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ADULT THEATRE CAMP!
School for Swashbucklers
June 9- July 30 on Mondays and Wednesdays
5:30-8:30 pm
Join us for the George Daily Auditorium's first-ever adult theatre camp—School for Swashbucklers!
This action-packed experience is perfect for anyone 15 and older ready to move, train, and dive into stage combat.
Monday and Wednesday nights, 5:30-8:30 PM (includes time for an on-site dinner break)
In this workshop series, you'll learn rapier, dagger, and single sword techniques from Society of American Fight Directors Certified Teacher J Tipsword. The training will culminate in an official Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) certification test, where you'll perform a fully choreographed scene that showcases all your new skills. A bonus? The team behind the Summer 2024 production of The Hobbit is gearing up for next summer's adventurous production of The Three Musketeers for performers 16 and up, and we want you in it! Whether you're a longtime community theatre performer or someone who's always wanted to give it a try, now's the time. Join our stage combat and movement training this season to prepare for the action-packed roles next summer.
Dark Sky Puppet Festival:
(Art Unleashed X Uplifting Puppet Parade)
June 2-6 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-12th • $90
What happens when BIG puppets explode into a week of camper-inspired visual art, music, and dance? Is it a circus in a tesseract? No, it's a handmade puppet pageant!
What you'll do: Let your imagination run wild as you build giant puppets inspired by creatures from the sea and sky! These incredible creations will lead the way as we dive into the world of puppet pageantry. Together, we'll create original stories and music to perform at our Friday showcase, The Dark Sky Puppet Festival!
GDYT Summer Camp Lead Teaching Artist and Uplifting Puppet Company founder Brant Bollman will lead this camp. Our puppets will also be featured guests in the FIRST EVER Uplifting Puppet Parade at 2 PM on Saturday, June 14, around the Oskaloosa Square as part of Art on the Square! We invite all Dark Sky puppeteers and their families to join us at the parade, but attendance is not required to participate in camp.
If you like: crafting a perfect playlist, writing stories, painting a 40-ft mural on the stage, creating a cardboardtopia
What happens when BIG puppets explode into a week of camper-inspired visual art, music, and dance? Is it a circus in a tesseract? No, it's a handmade puppet pageant!
What you'll do: Let your imagination run wild as you build giant puppets inspired by creatures from the sea and sky! These incredible creations will lead the way as we dive into the world of puppet pageantry. Together, we'll create original stories and music to perform at our Friday showcase, The Dark Sky Puppet Festival!
GDYT Summer Camp Lead Teaching Artist and Uplifting Puppet Company founder Brant Bollman will lead this camp. Our puppets will also be featured guests in the FIRST EVER Uplifting Puppet Parade at 2 PM on Saturday, June 14, around the Oskaloosa Square as part of Art on the Square! We invite all Dark Sky puppeteers and their families to join us at the parade, but attendance is not required to participate in camp.
If you like: crafting a perfect playlist, writing stories, painting a 40-ft mural on the stage, creating a cardboardtopia
2025 Summer Camps
Week 1
Week 1
Game Master Boot Camp
June 2-6 • 1pm-4pm
Grades: 7th-12th • $50
Join J and Ryan for a creative deep dive into how stories and adventures are made—from maps and monsters to plot twists and puzzles.
What you'll do: Whether you're a seasoned DM or just getting curious about roleplaying games, you'll learn how to build your own world, guide players through a story, and design choices that matter. We'll work together to shape the system and story to power this summer's epic live-action roleplaying camp experience: Infinite Adventures in Aarke! That means YOU help create the rules, characters, and conflicts other campers will explore.
You'll leave this camp with tools to run your own adventures—and the pride of knowing you helped bring Aarke to life.
If you like: world building AND reading the room, funny voices AND spreadsheets, keeping everyone involved AND moments of intense focus
Join J and Ryan for a creative deep dive into how stories and adventures are made—from maps and monsters to plot twists and puzzles.
