Sleepaway Theatre Camps (grades 4 - 12)

image of young actors at a Sleepaway Theatre Camp in virginia

Traveling Players prides itself on top-notch training in a joyful environment.

By focusing on classical theatre, Traveling Players trains performers who are bold, resourceful, and skilled. Classical acting is demanding — and remains foundational to all modern acting technique. Hence, a summer at Traveling Players trains you to act not just anything, but anywhere. All the world’s a stage!

Our campus is in Leesburg, VA -- 100 acres of private property nestled in the Catoctin Mountains.

Traveling Players summer theatre programs offer expert training in acting, character creation, physical comedy, stage combat, improvisation, and text analysis. A typical day includes intensive rehearsals in addition to classes taught by expert faculty, expanding each performer’s skill set. 

"The ensemble model is superb.  The kids collaborate, bond, support each other, develop a sense of responsibility and commitment to the ensemble, and have inside jokes and war stories.  Acting in front of live audiences builds confidence and resilience and we’re getting to watch her skills grow and evolve with each performance. 

And, the classic material (Shakespeare, Molière) is giving them a sophisticated literary education on top of all the fun!"

— Parent

Our sleepaway camps are specially tailored to teens & tweens, grades 4 to 12. Don't miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime - schedule your audition today!

"Traveling Players delivers what bright, talented children need: challenge, discipline, new experiences, consistency, adults who are a step ahead of them and watching their backs, staying with them long enough to know who they are and encouraging them to become who they want to be - with concrete, just within reach opportunities."

— Parent

A Day in the Life of a Traveling Player

Our summer programs provide intensive, classical theatre training to small troupes of actors and theatre technicians who are carefully guided by professional theatre artists to perform in outdoor amphitheaters.

Every young performer has plenty of opportunities to delve into acting technique, explore their creativity, build lasting friendships with peers, and enjoy a range of joyful extracurricular activities. For more details on our summer theater program schedule, continue reading below.

"Good Morning, Traveling Players!"

8:00 am
Wake up and get ready for the day in your cozy lodge (with electricity, AC, and bathrooms – flush toilets & showers!)
Tell me more about Lodging!
  • Our campus features 3 Lodges around a central quad. Campers live with near-age peers, expanding their friendships to other ensembles.  
  • Each Lodge includes two sleeping bays of 8-12 beds (4-6 bunk beds).  
  • Each Lodge is unique, but all include common areas — inside with big comfy couches for relaxing, memorizing lines and hanging out with your friends; outside with large porches or pavilions offering even more hangout space for each Lodge. 
  • Staff live in private rooms within the Lodges so that they are nearby, attentive, and available, while still allowing campers an appropriate level of privacy.
  • Artistic Director Jeanne Harrison lives next door to the Lodges in a cottage – always available.
Shakespeare Troupe, Director
MA, MFA, Founder, and Producing Artistic Director
image of students at a Sleepaway Theatre Camps

Breakfast

8:30 am
Fuel up for a busy day of theatre and adventure!
Sample Menus
  • Bacon, Sausages (Meat or Veggie), Scrambled Eggs & Toast
"Acting created a place for me to express myself and to feel like people are listening — and being at Traveling Players made me feel as if I was worth listening to.  It’s a wonderful feeling."
- Camper
image of Sleepaway Theatre Camp in Virginia

Morning Rehearsal

9:45 am
Jump into the rehearsal day with your trio of directors - don't forget your script!
Small by Design...
  • Our immersive, 1:4 faculty-to-student ratio ensures each student receives personalized training and attention. In practice that looks like: one director blocking the movement of a scene with a group of actors on stage, another working on character analysis, and the third director running a fight scene (safely!).
  • Our students see tremendous growth in their skills as performers because they spend their full rehearsal day engaged directly with our talented teaching artists – not just waiting for their entrance in the wings.
Pick your Ensemble
Greek Mythology, Shakespeare, and more!
grades 4 - 12
Tour in Hamlet
grades 9-12
image of summer theatre camp with traveling players ensemble

Lunch

12:00 pm
Take a break from rehearsal, catch up with friends from other ensembles, and refuel.
Sample Menus
  • Make-Your-Own Sandwich, Salad, & Granola Bars
"I would like to let you know how grateful we are to have Traveling Players!  [Our teen] has absolutely blossomed under the tutelage of your programs.  She is gaining confidence, not only as an actor, but as a person.  And for that, the Traveling Players crew have our deepest thanks; for everything you do and offer!"
- Parent
image of acting camp for youth with traveling players ensemble

Class

1:00 pm
Your training expands beyond your play with daily classes. Classes dive deeper into one specific skill that will make you a stronger performer and artist.
Example Class Rotations
Improv
One of the most important tools in your actor’s toolbox – and the best part is you’re only doing it right if you’re having fun!
Stage Combat
Learn how to take down your foes on stage! Students receive training in armed and/or unarmed combat, with an emphasis on safety & trust.

Shakespeare Troupe: Fight Choreography by Casey Kaleba, MA, PhD, SAFD Certified
image of young actors at a Traveling Players Ensemble theatre sleepaway camp

Afternoon Rehearsal

2:00 pm
Jump back into rehearsal, you only have a few short weeks to perfect your final performance!

...Awarded for Excellence.

