July 22, 2026
Many young performers in DeKalb County get their first taste of theatre through the DeKalb Children’s Community Theatre’s Imagination Summer Camp. A longtime summer tradition, the program gives campers the opportunity to explore acting, music, dance, and a variety of technical theatre skills in a supportive and creative environment. Whether participants are stepping on stage for the first time or preparing to perform a full musical in just two weeks, the camp is designed to help students grow their confidence and abilities. In preparation for campers taking the stage for performances of Footloose this weekend, Egyptian Theatre marketing intern AJ Evon spoke with director Alyssa Landshaft to learn more about the program.
AJ: CCT summer camps are geared towards incoming first-graders through graduated high school seniors. What is the best part of working on productions with a younger age group?
Alyssa: Working on productions that involve a younger age group is an incredible opportunity. At CCT, we have a range of experience walking through the door and I am always so pleasantly surprised by the growth that happens as we move through a production. Young actors bring such a fresh perspective that I feel sometimes gets lost as we grow older and add shows to our repertoire. They are fearless, bold, and willing to take risks that most adults would hesitate to try. Young actors also ask so many questions, as kids do, and really make you as a director sit down and think about your own motivations for a show and why things are happening the way they are. There have been a number of times where the kids have asked me a question that really changed my perspective on something that seemed so simple on the surface. There is truly no match for the energy and joy that the kids bring on and off the stage.
AJ: When working on shows, campers are limited to just two weeks from audition to performance. How do you pull off such a quick turnaround time?
A: We have built an incredible team that is truly passionate about helping the next generation of theatre lovers reach their full potential. As a volunteer run organization, we rely heavily on the support from our members to make sure we can successfully put on our shows. Most of our staff for summer camp are CCT alumni who have chosen to come back and share their talents. Having a staff that has experienced summer camp is an incredible gift, because the campers can look at them and see the possibilities that await in their future. Much of the credit goes to our staff members who know how to work with the kids in an efficient and fun way, but I cannot discount the pure talent of the campers we have each year. They truly learn and grow so much from just watching each other and being a support system during the entire process. It is entirely a group effort, and we would not be able to accomplish it without both our talented staff and the can-do attitude of our campers.
AJ: With new students each year, what is your process for choosing the next show to put on?
A: When choosing shows for summer camp, the production staff goes through a long discussion process to ensure we are selecting the best shows for our campers each year. For Beginner’s Camp, we choose a theme that we think would be fun and interesting for both participants and the audience. After selecting a theme, the camp group directors write a script that is tailored to their age group. Writing original scripts provides our directors an opportunity to showcase original work while ensuring that each camper has lines and a special role in the performance. For Advanced Camp, the team puts together a short list of shows that have a large number of roles to ensure that each camper has a significant part in the show. We also aim to select a show that is of high interest to our campers, as they are more likely to be invested if it is a show that they want to do. No matter what show we pick, the rehearsal process moves quickly and requires hours of hard work and dedication from our production team and campers.
AJ: The advanced camp will be performing Footloose on July 25th and 26th. What can audiences expect from the show?
A: Footloose is a story about change and new beginnings. We follow our lead Ren as he and his mother uproot their lives in Chicago to move to a middle-of-nowhere town named Bomont. As Ren tries to settle into his new town, he realizes that something is not quite right. Through heartbreak, new friendships, and the courage to fight for change, Ren and his friends work to create a new beginning for their small-town home. Filled with classic hits from the 80s, this story highlights the importance of healing after tragedy in a dynamic and unique way. This show truly has something for everyone, and you will leave feeling reenergized with a new perspective on life and its challenges. CCT campers aim to put on a professional quality show within the two week time frame they are given and will truly inspire and amaze you with what they are able to achieve on stage.
AJ: Lastly, what is your best advice for young people looking to get involved in theatre?
A: The best piece of advice I have for young people looking to get involved in theatre is to just go for it! Even if you have never done anything in the theatre world before, there is never a bad time to start. There are so many wonderful parts of theatre that cover a wide range of interests, even if you do not see yourself on stage being an actor. Theatre is a wonderful blend of talented people both on stage and behind the scenes on the creative team. The sense of community and belonging that comes with being a part of a theatre group is something that you cannot get anywhere else. Theatre, especially at CCT summer camp, is a place where we can come together in support of one another, push each other to be the best versions of ourselves, and create something beautiful for audiences to enjoy.
