Summer Theatre Camp 2026 FAQ's
SUMMER THEATRE CAMP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PLEASE NOTE: When registering this year for Session 1, 2 or 4, you will be choosing a location, either the MAC or the MALL. Please be sure you are coordinating with friends in order for your child and their friend to be registered for the same week AND location. It may be impossible to switch locations once camp is sold out.
PARENTS! You will get an informational “WELCOME” email exactly one week before your session begins.
When is Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC?
In 2026 The MAC will host: Sessions 1 (June 29-July 3). Session 2 (July 6-10). Session 3 (July 13-17). Session 4 (July 20-24). Session 5 (July 27-31).
In addition to the MAC, Session 1, 2 and 4 will also be held at Pantochino Studios on the lower level of the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford! Both locations provide the same experience enabling us to meet the demand and host more campers!!
What age does my child have to be in order to attend?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC is for young actors ages 8 - 12. (Please note, campers must be at minimum age 8 by July 1, 2026 NO EXCEPTIONS)
Where is Summer Theatre Camp held?
New this year, Summer Theatre Camp will be held at two locations. First, the Milford Arts Council, the MAC 40 Railroad Avenue South in Downtown Milford. Also, for certain sessions, the same camp will be held at Pantochino Studios on the lower level of the Connecticut Post Mall, 1201 Boston Post Road in Milford. Both locations offer the exact same experience.
What is the camp experience like?
Each week, campers learn, rehearse and perform an original musical! Each show is written especially for this program, has three original songs and lots of fun lines and roles. There is an informal audition and rehearsals are fast-paced and super fun. Please note, the cast must memorize their lines and songs—so there is homework each day. In addition to rehearsal, Summer Theatre Camp features improvs, theatre games and a bright, happy, air-conditioned atmosphere!
Please note, Friday is performance day—Each group is called at a specific time for their performance. Friday is not a full day of camp.
How much does Summer Theatre Camp cost?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC is $325.00 per child, per session.
What is Summer Theatre Camp’s cancellation policy?
Here is the cancellation policy for Summer 2026:
75% refund if canceled prior to March 1, 2026. There are no refunds beginning March 1, 2026.
• Convenience charges are NON-Refundable.
Can I pay for Summer Theatre Camp online?
Yes! Registration will be available online via the Milford Arts Council website beginning at 6am, February 2, 2026. Camp sells out in a mater of minutes, so set an alert!
Is there a discount for siblings attending camp?
No, there are no sibling discounts available for 2026.
Is there a discount if my child attends more than one week of camp?
No, there are no discounts offered for 2026.
What if my child wants to be in the same group as a friend attending the same week?
If you wish your child to be in the same group with a friend attending the same week, see space provided on the registration form under the checkout questions to note this. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Please note, listing multiple friends makes granting requests more difficult. Requests must be made at time of registration only. (If you wait till the week before came starts, it will be too late). Be sure to select the same week and same location if you are hoping friends will be together!
Is this camp licensed by the State of Connecticut?
Yes, this camp is licensed by the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.
Are there any special requirements to attend camp?
Yes, in accordance with the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, each camper must provide a fully completed Health Form and Emergency Contact Form. Without these two documents on file at the Milford Arts Council, your child will not be allowed to attend camp.
What time does Summer Theatre Camp begin and end?
Summer Theatre Camp begins promptly at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Please arrive on time, and be ready for pick up at 3:00pm. NOTE: The performance time on Friday will vary since there are multiple groups. More information on the performance time will be available once camp begins.
How does the drop-off and pick-up process work?
AT THE MAC…
All pick-ups and drop-offs are held on Railroad Avenue at Milford Arts Council, the MAC. It is recommended to park your car in the train depot lot and walk your child to the door for check in. Please do not pull your vehicle up to the door of the building as you will be blocking the street. Each student will be checked in outside in front of the MAC before entering the building.
AT THE MALL…From the Boston Post Road, park in the large lot in front of the vacant Sears store and proceed to mall door 3B. Once in the mall, you will see the large “Pantochino” logo on the studio mall entrance. Park and walk your child into the mall to the studio, and at 3pm, be ready to collect your child inside the mall directly in front of the studio.
How do I contact Pantochino during the day?
