Arden Drama School
Classes and Camps for ages 2 through Grade 12+
Light your child’s creative spark! We celebrate creativity, nurture passion, and foster collaboration in our exciting classes that are taught by some of the region’s leading theatre professionals. On the last day, students perform on stage for friends and family in the Arden’s Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre.
Arden Drama School is for EVERYONE!
Contact edavella@ardentheatre.org for more information or questions about special needs or accommodations. For financial aid and scholarships, please fill out a scholarship application.
Winter 2025
January 11 – March 1, 2025
Take Advantage of Great Savings!
Register for two or more classes and SAVE $10 per class.
Use code WINTERMULTI
Winter 2025 Classes
Preschool, Ages 2-5
Bookworms
For Ages 2-5 and their Caregivers
In Bookworms, we use theatre games, music, and creative movement to bring a story to life! Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are all invited, but not required, to participate.
Drop-in for $18 per child or Register for all 8 classes for $112 (Save over 20%!)
Extra Yarn
by Mac Bernett & Jon Klassen
Saturday, January 18
Wendell the Narwhal
by Emily Dove
Saturday, January 25
Lucia the Lucadora
by Cynthia Leonor Garza & Alyssa Bermudez
Saturday, February 1
Frederick
by Leo Lionni
Saturday, February 8
Corduroy
by Don Freeman
Saturday, February 15
Little Owl Lost
by Chris Haughton
Saturday, February 22
The Way Back Home
by Oliver Jeffers
Saturday, March 1
Grades K-5
Play in a Day
In the Arden’s award-winning classes (Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly: Kids Classes), students work together to create an original play. Each Play-in-a-Day is as unique as the participants, so take one or all of them—the story and characters are always new!
All Play in a Days are for Grades K-5 and are held from 9am-5pm for $80. Register with the links below:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20, 2025
President’s Day
Monday, February 17, 2025
Grades 6-8
One Day Workshops
Musical Theatre Dance Workshop
Monday, January 20 (MLK Day)
Strengthen your musical theatre skills in this dance workshop led by a professional choreographer. Learn the dance techniques to rock a Broadway routine in this active class!
Monday, January 20 (MLK Day), 10am – 1pm
Age: Grades 6 – 8
Cost: $50
Audition Technique Workshop
Monday, February 17 (President’s Day)
Learn the tips and tricks to nail your audition through this workshop led by professional artists. Work with monologues and scenes to practice the skills needed to present a compelling audition.
Monday, February 17 (President’s Day), 10am – 1pm
Age: Grades 6 – 8
Cost: $50
Arden Summer Camp 2025
Starting June 23!
Take Advantage of Great Savings!
Register before March 1st and Get $50 off!
Use code SAVE50*
*Does not apply to one-day masterclasses
Arden Summer Camp 2025
1st – 5th Grade
Camps are held Monday-Friday from 9:30am-4:30pm
Extended Day options from 8:00-9:30am and 4:30-6:00pm
One Week Camp: $430
Two Week Camp: $760
Drama Camps (One and Two Week Camps!)
Campers take a theatrical journey through Acting, Music, Storytelling, and Dance as they work as an ensemble to create and rehearse an original play. Camp culminates with an onstage performance for family and friends, complete with lights, singing, and dancing. Take one or all of them – each session is as unique as its students!
Quest for Adventure
June 23 – June 27 (One Week Camp)
Final Performance: Friday, June 27
Leave your hobbit hole behind as you act, sing, and dance your way through a fantastical adventure!
The World of Witchcraft and Wizardry
July 7 – July 18 (Two Week Camp)
July 14 – July 18 (One Week Camp)
Final Performance: Friday, July 18
Break open your spell book and get ready to journey through a magical world!
Guardians of Space and Time
July 21 – July 25 (One Week Camp)
Final Performance: Friday, July 25
Act, sing, and dance your way through space AND time!
Superhero Task Force
July 28 – August 1 (One Week Camp)
Final Performance: Friday, August 1
Reveal your super power and team up to save the world!
After Ever After
August 4 – August 15 (Two Week Camp)
August 11- August 15 (One Week Camp)
Final Performance: Friday, August 15
Discover what happens after the fairytale ending!
Let the Games Begin
August 25 – August 29 (One Week Camp)
Final Performance: Friday, August 29
Roll the dice and level up in this games and sports themed week of camp!
Specialty Camps (One Week Camps!)
Specialty Camps stimulate young artists and build confidence as they explore a specific theatre skill in a deeper way. Each session concludes with a presentation for family and friends!
Design Camp
July 7 – 11 (One Week Camp)
Final Presentation: Friday, July 11
Theatre professionals teach campers how costumes, props, set, lights, and sound help bring a story to life on stage. Campers will learn the basics of the theatrical design process and put those skills into practice on various projects. On the last day of camp, family and friends are invited to view an installation of all work created during the week.
