Theatre Camp in Lawrence

Theatre Is For Everyone

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Questions about Summer Youth Theatre? Please call us at 785.843.2787 or contact us.

Let Them Grow With Summer Youth Theatre

When you sign your child up for Summer Youth Theatre, you’re giving them a lot more than an opportunity to perform. We help kids experience a fun and creative environment where they can connect with their peers in a positive way.

Summer Youth Theatre is a series of stage productions and educational classes for students in 4th-12th grade. The focus of the program is to inspire young people to express themselves, explore new talents and communities, and discover the magic of theatre.

Spark Imagination through Play

Join us for an unforgettable journey where young performers (PreK to 4th Grade) delve into the magical world of creative play. Designed especially for our youngest stars, Creative Play and Rookie Camps ignite imaginations and foster expressive exploration through the power of play.

At our camps, children connect, collaborate, and create in an environment filled with laughter and learning. Led by experienced instructors, each session is crafted to nurture budding talents, building confidence and camaraderie along the way. No auditions are necessary!

Create Behind the Scenes

Tech Series students (5th to 12th Grade) dive into the fundamentals of behind-the-scenes technical theatre. Our immersive program empowers participants to unleash their inner artists and technical wizards as they learn essential skills to bring the SYT performances to life.

Led by seasoned theatre professionals, our Tech Series provides hands-on experience and expert guidance, ensuring each student gains confidence and proficiency in the world of theatre production. From crafting captivating costumes to mastering stage lighting and sound, our comprehensive curriculum prepares students to shine behind the scenes.

Perform on Stage

Calling all aspiring young actors: audition to take center stage in SYT’s entertaining and thought-provoking plays. Our program allows young actors who meet the age requirements (4th to 12th Grade) to showcase their talents in front of live audiences.

From classic tales to contemporary dramas, our lineup of performances promises excitement, laughter, and plenty of unforgettable moments. Under the guidance of experienced directors and coaches, young performers will hone their skills, build confidence, and create lasting memories on and off the stage.

Ready to audition? No previous experience or prepared materials are required. We’ll help guide you through the experience, whether this is your first audition or you’re a seasoned pro!

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Current Classes

Imagination & Adventure
Fairytale Adventures[25FA]
09/6/25 - 09/27/25, 9:00AM - 9:45AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
N/A | FTYM26
Members $70 | Non-Members $70
We will explore classic fairytales, with new stories every week! We will play with the stories and add our own spin to them!
Kinder Theatre A[25FA]
10/4/25 - 10/25/25, 9:00AM - 9:55AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
N/A | FTYM16a
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Start exploring theatre with your favorite stories and characters! We will use books, props, and our imaginations to create worlds and stories together!
Kinder Theatre B[25FA]
11/1/25 - 11/22/25, 9:00AM - 9:55AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
N/A | FTYM16b
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Start exploring theatre with your favorite stories and characters! We will use books, props, and our imaginations to create worlds and stories together!
Imagine Together[25FA]
11/1/25 - 11/22/25, 10:00AM - 10:45AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Leah Towle | Lawrence Arts Center
N/A | FTYM156
Members $70 | Non-Members $70
Imagine a character, a place, and an adventure! And then imagine more! Develop beginning collaboration, improvisation, and acting skills through imaginative dramatic play and movement.

