shakespeare
camps

How long have you been doing Bay Area Shakespeare Camps?
2022 marks our 30th season of Shakespeare Camps! We’ve gone from 1 camp in San Francisco to serving up to 700 campers every summer.

How old should you be to attend Bay Area Shakespeare Camps?
We have camps for children ages 7 to 18!  7 years old (rising  2nd graders) through 12 years old (rising 7th graders) for our Shakespeare Players camps, and and 13 years old (rising 8th graders) through 18 years old for our Upstart Crows Camp for Teens and our Advanced Shakespeare Workshop. The age criteria are based on a few different variables, but its primary intent is to try and ensure that the camper’s experience is a positive and enjoyable one.

Is it okay to go to camp if you’ve never acted before?
Yes! Groundlings, Shakespeare Players, and Upstart Crows Camps are designed for beginning and intermediate campers. Classes are small enough that our teaching artists are able to work with each individual at his or her level, including those who are new to performing.

What is the camper-teacher ratio at camp?
Approximately 10:1. The maximum number of campers at each session is 40. For a full camp, there will be 3 teaching artists and 1 manager. Full camps frequently also have a teen intern. Each group has no more than 15 campers with one teaching artist, to ensure that everyone gets plenty of individual attention and a speaking role in the final production.

Who are the teaching artists at Bay Area Shakespeare Camp?
Our teaching artists are working actors, stage managers, directors, and designers. Most have extensive teaching experience with camps and other programs. About a third have postgraduate degrees in theater. Some are currently enrolled in theatre degree programs at Universities. All of our teaching artists attend our company culture, classroom management, and curriculum training sessions. We do criminal background checks on all teaching staff. We are very proud of the quality of our teaching artists and curriculum. See our roster of Teaching Artists.

What happens during a typical day at Shakespeare Camp?
For the first half-hour, from 9-9:30 am, the whole group meets together to do a warm-up. Then the group divides up into smaller groups for three classes. Each class lasts for one hour – 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30, and 12-1. Our lunch break is from 11:30-12. At the end of the day, each group has a two hour rehearsal for the final performance, from 1-3 pm.
Upstart Crows Camps have a similar structure, but usually they only have two classes of an hour and a half each.
If aftercare is offered at the site, aftercare campers have unstructured play time from 3-5:30 PM.

What are the morning classes?
In Shakespeare Players camps, the classes are Voice & Movement, which helps each actor to learn to use their voice and body to communicate characters and on-stage objectives; Discovering Shakespeare, focused on exploring the words Shakespeare used, his language and the culture he wrote in; and Production & Design, in which campers design and create their own props, scenery, and costumes. In Upstart Crows camps, instead of Production & Design, we focus on Audition Technique or Stage Combat.

What should my child bring to Shakespeare Camp? What clothes are appropriate?
Campers should bring a bag lunch (no food is provided), any necessary medication, and an afternoon snack if attending aftercare. Some sites have faith-based food restrictions, about which you’ll be informed in the confirmation letter. We highly recommend bringing a large bottle of water and sunscreen for outdoor sites. We provide all worksheets, a class folder, a script and materials for prop, scenery, and costume construction. Campers will sometimes volunteer to bring props and costumes from home. We cannot be responsible for lost property, so think carefully before sending something precious. Campers should wear clothes that are comfortable to move in – skirts are not allowed unless shorts or leggings are worn underneath. No sandals or flip-flops; closed-toed shoes are best.

Why does the youngest group perform a scene or selection of scenes instead of a full play?
We work to make sure every camper has the most successful theatrical experience, and work hard to match expectations to each camper’s developmental abilities. While some children have the ability to memorize and recite larger amounts of text, we find that having a shorter production with a simpler dramatic structure is best for young learners. Instead of focusing only on memorization, they have the time to work more closely with their director and fellow campers, developing important theatrical skills such as interpretive movement, ensemble work, and a fully realized, embodied performance of Shakespeare’s poetry.

How do you cast the camp shows? Does everyone get a part?
Our camps are focused more on social-emotional learning, team-building, and developing appreciation for the art form of theatre than on training professionally competitive actors. During the first day of camp, the teaching artists will describe the characters and action of the play and play a series of games that reveal students’ strengths in reading, speaking text, movement, leadership and creativity. The teaching artist assesses what level of challenge is right for each child, and will make their decisions over the first few days of camp. Every effort is made to give each child an appropriate role for his or her level of experience and comfort, and not to overwhelm any child with a role that is too large for them to learn and perform successfully. And yes, everyone gets a speaking role.

What if my child is unhappy with their role?
Most campers, even if they are initially unhappy with their casting, find that they love their roles after a day or two of rehearsal. Our teaching artists make a special effort to highlight every performer and the importance of their role in the overall story.

When is the final performance?
Shakespeare Player’s and Upstart Crows Camps: 2:00 pm on the final Friday of camp. Performances last 45-90 minutes depending on how many groups are in a particular camp. For Virtual Camps, we encourage campers to continue our tradition of a post-show cast party by celebrating at home with their families and keeping the Zoom connection open to celebrate with their cast mates.