What you'll do: Whether you're a seasoned DM or just getting curious about roleplaying games, you'll learn how to build your own world, guide players through a story, and design choices that matter. We'll work together to shape the system and story to power this summer's epic live-action roleplaying camp experience: Infinite Adventures in Aarke! That means YOU help create the rules, characters, and conflicts other campers will explore.
You'll leave this camp with tools to run your own adventures—and the pride of knowing you helped bring Aarke to life.
If you like: world building AND reading the room, funny voices AND spreadsheets, keeping everyone involved AND moments of intense focus
2025 Summer Camps
Week 1
Week 1
The Yuckiest Alphabet
June 9-13 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-4th • $90
Get ready to giggle and gag (in a good way)!
What you'll do: This isn't your ordinary ABCs—it's the Yuckiest Alphabet in the World! Each day, we'll dive into the gross, goofy, and totally silly side of letters through wild stories and wacky songs.
Don't miss the Friday the 13th Showcase—if you dare!
If you like: sticky fingers, big laughs, and a whole lot of "Ewwww!"
Get ready to giggle and gag (in a good way)!
What you'll do: This isn't your ordinary ABCs—it's the Yuckiest Alphabet in the World! Each day, we'll dive into the gross, goofy, and totally silly side of letters through wild stories and wacky songs.
Don't miss the Friday the 13th Showcase—if you dare!
If you like: sticky fingers, big laughs, and a whole lot of "Ewwww!"
2025 Summer Camps
Week 2
Week 2
2-Week Production
June 9-12 & 16-20 • 9am-4pm
Grades: 5th-12th • $180
Showcase on Friday, June 20 at 6 PM
A beloved musical. A mysterious title.
A summer to remember.
Shhh… we can’t tell you what it is yet, but trust us—it’s big. This two-week musical theatre adventure is your chance to bring a well-known, fan-favorite show to life onstage! You’ll sing, dance, and act as you rehearse a fully staged production filled with iconic moments, unforgettable characters, and a few surprises along the way.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, this is your chance to be part of something magical, musical, and completely top secret... for now.
Do you trust us? Good. Mark your calendar. Join the cast. And get ready.
The countdown to curtain begins!
Showcase on Friday, June 20 at 6 PM
A beloved musical. A mysterious title.
A summer to remember.
Shhh… we can’t tell you what it is yet, but trust us—it’s big. This two-week musical theatre adventure is your chance to bring a well-known, fan-favorite show to life onstage! You’ll sing, dance, and act as you rehearse a fully staged production filled with iconic moments, unforgettable characters, and a few surprises along the way.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, this is your chance to be part of something magical, musical, and completely top secret... for now.
Do you trust us? Good. Mark your calendar. Join the cast. And get ready.
The countdown to curtain begins!
2025 Summer Camps
Weeks 2 & 3
Weeks 2 & 3
2-Week Production
Tech & Design Team
June 9-12 & 16-20 • 9am-4pm
Grades: 7th-12th • $180
A show you know. A job behind the scenes. A chance to shine—without the spotlight.
While the title of this production is still under wraps, here’s what we can tell you: it’s a big, beloved musical with all the moving parts of a fully staged show—and that means we need an amazing Tech Team to help bring it to life!
As part of the tech crew, you’ll:
🎧 Learn how to run sound, lights, and backstage transitions
🛠️ Help build, paint, and move set pieces
🎭 Work alongside the cast and creative team
to make the magic happen
💡 Be a vital part of every rehearsal and performance
If you love problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and behind-the-scenes wizardry, this is your chance to level up your theatre tech skills and be part of something unforgettable.
A show you know. A job behind the scenes. A chance to shine—without the spotlight.
While the title of this production is still under wraps, here’s what we can tell you: it’s a big, beloved musical with all the moving parts of a fully staged show—and that means we need an amazing Tech Team to help bring it to life!
As part of the tech crew, you’ll:
🎧 Learn how to run sound, lights, and backstage transitions
🛠️ Help build, paint, and move set pieces
🎭 Work alongside the cast and creative team
to make the magic happen
💡 Be a vital part of every rehearsal and performance
If you love problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and behind-the-scenes wizardry, this is your chance to level up your theatre tech skills and be part of something unforgettable.
