CLASSES & CAMPS
Spring Performance Camp
THE TEMPEST
February 3 – March 22, 2026
T/Th 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Performance: March 22
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 6 – 11 — $595
Ages 11 – 17 — $695
The Tempest is a magical adventure full of shipwrecks, spirits, and young heroes learning about friendship, forgiveness, and the power of imagination. Which character will you play? Develop your artistic skills, from acting and movement to singing and vocal production! Build confidence and use teamwork to put on this fun production!
Teacher: Andrew Yabroff
Andrew Yabroff is an Actor and Teaching Artist who grew up right here in Santa Cruz. He taught at the 2024, 2025 SCS Summer Intensives, Fall 2025 camp and B40 Middle for SCS . Before returning to Santa Cruz in 2023 Andrew taught at various theaters across the country including; Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Island Shakespeare Festival, Tacoma Arts Live,Enact Theatre and was a Teacher Actor-Director for Missoula Children’s Theatre. Teaching workshops and co directing a youth production of Pinocchio in towns across the PNW. Andrew has a BFA in Performance with a minor in Shakespeare Studies from Southern Oregon University and studied at IO Improv in Chicago.
Teacher: Dor Cosby Atkinson
Dor Cosby Atkinson is a professional director, kidlit writer, and teaching artist who loves working with young people to help them develop their craft. Specializing in socially-conscious and physical theatre, she has worked in San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Cruz, and New York. She was Artistic Director of Edge Theatre Ensemble in Seattle from 2001-2008 and Turning Bone Theatre in Santa Cruz from 2012-2014. She teaches at UC Santa Cruz and Ohlone College as well as One Stage Theatre and ShakesEDU with SCS. She has her BA in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Cruz (’99) and MFA in Directing & Public Dialogue from Virginia Tech (’11).
Improv: Foundations
February 2 – February 25, 2026
M/W 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Performance: February 25
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 6 – 11 — $295
Ages 11 – 17 — $295
In this energetic improv workshop, students will explore beginning improvisation through the lens of Shakespeare’s worlds and characters. Using fun, fast-paced games and exercises, young actors will develop quick thinking, creativity, and confidence on stage.
Teacher: Liam Kuhn
Liam Kuhn is a Teaching Artist from Santa Cruz who specializes in education. He's worked on student producrions with ages ranging 6-18 and has worked with a number of production companies and schools in the area. He has a relaxed and patient method of teaching, and is good at getting more reserved students out of their shells. He loves to play theater games, and is a big fan of Shakespeare and coaching students in a more dramatic direction. Liam has worked for several years with Santa Cruz Shakespeare, and is excited to work with the Education department!
Teacher: Andrew Yabroff
Andrew Yabroff is an Actor and Teaching Artist who grew up right here in Santa Cruz. He taught at the 2024, 2025 SCS Summer Intensives, Fall 2025 camp and B40 Middle for SCS . Before returning to Santa Cruz in 2023 Andrew taught at various theaters across the country including; Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Island Shakespeare Festival, Tacoma Arts Live,Enact Theatre and was a Teacher Actor-Director for Missoula Children’s Theatre. Teaching workshops and co directing a youth production of Pinocchio in towns across the PNW. Andrew has a BFA in Performance with a minor in Shakespeare Studies from Southern Oregon University and studied at IO Improv in Chicago.
Improv: Scene and Character
March 2 – March 23, 2026
M/W 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Performance: March 23
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 6 – 11 — $295
Ages 11 – 17 — $295
Take your improv to the next level! In this workshop, students will build on their foundational skills as they dive deeper into Shakespearean worlds, exploring richer characters, more complex scene work, and advanced improvisation techniques. Through engaging games and collaborative exercises, young actors will expand their creativity, sharpen storytelling instincts, and strengthen confidence and teamwork on stage.
Teacher: Liam Kuhn
Liam Kuhn is a Teaching Artist from Santa Cruz who specializes in education. He's worked on student producrions with ages ranging 6-18 and has worked with a number of production companies and schools in the area. He has a relaxed and patient method of teaching, and is good at getting more reserved students out of their shells. He loves to play theater games, and is a big fan of Shakespeare and coaching students in a more dramatic direction. Liam has worked for several years with Santa Cruz Shakespeare, and is excited to work with the Education department!
