Camps
Encore’s week-long intensive format for our youngest artists (ages 6–9). The first tier of 0.0 - Junior Stages. Presented by the Youth Leadership Program.
Program Overview
The Camps leverage learning opportunities for our youngest artists (ages 6–9) AND our most experienced young adults (the Youth Leadership Program participants who act as camp counselors). Inspired by theater camps, shows rehearse over about a week, with performances running about 30 minutes.
The format is charming, endearing, and creates a fun, supportive environment — often a young person’s first introduction to Encore.
Key Features
- Week-long intensive format. Rehearse and perform within a single week.
- Youth Leadership Program mentors serve as counselors. This is the program’s secret sauce: the older young artists develop teaching and leadership skills while supporting the younger ones.
- Age-appropriate material and expectations. Material and process designed specifically for ages 6–9.
- Focus on fun and foundational skills. Joy and curiosity come first; just enough structure to model what real theater feels like.
- Typical run: 2–3 performances.
Where Camps Fit
Camps are the entry point of 0.0 - Junior Stages and Encore’s pathway as a whole. Many young artists experience their first Encore moment here. From Camps, the natural next step is Junior Shows, then Emerging Artist Shows, then Signature Shows.
Operational Notes
The success of Camps depends heavily on the Youth Leadership Program counselor structure. See Youth Leadership Program for how older young artists are prepared for and deployed in this role. Also see Rehearsal Culture and Ten Commandments for the expectations all counselors are expected to model.
Related
- 0.0 - Junior Stages — the tier Camps anchors
- Junior Shows — the natural next step
- Youth Leadership Program — counselor pipeline
- 0.0 - The Stages of Encore — the full pathway
- Director of Education
Status: Working · Portal: Public · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett