Shakespeare Troupe

Theatre Conservatory for 
Actors & Technicians 
in grades 9-12

The National Endowment for the Arts identified Shakespeare Troupe as offering challenges unlike any other pre-college theatre program in the nation.

Directed by Jeanne E. Harrison, Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Shakespeare Troupe is our Theatre Conservatory for dedicated students eager to sink their teeth into linguistically and physically challenging plays.  Our program reflects the origins of theatre when troupes of actors roamed the ancient and medieval countryside, relying on the barest props and boldest imagination to convey their art.

Troupe rehearses a full-length professionally directed and designed Shakespearean play — then takes the show on the road with a performance tour to amphitheaters throughout Virginia, including professional stages, cultivating stronger, more adaptable and capable artists and individuals.  This rigorous six week summer program offers high schoolers the experience of a professional-level production.

Actors are carefully guided by a trio of directors - acquiring advanced acting techniques that lead to new levels of boldness and subtlety. Technicians work closely with professional designers - gaining new skills as well as new portfolio pieces.

This immersive and holistic experience allows our elite high school actors & technicians to attain a new level of artistry, confidence, leadership, and independence.

AUDITION/INTERVIEW
SHAKESPEARE TROUPE
Camp Length:
6 weeks
Camp Cost:
$9600 ($10,000 after Jan 31)
Current Grades:
9 - 12
This Summer:
Cymbeline
AUDITION/INTERVIEW
2025 SESSION DATES
June 22 - August 1
AUDITION/INTERVIEW DATES
Actors:
-Sun, Dec 1, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
-Sat, Dec 21, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
-Wed, Jan 29, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Technicicans:
Rolling. We will contact you to schedule upon registration.
Explore a Typical Day at Camp

Theatre Conversatory for Actors & Technicians

The National Endowment for the Arts identified Shakespeare Troupe as offering challenges unlike any other pre-college theatre program in the nation.

Directed by Jeanne E. Harrison, Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Shakespeare Troupe is our Theatre Conservatory for dedicated students eager to sink their teeth into linguistically and physically challenging plays.  Our program reflects the origins of theatre when troupes of actors roamed the ancient and medieval countryside, relying on the barest props and boldest imagination to convey their art.

Troupe rehearses a full-length professionally directed and designed Shakespearean play — then takes the show on the road with a performance tour to amphitheaters throughout Virginia, including professional stages, cultivating stronger, more adaptable and capable artists and individuals.  This rigorous six week summer program offers high schoolers the experience of a professional-level production.

Actors are carefully guided by a trio of directors - acquiring advanced acting techniques that lead to new levels of boldness and subtlety. Technicians work closely with professional designers - gaining new skills as well as new portfolio pieces.

This immersive and holistic experience allows our elite high school actors & technicians to attain a new level of artistry, confidence, leadership, and independence.

Audition/Interview!

6 weeks | $9600

$10,000 after Jan 31

Cymbeline

Shakespeare Troupe is open to students currently in grades 9 - 12.
2025 Session Dates:

June 22 - August 1

Audition Dates:

-Sun, Dec 1, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
-Sat, Dec 21, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
-Wed, Jan 29, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Interviews for Technical Troupe are Rolling. We will contact you to schedule upon registration.

"300 people auditioned. 22 people were cast. My son, who was a Traveling Players student for many years, will make his Muhlenberg Mainstage debut this November in the Greek tragedy Agamemnon.  He is one of only a very few freshmen to be cast in any of the school’s Mainstage productions."
Tonya
Parent

The Traveling Players Difference

Designed for Each Child to Thrive

Personalized Attention

Your child will flourish with our unusually small 1:4 faculty:student ratio.  We ensure each performer gets the attention they deserve rather than waiting in the wings for their cue.  We make sure they get a chance to shine on stage – and off stage, too. 

Unplugged to Connect

We are phone-free.  Children enjoy camp with open eyes and hearts – not hunched over a screen.  Unplugged from the stress of social media, they can forge real friendships with their peers, making connections that last a lifetime!

Real Growth from Ensemble Support

We affirm each student’s strengths – and then challenge them to keep growing beyond their comfort zone.  Our staff invest in each actor, helping them earn self-confidence.  We train our students to be not only great actors, but also great people.

Experiencing the Great Outdoors

Theatre began as stories told around the campfire. We continue this tradition with a summer camp that feels like summer, teaching our campers outdoor skills like fire-building, campfire cooking, and sleeping in tents!

Questions and Answers

For over 20 years we've been creating great theatre in the great outdoors with teens and pre-teens. Our team will happily walk you through any one of our carefully crafted programs.
Traveling Players FAQs>>
"300 people auditioned. 22 people were cast. My son, who was a Traveling Players student for many years, will make his Muhlenberg Mainstage debut this November in the Greek tragedy Agamemnon.  He is one of only a very few freshmen to be cast in any of the school’s Mainstage productions."
Tonya
Parent

Questions and Answers

For over 20 years we've been creating great theatre in the great outdoors with teens and pre-teens. Our team will happily walk you through any one of our carefully crafted programs.
More Traveling Players FAQs>>
Didn't get your question answered? No worries! Please contact our team by email (info@travelingplayers.org) or phone (703-987-1712).

What happens at auditions?

You will perform the monologue that you memorized (14 lines from any Shakespeare play other than Cymbeline), but that is just one section of the auditions. You will be given lots of opportunities to display your skills through improvisation, readings from scripts, and group discussions. The audition is an opportunity for the director to get to know you and to see how you work and play with other potential members of the ensemble. It is also an opportunity for you to get to know your potential castmates. You will have your best audition if you relax, have fun, and connect with your fellow performers! We have been told that our auditions are significantly more fun than the average audition. We plan to keep it that way.

Can my child attend therapy virtually while at camp?

Of course! We have found that the most effective way for campers to attend therapy while at camp is by phone call – that way they are not distracted by notifications from their personal devices when they log on for their appointments. We will provide phones for campers to use – and a hammock might be available, too! If possible, please move their appointment time to between 4:00 – 6:00 pm on a weekday, which is during their free time. Please email campdirector@travelingplayers.org with the appointment time and doctor’s phone number.

What is the food like?

Campers eat a delicious, diverse, and healthy menu. Every meal will offer a vegetarian and non-vegetarian entree.

Learn more about the food for Summer 2025.

How are the campers divided in the dorm?

The three floors are divided by grade. The exact ages change every year depending on the breakout of camp, but typically they are grades 4-7, 7-9, & 9-12. Campers are then divided by gender into separate rooms.

Where do the campers rehearse/do tech work?

We’ll be rehearsing outdoors all day, enjoying everything Mother Nature has to offer! All our theatrical spaces are complete with shade and nearby restrooms.

Indoor and outdoor rain spaces keep students safe and rehearsing all day long – no matter the weather!
Both the Costume & Scene shops have AC and large windows which let in natural light – keeping everyone comfortable while working.

Christchurch's Maker's Space allows our technical students to push the bounds of their creativity. A plethora of machines and tools exist in the space including a 3D printer!

What if I can't audition in person?

Unable to audition/interview in person? We still want to see you!

If you live outside the DC-metro area, you can still apply for our summer programs – and we hope you do! Here’s what you do: email Emma Mearns (programassistant@travelingplayers.org) for a registration link. Once we have received your registration, we will organize a time to meet with you via Zoom. You may be scheduled to audition with other students or you may be solo. Technical Theatre Interviews will be solo.

In the audition Zoom room, you will perform your monologue, play theatre games, and discuss what the summer will look like for you if accepted. For the interview, we'll discuss your portfolio, interests, current skills, what you want to learn, and how summer can help you achieve your goals. You’ll have a chance to ask us questions, too!

Is there Financial Aid?

Yes! We offer need-based financial aid for all programs. You can find more information here or by emailing Emma Mearns (programassistant@travelingplayers.org).

Look through our

Similar Camps

Shakespeare Ensemble

grades 8-12
In 3 weeks put on a full production of one of the Bard's classics.

Technical Theatre

grades 8-12
Spend 3 weeks learning all about building & painting props, sets, and/or costumes!

Comedy Ensemble

grades 8-12
3 weeks of intensive comedy & improv training - building towards your very own improvised show!
WHY TRAVELING PLAYERSBROWSE SUMMER CAMPS
Studio

Traveling Players Studio
Tysons Corner Center – DL01
1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22102

Mailing

P.O. Box 1315
Great Falls, VA 22066

Traveling Players Ensemble is funded in part by ArtsFairfax and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Photo Credits Include: Jess Wallach - The Body is Good, Isaiah Brown - Pint Sized Productions, Jillian Skara, Lloyd Wolfe, Eleanor Tucker, and Morgan Shotwell
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