Summer Youth Theatre
SYT Senior: ALICE BY HEART[25SU]
06/30/25 - 07/25/25, 4:00PM - 9:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 14 to 18 | Justin Harbaugh | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | BYHEART
Members $335 | Non-Members $335
AUDITIONS HELD ON APRIL 27th: From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress). In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. This musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times. Rehearsals: 4 weeks, June 30-July 24. No rehearsal July 4. M-Th | 4-9:30PM & F | 4-7PM. Performances: July 25 | 7PM, July 26 | 2PM & 7PM. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. Please note that students in this production will have an independent dinner break during rehearsal that is not overseen by LAC staff members.
Adventures Through Time[25SU]
07/14/25 - 07/18/25, 9:00AM - 11:30AM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 6 to 10 | Gwentessa Alfie | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | ROOKIESG
Members $125 | Non-Members $125
Students will dive into the world of improvisation, acting, and storytelling as they work together to pull off a series of “time heists” in our zany, action-packed camp. Think you can pull off the perfect caper without getting caught?
A Gaggle of Greek Gods[25SU]
07/21/25 - 07/25/25, 9:00AM - 11:30AM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 6 to 10 | MK Shultz | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | ROOKIESH
Members $125 | Non-Members $125
Up on Mount Olympus, what adventures will the greek gods and goddesses get up to? What will save the day? Athena’s smarts, Zeus’s lightning, Apollo’s arrows… or something else entirely?
SYT Internship Program[25SU]
05/30/25 - 07/25/25, 12:30PM - 1:30PM | TH
Ages 15 to 21 | Justin Harbaugh | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | INTERNS
Members $0 | Non-Members $0
SYT's Internship Program is open to high school and college students who want to explore a hands-on theatre work study experience. Each student will be assigned a role for a specific show and will be required to attend weekly meetings over the course of eight weeks. We will be taking a total of twelve to fourteen participants this summer. All positions will be paid by stipend. Our goal is to provide specialized job training and real work experience to make students more competitive in the professional world. To apply, email a resume and letter of interest to Elizabeth Sullivan at elizabeth@lawrenceartscenter.org by Saturday, April 27th. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
SYT Novice/Junior: Escape from the Labyrinth[25SU]
06/30/25 - 07/17/25, 1:00PM - 5:00PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 10 to 14 | Elizabeth Sullivan | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | ESCAPEL
Members $285 | Non-Members $285
AUDITIONS HELD ON APRIL 27th. In a world ruled by fickle Gods and dangerous beasts, heroes are made—or lost forever. Theseus and Icarus are no strangers to danger. Born to flawed parents and thrown into a world full of impossible challenges, they must fight to survive. From treacherous journeys to Athens to the deadly labyrinth of the Minotaur, their fates are tangled in romance, trickery, . the ever-meddling hands of the Gods. But in a land where monsters lurk in the shadows and escape is never certain, who will rise, and who will fall? Told in a thrilling open theatre style, Escape from the Labyrinth is a bold reimagining of Greek mythology, where the world itself comes to life—heroes, villains, creatures, and even the very land they walk on. Dare to step inside? SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. Rehearsals: 3 weeks, June 30 - July 17. No rehearsal July 4. M-F | 1-5PM. Performances: July 18 | 7PM, July 19 | 2PM & 7PM.
Creative Play: July Session 2[25SU]
07/21/25 - 07/25/25, 1:00PM - 1:55PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | PLAY2
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Join us for a Summer Youth Theatre experience for our youngest performers. Using their wildest imaginations, students will engage with each other through play and dramatic exploration. This course takes place at 10th & Mass Studios. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.

Technical Theatre
SYT Tech: July Session[25SU]
06/30/25 - 07/25/25, 9:00AM - 12:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 18 | Lexey Jost | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | SUTMTECH2
Members $275 | Non-Members $275
Guided by industry professionals, tech theatre students will learn "behind the scenes" basics, specializing in the area that interests them the most: lighting, painting, carpentry, sound, property, and rigging. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. As part of this course, each student will work as a crew member on one of our July SYT performances. No class July 4 & 5 in observation of Independence Day.
SYT Costumes: July Session[25SU]
06/30/25 - 07/25/25, 9:30AM - 12:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 18 | Knox McClendon | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | SUTMCOST2
Members $250 | Non-Members $250
Guided by industry professionals, students will learn the basics of costume design and use their skills to bring costumes to life for our exciting summer season! As part of this course, participation in July SYT performances is optional. No class July 4 & 5 in observation of Independence Day. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
Stage Makeup for Theatre[25FA]
09/3/25 - 09/24/25, 5:00PM - 6:25PM | WE
Ages 14 to 120 | Knox McClendon | Lawrence Arts Center
N/A | FYTM13
Members $100 | Non-Members $100
Learn how to create makeup looks for all kinds of theatre! This class will cover basic stage makeup and special effects makeup such as old age, animals, and wounds. No prior knowlege needed, will need to come with basic makeup supplies. A list of supplies will be provided.
Stitch & Sketch: Cosplay Creation & Figure Drawing[25FA]
10/1/25 - 11/19/25, 5:00PM - 6:25PM | WE
Ages 12 to 18 | Knox McClendon | Lawrence Arts Center
N/A | FYTM43
Members $265 | Non-Members $265
In this special crossover class with Youth Visual Arts, students must bring their own base costume, and we will design and create cosplay accessories and embellishments for 5 weeks followed by 3 weeks of Life Drawing. Learn poses and draw each other.
Nutcrackin'! The Technical Boogaloo Holiday Special[25FA]
11/1/25 - 12/6/25, 1:30PM - 4:30PM | SA
Ages 12 to 18 | Lexey Jost | Lawrence Arts Center
N/A | CRACKIN
Members $200 | Non-Members $200
Technical Theatre is BACK in this holiday extravaganza! Students of the LAC Tech program are invited to the shop as we unpack our yearly production: A Kansas Nutcracker. They'll learn the ins and outs of a "show-in-a-box:" matching paint styles and colors, building replacement mechanical parts, rehabilitating electrical components, and developing a love-hate relationship with Tchaikovsky. Prerequisite: Completion of a previous LAC tech class. No class Nov. 29.

