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!
The Witches of Oz!
Ages: 6-9
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
June 30, 2025 -
July 11, 2025
No camp on Friday, July 4.
Program Fee: Two Weeks $775, Early Bird $700
Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz
Meet the unforgettable characters of Oz—courageous lions, clever scarecrows, and whimsical witches! Young adventurers will craft their own magical wands, create Emerald City art, and face playful challenges inspired by the Wicked Witch’s schemes. Each day is filled with imaginative games and tales that celebrate bravery, friendship, and fun!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by April 1, 2025!
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!
The Witches of Oz!
Ages: 10 - 14
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
June 30, 2025 -
July 11, 2025
No camp on Friday, July 4.
Program Fee: Two Weeks $775, Early Bird $700
Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, and infused by elements from Wicked
Dive deeper into the magic and mystery of Oz! Older campers will unravel the secrets of the Wizard and explore the complex story of the Wicked Witch. From crafting enchanted objects to navigating puzzling quests, they’ll test their wits and courage in this world where nothing is as it seems. With flying monkeys, shifting alliances, and spellbinding surprises, The Witches of Oz is an unforgettable adventure where every camper becomes a hero of their own story.
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by April 1, 2025.
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!
Into the Wild!
Ages: 6 - 9
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 14, 2025 -
July 25, 2025
Program Fee: Two Weeks $775, Early Bird $700
Inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are
Set sail with Max to a mysterious island where the Wild Things roam! Campers will unleash their imaginations, crafting their own wild adventures with roaring games, creative art projects, and epic storytelling. From leading a wild rumpus to creating crowns fit for a king or queen, this group will celebrate the fearless spirit of Max and the Wild Things!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by April 1, 2025!
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!
Into the Wild!
Ages: 10-14
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 14, 2025 -
July 25, 2025
Program Fee: Two Weeks $775, Early Bird $700
Inspired by Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot
Step into the world of Roz, the resourceful robot, and explore her journey of survival, connection, and self-discovery in the untamed outdoors. Campers will dive into Roz’s story, writing their own scripts inspired by her adventures and the characters she encounters. Through theater games, character exploration, and collaborative storytelling, they’ll bring to life themes of resilience, empathy, and the beauty of nature.
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by April 1, 2025!
The Wizards of Hogwarts!
Ages: 6-9
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 28, 2025 -
August 1, 2025
Program Fee: Two Weeks $775, Early Bird $700
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series
Step into the magical world of Hogwarts and let your imagination soar! In this enchanting theater camp, young witches and wizards will explore spellcasting, magical creature encounters, and whimsical adventures—all while creating and performing their own original wizarding play. Through fun theater games and role-playing, campers will develop their magical personas, from brave young students to quirky professors and playful magical creatures. With themes of friendship, bravery, and discovery at its heart, this camp is perfect for sparking creativity in budding wizards!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by April 1, 2025!
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!
The Wizards of Hogwarts
Ages: 10-14
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
July 28, 2025 -
August 8, 2025
Program Fee: Two Weeks $775, Early Bird $700
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series
Step up to the next level of magic and performance! Older campers will dive into advanced theater activities, from crafting dynamic characters to writing original scripts inspired by the wizarding world. Through potion-making scenes, wand dueling choreography, and mysteries of the Forbidden Forest, they’ll explore deeper magical themes while refining their acting skills. Campers will work together to create and perform an original play full of enchantment, clever riddles, and dramatic twists. Perfect for aspiring actors ready to unlock the magic within!
Early Bird $75 Discount Automatically Applied if you Register by April 1, 2025!
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 are hoping to add aftercare options for Summer Camp 2025, so please check back in the spring for an update. In the meantime, feel free to let us know if before or aftercare would be helpful for your family as you plan for the future!
Is this a musical theatre camp?
Not exactly, but music, singing, and dancing often find their way into our camps! Each show is uniquely crafted around the creativity and interests of the ensemble. If your camper loves telling stories through song and dance, we’ll happily lean into that and let it shine! At the same time, we understand that singing and dancing can feel intimidating for some young artists, so participation in those elements is always optional. Our goal is to create a space where every camper feels comfortable and excited to share their talents!
Locations & Inclement Weather
Creative Root’s camp takes place at The Theatre School at DePaul (2350 N. Racine Ave). We’ll head to Oscar Mayer’s Playground (2250 N. Clifton) for lunch and a short playground break. If weather conditions like rain, heat, or poor air quality make outdoor activities unsafe, we’ll stay indoors.
Please pack your camper for the weather, whether it’s for outdoor fun or cool indoor air conditioning. If they’ll be outside, don’t forget sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a beach towel or yoga mat if they prefer not to sit on the grass. Each camper will have a cubby to store larger items like towels, mats, jackets, and paint shirts during the session.
COVID-19 Protocols for Summer Camps at Creative Root
Creative Root is committed to providing a fun, creative, and safe experience for all campers. While we are excited to offer an immersive and engaging theater experience, we are also dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all participants and instructors. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required, but it is strongly recommended. We remain mask-friendly, and you can let us know if you’d like your camper to wear a mask indoors or outdoors. Two weeks prior to your camp session, you will receive a Welcome Letter with a detailed information packet outlining our COVID-19 policies and procedures, including guidelines for exposure, symptoms, or diagnosis. We will follow DePaul University’s campus policies, which can be reviewed here: DePaul’s COVID-19 Policies.
What do we do at Creative Root’s Summer Theater Camp?
At Creative Root’s Summer Theater Camp, we jump into the world of theater with creativity and fun! Over the course of two weeks, campers will explore acting, design, and script writing—learning how to build a story and bring it to life, all while making new friends. Each day starts with fun warm-ups, including gentle yoga-based stretching, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, to get our bodies and minds ready for creativity. Through theater games and activities, we’ll develop our actor’s tools—our imaginations, bodies, and voices—and strengthen our ensemble by working together and learning from each other. In the first week, we’ll dive into our story, creating characters and developing an original script. In the second week, we’ll bring our story to life with rehearsals, design elements like props and costumes, and shaping the world we’ve created. Every camp experience is unique, driven by the ensemble’s creativity and the story they bring to the stage!