Young Actors' Theatre Camp

Young Actors’ Theatre Camp offers a range of programs that include an Audition Intensive Weekend Camp, DRAG Weekend Camp, Dungeons & Dragons Weekend Camp, Writers' Retreat Weekend Camp, Summer Camp, Winter Film Camp, and 1-Day Workshops. The 1-Day Workshops run from 10:00 to 4:00 on Saturdays and include 6 hours of instruction, and they feature instruction with a top casting director from a popular show while focusing on the “Do’s and Don’ts” of casting and how to give a strong audition. The program also includes the Famous Overnight YATC Experience, a Sunday Morning Film Festival, YATC Goes to France, involvement with the Cannes International Film Festival, and a YATC 25th Anniversary Gala.

• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Weekend camps, multi-session summer camps, a Winter Film Camp, and 1-Day Saturday workshops

Founded in 2001, Young Actors’ Theatre Camp offers multi-award winning programs that focus on discovering and developing each individual student’s talents in all areas of the performing arts. Programs are open to all levels of experience, and students are grouped by age and gender into cabins of 11 students for every one counselor, with between 100–150 students admitted to programs and 30–50 full-time staff members. All bunk requests are honored as long as students are in the same age group, and campers are encouraged to decorate their cabins and bring comfortable bedding from home.

All classes are taught by working actors, singers, directors, dancers, casting directors, writers, designers, agents, managers, and producers who bring their professional experiences directly to the classroom. The leadership team includes Co-Founding Director Shawn Ryan, Associate Director Valerie Dohrer, and Associate Director AJ Hamilton. The program also offers an EARN YOUR WAY TO CAMP option that allows many students to attend at no cost.

Shawn Ryan describes Young Actors’ Theatre Camp as “your one stop shop for the ins and outs of showbiz where your child can learn from working actors, singers, dancers, directors, choreographers, and professionals from all areas of the arts,” and notes that he has worked with over 5,000 students in almost 20 years. Valerie Dohrer shares that through YATC she has gained experience in directing, producing, stage management, screenwriting, costume design, and becoming a stage mom to the YATC mascot, Gazpacho, and that she is proud to nurture the safe and supportive environment it provides. AJ Hamilton states that he has been with YATC since 2008 and is thrilled to be teaching the next generation about the performing arts, and a YATC FAQ response describes it as “maybe the BEST first overnight camp experience” where “the staff and students are all one big family and by the end of camp we guarantee, you WON’T want to leave.”

Last updated April 8, 2026.