Summer Youth Theatre Gallery

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The Prom

Summer Youth Theatre's 2023 senior play.

Oceans & Potions

2023 Rookie Camp

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Fantasy on the Dancefloor

Summer Youth Theatre's 2023 senior musical.

HONK! Jr.

Summer Youth Theatre's 2023 junior musical.

Cinderella, or How Pipsqueak the Mouse Became a Stallion

Summer Youth Theatre's 2023 junior play.

Costuming

Summer Youth Theatre's 2023 costume crew.

Auditions

Students audition for the 2023 season of Summer Youth Theatre.

SYT Teaching Artists & Interns

Justin Harbaugh

Director of Performing Arts

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Samaria Zambrana

Technical Director, Production Manager

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Lexey Jost

Assistant Technical Director, Shop Manager

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Becky O’Keefe

Theater Instructor

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Maya Sabatini

School of Theatre and Music, Assistant Costume Designer

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Elliot Yochim

Technical Crew

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Ivy Bitters

2024 SYT Intern

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Katie Parsons

2024 SYT Intern

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Keats Johnson

2024 SYT Intern - Build Crew

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Stevie Roman

2024 SYT Intern

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The Summer Youth Theatre

We’re committed to providing the Lawrence area with a facility that welcomes them into the world of theatre and music. This includes dedicated spaces on our campus for youth theatre in Lawrence, with a 300-seat theatre, black box theatre and studio space for performances.

Upcoming Performances

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Escape from the Labyrinth

A Summer Youth Theatre Production In a world ruled by fickle Gods and dangerous beasts, heroes are made—or lost forever. Theseus and Icarus are no strangers to danger. Born to flawed parents and thrown into a world full of impossible challenges, they must fight to survive. From treacherous journeys to Athens to the deadly labyrinth […]Read More

July 18

7:00PM

July 19

2:00PM

July 19

7:00PM

Buy Tickets

3rd Annual Averill Award Ceremony

The Averill Award | A Summer Youth Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award Join us as we honor 52 years of Summer Youth Theatre with a lifetime achievement award presented to Jeff Sherr and Rebecca Sherr Christian. This special pre-show presentation takes place on July 25th, on the MainStage. This Annual Award Ceremony recognizes Summer Youth Theatre […]Read More

July 25

6:55PM

Alice By Heart Tickets

Alice By Heart

A Summer Youth Theatre Production From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress). In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced […]Read More

July 25

7:00PM

July 26

2:00PM

July 26

7:00PM

Buy Tickets

Make Art Part of Their Daily Life

Interested in enrolling in the Lawrence Arts Center School of Theatre & Music? We have financial aid available to those who need it to ensure classes are accessible to everyone.

Take The Stage

Learn more about audition opportunities for our upcoming performances!

Auditions

Art is for Everyone

Making Art Accessible to All

Lawrence Arts Center is here to ensure anyone—of any age and any background—can connect with a supportive community and flex their creative muscles. With contemporary exhibitions, performances, and an array of music education classes for adults and kids, everyone will find something that’s right for them.

Our primary state-of-the-art facility at 940 New Hampshire St. features classrooms, studios, theatres, and more. To further support the community, we also have a space for classes and rehearsal at 10th & Mass Studios.

The Joy of Summer Youth Theatre