Teacher: Andrew Yabroff
Andrew Yabroff is an Actor and Teaching Artist who grew up right here in Santa Cruz. He taught at the 2024, 2025 SCS Summer Intensives, Fall 2025 camp and B40 Middle for SCS . Before returning to Santa Cruz in 2023 Andrew taught at various theaters across the country including; Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Island Shakespeare Festival, Tacoma Arts Live,Enact Theatre and was a Teacher Actor-Director for Missoula Children’s Theatre. Teaching workshops and co directing a youth production of Pinocchio in towns across the PNW. Andrew has a BFA in Performance with a minor in Shakespeare Studies from Southern Oregon University and studied at IO Improv in Chicago.
Spring Break Workshop
April 6 – April 10, 2026
M-F 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Performance: April 11
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 6 – 11 — $595
Ages 11 – 17 — $695
In Shakes Scenes young actors will dive into the drama, comedy, and magic of Shakespeare’s plays. Over five exciting days, students will explore Shakespeare’s language through fun theatre games, character work, and scene study, all while building confidence, teamwork, and stage skills.
Teacher: Josephine Czarnecki
Josephine Czarnecki is a freelance theatre professional working locally as a director, fight director, and lighting designer. She directs with a variety of youth and teen theatre companies (Santa Cruz Parks & Rec, Santa Cruz Shakespeare Education, Pacific Elementary, Gateway School, Renegade Theatre Co.) and designs fight/light for groups like Actors Theatre, Renegade Theatre Co, and Cabrillo College. Josephine holds an MFA from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in Advanced Theatre Practice, and has been certified in ten weapon systems from the British Association of Dramatic Combat and British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat.
April 22, 2026; 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Join us for a joyful celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday and National Poetry Month!
Students will learn the craft of the sonnet, from structure and rhythm to performance techniques, and then write their own original sonnet to share aloud. Participants will have the exciting opportunity to perform their work, listen to members of our company present selections from William Shakespeare, and hear from a special guest poet laureate.
Prizes will be awarded for standout performances and writing, and we’ll wrap up the celebration with cake in honor of the Bard’s birthday. It will be a morning of creativity, confidence-building, and community; perfect for young writers and performers alike!
Summer Camp I:
Courageous Creatives
Courageous Creatives
June 22 – June 26, 2026; M-F 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Pick-up at 5pm for an additional fee)
Performance: June 27
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 10 – 17 — $595
Calling all young creators with something to say!
Do you and your friends care about current events, climate change, or issues shaping your community? This week-long theatre camp invites you to turn your ideas into action through creativity, collaboration, and performance.
Through theatre games, community-based storytelling, and dynamic styles like Newspaper Theatre, participants will explore how the stage can amplify real voices and real stories. Together, we’ll create original short works and share them with a live audience at the end of the week!
Choose your creative path:
- Performance & Writing Track — Step into the spotlight as an actor, playwright, or storyteller. Develop characters, write scenes, and bring powerful new pieces to life onstage.
- Tech & Stage Management Track — Prefer working behind the scenes? Learn the essentials of stage management, design, and theatrical technology while helping shape how each performance looks, sounds, and runs.
Whether you’re brand new to theatre or already love the stage, this camp is a welcoming space to discover your creative voice, collaborate with others, and make theatre that matters.
Let’s create something new together!
This camp features the opportunity for masterclasses with our professional company!
Teacher: Dor Cosby Atkinson
Dor Cosby Atkinson is a professional director, kidlit writer, and teaching artist who loves working with young people to help them develop their craft. Specializing in socially-conscious and physical theatre, she has worked in San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Cruz, and New York. She was Artistic Director of Edge Theatre Ensemble in Seattle from 2001-2008 and Turning Bone Theatre in Santa Cruz from 2012-2014. She teaches at UC Santa Cruz and Ohlone College as well as One Stage Theatre and ShakesEDU with SCS. She has her BA in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Cruz (’99) and MFA in Directing & Public Dialogue from Virginia Tech (’11).