2025 Summer Camps
Weeks 2 & 3
Weeks 2 & 3
What To Do About Earth?
June 16-20 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-4th • $90
Aliens. Puppets. And a planet-sized problem.
Far away in space, something strange is happening—Earth might explode! Is it a mistake? A mystery? A mission? A group of alien creatures (played by YOU!) forms a silly space committee to decide Earth's fate.
What you'll do: Make your own alien puppet—complete with wild features, strange smells, or funny voices. Join the Intergalactic Committee, where aliens from all over the universe gather to figure out: What's even going on down there on Earth? Who's causing the trouble? Is Earth dangerous… or delicious? And most importantly… what should we DO about it? Each day, you'll take part in fun storytelling games, craft wacky props, and use your imagination to act out scenes as your alien character. You'll explore Earth's animals, weather, oceans, and inventions—and decide whether Earth should be saved, helped, or… exploded (with glitter).
By Friday, you and your alien friends will present your very own Galactic Decision Show for family and friends!
If you like: googly eyes, horns, or slime, make believe, cool facts about Earth
Aliens. Puppets. And a planet-sized problem.
Far away in space, something strange is happening—Earth might explode! Is it a mistake? A mystery? A mission? A group of alien creatures (played by YOU!) forms a silly space committee to decide Earth's fate.
What you'll do: Make your own alien puppet—complete with wild features, strange smells, or funny voices. Join the Intergalactic Committee, where aliens from all over the universe gather to figure out: What's even going on down there on Earth? Who's causing the trouble? Is Earth dangerous… or delicious? And most importantly… what should we DO about it? Each day, you'll take part in fun storytelling games, craft wacky props, and use your imagination to act out scenes as your alien character. You'll explore Earth's animals, weather, oceans, and inventions—and decide whether Earth should be saved, helped, or… exploded (with glitter).
By Friday, you and your alien friends will present your very own Galactic Decision Show for family and friends!
If you like: googly eyes, horns, or slime, make believe, cool facts about Earth
2025 Summer Camps
Week 3
Week 3
Infinite Adventures in Aarke
June 23-27 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-12th • $90
Step into the ever-expanding world of Aarke, where every decision spins a new tale.
What you'll do: In Lochport, you'll build your adventuring equipment, battle ruffians and monsters, and create a hundred stories through your deeds! This immersive, role-play-driven week invites you to co-create a live-action fantasy story filled with quests, creatures, and consequences.
This camp will have a Shout Out Ceremony at 4 PM, and a traditional Roll-for-Sundae Ice Cream Party with a viewing of our creations, at 4:30 PM on Friday, June 27.
If you like: wild backstories, building cool gear, making maps
Step into the ever-expanding world of Aarke, where every decision spins a new tale.
What you'll do: In Lochport, you'll build your adventuring equipment, battle ruffians and monsters, and create a hundred stories through your deeds! This immersive, role-play-driven week invites you to co-create a live-action fantasy story filled with quests, creatures, and consequences.
This camp will have a Shout Out Ceremony at 4 PM, and a traditional Roll-for-Sundae Ice Cream Party with a viewing of our creations, at 4:30 PM on Friday, June 27.
If you like: wild backstories, building cool gear, making maps
2025 Summer Camps
Week 4
Week 4
Music in Motion: Superheroes
July 7-11 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-3rd • $90
It's not your usual musical theatre week. A storm of songs, stories, and surprises is rolling in, bringing adventure from every direction.
Create scenes that leap off the stage through music, movement, and imaginative storytelling. It's musical theatre—tossed into a whirlwind of adventure.
Grab your cape and leap into a world where anything is possible!
In this action-packed group, campers will create their own heroes (and maybe a few villains), invent powers, and save the day—through music, dance, and epic storytelling. Get ready for high-energy fun, heroic songs, and one unforgettable finale.
If you like: writing your own lyrics, stories where you save the day, singing from the heart
It's not your usual musical theatre week. A storm of songs, stories, and surprises is rolling in, bringing adventure from every direction.
