We’re just halfway through the summer, so I thought it was time to post a reminder about all the wonderful acting and performance camps available for kids. Check out our updated list of Camps, Classes and Schoolsand while you’re at it try and guess where these famous thespians and musicians spent their childhood summers perfecting the skills we admire today.

By the way, that great picture of Jackson Rathbone (below) was taken by our friend, Photographer Lesley Bryce.

Anjelina Jolie

Robert Downey Jr.

Jewel

Adam Levine

Natalie Portman

Jon Favreau

Scarlett Johansson

Matt Damon

Evan Rachel Wood

Jackson Rathbone

Zooey Deschanel

Norah Jones


  1. American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles campus and New York campus): 1336 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (800) 222-2867. Summer camp application.
  2. Agoura Children’s Theater 818-225-1459
  3. Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts presents Janet Adderley’s Musical Theater Camp: 5015 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills, 91301 (805) 889-3680.
  4. AIA Actor’s Studio: 1918 W. Magnolia Blvd., Suite 206, Burbank (818) 566-1429
  5. Atlantic Acting School for Kids: (646) 216-1171
  6. Cal Shakes, California Shakespeare Theater: For more info about this Northern California day camp contact Jenna Stich, Artistic Learning Coordinator, at 510.809.3293 or learn@calshakes.org Zendaya Coleman (Shake It Up!) attends camp here.
  7. Center Stage Theater Camp: 615 Holmby Ave. LA, 90024; telephone: (310)842-8040, ext. 137
  8. Children’s Civic Light Opera Summer Theatre Work: 10858 Culver Blvd., Culver City (310) 478-5886
  9. Chamberlain’s Performing and Fine Arts Camp: 5699 Kanan Rd. #610, Agoura Hills (818) 735-9464
  10. Children’s Civic Light Opera (CCLO), the Westside’s premier performing arts program for youth 8-18 since 1987! All skill levels embraced! Email: CCLO@verizon.net (310) 478 – 5886
  11. Community Musical Theatre Day Camp: 11301 Bellagio Rd., Los Angeles (323) 954-7250
  12. CRE Kids Summer Theatre Camp at Dolly Saken School of the Arts: 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills (323) 944-0511
  13. Dance Dimensions Musical Theater Camp: Promenade Mall, 6100 Topanga Cyn Blvd., Woodland Hills, 91367, (818) 999-3262
  14. Dance Factory 28901 S Western Ave Ste. 113, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (310) 519-3600
  15. Diane Christiansen professional coaching for young actors, North Hollywood CA email: actupdi@yahoo.com
  16. Discovery Onstage Summer Acting Camp: Centre Stage Dance Academy, 127 East Olive Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 Phone: 626.357.8308
  17. Edgemar Center for the Arts/The Larry Moss Studio: 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica (310) 399-3666
  18. Electric Youth Triple Threat Camp Owner/Director: Debra Gibson. Teachers: Howard Fine, Susan Leslie, Bill Purnell. July 5th through July 16, 2010, attend for 1 week or both. Hollywood, CA
  19. ♥Elizabeth Bauman Monologue Workshop & Private Coach for professional child actors, Larchmont Village, (323) 385-5237
  20. Eye Dreams Arts: 135 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena (626) 698-1092
  21. French Woods Festival of The Performing Arts Camp PO Box 609 Hancock, NY 13783 Alumni: Jon Favreau (Cowboys&Aliens, Iron Man); Zoey Deschanel (Elf), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man); Adam Levine (Maroon 5)
  22. Global Groove Cultural Adventure Camp: Westside Waldorf McComb Campus, 17310 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades (310) 402-8138
  23. The Groundlings Improve Teen Classes: 7307 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046-7512, (323) 934-4747 ext 60
  24. International City Theatre: Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach (562) 436-4610
  25. Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp Application. Office of Admission & Financial Aid, 9900 Diamond Park Rd., Interlochen, MI 49643 (231) 276-7472, Alumni: Jewel, Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives); Jackson Rathbone (Twilight); Norah Jones, Kim Kardashian (Keeping Up with the Kardashians).
  26. Kids Muse Art Camp, UCLA’s Fowler Museum, Sunset Boulevard at Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 825-4361
  27. ♥Kids on Stage: Santa Monica, Culver City, Mar Vista (310) 314-0035 Perfect introduction to imaginary play for very young kids and beginners 3 to 6 years.
  28. La Brea Barnstormers Theatre Day Camp: 520 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 939-9220
  29. ♥Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute Young Actors is an intensive/diverse program for young actors ages 7 to 18 years. 7936 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.650.7777; losangeles@strasberg.com Alumni: Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson are former students.
