“All the world’s a stage”, and in the summer the kids take over! Bard on the Beach is an iconic theatrical summertime experience in Vancouver. Few things beat watching consummate actors perform the works of Shakespeare all while the sun slips into the ocean in the background. Did you know that the very performers who trod the floorboards of the Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park tents are the inspiring actors who lead the Bard Summer Camps? That’s right, Bard Summer Camps are coached by professional actors who are eager to share their experience and expertise with kids aged 5 – 18 years old.
Whether your child is new to theatre or has a different favourite Shakespeare play each day, Bard Summer Camps offer a warm and welcoming access point to the world of live theatre. This summer, your child will have the chance to bring the language of Shakespeare to life by exploring their imagination, posing their questions, and utilizing their voice.
For 2023, the camps cover a wide selection of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays.For kids ages 8-13 years old, there are full-day camps, one-week camps and half-day, two-week camps available. The camps available for teens are a combination of half-day (over two weeks) and full-day (over one week). For 2023, Bard on the Beach is excited to announce that Little Players (aged 5-7 years) is back! The Little Players camp runs for 4 days and provides an engaging and active introduction to live theatre.
The Play’s The Thing…For Teens (13 – 18 years old)
As You Like It (July 10-14 | 9:30am – 3:30pm)
Winter’s Tale (July 17-28 | 9:30-12:30pm)
Much Ado About Nothing (July 17-28 | 1pm-4pm)
Julius Caesar (August 14-25 | 1pm-4pm)
Macbeth (August 28-Sept. 1 | 9:30am-3:30pm)
The Play’s The Thing…For Kids (8 – 13 years old)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 10-14 |9:30am – 3:30pm)
Julius Caesar (July 17-21 | 9:30am – 3:30pm)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 24-28 | 9:30am – 3:30pm)
Henry V (August 14-25 | 9:30-3:30pm)
As You Like It (August 28-September 1 |9:30am-3:30pm)
Little Players! (5-7 years old)
Little Players (July 4-7|9:30-11:30am)
Bard summer camps have a maximum capacity of 16 participants so students can be guaranteed personalized coaching and direction. During the camp, the group works together to explore the featured play and make creative decisions on how they’d like to present it. The instructors emphasize building the ensemble, expressing creativity through play and collaboration, and exploring various performance techniques that the professional actors use themselves when rehearsing for performances.
On the final day of the camp, friends and family are invited into the Festival tent to watch the live performance of the work the group has created on the Bard stage. Not only that, every summer camp participant receives a complimentary ticket for themselves and a guest to see As You Like It on the BMO Mainstage during the summer run.
Bard Summer Camps:
Dates: July 4- September 1, 2023
Times: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Location: Festival Tents at Sen̓áḵw / Vanier Park
Address: 1695 Whyte Avenue, Vanier Park, Vancouver
Website: bardonthebeach.org
