CAMP FAQS

We’re thrilled to return in 2025 with THREE dynamic summer camp offerings, expanding our reach to inspire and engage even more young artists in our community!

At Calliope, we believe in the power of storytelling to build connections, and we’ve carefully designed our summer camps to complement one another, cater to a range of artistic interests, and foster collaboration across age groups. Read on to see how our camps will make that happen in 2025!

Teen Playwriting Intensive (Ages 12-18)

Back by popular demand, our Teen Playwriting Intensive returns—this time with an expanded age range (12-18) and additional days to allow for deeper script development. Participants will explore the fundamentals of playwriting while collaboratively crafting two original scripts. These scripts will then be handed off to our Youth Theatre Camps for full-scale production, offering playwrights the rare opportunity to see their work come to life.

Additionally, teens in this intensive will have the option to serve as production assistants in our Youth Camps, gaining firsthand experience in how a script evolves from page to stage.

Summer Youth Theatre Camps

Once the scripts are written, it’s time for production! This year, our Youth Theatre Camps are expanding to two weeks—each with a unique focus. Students are invited to join us for one or both camps (discount applied to students attending both):

🔹 Week 1: Design & Production Tech Camp
A brand-new offering for young artists interested in the behind-the-scenes magic of theatre! This camp will introduce students to scenic design, costumes, props, and other essential elements of theatrical production. Participants will take their creative ideas from concept to reality, exploring age-appropriate principles of text analysis, critical thinking, color theory, form/function, and resourcefulness.

🔹 Week 2: Youth Theatre Performance Camp
For students eager to take the stage, this week is all about acting, singing, and dancing! Young performers will bring the Teen Playwriting Intensive’s scripts to life in a fully staged production, culminating in a final performance open to the public.

We’re beyond excited to guide young artists through the theatre-making process, from page to stage. Most of all, we can’t wait to welcome your student into our vibrant creative community this summer!

Teen Playwriting Intensive. This intensive will take place May 26-30 from 3:30-6pm, and May 31st from 12-5:30pm.

Youth Technical Theatre Camp. This day camp will take place June 2-6 from 9am-3pm each day.

Youth Performance Camp. This day camp will take place June 9-13 from 9am-3pm each day.

Our Teen Playwriting Intensive is intended for ages 12-18. Our Youth Camps are intended to serve youth ages 6-14.

Participants in the Teen Playwriting Intensive will get a crash course in playwriting fundamentals and then learn further by doing - through prompt exercises, creative writing activities, and improvisational work. Note that there may be some minimal additional writing required outside of the regular Intensive meeting hours. By the end of the Intensive, participants will have collaborated on two short scripts that will then be designed, rehearsed, and performed in the Youth Camps that follow, which means these Playwrights will have a chance to see their work come to life in performance!

Additionally, all Teen Playwriting Intensive participants will have the option to join the Youth Theatre Camps the following two weeks as Production Assistants, getting a front row seat for their scripts in action. We’ve developed this intensive to encourage young writers to tell their stories and share their perspectives of the world, and then use their artistry to serve as young leaders in our Community. By sharing and engaging with kids of other ages through theatre, we hope participants in both camps will benefit from our Teens leading by example and bravely lending their voices.

Participants in our Youth Technical Theatre Camp will spend five full days rotating through various theatrical design-based classes for instruction in design for set, props, costumes, lighting, and sound. Over the course of the week, campers will use what they learn to design all the necessary elements to bring the plays written by the teens the week prior to life. These design elements will be used the following week for the performance camp, allowing these students to witness their creations come to life.

Participants in our Youth Performance Camp will spend five full days rotating through various theatre-based classes for instruction in acting, music, improv, dance and movement, and design. Over the course of the week, campers will rehearse plays written by participants in the Teen Playwriting Intensive. using design elements from the Youth Technical Theatre Camp. And at the end of the week, everyone will perform in the final product for their families and friends.

Participants in BOTH camps, In addition to these theatre-specific skills and experiences, are sure to come away with a keener sense of self and confidence, enhanced communication skills, an even more active imagination, and a bigger understanding of what it means to work together to accomplish a goal and support one another in the process.

Teen Playwriting Intensive | $125

Youth Summer Theatre Camps | $180 per week + 10% discount if your child registers for both weeks!

Scholarships are available until funds are used.

Our Teen Playwriting Intensive will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Sylva. We thank everyone at St. John’s for their continued support of the arts and creative expression in our Community!

Our Youth Theatre Camp will return to Cullowhee Baptist Church on WCU’s campus for a third year. We thank Tonya and Jeffrey Vickery and the entire Cullowhee Baptist community for supporting our young artists by providing us with a wonderful space yet again.

Complete your registration online via the button below. Please ensure you are registering for the correct camp as there is a separate registration page for each. Please reach out to hello@calliopestage.com with questions.

PLEASE NOTE: Camp space is limited and all registrations are on a first come, first served basis. Additionally, our Teen Playwriting Intensive needs to meet a minimum enrollment to run. Our best advertising is Word of Mouth, so please share if you can!