Youtheatre Spring Classes
Registration is now open through March 8.
All classes are held at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall (1158 E 12th St, Erie, PA 16503).
Limited scholarships may be available upon request, reach out to ahnika.lexvold@erieplayhouse.org for more information.
Youtheatre Summer Camps
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL 10% OFF NOW THROUGH MARCH 15, USE CODE SUMMER10 AT CHECKOUT
Registration for each camp closes two weeks before it is scheduled to start.
All Camps are held at Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School’s Preparatory Campus at 426 Eagle Point Blvd.
Camp fees include daily snacks and a camp T-shirt!
Lunch for the week (a cold sandwich, bag of chips, and side of fruit) can be added during registration for an additional fee of $25
Registrations for Summer Camps are taken on a first come, first serve basis. Registrations will not be confirmed until the $25 Camp Registration Fee is received. Scholarships are available, see below in the “Camp Internships & Scholarships” section.
You will receive more information regarding camp via email a week before camp begins.
Meet our instructors here, and view camps & classes below!
Spring Create-A-Play Classes
Wish Summer Camp would never end? Welcome to Create-A-Play Classes!
In these classes you will build skills in acting, singing, and dancing. Students will then take what they learn and apply it to a show they create themselves.
Great for both beginners wanting to learn what goes into theatre and experienced performers looking to hone their craft.
The class will culminate with a performance of their original musical on the Playhouse Stage May 3 at 3 PM!
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Saturdays 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. | $125
March 14 - May 2
Instructor: Daniel Collette
2nd - 4th Grade
Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | $125
March 11 - April 29
Instructor: Petra Shearer
5th - 8th Grade
Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. | $125
March 11 - April 29
Instructor: Petra Shearer
Special Skills: Workshops and Classes in Specialized Topics
Vocal Fundamentals
2nd - 5th Grade
Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. | $125
March 14 - May 2
Instructor: Ryah Lambert
Explore the fundamentals of singing and music with Playhouse star Ryah Lambert! Learn how to follow along with music, analyze a song and make strong character choices, and work on part singing. Students will leave this class stronger musicians and with confidence for their next musical audition. The class will culminate with a performance of the songs learned on the Playhouse Stage May 3 at 3 PM!
Playhouse Improv Jam
Adults and Youth 16+
Second Saturday of the Month | 7 - 8:30 p.m. | FREE
Led by: Daniel Collette
The Playhouse Improv Jam is for beginner and experienced improvisers alike to explore new forms, play together, and provide a fun environment to meet new people. Once a month come play a few improv games and explore a new long form improv style together!
For more information and questions, reach out to contact@artistdanielcollette.com
Acting for Adults
Adults 18+
Wednesdays | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | $125
March 11 - May 13 (no class April 1 or April 8)
Led by: Bunny (Alaina) Manchester
Welcome to Adult Acting Basics: Introduction to Psycho-Physical Acting, Script Analysis, and Character Work! This class aims to introduce basic acting concepts and techniques with the goal of encouraging each student to better develope their own personal acting process. We will introduce or review concepts such as objective, tactics, obstacles, beats, motivations, given circumstances, operatives, arch, character development, physical leads, rhythm, psychological gesture, and qualities of movement. We will actively engage our bodies and minds creatively while also doing brief table work to explore script scoring and analysis. Taught by Bunny (Alaina) Manchester, who can be seen in on the Playhouse stage as Nora in a Doll's House this April!
Youtheatre Summer Camps
Create-A-Play Camps!
Week One: June 15 - 19
Week Two: June 22 - 26
For campers entering 1st through 10th grade.
$275/Week
Instructors: Ahnika Lexvold (Camp Director), Ryah Lambert (Music), Myles Bruce (Dance), and Petra Shearer (Devising/Acting)
This full day Youtheatre camp for campers entering 1st - 10th grade will include workshops in acting, singing, and dance that aid in the creation of an original show that campers will perform for families at the end of the week!
Each Create-A-Play week will follow the same structure and go over the same material, but as the camp is designed to have campers write their own shows each week will result in a different performance.
Camp will be held Monday-Friday from 9:30 am-3:30pm with a performance for families on Friday at 3pm.
You will receive more information regarding camp via email a week before camp begins.
Encore Camp: Lion King KIDS!
July 6 - 10
For campers entering 2nd - 8th grade with experience
$275
Instructors: Ahnika Lexvold (Camp Director), Devon Yates (Music Director), Myles Bruce (Choreographer), and Ryah Lambert (Assistant Director)
This full day Youtheatre camp for returning campers will offer students the opportunity to put together and present a production of The Lion King KIDS with support from our experienced staff of theatre professionals!
We recommend campers entering 2nd - 8th grade with previous performance or theatre classroom experience attend this fast-paced, highly creative week.
Camp will be held Monday-Friday from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm with a performance for families on Friday at 3pm.
You will receive more information regarding camp via email a week before camp begins.
Encore Camp TEENS: The Addams Family
July 13 - 17
For campers entering 6th - 12th grade with experience
$275
Instructors: Ahnika Lexvold (Camp Director), Devon Yates (Music Director), Myles Bruce (Choreographer), and Ryah Lambert (Assistant Director)
This NEW theatre intensive camp will offer teens the opportunity to put on a full hour long musical in a week - complete with costumes! For summer 2026 the show will be The Addams Family Musical: Young @ Part Edition.
We recommend returning campers entering 6th - 12th grade with previous performance or theatre classroom experience attend this fast-paced, highly creative week.
Camp will be held Monday-Friday from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm with a performance for families on Friday at 3pm.
You will receive more information regarding camp via email a week before camp begins.
Internships
Erie Playhouse is offering a limited number of internships for students entering 9th – 12th grade in the 2026/2027 school year. Interns will serve as teaching assistants and assistant directors/choreographers during Create-A-Play weeks.
The internship program is designed to develop students as leaders and help them begin a career as theatre artists by working with youth and peers.
All interns will receive a full scholarship to Encore Camp: Teens! as payment.
To Apply:
Submit a resume and cover letter to ahnika.lexvold@erieplayhouse.org by April 19, 2026. Resumes should include theatre experience, training, and any leadership or job experience. Cover letters should detail why an internship with the Erie Playhouse would be valuable to you and what you think you would bring to the Playhouse Summer Camp team.
Scholarships
A limited amount of scholarships are available for camp and applications are accepted now through May 31, 2026. They are awarded on a first come first serve basis. Campers must be registered for camp already to be considered for a scholarship. If you are applying for a full scholarship, you may choose to pay your registration fee by check as your application is being processed.
Please email ahnika.lexvold@erieplayhouse.org for a scholarship application.