  30. Long Lake Theater Camp: Located in New York State in the Adirondack Park and members of the NY American Camp Association offering Dance, Theater, Fine Arts, Circus, Music and more! E-Mail: marc@longlakecamp.com Tel: 800-767-7111 or 914-693-7111; Fax: 914-693-7684. Academy Award Winner Adrien Brody is a former camper!
  31. Los Angeles Shakespeare Company: 1909 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga (310) 455-9400
  32. Camp Modin: While not technically an performing arts camp, Modin counts many actors, writers, directors and composers among it’s alumni. 51 Modin Way, Belgrade, Maine, 04917 (207) 465.4444, (email) Modin@Modin.com
  33. Musical Theater Los Angeles, (formerly SKTC) Amanda Baird, 310-428-4021, various L.A. locations offering in school and after-school programs. Summer Camp to be held at St. Albans Episcopal Church.
  34. Music Rhapsody: 1603 Aviation Blvd., Redondo Beach (310) 376-8646
  35. Orange County Screen Actor’s Academy: 2834 S. Fairview St., Santa Ana, CA. 92704 (310) 427-5674 Specializes in getting kids on film
  36. Performing Arts Workshops Education: 13428 Maxella Avenue, Ste. 436, Marina Del Rey, CA 90242; Phone: (310) 827.8827
  37. The Actors’ Spot website: http://www.theactorsspot.com 5215 Lankershim Blvd. Studio A North Hollywood CA 91601 Alumi: Nolan Gould (Modern Family), Coy Stewart (Are We There Yet?), Michael Welch (Twilight trilogy), Megan Good (Californication), Brock Ciarelli (The Middle)
  38. The Performers Academy 24310 Moulton Parkway, Suite I, Laguna Hills, CA 92637, (949) 609-1600
  39. The Rage Entertainment Complex: 16911 Devonshire St., Granada Hills (818) 366-6100
  40. Summer Singing Camp Ages: 6-8 years, Dates: 6/21-7/9, Ages: 9-12 years, Dates: 7/26-8/13, Tuition: $299 (for 3 weeks) www.singingkids.com Phone Number: (310) 737-9387
  41. Santa Monica Playhouse: 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica (310) 394-9779
  42. Stage Door Manor 8 Wingate Road, Lexington, MA 02421. 2011 Application for Admission. Alumni: Natalie Portman (Black Swan); Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes); Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men); Lea Michelle (Glee)
  43. Stage Time Los Angeles: Lyric Hyperion Theater Café in Silver Lake, 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 1-800-530-9524
  44. ♥Storms Acting Studio Karen Storms is the Coach, husband Chris Storms runs the business. A great team with a phenomenal track record, Professionals only. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 510-2940
  45. Studio C ArtistsWeekly Acting Class For Children & Teens, Dates: Thursdays, June 17th – August 5th, 2010, 4:00– 6:00 PM located at 6448 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038 (323) 988-1175 or info@studiocartists.com
  46. Studio LOL (818) 660-3460, 11634 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 (Between Tujunga & Colfax) Email StudioLOLclasses@gmail.com
  47. Teenage Drama Workshop at California State University Northridge : (818) 677-5811
  48. The Acting Studio at Edgemar 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405, Phone: 310.399.3666, Fax: 310.399.2898 www.edgemarcenter.org or call Alexandra Guarnieri, Managing Director at 310.399.3666 or 310-392-0815. Classes for ages 3-16 years, help to foster strong acting foundation through interactive exercises utilizing improv games, theater and scene work on and off the camera.
  49. TVI Actors Studio, Los Angeles and New York: (323) 599-1900
  50. Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts: America’s premier not-for-profit summer school of the arts! Alumni: Mariah Carey, (212) 772 – 6060 ,420 East 79th Street, NY, NY 10075
  51. ♥Valley West Actors SpaceRun by actress & Hollywood Mom Sara Wood, who coached daughter Evan Rachel Wood back in the day. VWAS located at 22743 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364, 818-222-7484, valleyactors@gmail.com
  52. ♥Young Actors SpacePatrick Day, Director, 5918 Van Nuys Boulevard · Sherman Oaks, CA 91401 (818) 785-7979
  53. Young Actor’s Studio 5215 Lankershim Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Second Floor Theaters, Northwest corner of Magnolia & Lankershim) 310-281-7545
  54. Young Artists Ensemble, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, Box Office (805) 381-1246, Center for the Arts (805) 381-2747 – Former participants include TRUE GRIT Star: Hailee Steinfeld.
  55. YADAYouth Academy of Dramatic Arts offers comprehensive theatrical training. 8115 W. 3rd Street, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90048 323-655-9232
  56. 3-2-1 Talent ShowcaseOwner/Director Mae Ross, located at 3131 Foothill Blvd. La Crescenta CA 91214 (818) 353-5455

If you have a suggestion for this list, contact the Hollywood Mom via our contact form with the contact name, address and telephone number. We would love to start lists for every state in the USA.