Elmhurst Children's Theatre Camps and Classes
ECT Headquarters, 121 W 1ST STREET, Elmhurst, IL 60126
About
Elmhurst Children's Theatre Camps and Classes offers summer camp and class options that include musical theatre, improvisational theatre, an improv skills camp, acting through song, a dance camp for musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap dance, sketch comedy, sketch comedy writing, a musical-in-a-week experience, acting technique, and singing technique. Under the Sea - Musical Theatre Intensive includes a special presentation for family and friends on the last afternoon of class. Musical-In-A-Week: Broadway Highlights in the Round features School House Rock Live! based on the music from the Emmy-award winning cartoon from the 1970s and uses a script catered around the talents of the cast so every actor gets a starring moment, with the show performed in the round on Friday.
• Ages: 8–15 years old
• Schedule: Week-long summer sessions, including options such as June 2–6, June 9–13, June 16–20, and August 4–8, with some morning (9–12pm), afternoon (1–4pm or 12:45–3:45pm), and full-day (9–3pm) camps; supervision is provided for campers no more than 5 minutes before each session, and campers enrolled in both morning and afternoon sessions for the same age group may stay for lunch.
• Price: Tickets for ECT's Unintentionally Hilarious Sketch Comedy performance are $10 at the door (cash, Zelle, or Venmo).
Elmhurst Children’s Theatre (ECT) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit children’s theatre company dedicated to serving the children of Elmhurst and providing experience in live theatre in a supportive and positive learning environment. ECT programming is available to children who live in or go to school in Elmhurst, and if space allows, children from neighboring communities are admitted. Professionals cast, direct, music direct, and choreograph productions, while parent volunteers produce the shows and create costumes, sets, and marketing for the shows. Typically, children in grades 5–8 may audition for main stage productions, and children in grades 6–8 may audition for the Unintentionally Hilarious Sketch Comedy Troupe, which is directed by a professional comedian and theatre arts educator. Various classes and camps have been available to children in grades 2–9 over the past year, and professional instructors create custom curriculum for each class or camp.
The leadership team includes President Sarah Galarza, Vice President Sarah Bedinghaus, Producer Amanda French, Production Coordinators Natalie Tyrrell, Vikki Ortiz, and Jana Bendik, Treasurer Frannie Gallagher, Secretary Betsy Fahey, Class Coordinators John Dostaler and Molly Polins, and Marketing Director Tricia Larsen. Staff and instructors include Mimi Black, a veteran on-camera and voice actor and developmental psychologist specializing in children’s creativity who has worked on both sides of the camera in developing children’s national television programming; Nina Davalos, an Elmhurst University graduate who runs Rise n' Thrive Nutrition in Elmhurst and has choreographed multiple ECT and Hatbox Theatrix productions; Helen Knudsen, described as a gifted actor and director; Julie Peterson, who has been seen Off-Broadway, performs professionally in Chicago, and runs an acting and vocal studio in Elmhurst; Dan Sonenberg, a Chicago-based comedian, writer, and teacher who has devised and performed in over 50 comedy shows featured at the Chicago Sketchfest, Second City, and other venues, is a founding member of ECPA, a former producer of Yesfest, and holds a B.F.A. in Theater Arts from DePaul University; and Tim Soszko, who has directed Elmhurst Children’s Theatre’s Unintentionally Hilarious sketch comedy troupe for 16 years, teaches classes and camps, has directed ECT productions, is an ECT alum, and has made a living performing, teaching, writing, and directing.
For Theatre in Motion - Dance Camp for Musical Theatre, students need comfortable clothes they can move and stay cool in, along with jazz shoes and/or flexible-soled tennis shoes, and tap shoes are not required. Drinks are available for purchase at the Unintentionally Hilarious performance, and Modern Plate’s food is available before showtime. ECT appears on many matching gift platforms under “Elmhurst Children S Theatre,” and GiftLABS, Inc. donates 20% of sales to ECT from ECT merchandise purchases. ECT notes appreciation for the performers, musicians, crew members, parents, families, sponsors, and audiences involved in their shows, and instructor Dan Sonenberg is noted as being proud to teach in his hometown of Elmhurst and as a former producer of Yesfest, a performing arts festival based at the Elmhurst Art Museum that ran from 2013 to 2019.
