Chanhassen Dinner Theater

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Musical Theatre Camp is a long-running Twin Cities favorite (it’s been running since 1994, with 13,000+ kids/teens participating) and gives campers a behind-the-scenes taste of what it takes to put on a show—voice, movement, costumes/scenery, stage combat, and more—taught by working CDT theatre professionals. For summer 2026, offerings are grouped by age/grade: KidStar Half-Day (ages 5–7/entering K–2, 9:00–11:30), Youth Elementary (entering Grades 3–5, 3-hour sessions), Youth Middle School (entering Grades 6–8, 3-hour sessions), Teen Musical Theatre Camp (entering Grades 9–12, 1:00–4:00), plus an All-Day Camp (entering Grades 5–9, 10:00–3:00) where students collaboratively write a brand-new script and perform it on Friday with guest specialty teachers. Each session ends with a Friday performance for family and friends.

A snack + beverage is provided daily; all-day campers should bring lunch. There’s also a more advanced Teen Intensive Theatre Camp (entering Grades 10–12) focused on audition materials with a professional coach; it includes a show-only ticket to a Main Stage evening performance and a professional headshot, and it requires an audition (registered via the box office, call 952-934-1525 for more info).

June 15 - July 31, 2026

All Day Camp

‍$490/week

‍Teen Camp

‍$505/week

‍KidStar Camp

‍$255/week

‍Youth Elementary Camp

‍$285/week

‍Youth Middle School Camp

‍$285/week

Programs can be registered for online here.

952-934-1525

‍Contact Us Form

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What Parents Like‍

• Kids love performing on a real stage. In a local parent group thread, caregivers reported that their kids “really enjoyed” the Camp Broadway/Chanhassen performance experience — especially getting to perform on a big, beautiful stage and feel like a “real theatre kid.” (1)
• While most publicly available reviews are for the theatre’s productions rather than camps specifically, traveler sentiment speaks to quality, engaging entertainment — visitors say Chanhassen shows are fun, energetic, and crowd-pleasing, which mirrors what families often say about affiliated educational theatre experiences. (2)
• Broader feedback about the venue’s staff and environment (from general reviews) describes friendly, attentive staff and strong service, which tends to carry over into their youth programs and camps where engagement and instructor support matter. (3)

‍What Parents Think Could Be Improved‍

• There aren’t many independent parent reviews specifically about the musical theatre camps publicly indexed online, so the narrative is largely inferred from general sentiment about the theatre and a small number of caregiver mentions rather than detailed camp testimonials. This suggests families may want to ask questions directly about daily pace, group sizes, and performance expectations before enrolling.
• General chatter about Chanhassen Dinner Theatres notes it’s a classic, traditional theatre experience — beloved by many but not always cutting-edge — which means some campers keen on a more contemporary or experimental theatre vibe might have different expectations. (4)

‍Our Take

‍Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ musical theatre camps likely deliver what many families are looking for: a structured, performance-driven theatre week with the thrill of performing on a real, professional stage. The public signal is that kids enjoying the stage experience and broader audience enthusiasm for Chanhassen shows, which fits the narrative parents usually look for in performing arts camps. To dial in fit, a quick pre-enrollment call or visit to understand what a typical camp day looks like, how performance time is structured, and how instructors support confidence and skill will ensure expectations match the experience.