of his plays. In partnership with the Stearns County History Museum, campers will research local history, craft a unique story, and devise a new theatrical piece that will be performed at the Stearns County History Museum.

2022 summer theatre camp schedule

CLICK TO SEARCH CAMPS

View the schedule by week below or click the button above to search by age or location.

Register for the grade your student will be entering in the fall 2022. Led by professional teaching artists, each camp is designed to explore the artistic process of creating theatre and building life skills through quality arts education.

REGISTERING FOR MULTIPLE CAMPS OR MULTIPLE KIDS?

Multiple kids for the same camp:
1. Add camp to cart once.
2. Click the shopping cart icon in upper right corner.
3. Click check out.
4. On the next page, add multiple campers to the camp.

Multiple camps:
1. Add ALL camps to cart.
2. Click the shopping cart icon in upper right corner.
3. Click check out.
4. On the next page, add campers to each camp.

 

Camp dates, times and locations subject to change.

Pick-Your-Price Registration!

Our full registration fee represents the amount that it costs GREAT to bring theatre camps to our community. To make sure that every student has access to the transformative power of theatre camp, we offer a pick-your-price registration option that is available to each and every family. Scholarships are confidential and available for every camp, in every location, every week in limited quantities. 

To register for camp using a pick-your-price scholarship, complete the request form. You’ll be asked to indicate your top three camp choices (specific camp, week, and location) as well as the amount you plan to pay towards the registration fee. Recipients make some payment towards the class, but the amount is up to the individual family. We will process your request and you’ll receive a confirmation of your registration along with a link to make your payment online. Payments must be received at least two weeks prior to when the camp begins. Register now. Pay later!

PICK-YOUR-PRICE REQUEST FORM

GREAT Theatre is able to provide educational programming and continue supporting families, teaching artists, and our partner locations through class registration fees and the generosity of donors. 
Thank you to our 2022 camp sponsor:

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Camps are designed for specific grade and developmental levels, and we encourage you to register your student accordingly. Registration is determined by the grade your student will be entering in the fall of 2022. Please reach out if you have questions about which camp is best for your student. 

For the safety of all campers – parents, caregivers, family members (including siblings), and friends are not able to observe/sit-in on camp. Our camps and intensives are designed for student participation, and we find that students focus better and participate more fully when family members are not in the room. Family members and friends are welcomed and encouraged to attend the sharing/performance/showcase on the final day of camp.

 

GREAT Theatre summer camps are process-focused camps as growth happens most in the rehearsal room. With this in mind, most camps culminate with a show and tell, sharing, or performance for families and friends. Please see camp-specific details on our Registration and Schedule pages to see if and what kind of performance your camp has. 

GREAT performs at a variety of locations from blackbox theatres to school performing arts centers to churches, all of which have stages of varying types. While some camps rehearse in classrooms, all camp sharings/showcases/performances will take place on a stage. 

Parents may record a video of the performance for personal use, but per production licenses GREAT is not permitted to record or distribute video of performances.

We encourage campers to dress in comfortable clothing that they can move in. Please have your student wear rubber-soled, closed-toed shoes. 

For costumed camps’ performance days, students will need a base layer: shorts/leggings and t-shirt/tank-top to wear underneath their costume. More detailed information will follow. 

For non-costumed camps’ performance days, we encourage students to wear their GREAT Theatre Summer Camp t-shirt, unless otherwise specified. 

Because GREAT camps are focused on the process of learning and building theatre skills, not all camps are costumed. This may mean your student will be creating a costume craft, using pieces from a costume trunk, wearing a full costume, or showcasing their GREAT Theatre Summer Camp shirt. Please see camp-specific details on our Registration and Schedule pages.

Because GREAT serves over a thousand students at 15 locations each summer, not all of our camps have microphones. In 2022 our Performance Series camps will utilize microphones.

If a camp is full, you may sign up for the wait list. If a spot becomes available, you will be alerted via email. You claim your spot within 24 hours. If we do not receive payment within 24 hours, your Wait List reservation will be canceled and the spot will be offered to the next student in line.

Yes, to make sure that every student has access to the transformative power of theatre camp we offer a pick-your-price scholarship program available to each and every family. Scholarships are confidential and available for every camp, in every location, every week. Visit the scholarship tab for more information.