Create scenes that leap off the stage through music, movement, and imaginative storytelling. It's musical theatre—tossed into a whirlwind of adventure.
Grab your cape and leap into a world where anything is possible!
In this action-packed group, campers will create their own heroes (and maybe a few villains), invent powers, and save the day—through music, dance, and epic storytelling. Get ready for high-energy fun, heroic songs, and one unforgettable finale.
If you like: writing your own lyrics, stories where you save the day, singing from the heart
2025 Summer Camps
Week 5
Week 5
Music in Motion: Kate DiCamillo
July 7-11 • 9am-4pm
Grades: 4th-6th • $90
It's not your usual musical theatre week. A storm of songs, stories, and surprises is rolling in, bringing adventure from every direction. Create scenes that leap off the stage through music, movement, and imaginative storytelling. It's musical theatre—tossed into a whirlwind of adventure.
What you'll do: Step into Kate DiCamillo's stories' heartfelt, magical worlds—from Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Campers will adapt scenes and themes from her books into musical moments full of wonder, humor, and bravery. A perfect fit for thoughtful adventurers who love storytelling with soul.
If you like: writing your own lyrics, stories where you save the day, singing from the heart
It's not your usual musical theatre week. A storm of songs, stories, and surprises is rolling in, bringing adventure from every direction. Create scenes that leap off the stage through music, movement, and imaginative storytelling. It's musical theatre—tossed into a whirlwind of adventure.
What you'll do: Step into Kate DiCamillo's stories' heartfelt, magical worlds—from Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Campers will adapt scenes and themes from her books into musical moments full of wonder, humor, and bravery. A perfect fit for thoughtful adventurers who love storytelling with soul.
If you like: writing your own lyrics, stories where you save the day, singing from the heart
2025 Summer Camps
Week 5
Week 5
Music in Motion: Swashbucklers
July 7-11 • 9am-4pm
Grades: 7th-12th • $90
It's not your usual musical theatre week. A storm of songs, stories, and surprises is rolling in, bringing adventure from every direction. Create scenes that leap off the stage through music, movement, and imaginative storytelling. It's musical theatre—tossed into a whirlwind of adventure.
Raise the sails and ready your battle cry—it's time to sing with swords and move with purpose! This group will dive into high-seas tales, daring duels, and sea-shanty-style musical theatre.
If you like: writing your own lyrics, stories where you save the day, singing from the heart
It's not your usual musical theatre week. A storm of songs, stories, and surprises is rolling in, bringing adventure from every direction. Create scenes that leap off the stage through music, movement, and imaginative storytelling. It's musical theatre—tossed into a whirlwind of adventure.
Raise the sails and ready your battle cry—it's time to sing with swords and move with purpose! This group will dive into high-seas tales, daring duels, and sea-shanty-style musical theatre.
If you like: writing your own lyrics, stories where you save the day, singing from the heart
2025 Summer Camps
Week 5
Week 5
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
July 14-18 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-5th• $90
All aboard for steam-powered stories! Perfect for young inventors, curious travelers, and explorers of every kind!
What you'll do: Each day, campers will blast off into the imagination of Jules Verne, one of the founding authors of science fiction. From 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Journey to the Center of the Earth to Around the World in 80 Days, Verne's adventures are filled with wild inventions, daring explorers, and impossible journeys.
Using submarines, hot air balloons, time machines, and everything in between, we'll dive into his stories through creative play, costume-making, storytelling, design, and invention. Campers will become characters, build props, and dream up brand-new adventures in the spirit of Verne's unforgettable tales.
If you like: steampunk style and old-school adventure, solving puzzles, riddles, and ancient mysteries, thinking like a scientist, and dreaming like an artist
All aboard for steam-powered stories! Perfect for young inventors, curious travelers, and explorers of every kind!
What you'll do: Each day, campers will blast off into the imagination of Jules Verne, one of the founding authors of science fiction. From 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Journey to the Center of the Earth to Around the World in 80 Days, Verne's adventures are filled with wild inventions, daring explorers, and impossible journeys.
