Summer Camp with Filament Theatre
How do you make a brand-new play?
Grab your sunscreen and work with Filament Theatre’s directors, playwrights, and teaching artists to create new plays for young people in a summer of Filament Camps!
Filament Camps focus on amplifying the creativity of young participants. In a Filament camp, participants work with the theatre’s directors, playwrights, and teaching artists to directly influence the plays they’ll come to see throughout the year!
This summer, participants will explore new styles of theatre. They will grow their skills in creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, analysis of text, speaking directly to the audience, community engagement, and more — all while creating something fun that makes them proud! All camps culminate in a final performance for family and friends
Enrollment info:
Discounts Available:
Early Bird Pricing – Lock-in discounted rates when you enroll by April 30, 2026.
Sibling discounts available – email education@filamenttheatre.org for more information
JUST ADDED: Play-In-A-Day for Ages 8-14
June 22
Half Day Camps for Ages 5 – 9
July 13 – 24
Full Day Camps for Ages 8 – 14
July 27-31, August 3 – 7, August 10 – 14
Half Day Intensive for Ages 10-16
July 13-24
Check out this year's camps and intensives:
June 22 (ages 8-14) | 9am-3pm
To celebrate the start of Summer in Chicago and Summer at Filament we are creating a play in one day.
This one-day camp invites young people to come with creative ideas, immediately share them all, and once everything is out in the open, we’ll figure out just what adventure we are going to share at the end of the day. This camp blends improv and silliness, some writing, some singing, and maybe even some puppets. We don’t know what the day might hold when we invite all the ideas to simmer for a day together and celebrate all that summer can be.
The Play-in-a-Day will be shared with any and all friends and family at the end of our camp day, and it could be anything. Like truly – we don’t know. So come prepared to be surprised by everything the day holds. We are looking forward to being surprised by YOU!
This one-day program is Pay-What-You-Can, we have registration set at $0 so that everyone can participate while space allows, if you have capacity to make a donation to help continue to facilitate accessible programming for others, please consider doing so during check-out. Actual cost of the program is $40 per camper.
Please note: This is a one-day, full-day camp. Price: Pay-What-You-Can. Registration limited to 20 participants.
July 13-24 (ages 5-9) | 9am-12pm
Hissing snakes and barking dogs, meowing cats and hopping frogs! Animals of all shapes and sizes, species and realities are what our Fantanimals camp is all about. Using our bodies, found props, and all the creativity we can herd, our campers will make new friends and memories as they create stories and perhaps a brand new animal or two as well.
We will travel to the park for a snack break each day (weather permitting), and see what real animals can be found, all while crafting an exhilarating immersive performance for family and friends. Throughout camp, work with the professional artists exploring ideas from Filament and the Great Animal Kingdom.
Please note: This is a two-week, half-day camp. Price: $400. Early Bird Price: $375 when you book by April 30.
July 13-24 (ages 10-16) | 1PM-5PM
Participants will enjoy all the fun of Filament’s unique style of storytelling while learning some fundamental theater skills, playing with scripts (old and new), exploring Chicago style improv, and devising their very own production. They will have the chance to act, write, and play with aspects of technical theater as well as they create a world and create a story to share with friends and family.
Each intensive day will include a warm-up, practical skill studies (voice and movement), and traditional acting lessons. Participants will travel to the park for a snack break each day (weather permitting), to enjoy the outdoors, some summer sun, and maybe even play a few outdoor theater games there as well. The second half of most days will be focused on scene work, which will include playing with existing scripts, and generating new stories, as the ensemble creates a brand new piece of theater combining ideas through play. Artists will walk away at the end of the session with not only one more performance to share, but a monologue for future auditions, and new skills to take into their next projects.
This is Filament’s second camp collaboration with Stone Soup Shakespeare; professional actors from the company will work with Filament and campers sharing techniques they utilize in their own FAST residency rehearsals to make a story to share FAST.
Please note: This is a two-week, half-day intensive. Price: $400. Early Bird Price: $375 when you book by April 30.
July 27 - 31 (ages 8-14) | 9am-3pm
Anything can be a clue if you’re curious enough, and that’s the premise of this camp. Filament is ready to provide clues for campers to get curious about, and what they are clues to only the campers know. This camp is inspired by Filament’s summer of curating new work and asks campers to work the way we do: picking a question that needs answering and creating a story that aims to do so. Campers will work backwards and forwards as they come up with questions about the clues and answer them as well, and things will get even wackier when they start creating new clues of their own.