As of right now, masks will not be required however GREAT will continue to follow current MDH and CDC guidelines for Youth Enrichment and reserves the right to update this policy to reflect guidelines effective at the time camp occurs.  If this changes, we will alert all registrants via email with at least 2 weeks notice. 

 

This depends on the location. We are working with our partners to identify a designated outdoor space at each location, with a few exceptions: camps at GREAT Studios/Paramount Center for the Arts will be indoors only; camps at the Sartell Community Center will take place primarily outdoors with an indoor space to be used as a back-up when weather conditions are not favorable (excessive heat, wind, rain, etc.). Teaching Artists are encouraged to conduct class outdoors as much as possible. Snack and lunch will be conducted outdoors, weather permitting. 

Proof of vaccinations or negative test are not required for campers. GREAT is requiring proof of Covid vaccination for 2022 summer teaching artists.

When available, employees, campers and volunteers will wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When this is not an option, use sanitizer containing at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. Employees, campers and volunteers should also wash their hands at the beginning and end of each shift and break, after using the restroom, sneezing, touching their face, blowing their nose, cleaning, eating, or drinking. Hand sanitizing will be conducted at drop-off, pick-up, and after each class activity. Additional hand washing & sanitizing will be implemented as needed. GREAT will provide hand sanitizer in the classroom and at entrances/exits. Students are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer.

Classrooms, restrooms, and hallways will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily by staff and custodial professionals provided by the venue of the camp. High-touch surfaces with the classroom or theater will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day by our teaching artists. If class supplies must be shared, they will be cleaned and sanitized before and after use and students will wash their hands.

No, all of GREAT 2022 summer theatre camps are in-person. 

  • There is a 20% administrative fee for cancellations; must give 2 weeks advance notice.
  • There are no refunds for cancellations made within 2 weeks of the start of camp.
  • Students may transfer camp sessions (based on availability) 2+ weeks before a class begins. Class transfers requested less than two weeks before a class begins may not be accommodated. If camp registration fees are not equal, any cost difference must be paid at the time of transfer.
  • Refunds will be considered for students with COVID-19 symptoms.

If GREAT cancels a camp for ANY reason prior to the camp starting, you may join a different class or receive a full refund.

We will follow all current CDC and MDH guidelines regarding decisions for how camp proceeds if there are positive tests or potential exposures. In the event of a cancellation or exposure you will be alerted via text and email. In the event of a positive COVID-19 case within a camp that requires it to be cancelled, a prorated refund will be issued.

Cancellation, Refund, & Transfer Policy

  • There is a 20% administrative fee for cancellations; must give 2 weeks advance notice.
  • There are no refunds for cancellations made within 2 weeks of the start of camp.
  • Students may transfer camp sessions (based on availability) 2+ weeks before a class begins. Class transfers requested less than two weeks before a class begins may not be accommodated. If camp registration fees are not equal, any cost difference must be paid at the time of transfer.
  • Refunds will be considered for students with COVID-19 symptoms.

If GREAT cancels a camp for ANY reason prior to the camp starting, you may join a different class or receive a full refund. 

We will follow all current CDC and MDH guidelines regarding decisions for how camp proceeds if there are positive tests or potential exposures. In the event of a cancellation or exposure you will be alerted via text and email. In the event of a positive COVID-19 case within a camp that requires it to be cancelled, a prorated refund will be issued. 

No Tree Nuts / No Peanuts
To ensure the safety of all of our campers, we have a strict no-nut policy for both peanuts and tree-nuts (including hazelnut products such as Nutella).

Electronic Device Policy
To encourage our value of ensemble and relationship building, cellphones and other electronic devices are not to be used during camp (including breaks). If brought to camp, they should be kept on silent and in a bag. GREAT is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen belongings. Parents are welcome to call GREAT Theatre at 320.258.2787 if they need to contact their student(s).

Pick-Up & Drop-Off
In consideration of our staff members and to ensure safety of all campers, GREAT asks that campers be dropped-off for class no earlier than 10 minutes before camp start time. Campers must be picked-up for class no later than 5 minutes after camp end time. GREAT reserves the right to charge families a fee of $1 per minute for late pick-ups.

