SUMMERGLASS CAMP

SUMMERGLASS CAMP

MAKE SUMMER A STORY TO REMEMBER!

Two unforgettable weeks of creativity, theatre, and imagination—designed for curious young minds.

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2026

WHAT'S NEW IN 2026

What’s new this year sets the stage for an even bigger summer—fresh spaces, new stories, and more ways to join in.

  • New renovated space on Michigan Avenue
  • Two new camp themes inspired by the upcoming season
  • Early-bird discounts for registrations before May 15

FIND YOUR STAGE

Step into a world of creativity and collaboration through our themed theatre camps.

FAIRLY SCARY TALES

With a dollop of magic and a pinch of peril, we’re mixing up some fantastic new fairy tales! Venture into the woods as you build your own epic adventures with costumes, puppets, masks and movement.

Through creative drama games, we’ll explore folk and fairy tales from around the world, invent original heroes, villains, and sidekicks, and build magical stories to share! Learn why we like a dash of danger in our stories, explore the hero’s journey, and invent your own spooky tales! Learn the fundamentals of Lookingglass playmaking techniques, explore story structure, and go to the park each day for lunch. At the end of the session, we’ll invite your friends and family to join us for some brand new fairy tales – stories that are just a little bit scary – and a whole lot of fun!

DATE AUG 3-7
TIME 9AM - 3PM
AGES 6-10
MAX. ENROLLMENT 20
PRICE $450

AS IF BY MAGIC!

Join us for a camp where the impossible is possible! Campers 
will explore all kinds of magic – from magic tricks to wizardry
to magical traditions from around the world. Then, go behind
the scenes of some truly magical moments from our favorite Lookingglass productions. Together, we’ll learn fundamental Lookingglass techniques, discover the ingredients that make fantasy so much fun, and create original characters and magical stories.  Go to the park for lunch each day and craft surprising and suspenseful original performances. By the end of the week, you’ll be ready to share your original stories – and moments
of magic – with family and friends.

DATE AUG 10-14
TIME 9AM - 3PM
AGES 8-14
MAX. ENROLLMENT 20
PRICE $450

LOOKINGGLASS YOUNG ENSEMBLE: ACE THE AUDITION

Get ready to love the art of auditioning! For 28 years, the Lookingglass Young Ensemble has been an inclusive, rigorous and playful pre-professional training program for Chicago-area teens. Now for the first time, camp participants can work directly with the theatre’s artists to build skills for their September Young Ensemble audition – and their own high school and college auditions too!
Learn Lookingglass techniques for breath, body, and voice work. Build confidence in reading scenes with a partner. Workshop a monologue you can use for school-year auditions. Most importantly, build the fundamental ensemble skills you need to step into any audition room ready to be yourself, and play!

DATE AUG 10-14
TIME 9AM - 3PM
AGES 13-18
MAX. ENROLLMENT 10
PRICE $350

ABOUT LOOKINGLASS CAMPS

Step into the experience

Our award-winning teaching artists lead daily theatre and storytelling workshops designed to boost confidence, spark imagination, and inspire collaboration.

Spots fill fast — register for Summerglass Camp today!

Location

163 E Pearson St at Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

My child LOVED getting to create different kinds of puppets and build stories. Lookingglass helped build up that love and gain skills that they’ll take with them for life.

Camper Parent

That scavenger hunt show! I’ve never seen anything like it!

Camper Parent

Somehow they did the impossible: my kid despises summer camps, but she loved this one!

Camper Parent

FAQS

Lookingglass Camp activities will take place in the theatre and at nearby Seneca Park.
Enrollment will be limited to 20 campers per session. Campers will be supervised by two teaching artists at all times, participate in group activities, and complete additional
activities in small groups of 2-3. Campers take breaks for snacks and lunch.

At Lookingglass, we like to say that the word “play is both a noun and a verb.” All campers will create a final event that can be shared, but the performance may include outdoor activities like scavenger hunts, and/or activities like films, podcasts, or artwork.
Stay tuned for updates about your child’s final day of camp! You’ll definitely want to play along!

With support and guidance from our experienced teaching artists, campers will create their own stories and performances. At Lookingglass, there are no assigned roles or scripts–each camper creates their dream role! Participants will explore creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, analysis of text, speaking directly to the audience, community engagement, and more — all while creating something fun
that makes them proud!

We welcome everyone to Lookingglass Camp and we really, really mean it. Please contact Molly to discuss scheduling changes and/or other accommodations that will make your camper feel included, happy, and successful. Email mbunder@lookingglasstheatre.org

Please bring two water bottles, a snack, sunscreen and insect repellent. Campers should bring a packed lunch free from common allergens. Campers may be asked to bring some recyclables from home. A complete materials list will be shared via email the week before your camp session begins.

Please wear clothes that allow you to move freely, shoes that allow you to run and jump, and make sure your clothes can get dirty! You may also want to wear a hat or sunglasses.

Please tell your teachers in advance if you will be late/absent/leaving early. Our camp includes daily trips to nearby Seneca Park and we may ask you to report to the park
rather than the theatre. You may email curiosity@lookingglasstheatre.org with attendance information. The double doors on Pearson Street will be locked when not being used for drop off (8:45 – 9:00am) and pick up (3:00 – 3:10pm) to prevent library patrons from inadvertently entering our camp zone. Please call/text Molly (765-586-3082) if you arrive late or need to depart early.

When you register for camp, please list the names of all the adults approved to pick-up your camper(s). You may add to this list at any time by emailing curiosity@lookingglasstheatre.org. If an adult isn’t on our list, we will telephone for pick-up permission before dismissing the camper. Teaching artists are required to ask for a photo ID if they do not recognize someone at pick-up. Please share this information with all adults who may pick-up your camper(s).

You may drop off anytime after 8:45am. The double doors on Pearson Street will be locked when not being used for drop off (8:45 – 9:00am) and pick up (3:00 – 3:10pm) to prevent library patrons from inadvertently entering our camp zone. Drop off for Ace the Audition is 11:45am – 12pm. Pick up for Ace the Audition is 4:00 – 4:10pm

Sometimes grown-ups are late! Please call or text your Molly (765-586-3082) if you will be running late. We ask that you plan to be early for pick-up as our teaching artists are almost always going directly to another class, rehearsal, or audition. If you are more than 20 minutes late for pick up, a $52 fee will be applied to compensate the teaching artist for overtime. Thanks for your help!

If you need to change your plans, we offer a 50% refund up to 3 weeks before the camp begins.

WANT MORE INFO ABOUT LOOKINGGLASS SUMMER CLASSES?

CONTACT INFO

312 337 0665

curiosity@lookingglasstheatre.org