Please send an email to pantochino@gmail.com This email account is monitored throughout the day by the staff.
Are Pantochino’s camps allergy free?
No, our camps are not allergy free. There are no ‘nut free’ zones.
What if my child needs medication during the day?
Parents, if your child needs to take any oral, topical, inhalant, and prepared auto-injector medication (not including sunscreen) during camp hours, please complete and submit the Medication Administration form to the MAC prior to the start of camp. All medications must be given to Camp staff upon arrival to camp. If you are sending your child to camp with an EpiPen, please be sure it is not expired.
NOTE: The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood requires all campers to provide medical records. The Milford Arts Council must receive a completed Health Assessment Record from each participant prior to first day of camp. These records should be forward to the MAC (volunteer@milfordarts.org) , not Pantochino.
What if my child does not feel well during camp?
Should your child not feel well, we will allow them to rest, and if requested, we will phone parents to pick up child. If they have fever or other severe symptoms, they may need to miss a day of camp. This may impact your child’s role or experience with the camp. Please note, there will be no refunds due to illness.
Do I need to call someone if my child is going to be absent?
Please send an email to pantochino@gmail.com. Absences are strongly discouraged as we only have four days to rehearse the show!
How many children are in each Summer Theatre Camp session?
There are 32 spots available in each session of camp in each location. Participants will be designated to one of two groups (each group of 16 participants learns and performs the same show on any given week).
How are the children designated into two groups?
The 32 enrolled participants are divided into two groups of 16. Siblings are always placed in the same group (unless specified differently). Friends may request to be in the same group if the request is made at time of enrollment ONLY. Pantochino will make every attempt to have children in the same group with their requested friends. Requesting your child be in the same group as multiple friends may not be possible. We try our best, but the more requests one makes, the less likely it will be for us to make everyone happy. Absolutely no changes in groups can be made in the weeks leading up to camp, or after each session has begun.
Does Pantochino provide lunch?
For Summer Theatre Camp, each child must bring their own lunch and water. At the MAC, Lunch break is held in the courtyard (weather permitting). At the MALL, Lunch break is held in the studios. There are no snack breaks. Please make sure your child is fed before camp.
Are any packed lunch items prohibited?
Summer Theatre Camp is not an allergy-free environment, so any reasonable lunch items are welcome.
Is Summer Theatre Camp appropriate for children with physical disabilities or developmental disorders?
We include singing, dancing and acting as a part of each child’s experience While we try to make our program accessible for each child, it may not be appropriate for children who cannot handle the physical or developmental demands of learning lines, lyrics, and choreography of an original musical in four days. Please note, the stage is not wheelchair accessible.
How does Summer Theatre Camp handle casting?
We feel every role is important to every show. And each child will have the opportunity to read/audition for roles. Each show has 16 roles! Some young actors are anxious to play the lead role, and some are happy to have a smaller part. And we know, not everyone will get the part they desire. We ask for your support and enthusiasm following casting.
When and where are the performances?
Performances are on the Friday at the Milford Arts Council, the MAC. Each performance is approximately 30 minutes in length. There will be two or more performances, one for each of the groups. Each group will only be called for their showtime on Friday. Thus, Friday is not a full day of camp. This will allow us to have all the children perform safely, and for us to clean the performance space between the shows.
NOTE: FOLLOWING THE FIRST DAY OF CAMP, PARENTS WILL BE EMAILED THE PERFORMANCE TIME FOR THIER CHILD’S GROUP. We know from experience, everyone wants their child in the morning performance. This is impossible to achieve. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ACCEPTING WHATEVER GROUP OF WHICH YOUR CHILD IS A PART.
How do I buy performance tickets?
Admission to performances is free! Seating is limited! Each child may have NO MORE THAN five (5) guests attend the performance.
Do I need to purchase costumes for my child?
We will email a ‘costume idea list’ following the first day of camp. We’re hoping you will not have to spend a penny on costumes--will keep the idea list very simple. Hopefully you can achieve the suggested looks with clothing items you may already have. Pantochino will provide specialty costume pieces (hats, vests, animal ears, etc)
PLEASE NOTE!
Summer Theatre Camp is a program of the Milford Arts Council. Registration, payment and receipts for tax purposes are all handled through the MAC.