Daily lunchtime breaks at the park (weather permitting) means we can explore outdoor clues as well, and Filament’s storehouse of props means that our curious mystery of make believe might just take us anywhere.
We all love a mystery, and when the mystery ends with a brand new story to share with friends and family that mystery means that much more.
Please note: This is a one-week, full-day camp. Price: $400. Early Bird Price: $375 when you book by April 30.
August 3-7 (ages 8-14) | 9am-3p
Who loves a parade? US!
And what kind of parade? Well, here is where the fun begins. Parades can take on so many different personalities depending on where they are and what they’re for and who is taking part. Our teaching artists, inspired by parades around the world, will make parades daily with our campers. This camp is filled with spectacle, crafting, and a chance for every young person to get on their soap box and wave a baton as they shout about what’s important to them, inspiring others and having fun in the process.
Every day (that weather cooperates) campers will parade to the park for lunch and practice different ways to march and move together. By the end of the week, we’ll invite friends and family to cheer on our final parade sharing, and who knows, we might even through candy.
Please note: This is a one-week, full-day camp. Price: $400. Early Bird Price: $375 when you book by April 30.
August 10-14 (ages 8-14) | 9am-3p
Join us for a camp where the impossible is possible. Campers will explore all kinds of magic–from magic tricks to Harry Potter to traditions of folk magic from around the world. Together, we’ll learn Filament’s storytelling techniques, discover the ingredients that make magic and fantasy so much fun, and create original new characters and moments of magic. Go to the park for lunch each day and craft surprising and suspenseful original performances. By the end of the week, you’ll be ready to share original stories–and moments of magic–for family and friends.
Please note: This is a one-week, full-day camp. Price: $400. Early Bird Price: $375 when you book by April 30.
About Filament Camps
Through drama and creative play, Filament’s experienced teaching artists focus the days to explore creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, analysis of classic texts, speaking directly to the audience, and community engagement.
Why Filament Camp?
Filament Camp is special. At Filament Camp, there are no scripts and no assigned roles–each camper creates their own dream role. Campers create their own dialogue, characters, stories, and costumes.
– Filament Camp Testimonials –
Filament Camp Enrollment information:
Price: $400 per camp (unless otherwise stated)
*Early Bird Price $375* Book before April 30 to lock in this year’s camp for last year’s price!
Sibling discounts and scholarships may be available for your camp! email education@filamenttheatre.org for more information
Class size: Maximum 18 participants
With support and guidance from our experienced teaching artists, campers will create their own stories and performances. At Filament, there are no assigned roles or scripts–each camper creates their dream role! Participants will explore creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, analysis of text, speaking directly to the audience, community engagement, and more — all while creating something fun that makes them proud!
You will receive a detailed welcome email TWO WEEKS before your camp session begins. If you have any questions, we invite you to check out the FAQ’s tab or email education@filamenttheatre.org.
If you need to change your plans, Filament offers a 50% refund up to 2 weeks before the camp begins.
2026 Filament Camp: FAQs
What are your 2026 health and safety procedures?
Please review our health and safety procedures here.
How does Filament camp work?
Filament Camp activities will take place in the theatre and at nearby Dickinson Park. Enrollment will be limited to 18 campers per session. Campers will be supervised by two teaching artists at all times, participate in group activities, and complete additional activities in small groups of 2-3. Campers take breaks for snacks, or lunch if they are enrolled in a full-day program.
Is there a final performance?
At Filament, we like to say that the word “play is both a noun and a verb.” All campers will create a final performance that can be shared, but the performance may include outdoor activities like parades and games, and/or activities like films, podcasts, or artwork. Stay tuned for updates about your child’s final day of camp! You’ll definitely want to play along!
What will my camper’s role be?
With support and guidance from our experienced teaching artists, campers will create their own stories and performances. At Filament, there are no assigned roles or scripts–each camper creates their dream role! Participants will explore creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, analysis of text, speaking directly to the audience, community engagement, and more — all while creating something fun that makes them proud!
My camper has an IEP. Is this camp for them?
We welcome everyone to Filament Camp and we really, really mean it. Please contact the Education Director to discuss scheduling changes and/or other accommodations that will make your camper feel included, happy, and successful. Email education@filamenttheatre.org
What should we bring?