Using submarines, hot air balloons, time machines, and everything in between, we'll dive into his stories through creative play, costume-making, storytelling, design, and invention. Campers will become characters, build props, and dream up brand-new adventures in the spirit of Verne's unforgettable tales.
If you like: steampunk style and old-school adventure, solving puzzles, riddles, and ancient mysteries, thinking like a scientist, and dreaming like an artist
2025 Summer Camps
Week 6
Week 6
Daily Film Club: Right in the Eye!
July 14-18 • 9am-4pm
Grades: 6th-12th • $90
Create cinematic illusions using sound, storyboards, and special effects
What you'll do: This week, we journey into the brilliant imagination of Jules Verne, the legendary author behind 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in 80 Days. Verne's groundbreaking tales inspired one of the very first filmmakers in history: Georges Méliès.
You might recognize Méliès and his iconic film A Trip to the Moon from Brian Selznick's book The Invention of Hugo Cabret or Martin Scorsese's film adaptation Hugo. Méliès' original silent films are famous for their whimsical sets, fantastical creatures, hand-painted effects, and mind-bending early movie magic. His work helped shape the entire world of science fiction and fantasy film.
This week, you'll take part in creating a short silent film in the style of Méliès—complete with imaginative costumes, miniature sets, and theatrical effects inspired by the wild worlds of Verne.
If you like: exploring how art, science, and history collide to shape the future, hands-on creativity, practical effects
Create cinematic illusions using sound, storyboards, and special effects
What you'll do: This week, we journey into the brilliant imagination of Jules Verne, the legendary author behind 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in 80 Days. Verne's groundbreaking tales inspired one of the very first filmmakers in history: Georges Méliès.
You might recognize Méliès and his iconic film A Trip to the Moon from Brian Selznick's book The Invention of Hugo Cabret or Martin Scorsese's film adaptation Hugo. Méliès' original silent films are famous for their whimsical sets, fantastical creatures, hand-painted effects, and mind-bending early movie magic. His work helped shape the entire world of science fiction and fantasy film.
This week, you'll take part in creating a short silent film in the style of Méliès—complete with imaginative costumes, miniature sets, and theatrical effects inspired by the wild worlds of Verne.
If you like: exploring how art, science, and history collide to shape the future, hands-on creativity, practical effects
2025 Summer Camps
Week 6
Week 6
Plants vs. Zombies
July 21-25 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-3rd • $90
It's garden warfare! Inspired by the wildly popular video game and graphic novel series, this week brings the silliest showdown ever to life—good plants vs. goofy zombies.
What you'll do: Jump into action through storytelling, costume play, and hilarious drama games, all while designing characters and comic-style panels to tell your own stories and acting out battles between goofy zombies and heroic plants. But it's not just about silliness—you'll have to strategize how to plant and protect your garden, too! Which plants work best together? What defenses can you build? Victory goes to the most imaginative (and well-prepared) team!
If you like: goofy zombies and silly showdowns, creating comics, plant power
It's garden warfare! Inspired by the wildly popular video game and graphic novel series, this week brings the silliest showdown ever to life—good plants vs. goofy zombies.
What you'll do: Jump into action through storytelling, costume play, and hilarious drama games, all while designing characters and comic-style panels to tell your own stories and acting out battles between goofy zombies and heroic plants. But it's not just about silliness—you'll have to strategize how to plant and protect your garden, too! Which plants work best together? What defenses can you build? Victory goes to the most imaginative (and well-prepared) team!
If you like: goofy zombies and silly showdowns, creating comics, plant power
2025 Summer Camps
Week 7
Week 7
Summerween: Urban Legends
July 21-25 • 9am-4pm
Grades: 4th-12th • $90
Creative chills and campfire thrills
Inspired by Gravity Falls, urban legends, and ancient myths, this week is all about bringing the eerie, the imaginative, and the slightly absurd to life.
Costumes, cryptids, and creepy creativity encouraged!