Last updated January 11, 2026.
• Ages: 8–15 years old
• Schedule: Week-long summer sessions, including options such as June 2–6, June 9–13, June 16–20, and August 4–8, with some morning (9–12pm), afternoon (1–4pm or 12:45–3:45pm), and full-day (9–3pm) camps; supervision is provided for campers no more than 5 minutes before each session, and campers enrolled in both morning and afternoon sessions for the same age group may stay for lunch.
• Price: Tickets for ECT's Unintentionally Hilarious Sketch Comedy performance are $10 at the door (cash, Zelle, or Venmo).
Elmhurst Children’s Theatre (ECT) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit children’s theatre company dedicated to serving the children of Elmhurst and providing experience in live theatre in a supportive and positive learning environment. ECT programming is available to children who live in or go to school in Elmhurst, and if space allows, children from neighboring communities are admitted. Professionals cast, direct, music direct, and choreograph productions, while parent volunteers produce the shows and create costumes, sets, and marketing for the shows. Typically, children in grades 5–8 may audition for main stage productions, and children in grades 6–8 may audition for the Unintentionally Hilarious Sketch Comedy Troupe, which is directed by a professional comedian and theatre arts educator. Various classes and camps have been available to children in grades 2–9 over the past year, and professional instructors create custom curriculum for each class or camp.
The leadership team includes President Sarah Galarza, Vice President Sarah Bedinghaus, Producer Amanda French, Production Coordinators Natalie Tyrrell, Vikki Ortiz, and Jana Bendik, Treasurer Frannie Gallagher, Secretary Betsy Fahey, Class Coordinators John Dostaler and Molly Polins, and Marketing Director Tricia Larsen. Staff and instructors include Mimi Black, a veteran on-camera and voice actor and developmental psychologist specializing in children’s creativity who has worked on both sides of the camera in developing children’s national television programming; Nina Davalos, an Elmhurst University graduate who runs Rise n' Thrive Nutrition in Elmhurst and has choreographed multiple ECT and Hatbox Theatrix productions; Helen Knudsen, described as a gifted actor and director; Julie Peterson, who has been seen Off-Broadway, performs professionally in Chicago, and runs an acting and vocal studio in Elmhurst; Dan Sonenberg, a Chicago-based comedian, writer, and teacher who has devised and performed in over 50 comedy shows featured at the Chicago Sketchfest, Second City, and other venues, is a founding member of ECPA, a former producer of Yesfest, and holds a B.F.A. in Theater Arts from DePaul University; and Tim Soszko, who has directed Elmhurst Children’s Theatre’s Unintentionally Hilarious sketch comedy troupe for 16 years, teaches classes and camps, has directed ECT productions, is an ECT alum, and has made a living performing, teaching, writing, and directing.
For Theatre in Motion - Dance Camp for Musical Theatre, students need comfortable clothes they can move and stay cool in, along with jazz shoes and/or flexible-soled tennis shoes, and tap shoes are not required. Drinks are available for purchase at the Unintentionally Hilarious performance, and Modern Plate’s food is available before showtime. ECT appears on many matching gift platforms under “Elmhurst Children S Theatre,” and GiftLABS, Inc. donates 20% of sales to ECT from ECT merchandise purchases. ECT notes appreciation for the performers, musicians, crew members, parents, families, sponsors, and audiences involved in their shows, and instructor Dan Sonenberg is noted as being proud to teach in his hometown of Elmhurst and as a former producer of Yesfest, a performing arts festival based at the Elmhurst Art Museum that ran from 2013 to 2019.
Last updated January 11, 2026.
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