Atlanta Children’s Theatre Drama Camps: A Local Guide for Atlanta Families

If you have a child who loves to perform, Atlanta children’s theatre drama camps can be a great way to build confidence, creativity, and friendships. Atlanta has a strong performing arts scene, and that extends to camps and classes tailored to kids and teens across the metro area.

This guide walks through how drama camps work in Atlanta, what types of programs you’ll find, typical costs and schedules, and how Atlanta parents often choose the right camp for their child.

What Is a Children’s Theatre Drama Camp in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, a children’s theatre drama camp is usually a short-term program (often one or two weeks) where kids learn:

• Acting and improvisation
• Voice and movement
• Stagecraft (basic sets, props, and costumes)
• Teamwork and communication

Most Atlanta programs end with a showcase or performance for families, sometimes on a professional-style stage. Camps are offered by:

• Local theatre companies
• Community arts centers
• Private performing arts schools
• Some churches and community centers with summer programming

Many camps welcome beginners as well as kids with prior theatre experience, and age groups are typically split (for example, ages 5–7, 8–12, 13–17).

Types of Drama Camps You’ll Find in Atlanta

1. General Theatre & Acting Camps

These are the most common in Atlanta. Kids get a broad introduction to:

• Acting basics
• Character building
• Script reading
• Simple staging and blocking

They’re often full-day summer camps (about 9 a.m.–3 p.m.) and suited for kids who want to explore drama without focusing on a single show or musical.

2. Musical Theatre Camps

Musical theatre is especially popular around Atlanta’s performing arts hubs like Midtown, Buckhead, and parts of Decatur and Sandy Springs. These camps combine:

• Singing
• Dancing
• Acting

Many culminate in a short musical revue or one-act show. They can be a good fit if your child is drawn to Broadway-style performance or school musicals.

3. Production-Based “Put-On-a-Show-in-a-Week” Camps

Some Atlanta children’s theatre organizations offer camps where kids rehearse a full (or abridged) production in a week or two. Typical elements:

• Assigned roles on day one
• Daily rehearsals, memorization, and blocking
• A ticketed performance or showcase at the end

These can be more intensive and may suit kids who already know they love theatre.

4. Specialty Drama Camps

In Atlanta, you’ll also find more specialized theatre camps, such as:

• Improv camps (often in areas with active comedy scenes like Midtown or Little Five Points)
• On-camera acting or film acting camps
• Shakespeare or classics camps
• Technical theatre (lights, sound, set design) for older kids and teens

These are less common than general acting camps but are available in select locations.

Typical Ages, Schedules, and Locations in Atlanta

Common Age Ranges

Most Atlanta children’s drama camps group kids roughly as follows:

• Early elementary: 4–6 or 5–7
• Upper elementary: 8–11 or 8–12
• Middle school: 11–14 or 12–14
• Teens: 13–17 or 14–18

Some venues focus on younger kids with shorter days and more play-based drama, while others emphasize teens and pre-professional training.

When Camps Run

In Atlanta, you’ll find drama camps during:

• Summer break (May–August): The busiest season, with weekly sessions starting after Atlanta Public Schools and nearby districts let out.
• Spring break: One-week theatre intensives that follow local school calendars.
• School-year breaks & holidays: Shorter day camps on teacher workdays or long weekends.
• After-school sessions: Ongoing acting classes or mini-sessions during the school year, sometimes called “classes” rather than “camps.”

Where Camps Are Typically Located

Drama camps in the Atlanta metro area tend to cluster around:

• Intown neighborhoods: Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Little Five Points
• North Atlanta suburbs: Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek
• East side communities: Decatur, Tucker, Stone Mountain area
• South and West Metro: Some programs extend into College Park, East Point, and the Westside arts areas

Because Metro Atlanta traffic can be heavy, parents often choose a camp close to home or work to simplify drop-off and pick-up.

