Young Shakespeareans
For over twenty years, our Young Shakespeareans workshops have inspired, nurtured, and encouraged the dreams of children and teens from ages eight to eighteen. Professional actors from our company help participants bring Shakespeare’s words to life through coaching in voice, movement and dialogue, and with activities designed to boost confidence and foster collaborative relationships. We want our Young Shakespeareans to gain ease with the language, passion for the text and friendships that last long beyond the workshop.
During the summer, our camps and workshops take place on our two Festival stages under the tents in Vanier Park. Our participants get to experience a side of our Festival that many others don’t get to see—behind the scenes of the Bard Village.
Most of our camps and workshops are half-day sessions and run every day over the course of two weeks. During the sessions, participants will explore one of Shakespeare’s beloved plays – with a final showcase for family and friends!
Video & Photos
Summer Young Shakespeareans | Photos by Joe Biegel
Spring Break Programs
All our Spring Break programming takes place at the BMO Theatre Centre in Olympic Village, a custom-built arts hub that is home to the administrative offices and rehearsal spaces for Bard on the Beach and the Arts Club. We’re very excited to welcome you into this space where many local artists play and create.
Theatre Camp
For participants in Grades 4-7
Shakespeare: Magic and MischiefShakespeare’s plays are filled with “merry wanderers of the night” who infuse their worlds with magic, trickery, and power. This week-long camp will explore these playful scenes – perfect for those that delight in a little trouble. |
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| March 18 – 22 | 9am – 4pm Presentation: Friday, March 22 at 3:00 pm *Family and friends invited!* $485 (+$25 for drop-off at 8:30am and $45 for pick-up at 5:30pm) |
REGISTER NOW |
Teen Workshop
For participants in Grades 8-12
Shakespeare: Action and AdventureIn many of Shakespeare’s plays, the characters find themselves facing a frontier – for some, freedom and fancy lie ahead while others confront difficult decisions that will change their lives completely. These adventures call upon courage and friendship, to discover the thrill of the unknown. |
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| March 18 – 22 | 10am – 5pm Presentation: Friday, March 22 at 3pm *Family and friends invited!* $485 |
REGISTER NOW |
Siblings? Register more than one family member to enjoy a 25% discount on the additional camp or workshop. Discount applied at checkout.
Summer Theatre Camps
2019 Theatre Camps for Young Shakespeareans
8-13 year olds
Participant must have completed grade 3 or have turned 8 before the start of the camp.
After registering for one of our camps/workshops, enjoy a 25% discount for any additional camps/workshops purchased this summer for the participant or for siblings.
Optional Theatre Camp add-ons: before/after care
TUESDAY, JULY 2 – FRIDAY, JULY 5 |
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| Shakespeare Discovery
Do you love Shakespeare? Or is Shakespeare new for you? In this four day theatre camp, we’ll explore some of his most beloved language, characters and stories and discover why Shakespeare is still part of our lives after all this time. Participants will share their work in a final showcase on Friday afternoon. |
9:30am–4pm Final Presentation: Friday, July 5 at 3pm $345 |
MONDAY, JULY 8 – FRIDAY, JULY 19 |
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| Macbeth
Macbeth encounters three witches who speak of fortunes that seem too good to be true. Are they telling the truth? Have they cast some kind of spell? Or are they just playing tricks? One thing is certain… something wicked this way comes! |
9:30am–12:30pm Final Presentation: Friday, July 19 at 11am $400 |
| The Tempest
A spell is cast. A ship is wrecked. And Prospero is presented with a choice: use his magical powers to take revenge on those who wronged him in the past, or find a greater power through forgiveness and love. |
2–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, July 19 at 3pm $400 |
MONDAY, JULY 22 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 |
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| Hamlet
When the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears asking for revenge, Hamlet is faced with a dilemma and ponders one of life’s biggest questions: “to be, or not to be”. In one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and memorable plays, mystery meets friendship, family duty and the supernatural. |
9:30am–12:30pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 2 at 11am $400 |
| As You Like It
Steal away into the forest and open your heart to new friends, ideas and possibilities! In one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Rosalind and Celia escape the power-hungry Duke to find adventure in the woods and the freedom to be themselves. |
2–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 2 at 3pm $400 |
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 |
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| A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Unsuspecting mortals find themselves in an enchanted wood where magic and mayhem rule. Perfect for Young Shakespeareans, this play strikes the imagination instantly and invites them to bring all the magic and silliness they can muster to the stage. |
2–5pm Final Presentation: Saturday, August 17 at 10:30am $400 |
MONDAY, AUGUST 19 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 |
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| As You Like It
Steal away into the forest and open your heart to new friends, ideas and possibilities! In one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Rosalind and Celia escape the power-hungry Duke to find adventure in the woods and the freedom to be themselves. |
9:30am–12:30pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 30 at 11am $400 |
Summer Teen Workshops
2019 Teen Workshops for Young Shakespeareans
13-18 year olds
Participant must have completed grade 7 before the start of the workshop.
