The Hippodrome is the premier cultural center for the region, providing the only professional venue for dramatic production within a 120-mile radius and the original comprehensive spring and summer theatre programs for youth in North Central Florida. For over twelve years, the Hippodrome's Theatre Camps have offered young actors the opportunity to experience the theatre process in a professional environment. The program cultivates a lifelong knowledge and appreciation of theatre among its young participants, while building interpersonal skills and an understanding of the process by which theatre is created.

The goal of the Hippodrome Theatre Program is to provide a fun and exciting environment outside the demands of the regular school structure. Registration is open to all children - from those who are just beginning to those who have participated in theatre before. Young artists rotate through a series of classes and fast-paced workshops designed to expose them to all aspects of theatrical production. Examples of acting classes include improv, acting for the camera, movement and dance, Shakespeare, and much more. Workshops not only cover areas such as costuming, voice, marketing and other aspects of technical theatre, but also expose young people to different creative outlets, such as Capoiera and Art. Classes and workshops are taught by experienced theatre artists and include workshops with the Hippodrome's resident professional company.

The Spring Break a Leg camp is a one week intensive theatre camp. The camp will end with a showcase of all the classes that the students have taken part in. They will not put on a full play however.

This is the first time ever that a camp has been offered for 5-6 year old students. This two week half day camp will be packed with fun, fast paced classes aimed at a younger group. The camp will end with a showcase similar to that at Spring Break a Leg instead of a fully staged play.

Students in Summer Spectacular and Class Act will receive a part in a play. The students are divided into 3 groups according to age and will perform at least 2 different plays on the Main Stage at the Hippodrome. The students will audition at the beginning of camp for their parts. There are sample monologues available by clicking here. The students should have these memorized for their auditions. After they are cast they will be in rehearsal everyday and will perform their plays 3 times at the end of camp. On the last day of camp they will also have a showcase of the other classes they have taken for their parents.