San Diego Junior Theatre

San Diego Junior Theatre offers JT Tots for children ages 4 and up, with imaginative play, storytelling, music, movement, and creative expression. It also offers JT Studio for grades 7-12, with fast-paced, high-energy intensives for teens. Holiday/Vacation Camps are one-week day camps for current K-6th grade students, and Summer Camps are one-week Monday-Friday day camps for students in grades K-12.

Programs

• JT Tots (PreK-Kinder) — children ages 4 and up · Introduces Junior Theatre’s youngest performers through imaginative play, storytelling, music, movement, and creative expression.
• JT Studio (Grades 7-12) — grades 7-12 · Fast-paced, high-energy intensives designed for teens looking to elevate their performance skills.
• Holiday/Vacation Camps — current K-6th grade students · one-week day camp during fall, winter and spring vacations · $30 per day · Optional Aftercare program is available from 3-5 PM for $30 per day.
• Summer Camps — students in grades K-12 · one-week (M-F) day camps each June-August; camp day 9 AM-3 PM; drop-off as early as 8:15 AM; optional Aftercare 3-5 PM · $30 per day · Closed classroom policy; adults are not permitted to sit in on camps until invited Open Sharing on the final day.
• School Day Programs — students ages 5-18 · 60 to 90 minutes; run for 10-week sessions · Qualified theatre Teaching Artists go into school sites throughout greater San Diego.
• After-School Programs — Students develop theatre skills and life skills and share their talents with friends and family on the final day of class.
• Student Matinees and Workshops — Field trips for special matinee performances; students may book a show-specific Study Guide and a Student Matinee workshop before or after the show.

At a glance

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price range: $30 per day
• Current session: Spring Session (Mar 29–Jun 7, 2027)
• General schedule: Education sessions typically break down as Winter Session January-March; Spring Session April-June; Summer Session June-August; Fall Session September-November. Academic year classes generally divide into 10-week sessions and meet once per week after school and on weekends for 1-2 hours, depending on grade level and subject matter. Classes are offered every day except Fridays. Summer camps are one-week (M-F) day camps. Holiday/Vacation camps are one-week sessions during fall, winter and spring vacations.
• Facility hours: Administrative Office: Monday-Friday 10:00 am-6:00 pm (close at 5:00 pm on Fridays); weekends 9:00 am-2:00 pm. When camps are in session: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; closed weekends. Box Office: Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am-5:00 pm; on performance weekends, opens 90 minutes prior to performances.

About the provider

San Diego Junior Theatre states that it is the nation’s longest running youth theatre organization and the oldest educational youth theatre program in the country. It says Junior Theatre began as a performing arts community program of the Old Globe Theatre, and that the Junior Theatre Workshop was established in 1948. The organization also states that it is a registered nonprofit 501(c)3 and was voted Best Dance Classes and Best Theatre Classes for Kids.

• Winter 2027 tuition assistance application deadline — For all Winter Classes/Camps running December 21 - March 21, 2027
• Spring 2027 tuition assistance application deadline — For all Spring Classes/Camps running March 29 - June 7, 2027
• You Will Be Found Scholarship submission period closes — Submission period for the 2027-2028 season
• You Will Be Found Scholarship awards date — Scholarships will be awarded on the opening night of Junior Theatre’s spring production of Mary Poppins

What families say

“Having San Diego Junior Theatre as a foundation in my early years was invaluable to my success as a human being and those lessons continue to benefit me to this day.” — Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Actor, Singer

“As a child, I experienced a deep sense of belonging at San Diego Junior Theatre, building my resiliency to achieve a creative purpose greater than myself and fostering leadership experience that continues to fuel my profession career today.” — Agnes Chu, President, Condé Nast Entertainment; Head of Content, Disney+

“I am so honored to be a part of the Junior Theatre community. No matter where I work in the theatre, a former Junior Theatre student is likely to be nearby. It’s a remarkable network that has been serving me since I was 13 years old.” — Casey Nicholaw, Director, Choreographer

Last updated September 15, 2026.