After registering for one of our camps/workshops, enjoy a 25% discount for any additional camps/workshops purchased this summer for the participant or for siblings.
TUESDAY, JULY 2 – FRIDAY, JULY 5 |
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| Shakespeare: Deep Dive
Think of all the Shakespeare plays we never get to do in Young Shakespeareans. Now’s your chance to explore your favourite speech from any Shakespeare play and make it your own! |
9:30am–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, July 5 at 4pm $415 |
MONDAY, JULY 8 – FRIDAY, JULY 19 |
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| Twelfth Night
Viola survives a shipwreck, only to find herself alone in a new city believing that her twin has drowned. To buy time she disguises herself as a boy, which lands her in the middle of an awkward love triangle. How does the disguise change her identity? Can she untangle the web she has woven? |
9:30am–1:30pm Final Presentation: Friday, July 19 at 12pm $490 |
| As You Like It
Steal away into the forest and open your heart to new friends, ideas and possibilities! In one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Rosalind and Celia escape the power-hungry Duke to find adventure in the woods and the freedom to be themselves. |
1–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, July 19 at 4pm $490 |
MONDAY, JULY 22 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 |
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| Henry V
In this play, the characters strive to unlock the power of words in order to make history. We get up close and personal with a hero and learn that even the most celebrated leaders of our time are still human. |
9:30am–1:30pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 2 at 12pm $490 |
| Romeo and Juliet
One of Shakespeare’s most famous plays shows us what happens when a society chooses hate over love, while the young people at the heart of the story express what’s most important in life using the most exquisite language. |
1–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 2 at 4pm $490 |
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 |
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| As You Like It
Steal away into the forest and open your heart to new friends, ideas and possibilities! In one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Rosalind and Celia escape the power-hungry Duke to find adventure in the woods and the freedom to be themselves. |
9:30am–1:30pm Final Presentation: Sunday, August 18 at 10:30am $490 |
MONDAY, AUGUST 19 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 |
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| Macbeth
Macbeth encounters three weird sisters who speak of fortunes that seem too good to be true. Are they telling the truth? Have they cast some kind of spell? Or are they just playing tricks? One thing is certain… something wicked this way comes! |
1–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 30 at 4pm $490 |
MONDAY, AUGUST 26 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 |
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| The Two Gentlemen of Verona
When Valentine and Proteus leave home for the big city, their friendship is tested by the new relationships they develop. The young people in this play wrestle with the thrill of first love, the pain of betrayal and the courage it takes to make sense of it all. *This teen intensive is for 15-18 year olds |
9:30am–5pm Final Presentation: Friday, August 30 at 4pm $475 |
REGISTRATION
Our Young Shakespeareans theatre camps and workshops fill up quickly! To secure your spot in your preferred session, follow the checklist below.
Checklist
1. I have submitted the Participant Form.
2. I have created my patron account. Hint: do this in advance to save time during registration!
3. I have completed payment for the child/teen’s spot in the camp or workshop, or submitted my bursary application form.
Cancellation Policy
There is no fee for transfers (based on availability); please phone Katie Johnstone at 604.737.0625 ext. 262.
- Full refund, if cancelled via email by April 15. Email: ysw@bardonthebeach.org
- After April 15, until 2 weeks prior to the start of your session, 50% of the fees are refundable.
- No refund within 2 weeks of the start of your session.
Bursaries
Young Shakespeareans Bursary Information
Established in 2009 by the Bard Volunteers, the fund helps individuals, families, schools and organizations overcome financial barriers to participation in our programs.
If you have any questions about Young Shakespeareans workshops, please email ysw@bardonthebeach.org or phone 604.737.0625 ext. 262.