Whether they want a traditional performing arts experience or they’re more into the script-writing thing, one of these programs has their name written all over it.
Camp Premiere at Kean University
100 Morris Ave., Union
908-737-4092; kean.edu
Creative kids 10 and up develop acting skills through exercises and games while learning from experienced actors and playwrights.
Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
201-227-1030; bergenpac.org
Students ages 5–12 play theater games that incorporate acting, singing and dancing.
Class Act Performing Arts Studio
123 Irvington Ave., South Orange
973-789-0191; classactpas.com
Triple-threats-in-training (ages 3–6) take classes with themes like Frozen, before showing off what they’ve learned at the end of the session. Older kids (ages 7–14) put together a Broadway-inspired number.
Elefante Music and School for the Performing Arts
Locations in Basking Ridge and New Providence
908-464-5928; elefantemusic.com
Your soon-to-be Tony nominee can shine in the “Musical Theater Camp,” where stars ages 5–17 sharpen their acting and dance skills, prepare different weekly productions and meet famous Broadway performers.
Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre
120 Morris Ave., Summit
800-838-3006; dreamcatcherrep.org
Your budding star (10 and up) takes workshops in improv, singing and playwriting before creating her own work on stage at the end of camp.
Essex Youth Theater
14 Alvin Pl., Upper Montclair
973-746-3303; essexyouththeater.com
Give your kids (up to 12-years-old) the chance to act in The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, a musical featuring furry friends like Dimples the Deer and Squeaky the Squirrel.
Gotta Dance
Locations in Basking Ridge and Branchburg
gotta-dance.com
This Broadway theater studio combines singing, acting and movement into one high-energy camp that culminates with a musical performance.
Kids Create! at Mason Gross
85 George St., New Brunswick
848-932-8618; mgedearlychildhood.wordpress.com
Mini-creatives use their imagination while painting, drawing, acting and playwriting in this program for kids 5–12 years old.
The Musical Theatre Conservatory
9 Ridgeway Ct., West Orange
973-868-6259; musicaltheatreconservatory.com
He can learn about everything from voice technique and song interpretation to comedy—even TV acting—at this three-week program.
The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts
301 Clark St., Westfield
908-518-1551; njworkshopforthearts.com
Kids ages 5–13 take classes like “Broadway Dance,” where they learn choreography and get comfortable on stage.
Playwrights Theatre Creative Acts Academy
28 Walnut St., Madison
973-514-1787 ext. 21; ptnj.org
Aspiring little performers fine-tune their acting skills in a session that focuses on voice, body and imagination. Older students (13 and up) can also explore script- writing, scene study and character development.
Professional Arts Academy
250 Old River Rd., Edgewater
917-697-5929; professionalartsacademy.com
Students ease into the performing arts with classes in dancing, singing and music, along with plenty of games and arts and crafts.
Summer Youth Performance Workshop at NJPAC
24 Rector St., Newark
888-GO-NJPAC; njpac.org
Kids 10 and up meet for five weeks to hone their singing and acting skills in the “Young Artist Summer Intensive Program” before performing in a final showcase.
Summer Theatre Camp of Montclair
67 Church St., Montclair
973-746-8686; amidsummersdreaming.com
“Little Summer Stars” ages 5–7 get an intro to live performing, while kids 8 and up pick from”The Main Stage” or improv courses that include trips to NYC.
The Theatrical Corner
572 Allen Rd., Basking Ridge
908-506-1010; theatricalcorner.com
Soon-to-be-stars (ages 9–12) get time in the spotlight in programs like “Musical Theatre,” and “Introduction to Comedy,” while the preschool set start in “Introduction to Musical Theatre.”
Villagers Theatre Arts Program
475 DeMott Ln., Somerset
732-873-2710; villagerstheatre.com
Kids ages 6–8 learn the fundamentals of dance, song and acting on stage, while kids 8–12 showcase their talents in the “Apprentice Workshop.”
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