Creative Root Classes for Kids
Silliness is encouraged when you’re at Creative Root! We offer classes for kids during the Fall, Winter, and Spring on campus at The Theatre School at DePaul or we can bring the classes to you with an after school or community program in your space!
Kids can let their imaginations soar as they learn valuable theatre skills. We provide a rotating selection of core classes that focus on everything from musical theatre to improv with occasional spotlight classes that focus on a specialized skill or type of theater-like stage combat or radio plays!
We’re gonna move our bodies. We’re gonna use our imaginations. And we’re gonna get growing!
UNEXPECTED HEROES!
Ages: 9-14
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
June 29, 2026 -
July 10, 2026
Program Fee: Two Weeks $800, Early Bird $725
Inspired by The Last Kids on Earth Series by Max Brallier
The apocalypse is here, and survival is no joke! Older campers will build monster-fighting squads, design epic defenses, and create their own hilarious, heart-pounding adventures. With zombies, winged wretches, and maybe even a Blarg or two, campers will use teamwork, creativity, and a little bit of courage to save the day. Who knew the end of the world could be this much fun?
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by February 16, 2026!
Join the Waitlist? We offer a waitlist option at no cost. You can sign up directly through the registration site by clicking the waitlist button. If space becomes available, we will contact families in order as spots open up, so be sure to keep an eye on your email!
UNEXPECTED HEROES!
Ages: 6-9
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
June 29, 2026 -
July 10, 2026
Program Fee: Two Weeks $800, Early Bird $725
Inspired by The Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey
They look like villains. They act like villains. They even smell like villains. But these misunderstood mischief-makers are ready to prove they can be heroes! Campers will design sneaky disguises, invent crazy gadgets, and dive into wild missions packed with laughter, teamwork, and imagination. Can they pull off the ultimate good-guy transformation? Only one way to find out… Join a team of misunderstood mischief-makers trying to prove they can be heroes!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by February 16, 2026!
Join the Waitlist? We offer a waitlist option at no cost. You can sign up directly through the registration site by clicking the waitlist button. If space becomes available, we will contact families in order as spots open up, so be sure to keep an eye on your email!
ONCE UPON A TWIST!
Ages: 9 - 14
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 13, 2026 -
July 24, 2026
Program Fee: Two Weeks $800, Early Bird $725
Inspired by The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
No one is safe in the Land of Stories—witches, goblins, elves, and trolls are everywhere, causing chaos at every turn! When the Bailey twins tumble from their world into this magical realm, they encounter the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about…some helpful, some hilariously tricky, and some downright scary. Older campers will dive into this enchanting world, creating their own characters, inventing wild adventures, and building original scenes where classic tales collide with modern twists. Can they survive, outsmart the villains, and find their way home? Only imagination will tell!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by February 16, 2026!
Join the Waitlist? We offer a waitlist option at no cost. You can sign up directly through the registration site by clicking the waitlist button. If space becomes available, we will contact families in order as spots open up, so be sure to keep an eye on your email!
ONCE UPON A TWIST!
Ages: 6-9
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 13, 2026 -
July 24, 2026
Program Fee: Two Weeks $800, Early Bird $725
Inspired by The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Step into a hilarious retelling of the classic tale—from the wolf’s point of view! Campers will meet quirky, silly characters, build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks, and imagine what really happened when the wolf huffed and puffed. They’ll craft their own wild twists on fairy tales, invent zany plot twists, and bring laughter, creativity, and mischief to every scene. Will the wolf finally get his side of the story told? Only the campers can decide!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by February 16, 2026!
Join the Waitlist? We offer a waitlist option at no cost. You can sign up directly through the registration site by clicking the waitlist button. If space becomes available, we will contact families in order as spots open up, so be sure to keep an eye on your email!
DRAGONS & DESTINY!
