SUMMERSTOCK 2025 FAQ - GENERAL QUESTIONS
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Rights pending, shows under consideration are Hadestown (Teen Edition), SIX (Teen Edition), Urinetown, Mamma Mia!, Clue (play)
Show selection is based on camper interest during the audition process.
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August 3 - 17, 2025
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YES. All campers that complete the application and submit the tuition deposit will be accepted until we are full.
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Full tuition is $2,995. Payment plans and Financial Assistance are available to those that qualify.
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NO! Auditions are not required to come to Summerstock!
If you are not comfortable auditioning, and would like to be considered for an ensemble role or as a tech camper, that’s OK too! Complete the Summerstock 2025 Formand type N/A in the spot provided instead of a link to an audition video.
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Your first step is to complete and remit the Summerstock 2025 Form as soon as possible!
Summerstock 2025 shows under consideration (rights pending) are: Hadestown (Teen Edition), SIX (Teen Edition), Urinetown, Mamma Mia!, Clue (play)
If you are auditioning for a musical, and choosing to do a video audition, your video should include a 32 bar cut or verse and chorus accompanied by a backing track in the appropriate key. Be sure the backing track does not include any vocals.
In Person Auditions, will happen in Montclair, NJ at Vanguard Theater Feb. 13 (4:00 pm - 9:00 pm) & Feb 15. (10:00 am - 5:00 pm). You can select a general time on the Summerstock 2025 Form Summerstock 2025 Form.Our Summerstock Coordinator will email you an audition time at least 1 week prior to your audition.
Songs can be from, or in the style of the Summerstock shows : Hadestown, SIX, Urinetown, Mamma Mia
REGISTRATION:
Although it is NOT required, we recommend that you REGISTER NOW to hold your spot. You may also wait until after the shows have been cast in early March. If you would like to apply for Financial Assistance, please use the form linked below (Financial Assistance is on a first-come, first-served basis).
If you ARE ready to make a deposit, payment plans start as low as $288 a month. If our available plans are not suitable and if you need to discuss alternate payment arrangements, we will work with you! Simply email registrar@dreamvtc.org to request financial accommodations.
Please note: Payment plans are available with an added $5.00 service fee per installment. If the generally offered payment plan is not an option, participants/parents are responsible for working out a customized payment plan with Vanguard’s Registrar (registrar@dreamvtc.org). The Payment Plan must be established, finalized, adhered to, and the first installment applied one week before the commencement of the program.
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YES. Financial Assistance and Scholarships are available. Use THIS LINK to apply.
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YES, you can apply from anywhere in the world.
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VISIT OUR CAMPER APPLICATION HERE
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If you have other questions, please send an email to edu@dreamvtc.org. If you’d like to connect with previous campers and/or parents, please let us know!
2025 SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
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The benefits include:
More performance, rehearsal, relaxation, sleeping and outdoor space.
Air-conditioning in ALL cabins and facilities.
A dedicated performing arts campus with access to outdoor activities, workshops, and nature.
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The core of the program remains the same—focused on creating a transformative theater experience that emphasizes community , creativity, and collaboration. At Summerstock VTC, campers not only grow as performers but also develop confidence, empathy, and life skills. The new location allows us to add more amenities, more shows, and more experiences without changing the heart of DREAM SUMMERSTOCK.
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Campers will stay in air-conditioned cabins with ONLY 10 campers per cabin. Counselors are housed within every room to provide immediate supervision and support, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for all. These arrangements create a spacious, well-monitored, and inclusive living space that fosters camaraderie while also accommodating individual needs.
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Yes! In addition to the performing arts, campers will enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including:
Swimming (in a swimming pool!)
Basketball
Volleyball
Gaga
Tennis
Hiking
And more!
These activities provide a balance between creative expression and outdoor fun.
