Theatre School

Cranbrook Theatre School

The Greek Theatre has served as the centerpiece of Cranbrook Theatre School for over 100 years; a beautiful full-sized replica of a classic outdoor Greek theater setting nestled in a mature pine forest. Our curriculum is designed to meet campers at their individual skill levels, working to cultivate confidence and nurture an understanding of the theatre arts through hands-on experience and exploration.

About the Camp

est. 1941
(coed, entering grades 2-12 in Fall 2025)

General Information
Our curriculum is designed to meet campers at their individual skill levels, working to cultivate confidence and nurture an understanding of the theatre arts through hands-on experience and exploration. The Cranbrook Theatre School (CTS) staff is composed of working theatrical and educational professionals, many with multiple years serving CTS. These dedicated and devoted artists work to develop the same passion in the campers they teach. From Shakespeare to Swan Lake to Sondheim, we strive to instill in our campers a sense of understanding of the theatre arts and all they stand for; a safe and welcoming environment for people of all ages and backgrounds is indeed one of our top objectives.

A Day in the Life
Campers are fully engaged throughout the camp day. While we generally spend time focusing on rehearsals and workshops, campers and staff also have the opportunity to participate in many activities including, but not limited to: walking tours of campus, field day activities, visits to Cranbrook Art Museum, visits to Cranbrook Institute of Science, talent shows, dance parties, popsicles/ice cream socials, and so much more! CTS has a long history of fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment. We cultivate a positive learning experience for campers of all grade levels. While learning about the theatre arts, campers explore individuality, expression, and kindness. Individual attention and encouragement from our staff are a top priority. The friendships and memories that are made at camp last a lifetime!

Basic Daily Schedule

Drop-Off
Attendance, Warm-Ups, Ice Breakers, Activities
Workshop/Rehearsal
Snack
Workshop/Rehearsal
Lunch
Activity
Workshop/Rehearsal
Snack
Workshop/Rehearsal
Wrap-Up, Awards
Pick Up

On days when CTS attends the Natatorium for swimming, one section of “Workshop/Rehearsal” is replaced with swimming.

JUNIOR DIVISION (coed, grades 2-8)
While the CTS Junior Division indeed utilizes The Greek Theatre to provide a location for classes, rehearsals, and performances, we refer to Kingswood Upper School as “home base,” serving as the primary rehearsal space and administrative headquarters for CTS. Drop-off and pick-up during the camp day, for Junior Division Campers, occurs at Kingswood Upper School. The Junior Division is afforded a variety of curriculum options and offers excellent and competitive programming.

AND…SCENE!
And…Scene! offers the CTS Junior Division Camper training in classic theater skills as well as immersing campers in all aspects of developing a theatrical performance. Campers are divided by age into class groups that study, in-depth, each of the three classic theatre disciplines (acting, dance, and voice). This classwork is developed into “works in progress” which are then performed weekly during the evenings of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks of camp. These evening showcase performances (free admission) have become highlights of the summer for our campers and their families.

While every camper will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the form of an ensemble piece (encompassing all three disciplines), the tentative schedule for discipline focus is as follows. The grades listed below are general based on enrollment of campers per grade and may be adjusted.
Week 1: Grades 2-4 dance, Grades 5-6 voice, Grades 7-8 acting
Week 2: Grades 2-4 voice, Grades 5-6 acting, Grades 7-8 dance
Week 3: Grades 2-4 acting, Grades 5-6 dance, Grades 7-8 voice
Week 4: Grades 2-4 dance, Grades 5-6 acting, Grades 7-8 voice

PAGE TO STAGE
This program offers the CTS Junior Division Camper focused rehearsals for the final capstone productions, full-length pieces from the American Musical Theatre canon, to be performed live on two evenings during Week 8 of camp. All campers perform in final shows, and separate shows are chosen for both the elementary and middle school age range. Campers also have the opportunity to participate in backstage jobs and scenic design where appropriate. Our final shows are fully costumed with sets and other technical elements and are truly exceptional!

2025 PAGE TO STAGE FINAL PERFORMANCES

Junior Division (younger, generally grades 2-5) - Zombies: the Musical
Junior Division (older, generally grades 6-8) - The Addams Family Musical: Young@Part

While CTS recommends campers participate in the full 8 weeks, half and partial sessions are available. See details on the right/bottom.

SENIOR DIVISION (coed, grades 9-12)
While the CTS Senior Division indeed utilizes Kingswood Upper School to provide a location for classes and rehearsals, we refer to The Greek Theatre at St. Dunstan’s as “home base.” This excellent space nestled in the heart of the CEC campus has proven to be an exceptional place to explore and learn. Drop-off and pick-up during the camp day, for Senior Division Campers, occurs at The Greek Theatre via the House & Gardens Lot. CTS Senior Division Campers are afforded intensive one-on-one work with staff. Any specific requests for study are given priority whenever possible. The Senior Division is afforded a variety of curriculum options and offers excellent and competitive programming.

AND…SCENE!