  • 1 of 25 model "Summer Schools in the Arts" by the NEA
  • Arts Education Award, 2021, ArtsFairfax
  • #1 Arts Camp in the Nation, CampEasy
  • Catalogue for Philanthropy: “featuring the area’s best, vetted, community-based charities for high-impact local giving,” 2015-2024
image of traveling players ensemble Sleepaway Theatre Camp students

Free Period

4:00 pm
Go on a hike, make arts & crafts, relax by the lake, or memorize your lines!
"A transformative experience!  My son and daughter have attended Traveling Players programs for many years.  It is the most important activity in both of their lives.  The instruction in classical theatre is incomparable.  The outdoor skills and experiences are phenomenal.  And the friendships and close, supportive community of kids are priceless.  Go!"
- Parent
Meet the Lodge Leaders
Marian Woodington, Virginia
Wilderness Lodge
B.M. in Music Education. Loves cats & D&D!
Rodrigo Fernandez, Argentina
Wilderness Lodge
P.E. Teacher & Ocean Lifeguard. Loves fun & games!
image of young actors at a Sleepaway Theatre Camp in VAimage of tie-dye shirt at acting summer camp

Dinner

6:00 pm
Have a delicious meal with friends! On Friday nights, we’ll do a campfire meal – complete with the camp dessert staple, s’mores!
Sample Menu
  • Taco Bar: Build your own! Chicken, ground beef, beans, cheese, sour cream,  fresh veggies, and guacamole

Weekly Campouts

Theatre began around a campfire -  where people told stories in the dark.  Their stories chronicled their identity – origin myths, histories, trials and triumphs.  We continue that trend at Traveling Players, keeping theatre wild, singing around a campfire, telling our own stories and connecting with nature.  Time spent out of rehearsal allows campers to bond, forming friendships that last a lifetime.  The trust that is built during campouts translates to the stage with compelling performances.

image of Sleepaway Theatre Camp students by fire

Evening Activity

7:30 pm
After chores, enjoy either nighttime rehearsal or a camp-wide activity! Activities include: Skits, Open-Mic Nights, Scavenger Hunts, Capture the Flag, Movies Under the Stars, & more!

Appropriate Challenges

At Traveling Players we craft age-appropriate programs designed to incrementally challenge our students. From creating characters to pitching tents to setting up the sound system, our students know that the successes they have off stage allow them greater successes on stage.   The result: pride in their accomplishments, trust in their abilities, and confidence to tackle more in the future.

image of students at Acting Summer Camp

Evening Down Time

9:30 pm
Hang out with friends and unwind from the day while getting ready for bed.

Unplugged, yet Deeply Connected

With no cell phones or social media around, students get the chance to unplug and meaningfully connect with peers.

But don’t worry, they can still reach home through our camp mail & email system which is delivered daily!

image of overnight theatre camp students

"Good Night, Traveling Players!"

10:30 pm
Snuggle into your bunk and get lots of sleep for tomorrow’s theatrical adventures!
image of young actors at a theatre sleepaway camp

Saturdays & Sundays

Weekends at camp are little bit different than a typical day. They are more relaxed with more time for hanging out with friends!
  • Sleep-in til 11 am!
    • Early riser? Staff will be up with you so you can start your day.
  • Field Trips! Ziplining, River Hikes & more!
  • Camp-wide activities such as Camp Prom, D&D Campaigns, & Color Wars.
image of theatre summer camp for youth
Camp Discounts

Early Bird: $200 off 2wk programs & $300 off 3wk programs if you audition before January 31.
*All Ensembles have only one audition a month. Please refer to your desired program for latest audition dates.

Sibling Discount: $200 off for each additional sibling.

Spread-the-Word Rebate: $50 for each audition & $200 for each enrollment.

Need-based Financial Aid is available for all programs. Please contact Emma Mearns for more information.

Which camp is right for me?
If you can't decide between all of your options, we are happy to advise! Just call (703-987-1712) or email (info@travelingplayers.org) and we can walk you through where your actor will grow best.

Have a 6th or 8th Grader? Read about Swing Years!

Students who have been at Traveling Players before know the power of a strong and well-balanced ensemble. But how do you create a cohesive and effective ensemble? You need a mix of experiences and backgrounds – students of different ages, genders, and leadership experience — all of whom are eager to support and challenge each other to do their best work.

Our Swing Year students are eligible to perform in different ensembles, which will offer them different experiences.

Please audition only once – for the program that you are more interested in. We will take your preference into consideration when deciding ensemble assignments, but will place you in the ensemble that we feel is most appropriate for your growth as a performer.

6th Grade Swings: Audition for either the Mythology Ensemble or the Thespian Ensemble - or the Improv Intensive (2wk)
8th Grade Swings: Audition for either the Thespian Ensemble or the Shakespeare Ensemble - or the Improv Intensive (2 or 3 wk). You can also interview for tech. If interested in both acting and tech, please audition AND interview.

Please do not be discouraged if you are placed in a different ensemble than your preference. It is likely because we think you will receive a better challenge or more leadership opportunities in the other ensemble.

Out-of-the-Area Auditions & Interviews

Can't come in person? No problem! We are happy to schedule a Zoom meeting with you. We'll invite students who have been accepted into your desired program to fill out the Zoom room, making it a more enjoyable experience. Technical Theatre Interviews will remain solo.

Please contact Emma Mearns for more information.

*Please Note: Virtual Auditions & Interviews are only for non-local students. Anyone in the DMV area is expected to join us at one of our in-person dates. Thank you!

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Thespian Waiting List

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Name (Student)
Mailing

P.O. Box 1315
Great Falls, VA 22066

Studio

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

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.
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