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Just like before, in addition to rehearsals, campers can participate in a variety of workshops designed to develop their skills and expand their creativity each day, including:
Theater Dance
Hip-Hop Dance
Belting for Broadway
Acting Through Song
Stage Combat
Audition Techniques
Improvisation for Actors
Playwriting & Scene Creation
Directing Basics
Technical Theater (Lighting, Sound, and Set Design)
Costume Design & Stage Makeup
Vocal Health & Care
Ensemble-Building Games and Techniques
Many more!
These workshops provide opportunities for campers to explore various aspects of theater, discover new talents, and deepen their expertise in areas they are passionate about!
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Yes! This year’s end-of-camp performance will be a Summerstock Show Festival featuring FIVE shows over the course of four exciting days. Families can attend for 4, 3, 2, or even just 1 day—whatever works best for their schedule! But every show will perform four times total (once each day between Thursday and Sunday)
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When DREAM SUMMERSTOCK VTC first began in 2015, it followed a two-week model, and it was highly effective. While three weeks gave campers a bit more time to relax and bond, the two-week structure allowed us to deliver the same summerstock experience with a slightly faster pace still leaving room for learning, self-care, and FUN!
The daily structure will remain very similar to previous years, with:
Rehearsals: Focused time for blocking, choreography, and ensemble work.
Workshops: Engaging sessions like Theater Dance, Belting for Broadway, and Acting Through Song.
Free Time: Opportunities to relax, socialize, and enjoy camp activities.
The main difference is that actors involved in scene work will occasionally be pulled from workshop time to work individually with directors. This focused small group work is akin to a personalized workshop and ensures that each actor receives dedicated attention to enhance their performance and learning as an artist
During rehearsals, we are structuring the schedule so that the majority of campers will be actively engaged, reducing downtime, maximizing our rehearsal time. This approach not only ensures efficiency but also maximizes the creative growth and fun for every camper.
The two-week model has been carefully designed by our staff to maintain the same high-quality experience DREAM SUMMERSTOCK VTC is known for!
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A detailed packing list will be provided in the camp handbook, which will be distributed to campers and families well in advance.
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Summerstock VTC prioritizes the health and safety of all campers. We have 24/7 staff supervision, emergency protocols in place, and a trained nurse on-site at all times to handle any health needs. We also have a guidance counselor on staff to attend to all of our campers' social and emotional health needs. Additionally, our entire staff goes under rigorous training that includes First Aid, EpiPen, and CPR/AED.
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We work closely with families to accommodate all dietary needs and food allergies. Our camp kitchen staff ensures that meals are safe and enjoyable for everyone.
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Parents are encouraged to attend the Summerstock Show Festival at the end of camp, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy all five shows over the course of four days.
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We understand families may want to stay nearby during the Show Festival weekend. We will work to arrange group rates at a couple of nearby hotels to make it easier and more affordable for families to enjoy their time in the area.Item description
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Campers are allowed to bring their phones; however, they will be collected upon arrival and securely stored. Campers will have access to their phones on Sundays during free time. This policy aligns with our camp philosophy of fostering deeper connections—with one another, with nature, and with their art form. We find that by disconnecting from electronics, campers create stronger, life-changing connections and form friendships that often become lifelong. This is one of the reasons campers often say that camp is their favorite time of the year.
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No, campers cannot bring iPads, Nintendo Switch, Game Boys, or other electronic devices. This policy ensures that they remain fully immersed in the camp experience. By eliminating these distractions, campers have the opportunity to focus on building meaningful relationships, exploring their creativity, and enjoying the natural surroundings.
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All campers participate in specialized workshops, so they are encouraged to bring any dance shoes they already own (e.g., jazz shoes, ballet slippers, or tap shoes) as these may be needed for workshops and rehearsals. Campers should also bring a binder containing at least five songs they feel comfortable performing in workshop settings. Comfortable clothing for movement and a water bottle are also essential. Specific guidelines and recommendations will be included in the camp handbook.
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The camp will provide costumes for performances, but campers should bring basic performance essentials, including black or nude undergarments, appropriate footwear (e.g., black dress shoes or character shoes), and simple hair and makeup supplies. Detailed requirements for performances will be outlined in the camp handbook to ensure every camper is prepared and ready for showtime.