DG Kids Camp Curriculum 2026
2026 Camp Production: Beetlejuice Jr.
Ages 6–13 | 5 Weeks | Culminating Performance
Location:
Chicago Heights Drama Group
Dates:
June 8–July 9
Time:
10:00 am – 2:30 pm
(Mon–Fri Weeks 1–3, Mon–Thu Weeks 4–5)
Performances:
July 10 at 7:30 pm
July 11 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
July 12 at 2:00 pm
Our Mission
Our theatre camp inspires kids to create, collaborate, and shine on stage! Through music, movement, acting, and teamwork, campers build confidence, creativity, and friendships while preparing a full production of Beetlejuice Jr.
What Campers Will Do
Sing
Learn every song in Beetlejuice Jr. in fun, supportive rehearsals.
Dance
Bring the show to life with choreography for big numbers like Day-O, Jump in the Line, and That Beautiful Sound.
Act
Explore character, storytelling, and comedy through scene work and theatre games.
Play
Warm up each day with improv and ensemble games (Zip Zap Zop, Mirror Mirror, Freeze Dance, and more).
Discover
Meet weekly guest artists who share their theatre experiences and inspire campers.
The Rehearsal Journey
Weeks 1–2
Learn music & choreography in order, two songs per day.
Week 3
Block scenes & review songs.
Week 4
Run full acts, polish, and explore characters.
Week 5
Tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals & the big final performance!
The Finale
The camp concludes with a live performance of Beetlejuice Jr., where every camper shines on stage. Parents, family, and friends are invited to celebrate the creativity, teamwork, and hard work of our young performers.
Confidence. Creativity. Community.
That’s the heart of our theatre camp.
5-Week Theatre Camp Schedule
Schedule: 10:00–2:30 daily (30 min lunch at 12:00)
Ages: 6–13
Auditions: Completed 1 month prior
Performance: End of Week 5
Daily Framework
10:00–10:30 – Warm-ups & Theatre Game (different game each day)
10:30–12:00 – Music rehearsal (in script order, 2 songs/day)
12:00–12:30 – Lunch
12:30–2:15 – Choreography / Blocking (numbers listed below)
2:15–2:30 – Reflection & wrap-up
WEEKLY/DAILY SCHEDULE
Week 1 – Music Foundations & First Choreo (5 days)
Goals: Learn Act I songs in order, start choreography for big numbers.
Monday June 8th:
Game: Zip Zap Zop
Music: The Whole Being Dead Thing, Ready, Set, Not Yet
Choreo: The Whole Being Dead Thing (staging basics)
Tuesday June 9th:
Game: Mirror Mirror
Music: Dead Mom, No Reason
Choreo: Ready, Set, Not Yet
Wednesday June 10th:
Game: Telephone
Music: Invisible, Say My Name
Afternoon: Guest Speaker -Ariel Spires (Choreography)
Thursday June 11th:
Game: Count to 10
Music: Day-O, That Beautiful Sound (Part 1)
Choreo: Day-O (comedy focus)
Friday June 12th:
Game: Five Senses
Music: That Beautiful Sound (Part 2), Home
Choreo: Begin That Beautiful Sound
Week 2 – Completing the Score (5 days)
Goals: Finish learning the remaining songs, stage more dance numbers.
Monday June 15th:
Game: Freeze Dance
Music: What I Know Now, Girl Scout
Choreo: Showtime
Tuesday June 16th:
Game: Walk Like A…
Music: Jump in the Line, full Act I review
Choreo: Girl Scout
Wednesday June 17th:
Game: Gibberish Scene
Music: Act II review (That Beautiful Sound → Jump in the Line)
Afternoon: Guest Speaker - Will Akins - Music/Vocal Direction
Thursday June 18th:
Game: Move to the Music
Music: Full company review of Act I
Choreo: What I Know Now
Friday June 19th:
Game: Zip Zap Zop (refresher)
Music: Full show review (Act I + Act II in sequence)
Choreo: Jump in the Line (finale)
Week 3 – Review & Blocking (5 days)
Goals: Reinforce music/choreo mornings, block show in afternoons.
Monday June 22nd:
Game: Mirror Mirror
Morning: Act I music review
Afternoon: Block Act I scenes 1–5
Tuesday June 23rd:
Game: Telephone
Morning: Act II music review
Afternoon: Block Act II scenes 1–4
Wednesday June 24th:
Game: Count to 10
Morning: Music/choreo polish (problem spots)
Afternoon: Guest Speaker - Kate Wiersema (Improv)
Thursday June 25th:
Game: Five Senses
Morning: Ensemble review (big numbers)
Afternoon: Block transitions
Friday June 26th:
Game: Freeze Dance
Morning: Solos & duets polish
Afternoon: SPECIAL GUESTS
Week 4 – Stitching Acts Together (4 days: Mon–Thu)
Goals: Off-book, deepen character work, run full acts.
Monday June 29th:
Game: Walk Like A…
Morning: Act I brush-up
Afternoon: Run Act I with blocking
Tuesday June 30th:
Game: Gibberish Scene
Morning: Act II brush-up
Afternoon: Run Act II with blocking
Wednesday July 1st:
Game: Move to the Music
Morning: Acting/character workshops (voice, comedy, timing)
Afternoon: Guest Speaker - Meghan Hoyt (Acting)
Thursday July 2nd:
Game: Zip Zap Zop
Morning: Ensemble music review
Afternoon: Full show run (scripts in hand)
Week 5 – Tech & Performances (4 days: Mon–Thu)
Goals: Tech rehearsals, polish, final performance.
Monday July 6th:
Game: Mirror Mirror
Morning: Act I run (off-book)
Afternoon: Act II run (off-book)
TuesdayJuly 7th:
Game: Telephone
Morning: Ensemble music polish
Afternoon: Full show run (stopping for notes)
Wednesday July 8th:
Game: Freeze Dance
Morning: Dress Rehearsal (costumes, mics if available)
Afternoon:
Thursday July 9th:
Game: Zip Zap Zop (quick energy boost)
Morning: Final dress rehearsal (no stopping)
Afternoon: Performance with an invited audience
FRIDAY JULY 10th: SHOW #1
Call time: 6:00
Performance: 7:30
Ending between 8:00-8:30
SATURDAY JULY 11th: SHOW #2
Call time: 12:30
Performance: 2:00
Ending between 3:00-3:30
CAMPERS SHOULD LEAVE BETWEEN SHOWS AND COME BACK
SATURDAY JULY 11th: SHOW #3
Call time: 6:00
Performance: 7:30
Ending between 8:00-8:30
SUNDAY JULY 12th: SHOW #4
Call time: 12:30
Performance: 2:00
Ending between 3:00-3:30
STRIKE AFTER THE SHOW - PARENTS/GUARDIANS SHOULD HELP