Lakeshore Players Theatre

Lakeshore Players Theatre’s summer camps (hosted through their Theatre Education program in White Bear Lake) are designed as week-by-week, age-banded theatre experiences—from playful “storybook” camps for little kids to production, acting, and tech intensives for older students. For ages 4–7, their Storybook Series runs as morning camps (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) built around beloved characters and imaginative play—think themed weeks like Gabby’s Dollhouse Extravaganza (crafts, music, theatre games), Bluey Hits the Stage (storytelling + movement), and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

For elementary and teen campers, the offerings shift toward skill-building and performance-making. Grades 3–6 can join a bigger, more immersive experience like the Finding Nemo KIDS 3-week, full-day production camp (9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) that explicitly culminates in a final show for family and friends, plus shorter themed options like a K-Pop Demon Hunters Theatre Camp (morning format). For Grades 7–12, there are tracks for different interests: a Finding Nemo KIDS Tech Crew Camp (a hands-on technical theatre experience learning lights/sound/props/costumes/stage management alongside the production), plus an Actor’s Lab focused on scene work and monologues. Older teens (Grades 9–12) also get “deep dive” musical theatre explorations in an afternoon block (1:00–4:00 p.m.), including weeks themed around shows like SIX and Heathers.

June 15 - August 14, 2026

Hanifl Performing Arts Center

4941 Long Ave

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Storybook Camps (ages 4 - 7)
$228/week

‍Summer Education Camps (grades 3 - 12)
Slight variation depending on length, one week camps are still $228/week, two week camp is $303/total, and three week camp is $428/total.

Financial aid is available, apply here.

Programs can be registered for online here.

651-426-3275

lpteducation@lakeshoreplayers.org

What Parents Like‍

• “My kids loved it” word-of-mouth in local theater circles. In a Twin Cities theater community Facebook thread about youth programs, parents mention students who attended Lakeshore Players summer camps “absolutely loved it” and still talk about it afterward. (1)
• Lakeshore Players Theatre’s main Facebook page shows a high recommendation rate (92% recommend)—not camp-specific, but a solid “families generally like this organization” signal. (2)
• A “real theatre” environment. Because camps run through a working community theatre (now at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center), families who want an authentic stage/production setting tend to value the vibe and the confidence kids get from being in that world. (3)

‍What Parents Think Could Be Improved‍

• Camp-specific review volume is limited publicly. Outside of local parent-group recommendations and the general Facebook rating, there aren’t many detailed, independently hosted parent reviews that break down the day-to-day camp experience (grouping, daily schedule flow, behavior supports, etc.).

‍Our Take

‍The strongest verifiable parent signals point to Lakeshore Players as a high-trust local theater option where kids tend to have a great time—especially those who like performing, character work, and being part of a show-making community. Since detailed camp-only reviews are harder to find online, the most MomBrains move is a quick fit-check before you book: How are campers grouped (age/experience)? What does a typical day look like (games vs. rehearsal vs. performance/tech)? What’s the staff-to-kid ratio and behavior support approach?