All Filament summer camp programs have shifted to an at home platform due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Read more about this decision.

2020 Filament Virtual Summer Camps

“[Filament’s Virtual At-Home Camp was] creative, engaging, and so well-planned. My son looked forward to his Safari every day, and it was wonderful to watch his confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm grow over the two weeks.

“ [Filament’s camp] was a perfect blend of fun, education, and imaginative activities- led by wonderful and engaged teachers.”

“[My child] has taken a few other classes over Zoom, and it’s often been a challenge to keep him focused and engaged (especially for 90 minutes). I was blown away by [Filament’s] ability to keep the kids engaged, having fun, and learning throughout the camp. Their positive energy, fun games, and ability to include every camper really made it a great experience for [my child].”

– At-home Camp Parent

About Filament’s At-Home Playmaker Camps

We are excited to offer a unique at-home summer camp experience that gets kids up and playing, having fun with their friends, and exercising their creativity! We know how challenging it’s been living digitally. Our at-home camp sessions have been developed with youth, parent, and artist input to make sure we are keeping campers safe while also providing the fun summer experience you’ve come to expect from Filament.

In addition to sparking your campers’ imagination while building theatre skills, Filament camps include lots of opportunities for social interaction, and plenty of time away from screens to engage in fun and creative activities that will leave kids feeling proud.

All sessions are held via ZOOM with in person components and take place every weekday for two weeks. Morning sessions last from 9:00AM – 12:00PM (unless otherwise noted) and Afternoon sessions last from 1:00PM-4:00PM. You can sign up for one or both timeframes! Based on the nature of Filament camps, student are welcome to repeat class topics.

July 6 – 17

August 3 – 14

At-home camps encourage campers to have an active, outdoor experience while meeting new friends and learning to make plays using Filament’s unique storytelling techniques.  Filament camps combine Zoom drama games with guest speakers, outdoor activities, and daily challenges that take place away from screens. 

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Session Descriptions

You’re Acting Like an Animal! — Ages 7 – 12

Teachers: Andrew Marikis & Joelle Mendoza

Learn all about the animal kingdom in this camp created with input from the youth-led Filament Advisory Board.  Through movement work, puppetry, and conservation conversations with experts, campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques while exploring ways to act like animals!  They’ll go to the park for field work, make their own puppets, and work with Filament teaching artists to explore fascinating creatures from all over the world. By the end of the week, they’ll be ready to share original stories inspired by their most fascinating, furry, feathered, and … scale-y friends!  

Backyard Safari — Ages 5 – 8

Teachers: Allison Sword & Joelle Mendoza

What’s the buzzzzzzz? If you love the great outdoors AND love to tell stories, this camp is for you!  Through conversations with community leaders, young people will create an original story that asks big questions about the natural world and poses positive solutions. Campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques and explore their own backyards with new eyes.  By the end of the session, they’ll be ready to share their original stories inspired by adventures in their own backyards! 

Blast off! Spirit & Opportunity — Ages 8 – 12

Teachers: Andrew Marikis & Allison Sword

The Mars Rover Opportunity’s mission was supposed to last just 90 days.  Opportunity kept going for 15 years!   In this camp, explore outer space and questions about growing up.  Campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques, and work with Filament teaching artists to create original stories featuring big questions about space, running out of time, and the artificial limits we sometimes place on ourselves.  By the end of the week, they’ll be ready to share their original work!

Myths and Magic — Ages 6 – 12

Teachers: Allison Sword & Joelle Mendoza

Explore exciting tales from ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome and beyond in this camp dedicated to all things mythological and magical!  Campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques, analyze the Hero’s Journey, learn to make some magic of their own, and work with Filament teaching artists to create original stories featuring magically mythological heroes! By the end of the week, they’ll be ready to share both their original work!  

Filament Artist Coalition — Ages 7 – 12

Teachers: Molly Bunder & Deanalís Resto

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”  But how?  

This summer, campers will again create a brand new original piece of theatre that asks big questions and poses positive solutions.  After exploring their worlds through drama and creative play, the ensemble will work together to tackle problems they’d like to solve, and to find tangible, positive ways to improve their communities.  In conversations with local leaders and artists, young people will gain a deeper understanding of the ways theatre can be used to build community and start conversations.  

Filament Education Director Molly Bunder will support everyone in creating their own dialogue, characters, stories, costumes, and ultimately their own play based upon the subjects of their choosing.  Participants will grow their skills in creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, speaking directly to the audience, community engagement, and more — all while creating something fun that makes them proud! The Filament Youth Artist Coalition will create a performance for family and friends, and a plan for including their ideas in the next season of theatre at Filament.

A project of the youth-led Filament Advisory Council.

About the Teachers

Classes will be lead by professional teaching artists and members Filament’s Resident Artists who have extensive teaching credits in performing arts training programs, schools and after school programs. Teaching affiliations include: The Actors Gymnasium (Evanston), District 65 after school programs, CPS programs, Emerald City Theater camps, Barrel of Monkeys, National High School Institute Theatre Arts Pre-College training, and more!

Zoom Class

All registered participants will receive a link to participate in their class sessions the day before their first class. The link will remain the same for the entire two-week class.

Pricing Information

  • Two Week 90 minute sessions are $155*
  • Two week three hour sessions are $235*

Payment Information:
Full payment is due when registering online. If you would like to arrange a payment plan, please email boxoffice@filamenttheatre.

Sibling Discounts:
Save $50 when registering two children in the same household! Use the Promotional Code SIBLINGS.

*Please note, there is a $5 online registration fee. Registration deadline is 1 week prior to the first class of each session. 

Referrals

Filament is offering a refer & receive program for our 2020 camps. If you refer another parent/guardian (who has not previously registered their child for a class or camp), both you and that parent will receive a $25 gift certificate to a future filament class or performance! Learn more.

Testimonials

What are kids saying?

“It’s not like regular play camp where you are given a script to memorize— you are creating your own script so it feels more natural.  It’s your own play and words… At camp it is really hands on– besides writing the script we also make the costumes and choreograph our movements.” – Jameson B. (Camper)

“We got to make up our own play and it was fun to use my imagination and work with other kids. My teacher was nice, funny and she encouraged us in learning how to act and make the best play.” – Brynn M.

What are parents saying?

“We love Filament performances for the sheer talent of their cast, the wonderful, ingenious set design and for their creativity and imagination, and that comes through in their classes too. Our daughter LOVED her class and was so excited to attend every week. The kids learned how to use their own creativity to inspire a one-of-a-kind performance. We can’t wait for the next session!” – Lori M. “Our daughter really loved the whole process of the class. Creating the story, picking characters and acting it all out was a positive experience for her. We really loved seeing the organic, creative nature of this class- completely child driven! In today’s climate with excessive media and screen time, imagination and creativity can be easily lost. By crafting this theatre production, start to finish, it allows the kid’s imaginations to flourish- and for that we are grateful to filament for providing!” – Erica M.  

From our teachers:

“One of our younger students was very nervous about performing and having more than one line for the first time. But through rehearsals and exercises over the camp week, he developed tools to help him gain confidence, make strong character choices, and work well with other actors. And when it came time for the performance, he channeled the nerves into focus. He spoke loudly and slowly, acted magnificently, remembered his lines, had great comedic timing, and had fun with his fellow actors on stage.” – Mara Dale

Questions? Contact Education[at]filamenttheatre.org or call (773) 270.1660

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Photos courtesy of Dominick Maino