Chicago’s Premiere Musical Theatre Camp

Since we opened our doors in 2006, kids and parents would tell us they were dreaming of an opportunity to be in a “REAL show on a REAL stage and have a REAL part” in a professionally produced show complete with full sets, costumes, props, lights, sound and dressing rooms. 9 years later, we were finally in a position to do it right and make those dreams come true. For the past 5 years, our 10-person dedicated production staff has pulled off the ultimate production experience, the only one of its kind in all of Chicagoland. Our unique formula leverages professional expertise to produce a high-quality box-office show open to the public coupled with a compassionate environment that values collaboration among friends at the center of what campers and parents call a “life-transforming” creative process.

This is a rich training ground for young musical theater performers in an educational environment that is both nurturing and fun. This unique experience is only available to 45 campers and sells out fast. See more details in the accordion drop-down menus below.

 

Click on the video above to see why Dream Big’s Production Camp is the only one of its kind in all of Chicago!

Dream Big’s Production Camp is available on a first come, first served basis to the first 45 applicants. While we do not require auditions, our application process is in place to insure that all of our students recognize the commitment that this professional training camp entails. For application information click HERE. We never turn a child away. Scroll down to learn about our Scholarship Fund.

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Production Camp Details

Details

Dates: TBA

Time: TBA
Performances: TBA

Ages: Students entering 2nd-8th grades

Price: $1,595 (To help make our programs even more affordable, payment plans are available through our registration system.) Early bird discounts available.

Price Includes: Showkit, costumes, rehearsal process, professional skill-building workshops, musical lunches, performances, show t-shirt, and an amazing bonding experience with friends under the bright lights, with costumes, sets, props and makeup on a professional stage performing one of the best musicals ever written!

Before and After Care Options Available: 8:30-10am ($15 per day) and/or 4-5:30pm ($15 per day)

Location: All camp rehearsals and performances will take place at the beautiful and historic Athenaeum Theatre located at 2936 North Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657. Final performances will take place on Athenaeum Theatre's professional main stage.

Internship opportunities

Dream Big Production Internships:

We are seeking college-aged students to intern with us in various capacities including stage management, production design coordinators, stage crew, assistant directors, and so much more.   To apply, fill out this form and the Production Manager will contact you.

High School Production Internships:

We are also seeking students entering 9th through 12th grades interested in assisting in various aspects of the rehearsal and production process.  To apply, fill out this form and the Production Manager will contact you.

To learn more or for further questions, please email admin@dreambigeducation.org or call 773-944-9146.

Daily Schedule

Every moment of every Production Camp day will be filled with fun activities, rehearsals and workshops to professionally prepare our cast for their show and also provide a memorable camp experience. Though we will balance the day with rest, work and play, we have organized our camp and staff to ensure that no camper will ever be sitting on the sidelines waiting for their time to rehearse. To give you a sense of how we will plan our days, see the sample breakdown below.

8:30-10 am - Optional Stage Crew Before Care (Kids will work with staff members to create and add embellishments to props, costumes and set pieces.)

9:45-10 am - All Campers Arrive

10-10:30 am -  Morning cast meeting and breakout into team meetings.

10:30 am-12:30 pm -  Rehearsals and Review Time to reinforce staging, songs and choreography and Skill-Building Workshops (character development, drama games, design components, set decoration, etc)

12:30-1:30 pm - Picnic lunch at the local park where campers can enjoy some unstructured downtime with the whole cast.

1:30-3:30 pm - Rehearsals, Review Time to reinforce staging, songs and choreography and Skill-Building Workshops

3:30-3:45 pm - Team time to acknowledge accomplishments of the day, review at-home rehearsal goals and plan for the next day.

3:45-4:00 pm - Full cast together for closing group time

4:00-5:30 pm - Optional Stage Crew After Care (Kids will work with staff members to create and add embellishments to props, costumes and set pieces.)

Camp timeline of goals

Each Friday, we will send home newsletters with updates from all of our directors and teaching artists that give you a peak into all the amazing accomplishments and exciting adventures our campers are experiencing. For now, here is an overview of major mile-markers for each week.

Week 1: Over the first two days, campers will audition for their top 3 choices. The rest of the week will include the first full cast read through and beginning to learn parts and blocking.

Week 2: Campers will continue to learn and block their parts as well as expand upon choreography.

Week 3: Campers will have the entire show memorized, choreographed and blocked by the end of this week.

Week 4: During our final week, we will put the whole show together on the Main Stage gradually adding all of the technical elements of our show including sets, costumes, props, sound and lights! By the end the week, it’s SHOW TIME for all of our adoring fans! Family, friends, and community members are all invited! A cast party after Saturday afternoon’s matinee will culminate this show-stopping experience!

Audition process

On the first day of camp, every participant will be invited to audition for their favorite roles. Our directors work very hard to ensure that the process is not stressful or overwhelming and, if a child wishes to not audition, that is perfectly acceptable. Every camper will have a part on the stage. In June, we will make available audition sides (songs and scenes) for your camper to practice. These materials can be practiced as little or as much as your child would like and are meant to help him or her feel prepared and confident on the first day of camp. The actual audition will simply be your child performing what he or she has prepared in front of the director and musical director.

Ticket information

Performance dates:

TBA

Ticket pricing:

(All prices below include $3 Athenaeum restoration fee)

Standard seating - $19 (12 and under) and $21 (ages 13+)
Premier seating - $28
VIP seating - $53

To purchase tickets, visit the Athenaeum Theatre Box Office or call 773-935-6875. Group rates available.

VIP ticket package

VIP Ticket pricing:

(All prices below include $3 Athenaeum restoration fee.)

VIP seating - $53
When bought as a pair or more ($100 and up), your VIP package will include a poster and swag.

 

Summer Production Scholarship Fund

It costs over $50,000 to launch this incredible musical theater production camp experience each summer. So while we continue to fundraise, this performance opportunity and 4-week camp comes with a price-tag that isn’t always affordable for some families. Dream Big’s Founder, Lisa Lang, has always believed that the arts should be accessible to all children. Growing up, Lisa’s dreams were made possible by the generous financial support of organizations like ours, that opened her up to life-changing opportunities. Rooted in this foundational belief and personal commitment to give back, it has always been core to Dream Big’s mission since our doors opened in 2006, to never turn away a child due to lack of funds. Dream Big is dedicated to providing a way to include all kids who want to participate in our programming.

We encourage you to be a part of paying it forward. If you have the means, we hope you will consider sharing with others who could benefit from your generosity. Each summer, we distribute an average of $15,000 worth of production camp scholarships. Last year, we only raised $4,200 to offset our scholarship costs. With increased development efforts as a newly formed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, this year our goal is to raise the full $15,000 or more for our Summer Production Camp Scholarship Fund. Please consider clicking the Donate button below to support a child’s dreams of performing on stage. Learn more about donor and sponsorship opportunities that support cross-curricular residencies in schools and tuition-based scholarships like this one by clicking HERE.

If you were the recipient of a production scholarship, please share how your production experience impacted you.

Scholarship Recipient Testimonials

Click on the videos below to see highlights from past productions:

2018 Summer Production Camp – Alice in Wonderland Jr!

2017 Summer Production Camp – Willy Wonka Jr!

2016 Summer Production Camp – Seussical Jr!

2015 Summer Production Camp – Annie Jr!