What is the disciplinary procedure at camp?
Each camper is asked to sign an agreement before the start of camp saying that he or she will agree to follow our basic camp rules of respect for the teaching artists, respect for the site, and respect for each other. During the first morning warm-up, the teaching artists will go over this agreement and ask campers to give suggestions for positive ways to support each other and the productions. If a camper violates a camp rule, he or she will first receive a warning, then a time-out with the manager, then a parent call from the manager, then a call from the Education Director and expulsion from camp. Major infractions will result in immediate expulsion. We do not tolerate behavior that interferes with other campers’ physical or emotional safety at camp.

Do you accept campers with special needs?
Yes. In the past we have had campers with autism, cerebral palsy, Asperger’s syndrome, diabetes, and other mental and physical challenges. We find that most of these campers do extremely well at camp. Those with severe challenges may need the on-site attention of a parent or caregiver – this is decided on a case-by-case basis. We ask that all parents of children with special needs indicate this on the emergency form. The more we know, the more prepared our staff can be.

Is it okay to miss days during Shakespeare Camp?
The campers who are able to attend every day of camp undoubtedly have a more rewarding experience. Even a short absence can cause your camper to miss out on a lot! Of course, emergencies and illnesses happen, and we do our best to work with them. Parents and children should remember that putting on a play requires a team effort from all cast members, and absences hurt the production. Please do not plan your vacation to overlap with the camp. There are no discounts for missed days of camp. If your child cannot participate in the final performance, it’s challenging for our teaching artists to keep them engaged during rehearsals.

What’s the difference between Upstart Crows and the Advanced Shakespeare Workshop?
The Advanced Shakespeare Workshop is the one summer program with more of a professional training focus (although it’s still appropriate for teens who don’t intend to have a career in the arts). It is recommended for actors aged 14-18 who have attended at least one camp and are ready to work in a more intense and focused atmosphere. Students entering the ASW should have a good grasp of scansion, comfort with Shakespeare’s language, and speak and move confidently. ASW students work on vocal technique, physical conditioning and expression, and deep text work on one or more selected scenes and monologues. This allows them to immerse themselves in the language more completely and also acquire material for future auditions.
ASWs are limited to 12 students. Students enjoy a professional atmosphere with one-on-one coaching, and the company of like-minded, self-motivated young actors. ASW students can expect to have a lot of material to memorize and occasional outside homework assignments. Participation in the ASW is by audition/interview only (note: returning ASW actors are not required to audition)
Upstart Crows Camps are similar to the regular Camps in that experience is welcome but not required. There may be advanced actors as well as beginning and intermediate in Upstart Crows Camps; sometimes advanced actors enjoy participating in both programs since they are quite different. The camp ends with a final performance of a 30-minute Shakespeare play.

What do you do in Aftercare?
This depends on the site. At outdoor sites, there may be time to play on the playground or with a Frisbee, etc. At indoor sites, we may be able to show PG and G rated films of Shakespeare plays or documentaries on Shakespeare’s life. At most sites, there is time to continue with Production & Design projects, learn lines, and play theater games. We try to keep aftercare fairly loosely organized. Campers have had a very structured day and often appreciate the free play time.

How does pricing work for aftercare?
Students can enroll in aftercare for a two-week camp for $150.  Alternatively campers can attend a day of aftercare for $35 each day.  If you plan to drop into aftercare for a day, please inform the camp staff at least 24 hours in advance.  Payments can be given to camp staff in check form.  We can’t take cash at camp.  You may also call SF Shakes 415-558-0888, and pay with credit card.

My child loved camp! Can we sign up for a second session, or will it be too repetitive?
Although the basic curriculum remains the same from session to session, a different teaching artist may have a different approach, and campers frequently benefit from multiple sessions in one summer. If your child is signing up for multiple sessions, let us know and we’ll put him or her into a different role or with a different teaching artist so that he or she will have a new experience in each session. Campers who enroll for a second session in the same season will receive a $50 rebate on their second enrollment!

How can my child best prepare for camp? Do you recommend any books or videos?
Although it’s fine for campers to walk in without having read the plays or seen any Shakespeare, it’s always an advantage to have a little prior experience with the language. Your local library likely has a collection of Shakespeare performances on video, as well as illustrated books of Shakespeare’s stories for all ages and reading levels.

My child has been attending camp for many years, and wants to take the next step. How can s/he become an intern?
Please see our internships page for more information about our internship program.

Do you have scholarships?
We offer need-based scholarship assistance on a case-by-case basis, and any student on the Free/Reduced lunch program may pay as little as $25. See the Scholarships section. We have never had to turn away a camper with genuine financial need, although we may have some restrictions on which camp sessions are available.

What are the transfer and cancellation policies?
Transfers from one camp session to another, on a space available basis, may be made prior to the start of the session. If you transfer more than once, a $25 administrative fee will be assessed for each additional change. There is a $100 administrative fee for cancellations prior to one week before the start of camp (for June 7 session, cancel before May31; for June 28 session, cancel before June 21; for July 19 session, cancel before July 12). No refunds can be made after the  cancel date deadline.

Any questions we haven’t answered?
Give us a call at 415-558-0888 or email sfshakes@sfshakes.org.