Comedy Camp
July 21 – 25 (One Week Camp)
Final Presentation: Friday, July 25
Campers get a crash course in sketch comedy, physical humor, and improv to take their comedic skills to the next level. Over the course of the week, campers will be guided by professionals to create their own short-form comedy sketches and routines that will be presented on the final day for family and friends!
Musical Theatre Camp
July 28 – August 1 (Session 1)
Final Presentation: Friday, August 1
August 18 – 22 (Session 2)
Final Presentation: Friday, August 22
Musical Theatre professionals teach campers how to connect story to lyrics using beloved Broadway and Disney songs. Campers will learn musical numbers, complete with choreography, and perform a revue for family and friends on the last day of camp!
Dance Camp
August 4 – 8 (One Week Camp)
Final Presentation: Friday, August 8
Campers will explore the language of theatrical movement and dance, and learn numbers choreographed by professionals for a show at the end of the week for family and friends. Dancers of all experience levels are welcome!
6th – 8th Grade
Masterclass Week
June 23-27
12:00-5:00pm
Extended Day options from 5:00 – 6:00pm
Take one day for $75 or the full week for $300 to further develop your skills as a performer!
Improv
Monday, June 23
Learn how to think on your feet and act without a script. A theatre professional will guide students through a variety of improv exercises to create characters, establish relationships, and explore short-form comedic scenes.
Song Study
Tuesday, June 24
Learn how to communicate story through song using ensemble-based vocal techniques. A musical theatre professional shows how to identify clues in the music and lyrics to enhance character traits and connect with the audience.
Scene Study
Wednesday, June 25
Sharpen your acting skills by working with a theatre professional on scenes from contemporary and classic plays. This class will challenge students to analyze text and create believable characters, while honing their performance technique.
Movement and Musical Theatre
Thursday, June 26
Strengthen your musical theatre skills in this class led by a professional choreographer. In this active class, students will learn the dance techniques to rock a Broadway routine.
Shakespeare and Combat
Friday, June 27
Work with a professional actor combatant in this exciting class that will explore some of Shakespeare’s best fight scenes. Students will learn how to wield Shakespeare’s language as well as a few key stage combat moves to bring the drama to the next level.
Arden Summer Studio
Studios are held Monday-Friday from 10:00am-5:00pm
Extended Day Options from 8:00-10:00am and 5:00-6:00pm
One Week Studio: $430
Two Week Studio: $760
The Arden Summer Studio provides exclusive access to classes taught by Philadelphia’s top theatre artists. During Studio weeks, students will deepen their theatre skills, explore their individual creativity, and collaborate with their fellow artists in creating a compelling final showcase on the Arcadia Theatre stage for family and friends.
Comedy Studio
July 7 – 11 (One Week Studio)
Final Performance: Friday, July 11
This camp provides a space to explore what it means to be funny and how to translate that humor to an audience. Students will learn about a variety of comedic skill sets, such as improv, sketch comedy, and physical humor. Camp ends with a final comedy showcase for family and friends.
Acting Studio
July 14 – 25 (Two Week Studio)
Final Performance: Friday, July 25
Learn how to employ key acting techniques while working on both classical and contemporary scripts. Students will explore exercises that help them become an active listener, create believable characters, and build ensemble skills. Camp ends with a final showcase for family and friends.
Musical Theatre Cabaret
July 28 – August 8 (Two Week Studio)
Final Performance: Friday, August 8
Musical Theatre professionals will teach students how to hone their singing, movement, and acting skills while learning how to harmonize, integrate choreography, and interpret a song. Students will collaborate on a cabaret style performance to present to friends and family on the last day.
Shakespeare Studio
August 18 – 22 (One Week Studio)
Explore Shakespeare’s plays and characters through voice work, movement, stage combat, monologues, and scenes. Students will gain confidence in understanding, interpreting, and performing both comedy and tragedy through the work of the Bard. The class will culminate in a showcase performance for family and friends.
9th – 12th Grade
To be announced…
Stay tuned for a special announcement about Teen Camps in 2025
Terms & Conditions
PLEASE NOTE: Included in the cost of your camp is a $100 non-refundable deposit. If you need to cancel enrollment, you must notify us in writing no later than June 1, 2025 in order to receive a refund. Requests should be emailed to boxofficer@ardentheatre.org. No refunds or exchanges can be made after June 1, 2025. The $100 deposit will be deducted from any cancellations. Changes to enrolled weeks are based on availability and must also be made on or before the June 1, 2025 deadline. By enrolling in Arden Drama School, you are hereby allowing Arden Theatre Company to use images and video footage of your child for marketing materials. You and your family’s names will be kept private. If you prefer to have your child’s image kept private, please contact Elise D’Avella, Arden Drama School Managaer, edavella@ardentheatre.org