Guide to Performing Arts and Music Camps for Kids in NJ

Lights, Camera, Action!!! at Summer Theater Camps 2024

Do you have a budding performer on your hands? Here is a guide to performing arts camps for kids in NJ. Summer camp is the perfect place to try out something new. Your child can participate in acting, singing, dancing, music, costume design, musical theater or Broadway style production shows. Performing arts camps allow children the opportunity to become future stars of the stage or screen.

For 2024, there are many great opportunities for kids to become Actors, Singers, Musicians & Performers. Kids can enjoy developing their own, unique, creative voice and self-expression in a safe and nurturing environment. If your child is a little “star” in-the-making, they will surely appreciate a performing arts camp where they can express their creativity through spoken word, song and/or dance.

Here are our best Day and Sleepaway Music and Performing Arts Theater Camps in the area:

Brightest Star Musical Theatre Camps (Day Camp and Sleep-away Camp Options)

At the sleep away camp for grade 6-12, students participate in daily classes and rehearsals, preparing for a full Broadway-style presentation with lights, sound, costumes, scenery, etc. Students arrive on Sunday and present the show on Friday night. Intensive for beginners and advanced theatrical students. Students stay in beautiful beach cottages and lake lodges. Location: LBI, Beach Haven.
The day camp for grades 3-8, is 2-weeks long and held in Morristown; concludes with full show.

Buck's Rock Camp (Sleepaway option)

59 Buck's Rock Rd, New Milford, CT 06776
Sleepaway Camp Performing Arts for ages 11 - 17 years
Buck's Rock Camp is a freedom-of-choice creative and performing arts camp for teens. Every day is a new opportunity for self-discovery and creative expression. From professionally-equipped studios and perfor- mance spaces, to state-of-the-art recording facilities and pool, campers are free to try over 30 world-class programs, including from glass- blowing, dance, painting, sketch comedy, radio, weaving, gardening and so much more!

Camp Encore/Coda (Sleepaway)

50 Encore/Coda Lane, Sweden, ME 04040
Sleepaway Camp, Music Camp for children finishing 3rd-11th grades.
We are a unique musical community offering daily instruction in diverse styles, including private lessons, orchestras, jazz bands, wind ensembles, rock bands, jazz combos, chamber music, chorus, jazz choir, theater & many concerts. 2023 is our 74th year! Supportive, non-competitive atmosphere. Also sports, swimming, boating, arts & crafts. 2, 3, 3.5, and 6.5 week sessions.

DREAM Summerstock VTC: A Sleepaway Musical Theater Intensive

256 Macopin Road, West Milford, NJ 07480, Ages: 12-19, Sleepaway
A comprehensive sleep-away for the serious Mu- sical Theater performer. Led by professionals,, campers perform in one of three fully produced shows (Heathers the Musical, High School Musical, & Pete(HER)Pan, A New Neverland). Rehearsals and workshops in Songwriting, Shakespeare, Musical Theater Dance, Character Analysis, Hip Hop, and Belting for Broadway. Plus swimming, boating, archery, hiking, movie nights, dance parties, nightly campfires.

Essex Youth Theater

1-17 Alvin Pl, Montclair, NJ
A theatre arts school for young people using custom-written scripts to guarantee equal role opportunities for every student. Classes are small and personalized culminating in a full-scale musical production. Incorporating acting exercises, theater games and improvisations, students are encouraged to develop their creative and dramatic skills while having fun. Classes are offered for ages 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12 with dramatic classes for 7 to 11 years old actors and camps for 6 to 12 year olds. At Essex Youth, everyone is a star!

M N Acting Studio

Closter, NJ, Ages 10-16
MN Acting Studio is a highly regarded and well-known acting institution that originated in the heart of New York City with a new location now open in Closter, NJ. Our studio specializes in providing the highest quality on-camera training for actors of all ages, both locally and globally. Founded by accomplished on-camera acting teacher, Matt Newton, MN Acting Studio takes a modern and innovative approach to acting education.

Musical Theatr e Conservatory

Livingston, NJ, Ages 7-18
Whether an experienced performer or just starting out, MTC students work with theatre professionals committed to giving every child the solid foundation they need to be the best performer they can be! The atmosphere is professional, positive, nurturing, and fun. That’s when the best learning occurs. They pride themselves on individual attention, age/level appropriate and exciting classes and a small student–teacher ratio. Students take exciting classes in: Voice • Acting • Theatre Dance • Song Interpretation • Comedy Improvisation • TV & Commercial Acting • Audition Technique Make-up and a final one-of-a-kind performance showcase in NYC (Broadway district)!

NJPAC Arts Education - Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass

1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
Ages 14-18, Sleepaway Camp, Music Camp
Dive into an immersive week of master classes, performances, small ensemble work, studio sessions, lectures and workshops on Montclair State University campus. Explore jazz, classical, early music, slap, Latin and electric in a non- competitive environment. Learn from some of the planet’s best bass players on our acclaimed faculty. Trade tips and techniques with other student musicians.

Porchlight Productions

Glen Rock and Cedar Grove Locations
Ages 5-18
Build an unforgettable summer experience at Porch Light! Discover our range of programs for all experience levels, ages 5-18, including weekly themed musical theatre camps for kids (am & pm sessions), teen workshops in Acting & Improv and Musical Theatre, our Academy Summer musical production and auditions for our award-winning Youth Performance Troupe (YPT) program. Build confidence, lasting friendships and elevate your performance skills in a fun and supportive space. Now with locations in Essex & Bergen Counties!

Rutgers Community Arts @ Mason Gross School of the Arts

85 George St, New Brunswick, Grades 5 - 12
Mason Gross School of the Arts, the nationally renowned arts conservatory at Rutgers University, offers a diverse range of summer camps designed to foster creativity and skill development in music, filmmaking, visual arts, and graphic design. Programs for middle-school and high-school students aim to ignite and nurture a passion for the arts while providing students with the necessary theoretical and technical foundations. For advanced artists, the camps offer preparation for collegiate-level study and beyond. For high school jazz and concert band enthusiasts our summer camps offer an immersive residential adventure where you'll be surrounded by fellow music lovers.

School of Rock Waldwick

152 Franklin Turnpike Ste B, Waldwick, NJ, Ages: 5-12
Offering a wide variety of music camps and workshops. Our local music camps are perfect for musicians of any skill level who want to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals.

T a ubenslag Productions Theater Camp

Elks Lodge, Edison, NJ, Ages: 5-16
Theater Camp runs for 8 weeks for kids entering 1st grade up to 16 years old. Whether they want to perform, create sets or props or be a counselor-in-training, we've got something for everyone. Campers can learn about all aspects of musical theater while also building confidence and self-esteem – all levels of experience or no experience at all are welcome! Theater Camp teaches kids how to use performance & theater arts to break out of their shells and come alive on stage - giving them the life skills needed to succeed! Our motto is, “When you try your best, you can do ANYTHING” - by the end of summer, our campers really see this come true!

Wharton School of the Performing Arts Camp

Berkeley Heights, NJ
Wharton offers an array of summer programs for all ages, where the entire family can engage with the power of music right from their home. From private lessons with an exemplary faculty at our Performing Arts School, as well as musical theater, drama, and early childhood music camps, to workshops and master classes with renowned guest artists, Wharton Arts offers something for everyone.

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As with any such information, please always call the establishment before visiting them in case the above provided information may have been updated or canceled since our date of publishing.