What you'll do: Create original myths and monsters, write and act out suspenseful scenes, and explore what makes something truly mysterious. We'll dive into character creation, spooky world-building, and dramatic storytelling—all while crafting Greek-style masks to embody the strange and supernatural. Think haunted history meets campfire storytelling with just the right amount of mischief.
If you like: mythology with a spooky twist, Over the Garden Wall, the Summerween trickster
Creative chills and campfire thrills
Inspired by Gravity Falls, urban legends, and ancient myths, this week is all about bringing the eerie, the imaginative, and the slightly absurd to life.
Costumes, cryptids, and creepy creativity encouraged!
What you'll do: Create original myths and monsters, write and act out suspenseful scenes, and explore what makes something truly mysterious. We'll dive into character creation, spooky world-building, and dramatic storytelling—all while crafting Greek-style masks to embody the strange and supernatural. Think haunted history meets campfire storytelling with just the right amount of mischief.
If you like: mythology with a spooky twist, Over the Garden Wall, the Summerween trickster
2025 Summer Camps
Week 7
Week 7
Lovecraft Academy
July 21-25 • 1pm-4pm
Grades: 7th-12th • $50
Dark academia meets Call of Cthulu…
What you'll do: Step into the shadows of the unknown with J, Andy, and Ryan as you enter Lovecraft Academy, a strange boarding school perched on the edge of reality. Inspired by cosmic horror, classic mystery tales, and games like Call of Cthulhu, this immersive experience blends storytelling, character-building, and collaborative roleplay to explore unsettling secrets and world-bending threats.
Each day, you'll uncover clues, decode cryptic messages, and craft chilling narratives. Whether you're a longtime TTRPG fan or a curious beginner, this week invites you to dive deep into roleplay rooted in atmosphere, discovery, and dread, with plenty of room for humor, heroics, and haunting surprises.
If you like: building complex characters with dark secrets, solving strange mysteries with friends, secret societies and haunted hallways, and playing in a world where reality bends—and something ancient watches from the shadows...
Dark academia meets Call of Cthulu…
What you'll do: Step into the shadows of the unknown with J, Andy, and Ryan as you enter Lovecraft Academy, a strange boarding school perched on the edge of reality. Inspired by cosmic horror, classic mystery tales, and games like Call of Cthulhu, this immersive experience blends storytelling, character-building, and collaborative roleplay to explore unsettling secrets and world-bending threats.
Each day, you'll uncover clues, decode cryptic messages, and craft chilling narratives. Whether you're a longtime TTRPG fan or a curious beginner, this week invites you to dive deep into roleplay rooted in atmosphere, discovery, and dread, with plenty of room for humor, heroics, and haunting surprises.
If you like: building complex characters with dark secrets, solving strange mysteries with friends, secret societies and haunted hallways, and playing in a world where reality bends—and something ancient watches from the shadows...
2025 Summer Camps
Week 7
Week 7
Games Camp: Video Games LIVE!
July 28-Aug. 1 • 9am-4pm
Grades: K-12th • $90
Push pause on screens and bring your favorite video games into the real world!
What you'll do: From Mario to Minecraft, this all-ages adventure turns pixels into puppets that we'll add to our favorite GDYT games! You'll also create shadow puppetry inspired by iconic video game characters, monsters, and landscapes. Transform familiar video game worlds into live-action games, design and build shadow puppets of your favorite characters and settings, and create your own game-inspired stories!
If you like: long shadows and epic tales, challenge and collaboration, pixels and puppets
Push pause on screens and bring your favorite video games into the real world!
What you'll do: From Mario to Minecraft, this all-ages adventure turns pixels into puppets that we'll add to our favorite GDYT games! You'll also create shadow puppetry inspired by iconic video game characters, monsters, and landscapes. Transform familiar video game worlds into live-action games, design and build shadow puppets of your favorite characters and settings, and create your own game-inspired stories!
If you like: long shadows and epic tales, challenge and collaboration, pixels and puppets
2025 Summer Camps
Week 8
Week 8
One for the Classics, Christmas, Film, Laughs, Rainy Days, Adventure, All for you
2025-2026 Season Coming Soon!
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