And…Scene! offers the CTS Senior Division Camper training in classic theater skills as well as immersing campers in all aspects of developing a theatrical performance. Campers study, in-depth, each of the three classic theatre disciplines (acting, dance, and voice). This classwork is developed into “works in progress” which are then performed weekly during the evenings of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks of camp. These evening showcase performances (free admission) have become highlights of the summer for our campers and their families. Campers also have the opportunity to refine and perform their selections from the “Audition/Portfolio” session during this time.

• Week 1: Contemporary Monologue
• Week 2: Classical Musical Theatre Vocal Audition Cut
• Week 3: Dramatic Monologue
• Week 4: Contemporary Musical Theatre Vocal Audition Cut
• All Weeks of Camp: Professional Headshot

PAGE TO STAGE
This program offers the CTS Senior Division Camper focused rehearsals for the final capstone productions, full-length pieces from the American Musical Theatre canon, to be performed live on two evenings during Week 8 of camp. All campers perform in the final shows. Campers also have the opportunity to participate in backstage jobs and scenic design where appropriate and are given stage management duties for the Junior Division productions. Our final shows are fully costumed with sets and other technical elements and are truly exceptional!

2025 PAGE TO STAGE FINAL PERFORMANCE

Senior Division (grades 9-12) - Beetlejuice Jr.

While CTS recommends campers participate in the full 8 weeks, half and partial sessions are available. See details on the right/bottom.

BOTH DIVISIONS

Lunch, Snacks, and Allergies
Lunches and snacks are included in tuition and are provided by Chartwells Dining Services. They are a nut-free organization that caters to Cranbrook Schools during the academic year. Special arrangements can be made for campers with food allergies.

Open Swim

Campers swim at Cranbrook's Williams Natatorium. Swim tests are conducted on the first day. Campers who fail or prefer not to take the test are supplied with life jackets and remain in the shallow end of the pool. Campers are allowed to retake the test at any time. The Natatorium staff includes a full-time and certified pool manager, certified lifeguards, and our trained camp staff who serve as lookouts.

Available Options
The following options can be combined to meet your needs. For example, you can choose morning Transportation Service and afternoon Extended Care. Logistical information for these additional options are provided in the Parent Welcome Packet emailed to registrants closer to the start of camp.

Extended Care
Extended Care is available beginning at 7 AM and ending at 6 PM. Afternoon care includes a snack. Campers enjoy activities, games, and open time outside and in the gym. Extended Care is located at Cranbrook Lower School Brookside. Campers are bused to/from camp each day. Extended Care is also a nice option for families with multiple children attending more than one of our camps to reduce the number of pick-up points; parents/guardians simply pick up and drop off all children attending Extended Care at Brookside.

Transportation Service
Transportation Service is available to shuttle campers to and from specific stops in Birmingham (8:10 AM / 4:00 PM), Rochester Hills (7:50 AM / 4:25 PM), Royal Oak (7:50 AM / 4:15 PM), and Troy (8:20 AM / 4:00 PM). Times and locations are subject to change. Campers who are not picked up in time will be transported to Extended Care.

After Camp Activities
After Camp Activities include Chess and Coding. Space is limited. These activities are located at Cranbrook Lower School Brookside. Campers are bused from camp each day. Pick-up is at Brookside.

Communication & Photos
Parents/guardians are emailed a newsletter each week that includes a recap from the prior week, highlights for the following week, and updated group lists. Daily camp photos are posted on a secure website for you to see each day. Enhanced options include saving favorite photos, facial recognition with push notifications when a photo of your child is uploaded, posting to social media, emailing a photo to family, customizing photo gifts, and ordering high-resolution digital downloads or prints.

Why Cranbrook Schools Summer Camps?

Cranbrook Educational Community, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprising a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and PreK-12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors, students, and campers to its campus each year.

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook’s 319-acre campus features the work of world-renowned architects such as Eliel Saarinen, Albert Kahn, Steven Holl, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Rafael Moneo, Peter Rose, and sculptors Carl Milles, Marshall Fredericks, and others. Critics have called Cranbrook "the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America" and in 1989, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Cranbrook Schools Summer Camps operate under Cranbrook Schools in a dedicated department named Special and Summer Programs. This year-round department focuses solely on summer camps, after-school programs, school rentals, and the school store. The dedicated full-time staff in the department spend the entire year preparing for camp. During the summer, over 1,800 campers from 20 states and nine countries come to Cranbrook for their summer experience. The campus, its facilities, the highly skilled and committed service departments such as Cranbrook's 24/7 security department, and all of
Cranbrook's employees, residential faculty, and guests create a wonderful environment for children to learn and have fun.

Each camp includes a dedicated Director, Assistant Director, Office Administrator, Instructors, and Counselors. Each age-aligned group has one or two counselors who remain with their campers throughout the day and take them to each of the instructional areas. The camps are accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Questions? Contact Special and Summer Programs at summer@cranbrook.edu, (248) 645-3674, or use our Contact Us form.

CTS productions are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com