For over 20 years, Traveling Players has been creating theatre, friendships, and memories with young theatre artists. Our summer programs are intentionally small – with only 13 actors per cast – ensuring every student receives personalized coaching.
Our carefully crafted, age-appropriate curriculum challenges students to grow as artists and individuals, building their confidence along the way. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) selected Traveling Players as 1 of the nation’s 25 “Summer Schools in the Arts,” recommending that other summer programs follow our curricula.
We focus solely on education, meaning our students are at the center of everything we do. Many of our families say that their experiences with Traveling Players have been transformational!
Grades 1-5 | In our Studio – Tysons, VA
Grades 3-8 | Christchurch Boarding School – Saluda, VA
Grades 8-12 | | Christchurch Boarding School – Saluda, VA
“Offers artistic challenges unlike any other pre-college program in the nation.” – NEA View Theatre Conservatories
1 week
Day Camp
$495
Tysons Studio
This one-week summer acting camp introduces your child to the world of theatre with acting, improv, and stage combat, plus a showcase performance.
Grades 1-3
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2 weeks
Day Camp
$995
Tysons Studio
This two-week summer acting camp encourages students to dive into a shared script, build characters, and work on a play together, performing selected scenes.
Grades 3-5
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5 Days
Sleepaway Camp
$1,600
Saluda Campus
A five-day Mini Session designed to immerse young actors into the world of theatre and build foundational acting skills, while also playing in the great outdoors.
Grades 3-5
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2 Weeks
Sleepaway Camp
$4,200
Saluda Campus
Our Mythology Ensemble performs one of the world’s greatest myths in this two-week sleepaway camp for the young actor.
Grades 4-6
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3 Weeks
Sleepaway Camp
$6,250
Saluda Campus
During this three-week camp, our middle school actors hone their performance skills through rehearsing an hour-long comedy.
Grades 6-8
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3 Weeks
Sleepaway Camp
$6,250
Saluda Campus
A three-week sleepaway camp where middle schoolers discover the joy and craft of improv before performing an entirely original, audience-inspired show that exists for one night only.
Grades 6-8
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3 weeks
High School Conservatory
$6,250
Saluda Campus
A three-week high school conservatory where high schoolers master the art of long-form improv before taking the stage to perform an original show created entirely in the moment.
Grades 8-12
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3 weeks
High School Conservatory
$6,250
Saluda Campus
In just three weeks, the Shakespeare Ensemble produces a 75-minute, professionally directed and designed production of one of the Bard’s greatest works.
Grades 8-12
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6 weeks
High School Conservatory
$10,300
Saluda Campus
Troupe rehearses a full-length, professionally directed and designed Shakespearean play, then does a performance tour to amphitheaters throughout Virginia.
Grades 9-12
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3 or 6 weeks
High School Conservatory
$6,250 or $10,300
Saluda Campus
Tech Apprentices work alongside our professional designers, receiving individualized, hands-on training and gain foundational knowledge in both the costume and scene shop.
Grades 8-12
Learn MoreFrom picking an ensemble, to auditions, applying for financial aid, what to pack, and more, find answers to all your questions about summer camps and theatre programs at Traveling Players Ensemble. For more assistance, call us at (703) 987-1712 or email info@travelingplayers.org.
Day Camp: Nope! No audition for day campers. Just register!
Sleepaway Camps & High School Conservatories: Yes, most of our residential programs are by audition or interview only.
Act: FIVE – Nope! This is the only sleepaway program that does not require an audition. Go ahead and register!
Traveling Players has two distinct reputations.
Called a top “25 summer school for the arts” by the National Endowment for the Arts, Traveling Players is known and nationally awarded for our artistic excellence. Our curriculum is rigorous, and the Shakespeare Troupe in particular has been noted for offering artistic challenges “unlike any other pre-college theatre program in the country.” You can read more about our awards and the excellent work of our students and alumni here.
However, if you asked a Traveling Players student, parent, or alum to describe us, they wouldn’t start by talking about the awards we’ve won, or the best show they were in or had seen from us. They would talk about our community.
With a 70% retention rate, our community is vibrant, connected, and kind. Our curriculum is intentionally designed to promote artistic collaboration. We limit our ensembles to just 13 students to ensure that everyone receives individualized training and attention. We select scripts that offer a wide range of roles and cast to maximize each student’s artistic growth. We help foster friendships both in and across ensembles through theatre games, low ropes challenge courses, and structured fun. The result is a community that remains thriving – and always welcoming. You can read more about why parents choose Traveling Players here.
Traveling Players is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. 100% of your tuition supports your students’ experience. As a nonprofit, we are mission-driven – designing our programs for access. We want every dedicated performer to be able to join us. We charge parents only 70% of the true cost of a Traveling Players summer. (Donations and grants cover the remainder.)
We also have the most generous artistic financial aid program in the area, with no annual or lifetime caps (read more about financial aid below). Our approach ensures a vital ensemble that is diverse in every way.
Traveling Players students are highly collaborative young artists. They strive to challenge themselves artistically on stage and are kind, inclusive friends off stage. They know that a cohesive and effective ensemble needs a mix of experiences and backgrounds – performers with different skill sets and growth opportunities — all of whom are eager to support and challenge each other to do their best work.
We accept actors into our auditioned programs who are a good fit for our ensembles and our community – and they tend to stick around! Our retention rate is about 70%, and on average, they stick with us for 4 years.
Most of our students don’t stay in the arts – they have eclectic interests and are multi-talented. (Although those who have stayed in the arts have received impressive success.) Probably the most surprising discovery is that 20+ years on, this community remains in the heart of our students.
