A Typical Day at Traveling Players'
Camps & Conservatories

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 benefit from a range of joyful extracurricular activities. For more details on our summer theater program schedule, continue reading below.

• 8:00 am – "Good Morning, Traveling Players!"
  • Wake up and get ready for the day in your cozy dorm (with electricity, AC, and bathrooms – flush toilets & showers!)
• 8:30 am – Breakfast
  • Sample Menu: Bacon, Sausages (Meat or Veggie), Scrambled Eggs, & Toast
• 9:45 am – Morning Rehearsal
  • 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 that each student receives personalized training and attention. In practice that attention 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.

• 12:00 pm – Lunch
  • Sample Menu: Make-Your-Own Sandwich, Salad, & Granola Bars
• 1:00 pm – Class
  • 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.

Sample Classes:

• 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

• 2:00 pm – Afternoon Rehearsal
  • 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

• 4:00 pm – Break Time!
  • Go on a hike, make arts & crafts, relax by the river, or memorize your lines!
• 6:00 pm – Dinner
  • Sample Menu: Taco Bar – Build your own! Chicken, ground beef, beans, cheese, sour cream,  fresh veggies, & guacamole
• 7:30 pm – Evening Activity
  • 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!
• 9:30 pm – Evening Downtime
  • Hang out with friends and unwind from the day while getting ready for bed.
• 10:30 pm –  “Goodnight Traveling Players!”
  • Snuggle into your bed and get lots of sleep for tomorrow’s theatrical adventures!

Saturdays & Sundays

Weekends at camp are a 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! Canoeing, Swimming, River Hikes & more!
• Camp-wide activities such as Camp Prom, D&D Campaigns, & Color Wars.