What Kids Typically Do Each Day at an Atlanta Drama Camp

While every program is different, a typical full-day theatre camp schedule in Atlanta might include:

Morning

• Warm-ups (voice, movement, improv games)
• Acting exercises and small group scenes
• Script read-through or rehearsal

Midday

• Lunch break (usually sack lunch from home)
• Outdoor or indoor free time

Afternoon

• Rehearsals, choreography, or blocking
• Arts and crafts related to sets, props, or costumes
• Run-through of the day’s work

The week often ends with:

• A short performance for families
• An open class where parents can watch part of a rehearsal
• Photos or videos (policies vary by program)

Cost Expectations for Atlanta Children’s Theatre Camps

Pricing varies widely across Metro Atlanta, depending on:

• Length of camp day (half-day vs full-day)
• Length of session (one week vs multiple weeks)
• Type of program (general camp vs specialized or pre-professional)
• Location and facilities

Parents in Atlanta often see something like this range:

*Actual prices depend on the provider; Atlanta families usually compare several options before booking.

Many Atlanta organizations also offer:

• Sibling discounts
• Early registration discounts
• Limited need-based scholarships or sliding-scale options

Parents often contact the theatre’s administrative office or box office for the most current tuition and scholarship details.

How to Choose the Right Drama Camp in Atlanta

When you’re deciding between Atlanta-area drama camps, these points tend to matter most to families:

1. Location and Commute

Because of Atlanta traffic, many parents prioritize:

• Camps near home (e.g., in your neighborhood or nearby suburb)
• Camps near a MARTA station if you’re commuting by transit
• Programs close to your workplace (Midtown, Downtown, Perimeter, etc.)

This can make daily drop-off and pick-up far more manageable.

2. Age and Experience Level

Check whether the camp:

• Groups kids by age, not just overall range (5–12 in one room can be tough)
• Welcomes beginners or expects prior acting/singing experience
• Is appropriate for teens who may want more serious training

Look for clear descriptions of what each age group will do.

3. Camp Focus

Ask yourself:

• Does your child want general acting, musical theatre, or improv?
• Are they excited about a final show or more interested in games and skill-building?
• Would they enjoy behind-the-scenes work (lights, sound, costumes) if it’s offered?

Matching the focus to your child’s interests usually makes the week more enjoyable.

4. Day Structure and Hours

Key details Atlanta parents often review:

• Drop-off and pick-up times (and whether extended care is available)
• Full-day vs half-day options for younger kids
• Daily outdoor or movement time—important during hot Atlanta summers
• Whether lunch and snacks are provided or brought from home

If you’re commuting from another part of the metro area, extended care can help with timing.

5. Staff and Safety

Look for information about:

• Staff background checks and training
• Student-to-staff ratio
• Check-in/check-out procedures for kids
• Allergy and medical policies

You can usually find these details on the registration materials or by calling the organization’s administrative office.

Registration, Waitlists, and Deadlines in Atlanta

Drama camps in Atlanta can fill up quickly, especially:

• Early June and late July sessions
• Camps near dense neighborhoods like Midtown, Decatur, and East Atlanta
• Specialty musical theatre or production-based programs

Parents often:

• Join email lists in the fall or winter to hear when registration opens
• Register in January–March for summer sessions
• Ask about waitlists if a preferred week is full

If your child is new to theatre, you might also start with a single-week session to see how they like it before booking multiple weeks.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Parents Sending Kids to Drama Camp

A few locally relevant points can make an Atlanta theatre camp week run more smoothly:

• Plan for heat and humidity: Even indoor camps often include outdoor breaks; pack water, sunscreen, and light clothing.
• Consider transportation: Factor in rush-hour traffic and parking in busier areas like Midtown or Buckhead.
• Label everything: Script pages, water bottles, and costume pieces can easily get mixed up.
• Ask about performance details early: Know which day and time family showcases happen so you can arrange work schedules.
• Check photo/video policies: Some Atlanta programs share photos through secure portals; others restrict recording during performances.

Finding Atlanta Children’s Theatre Drama Camps

To locate current, reputable camps in the Atlanta area, many families:

• Search by neighborhood name plus “children’s theatre camp” (e.g., “Decatur children’s theatre camp,” “Alpharetta drama camp”)
• Check listings from local arts centers, parks & recreation departments, and community theaters
• Look at school drama departments or local churches that occasionally partner with theatre teaching artists

For official city-run or county-run programs, families sometimes contact:

• City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation main office
• Local county parks and recreation departments (such as Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Gwinnett)

These government offices can provide up-to-date information about public arts and drama camps at recreation centers and community facilities across the Atlanta metro area.

By focusing on location, focus area, age fit, and schedule, Atlanta families can usually find a children’s theatre drama camp that feels like a strong match for their child’s interests and your daily routine.