Ages: 9-14
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 27, 2026 -
August 7, 2026
Program Fee: Two Weeks $800, Early Bird $725
Inspired by the Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland
Enter a world of dragon tribes, ancient prophecies, and epic destiny! Campers will create their own dragon characters, develop thrilling storylines, and bring dramatic scenes to life in an original play packed with fire, flight, and fierce imagination. From daring battles to clever alliances, they’ll harness teamwork, creativity, and courage to soar through a fantastical world where anything can happen.
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by February 16, 2026!
Join the Waitlist? We offer a waitlist option at no cost. You can sign up directly through the registration site by clicking the waitlist button. If space becomes available, we will contact families in order as spots open up, so be sure to keep an eye on your email!
DRAGONS & DESTINY!
Ages: 6-9
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 27, 2026 -
August 7, 2026
Program Fee: Two Weeks $800, Early Bird $725
Inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon Series by Cressida Cowell
Step into Hiccup’s world of dragons, daring, and discovery! Young campers will join him on his first adventures, learning that being a hero isn’t about size or strength—it’s about bravery, clever thinking, and heart. Through theater games and imaginative storytelling, campers will hatch wild ideas, train dragons, and navigate hilarious mishaps as they craft their own original dragon-filled adventures. With themes of friendship, courage, and believing in yourself, this camp helps every young Viking discover their inner hero!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by February 16, 2026.
Join the Waitlist? We offer a waitlist option at no cost. You can sign up directly through the registration site by clicking the waitlist button. If space becomes available, we will contact families in order as spots open up, so be sure to keep an eye on your email!
Have questions? Explore our FAQs or send us an email.
Do you offer before or aftercare?
We typically offer after care until 4pm, but no later, for an additional fee. It is a self-directed time, so campers are encouraged to bring a book to read, a quiet game to play, or another activity they enjoy. There is no early drop off.
What do we do at Creative Root’s Summer Camp?
We learn about all things theater—from acting to design to script writing! Over the course of two weeks, we explore every step in building a story and bringing it to life. Along the way, we learn to collaborate, share our own unique talents, and hopefully make new friends! During Week One, we will spend time together exploring our story, developing characters, and collectively creating a script. Then in Week Two, we’ll bring our story to life through rehearsals and designing elements (like props and costumes) that shape what our world looks like. With new stories and new collaborators each session, each camp experience is unique to its ensemble and how they envision their story together.
How long is a camp session?
A typical camp session lasts two weeks! Mondays through Fridays, 9am-3pm, no weekends.
What does a typical camp day look like?
9:00-9:45am: Check In, Ensemble Warm-Up and Goal Setting for the Day
9:45-10:30am: Ensemble Building Activities
10:30-10:45am: Snack & Bathroom Break
10:45-12:00pm: Creative Storytelling & Movement, Writing, Rehearsal
12:00-1:00pm: Lunch Club & Playground
1:00-2:50pm: Mindful Moment-Recentering for Afternoon/Craft Project/Rehearsal
2:50-3:00pm: Closing Reflection
3:00-3:15pm: Pick Up/Dismissal
3:15pm-4:00pm: After Care
Drop Off (9:00am) & Pick Up (3:00pm):
Drop off & Pick Up will take place at The Theatre School (2350 N Racine Ave). A Creative Root staffer will greet you outside by the main entrance of the building to check each camper in for the day. The main entrance is located in the middle of the building on Racine (not the corner on Fullerton—those doors are locked). There is free parking along Racine on the northbound side and paid parking along the southbound side.
Campers must be signed out by a parent or guardian (or someone authorized on your google form) before they are allowed to leave camp, unless they have written permission to sign themselves out and walk home. Please be sure to pick up your camper no later than 3:15pm unless enrolled in after care, as many of our staff and instructors have other professional commitments after camp hours. If you’re running late, need to update pick-up details, or your camper will be absent, feel free to call or email—we’re here to help and happy to support your family!
If you’re running late for drop-off or pick-up, or if your child will miss a day, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping things running smoothly and ensuring a safe and timely process for everyone!