The absolute best training in theatre I have ever received, without fail. - Summer Shakes Student
The CYS Summer Shakes Intensive is a rigorous acting and Shakespeare training program open to high school students (including incoming freshmen and graduating seniors) from across Chicagoland. Summer Shakes students explore a variety of acting and performance techniques as they discover how to “unpack” and personalize Shakespeare's words to make them their own. The program culminates in an exciting week of Shakespeare performances at cultural arts venues and parks across the Chicago area.
This program helped me build strong integrity in my work as an actor and confidence in my ability to succeed. - Summer Shakes Student, 2019
Visiting Artists & Field Trips
CYS welcomes visiting artists from Chicago's professional theatre community to lead masterclasses in a variety of performance techniques, including clown, stage combat, improv, devised theatre, Commedia dell' Arte, and more. Summer students travel off-site to explore some of the city's best cultural resources and participate in artistic exchanges with other Chicago-based summer youth programs.
CYS welcomes visiting artists from Chicago's professional theatre community to lead masterclasses in a variety of performance techniques, including clown, stage combat, improv, devised theatre, Commedia dell' Arte, and more. Summer students travel off-site to explore some of the city's best cultural resources and participate in artistic exchanges with other Chicago-based summer youth programs.
Doing CYS was an amazing experience unlike anything I'd done before. I learned so much! - (Short) Summer Shakes Student, 2020
Admissions
Summer Shakes admissions are need-blind. That means that no student can be turned away based on their ability to pay the program fee, and program scholarships are available to all students requiring financial assistance.
Summer Shakes admissions are need-blind. That means that no student can be turned away based on their ability to pay the program fee, and program scholarships are available to all students requiring financial assistance.
The availability of scholarships was a deciding factor in participation. Thank you to all who help in this way! - Summer Shakes Parent, 2019
A look back at past Summer Shakes programs...
​Visit @CYShakes on Facebook for photos from Twelfth Night!
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Summer Shakes 2019 students share in a collaborative, post-show workshop with the Summer Trailblazers at Adventure Stage, Chicago!
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Anyone who does this program will come out of it a better person. - Summer Shakes Student, 2018
Photos from Summer Shakes 2018, and our first devised production, Uneasy Lies the Head, a mash-up of texts from 15 Shakespeare plays.
The Summer Shakes 2017 cast of Much Ado About Nothing (along with some of our young audience members) at Indian Boundary Park, on Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood.
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