Observation
For the safety of all campers – parents, caregivers, family members (including siblings), and friends are not able to observe/sit-in on camp. Our camps and intensives are designed for student participation, and we find that students focus better and participate more fully when family members are not in the room. Family members and friends are welcomed and encouraged to attend the sharing/performance/showcase on the final day of camp!

GREAT Child Safety Policy
It is the policy of the GREAT to ensure all youth are safeguarded from physical, sexual and emotional harm while taking part. GREAT requires that all staff, instructor, volunteer, production staff and other paid or voluntary helpers working with young people follow the following policy set out below.

GREAT Theatre is committed to valuing each young person, irrespective of sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, abilities, or background. We are a safe space for all.

Please read our complete Child Safety Policy here. 

Camp Locations and Directions

With 14 locations spanning every neighborhood in central Minnesota, GREAT Theatre is around every corner.

Special thanks to each of our 2022 summer camp partners:

Albany High School
Blattner Energy Arts Theatre (BEAT)
30 Forest Ave
Driving Directions
Enter at the BEAT main entrance. Door 36

Becker High School – Small Theatre
12000 Hancock St SE
Becker, MN 55308
Driving Directions

Cathedral High School – Holy Angels Theater
312 7th Ave N
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Driving Directions
Enter door #20 -main entrance. Free parking in school lot.

College of Saint Benedict – Gorecki Theatre
CSB Benedicta Arts Center
St. Joseph, MN 56374
Driving Directions
Enter in door west side of building near parking lot 6

Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre
GREAT World Headquarters
710 Sundial Drive
Waite Park, MN 56387
Driving Directions
Next to Crafts Direct – enter through Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre door on south side of building

Melrose High School
546 North 5th Ave E
Melrose, MN 56352
Driving Directions
Enter through Door #13

GREAT Studios // Paramount Theatre
Monday-Thursday // rehearsal at GREAT Studios. 919 W St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 3rd floor.
Friday // rehearsal and performance at the Paramount Theatre, 913 W St. Germain St., St. Cloud
Driving Directions

Sartell Middle School
748 7th St N
Sartell, MN 56377
Driving Directions
Enter South Door and meet in room 830

Sartell Outdoor Community Center
850 19th Street South
Sartell, MN 56377
Driving Directions
Meet by the marquee/GREAT sign in front of the building. 

Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School
901 1 St S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Driving Directions
Enter door #4 (left side of Community Arts Center). Free parking in school lot. 

Stearns History Museum
235 S 33rd Ave S
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Driving Directions

Tech High School
4200 33rd St S
St Cloud, MN 56301
Driving Directions

We want to ensure that everyone has a healthy and fun week! Here are some reminders:

NOTES: Other details and instructions will be sent home with your camper on Mondays and Thursdays. Please make sure your camper gives these to you.

SLEEP: Campers need a good night’s rest to provide them with the energy they’ll need for each day of camp.

WHAT TO WEAR: Campers should wear rubber-soled shoes and comfortable clothing that they can move in. NO FLIP FLOPS.

HYDRATE: Campers are encouraged to bring a water bottle to camp each day.

EAT: Campers should eat before coming to camp and bring snack/lunch based on the camp they are attending:

  • Story Play (PreK/K) – NO FOOD
  • Page to Stage (1st & 2nd) – snack
  • Create-a-Play and Script-to-Stage (3rd-6th) – snack
  • Performance Series (4th-12th)- lunch and snack
  • Intensives (6th-12th) – snack

CHECKING IN: Each day, our camp staff will check each camper in and out at the door to the auditorium or classroom. Campers are to enter through the designated entrance for their specified camp location. Before entering, you will be met by a camp instructor to answer safety questions. Younger children are to be accompanied by ONE adult to the front door to help with the check-in questions, but adults will not be allowed past the entrance area. Please make sure your child checks out with a staff person each day. 

ATTITUDE: Campers should be prepared for an awesome week. They should come ready to learn and have fun! NO CELL PHONES PLEASE. Instructors have phones if emergencies happen or calls need to be made.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: If your child will be absent, or in case of emergency during your week of camp, please call our office at 320.258.2787 so we may contact your child’s instructor.