Camp Broadway: The Summer Camp Your Theater Kid Will Love

We may have just celebrated the New Year, but it’s already time to start planning summer camps for our kids. Summer camps are incredibly popular across North America as they support academic education and help children and teens to develop new skills. In fact, according to the Statista Research Department, 15% of US adults say they usually send their kids to summer camp each year (August 2020). There are many different kinds of summer camps, from computer programming to music to mathematics to faith-based camps. But why are they so popular? Well firstly, a good summer camp relies upon the ethos, as well as the activities. Every child comes away having grown their life skills, including independence, tolerance, responsibility, respect and loyalty. They are also a great opportunity to meet new people with similar interests and personalities to their own. Tons of kids have made friends for life through summer camps!

So, what if you have a theater kid? The popularity of theater, and musical theater in particular, has boomed in the last twenty years. Think of the movie adaptation of Chicago, the Disney Channel, High School Musical, Glee…the list is endless. Being a musical theater kid is now cool! It allows kids to combine singing, acting, and dancing to create a wider range of life skills and understanding. Not only do they become better communicators, they learn about social issues such as diversity and community through musical theater. This is the value of the arts and the importance of the arts in our education and daily lives. And don’t just take our word for it, our Former First Lady Michelle Obama also agrees:

“The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time, or if one can afford it. Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation.”

Musical theater camps are therefore a great way to allow kids to improve and enhance these experiences, while pursuing their passion. But, with the rise in popularity in the genre, so too comes a huge increase in the number of varying camps and experiences available across the country. How do you ensure that your child has the very best and most professional performing arts experience? Where do you find a summer theater camp that is accessible, collaborative, and caring?

Camp Broadway® is the premier musical theater camp for kids of all ages. As Broadway’s ambassador to youth and families, it is the original destination for theater-loving kids. It is also the only youth organization to have an agreement with Music Theatre International (MTI) to officially license authorized musical theater programs that feature approved songs and scenes from a collection of Broadway’s most beloved shows.

And the good news is that Camp Broadway is returning to New York this summer! Founded in 1995, it is part of Broadway Education Alliance (BEA), whose mission is to make live arts experiences more accessible and relevant to today’s multigenerational and multicultural families. Camp Broadway is taught by established Broadway professionals with years of expertise in staging, choreography, and music direction. Described as the “Camp of Dreams”, campers learn how to become a creative, collaborative, and engaging performer on stage and off. We’re talking about teamwork, friendship, respect, and huge amounts of fun!

So, how does it work?

Camp Broadway runs from July 10-14, 2023 in NYC and offers camps for 2 age levels. Camp Broadway’s Mainstage is held at Pearl Studios near the Broadway theater district, and features 40-hours of vocal performance, dancing, acting, stagecraft and masterclasses. Designed for ages 10-17, the 5 day camp features special guests and culminates in a Family Finale Showcase at New York’s famed Symphony Space. There’s also a field trip to the Gershwin Theatre where campers will learn about the production crafts at “Behind the Emerald Curtain” and attend the matinee performance of Broadway’s hit musical Wicked.

“Camp Broadway deserves a standing ovation for its unparalleled dedication to developing and nurturing theater-loving kids! The opportunity to train with real Broadway professionals has given my daughter, Katie, a tremendous boost in her self-confidence- it has quite simply been a life-changing experience.” (Kelly P.)

The Shining Stars camp is aimed at ages 7-9 and also offers 5 days of classes in singing, movement, storytelling, and scenic/costume design, all led by trained theater professionals. Their week also ends with a Family Finale Showcase, starting these budding performers off on their path into the performing arts.

“Exposure to theater and the arts teaches critical thinking skills like confidence, collaboration and risk-taking. We’re excited to encourage families from around the country to visit this summer for camp and to enjoy the great shows and attractions only available in New York City.” (Susan Lee, BEA founder)

Enrollment for Camp Broadway is now open at www.campbroadway.com, where you can also find out more information about all elements of the camps. Sign up soon as the camps are expected to sell out. You also can save money on registrations using the exclusive discount codes below.

• For the Shining Stars camp, enter the discount code SS23_STAGE during checkout and save $75
• For the Mainstage camp, enter the discount code MS23_STAGE during checkout and save $100

The right theater camp is the ideal experience to help theater-loving kids develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills. These qualities extend beyond the stage and lead to success in all facets of life, whether your theater kid embarks on the path to the professional stage or not.