Columbus Children’s Theatre Education & Performance Programs

Columbus Children’s Theatre Education & Performance Programs includes the Sandbox Series with brief theatre for ages 0-8, including Theatre for the Very Young productions with sensory play and immersion or adaptations of childhood stories. It also offers the Spotlight Series for families and youth audiences, the Professional Series with professional performers, designers, and technicians, CCT Academy Classes in acting, dance, vocal performance, costuming, scenic design, sound, video production, and movement, Theatre 360 Camps, and Private Instruction in acting, dance, dialect, piano, and voice.

Programs

• Sandbox Series — 0-8 · Brief, easily digestible theatre; includes Theatre for the Very Young (TVY) productions with sensory play and immersion, or adaptations of childhood stories.
• Spotlight Series — Families and youth audiences · Engaging works with opportunities for young artists to shine; students work in a professional environment and learn from seasoned veterans onstage.
• Professional Series — Shows featuring professional performers, designers, and technicians, plus advanced students on stages around town.
• CCT Academy Classes — A range of experience levels; specific classes listed for ages 2-18 and all ages · Theatre classes and offerings including acting, dance, vocal performance, costuming, scenic design, sound, video production, and movement.
• Theatre 360 Camps — Ages 5-15 generally; some single-day camps ages 5-12 · Week-long day camps, Monday through Friday; drop-off 8:30-9:00 AM; morning meeting 9:00 AM; activities 9:15 AM-4:30 PM; pick-up 4:30-5:30 PM; Fridays include a Share Day presentation in the afternoon, typically around 3:00 PM. · Hands-on theatre camps with acting, dance, costumes, stagecraft, and music.
• Private Instruction — Young performers · One-on-one training in acting, dance, dialect, piano, and voice.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• General schedule: Year-round theatre education and year-round camps are offered. Academy classes include Winter and Spring terms in 2027, and camps are offered throughout the year including Spring, Summer, and Fall.
• Facility hours: Administrative Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Camps take place at CCT Studios, 177 E Naghten St, Columbus, OH 43215.

About the provider

Columbus Children’s Theatre has been serving families since 1963. Its mission is to inspire the next generation of artists and theatre lovers and to transform families through the power of the stage. The organization serves more than 85,000 individuals annually through education, performance, and outreach, and it offers tuition assistance, subsidized tickets, outreach residencies, and workforce development opportunities.

CCT is committed to anti-racism, equity, and accessibility. Camps have a 1:8-10 staff-to-camper ratio. Staff are First Aid and CPR certified and have passed background checks. Required forms are emailed in late April and must be returned before camp starts. Summer camp cancellations have specific refund and credit rules. Families must notify the organization of allergies and special needs during registration. Registration is online and waitlists are available for full camps.

What families say

“I must say, this production was... inspiring to say the least. When half the cast is tearing up at the end and there’s a standing ovation at the end of act one? You know you are onto something. excellent job everyone. I hope everyone is deservedly proud!” — Patron after CCT’s production of Ragtime

“She has done some acting/singing/dancing before (her first love!) but really loved the 360 view of the whole process since she doesn’t usually get much exposure to that when performing.” — Parent of a Theatre360 Camp Student

Last updated October 15, 2026.