Please bring two water bottles, a snack, sunscreen and insect repellent. Full-day campers should bring a packed lunch free from common allergens. Campers may be asked to bring some recyclables from home. A complete materials list will be shared via email the week before your camp session begins.
What should we wear?
Please wear clothes that allow you to move freely, shoes that allow you to run and jump, and make sure your clothes can get dirty! You may also want to wear a hat or sunglasses.
What if we will be late/absent?
Please tell your teachers in advance if you will be late/absent/leaving early. Our camp includes daily trips to nearby Dickinson Park and we may ask you to report to the park rather than the theatre. You may email education@filamenttheatre.org with attendance information.
Who can pick-up my camper?
When you register for camp, please list the names of all the adults approved to pick-up your camper(s). You may add to this list at any time by emailing education@filamenttheatre.org. If an adult isn’t on our list, we will telephone for pick-up permission before dismissing the camper. Teaching artists are required to ask for a photo ID if they do not recognize someone at pick-up. Please share this information with all adults who may pick-up your camper(s).
What time can we pick up/drop off?
You may drop off anytime after 8:45am (or 12:45pm for afternoon camps). Please pick-up promptly at dismissal time, as our teachers are also working actors and directors who may have afternoon rehearsals.
What happens if we’re late for pick-up?
Sometimes grown-ups are late! Please call or text your teacher directly if you will be running late. We ask that you plan to be early for pick-up as our teaching artists are almost always going directly to another class, rehearsal, or audition. Thanks for your help!
Filament Theatre Camp Liability Waiver Summer 2026
- I hereby certify that (Participant) is in normal health and capable of participating safely in Filament Summer Camp, has Health Insurance, and that Filament Theatre Ensemble and all other participating agencies are not liable for any accidents while participating in Filament Summer Camp.
- In a life-threatening emergency, if the parent is unreachable, the Filament Staff have parental approval to transport child in an Emergency Medical Service Vehicle to the nearest hospital.
- DROP-OFF POLICY: Drop off begins 15 minutes before the camp day begins. It is unsafe for campers, as well as the program, to have any camper on campus unsupervised before that time. Participants should say “goodbye” outside the theatre, as we have strict limits on indoor capacity. I understand the drop-off policy.
4.WAIVER OF LIABILITY RELATING TO COVID-19: As it is not possible to entirely eliminate the potential presence of the disease, Filament Theatre cannot prevent you [or your child(ren)] from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while utilizing Filament Theatre’s services or premises. Therefore, if you choose to utilize Filament Theatre’s in-person services and/or enter Filament Theatre’s premises you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I have read and understood the above warning concerning COVID-19. I hereby choose to accept the risk of contracting COVID-19 for myself and/or my children to utilize Filament Theatre’s services and enter Filament Theatre’s premises. I accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19 in order to utilize Filament Theatre’s services and premises in-person.
WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/LIABILITY: I hereby forever release and waive my right to bring suit against Filament Theatre and its owners, officers, directors, managers, officials, trustees, agents, employees, or other representatives in connection with exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID-19 related to utilizing Filament Theatre’s services and premises. I understand that this waiver means I give up my right to bring any claims including for personal injuries, death, disease or property losses, or any other loss, including but not limited to claims of negligence and give up any claim I may have to seek damages, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen.
CHOICE OF LAW: I understand and agree that the law of the State of Illinois will apply to this waiver/contract.
- I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Filament Theatre Ensemble and their officers, agents, servants, and employees from any and all claims of every kind, known or unknown, present and future, that I may have arising out of, connected with, or in any way related to the program and my participation therein. My signature and/or e-signature on this form indicates that I have read and understand the above waiver and execute it of my own free will and without any reservation. I, the undersigned, have read and understand the terms of this agreement, and give permission for any and all medical attention to be administered to my child in the event of accident, injury, sickness, etc., including the transport of a child in an emergency medical vehicle to the nearest hospital under the direction of the Filament Theatre Ensemble staff, until such time as I may be contacted. I also assume responsibility for the payment of any such treatment. This release is effective through August 31, 2026.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT BY CLICKING AND PAYING REGISTRATION FEES THAT I AM AGREEING TO ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS RELEASE, AND FREELY AND KNOWINGLY ASSUME THE RISK AND WAIVE MY RIGHTS CONCERNING LIABILITY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