Teacher: Josephine Czarnecki
Josephine Czarnecki is a freelance theatre professional working locally as a director, fight director, and lighting designer. She directs with a variety of youth and teen theatre companies (Santa Cruz Parks & Rec, Santa Cruz Shakespeare Education, Pacific Elementary, Gateway School, Renegade Theatre Co.) and designs fight/light for groups like Actors Theatre, Renegade Theatre Co, and Cabrillo College. Josephine holds an MFA from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in Advanced Theatre Practice, and has been certified in ten weapon systems from the British Association of Dramatic Combat and British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat.
Summer Camp II:
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
July 6 – July 10, 2026; M-F 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Pick-up at 5pm for an additional fee)
Performance: July 11 @ The Grove
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 6 – 11 — $595
Ages 11 – 17 — $695
Step into the sparkling world of Much Ado About Nothing, a witty adventure filled with clever pranks, secrets, and unforgettable characters! In this lively comedy, young performers explore themes of friendship, misunderstandings, honesty, and the courage to speak from the heart. Will you be the quick-tongued Beatrice, the charming Benedick, or the noble Hero?
Sharpen your artistic talents through acting, movement, voice, and character development as you bring this joyful story to life. Build confidence, collaborate with new friends, and discover the power of teamwork as you prepare and perform this delightful production!
This camp features the opportunity for masterclasses with our professional company and the chance to perform on the Grove stage!
Teacher: Dor Cosby Atkinson
Dor Cosby Atkinson is a professional director, kidlit writer, and teaching artist who loves working with young people to help them develop their craft. Specializing in socially-conscious and physical theatre, she has worked in San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Cruz, and New York. She was Artistic Director of Edge Theatre Ensemble in Seattle from 2001-2008 and Turning Bone Theatre in Santa Cruz from 2012-2014. She teaches at UC Santa Cruz and Ohlone College as well as One Stage Theatre and ShakesEDU with SCS. She has her BA in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Cruz (’99) and MFA in Directing & Public Dialogue from Virginia Tech (’11).
Teacher: Josephine Czarnecki
Josephine Czarnecki is a freelance theatre professional working locally as a director, fight director, and lighting designer. She directs with a variety of youth and teen theatre companies (Santa Cruz Parks & Rec, Santa Cruz Shakespeare Education, Pacific Elementary, Gateway School, Renegade Theatre Co.) and designs fight/light for groups like Actors Theatre, Renegade Theatre Co, and Cabrillo College. Josephine holds an MFA from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in Advanced Theatre Practice, and has been certified in ten weapon systems from the British Association of Dramatic Combat and British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat.
Summer Camp III:
Greek Classics
Greek Classics
July 13 – July 17, 2026; M-F 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Pick-up at 5pm for an additional fee)
Performance: July 19 @ The Grove
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Ages 6 – 11 — $595
Ages 11 – 17 — $695
Calling all heroes! Step into the epic world of Ancient Greece — a land of daring heroes, powerful gods, and legendary adventures! From dramatic battles to clever disguises and larger-than-life characters, young performers will explore timeless themes of bravery, loyalty, friendship, and destiny.
Develop your artistic skills through acting, movement, voice, and storytelling inspired by classical theatre traditions. Build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and unleash your imagination as you bring these legendary tales to life in an unforgettable performance!
This camp features the opportunity for masterclasses with our professional company and the chance to perform on the Grove stage!
Teacher: Dor Cosby Atkinson
Dor Cosby Atkinson is a professional director, kidlit writer, and teaching artist who loves working with young people to help them develop their craft. Specializing in socially-conscious and physical theatre, she has worked in San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Cruz, and New York. She was Artistic Director of Edge Theatre Ensemble in Seattle from 2001-2008 and Turning Bone Theatre in Santa Cruz from 2012-2014. She teaches at UC Santa Cruz and Ohlone College as well as One Stage Theatre and ShakesEDU with SCS. She has her BA in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Cruz (’99) and MFA in Directing & Public Dialogue from Virginia Tech (’11).