BEREA, Ky. — For Berea-area families trying to map out the final stretch of June, Spotlight Acting School is offering a summer camp that shifts the focus from stage lights to camera lenses.
The school’s Film Acting Camp is scheduled for June 29 through July 3, 2026, at The Spotlight Playhouse. Open to rising sixth graders through age 18, the camp is designed for students who want to build confidence on camera, strengthen their acting skills, and create professional footage of their own.
🎥 A Focus on the Screen
For parents, that focus makes this camp stand out from more traditional theater programs. Instead of preparing students solely for live performance, the week zeroes in on on-camera technique, scene work, self-taping, and acting reels—the exact skills that reflect how young performers audition and train in the modern industry.
Each student will help create material for a short acting reel to take home, giving families something tangible at the end of the week beyond great memories and rehearsal stories.
👥 The Teaching Team
The camp is designed as a fun, hands-on week for teens and preteens who want to explore film performance in a supportive setting.
The instruction team includes Kat Davis, who recently led Spotlight’s technical theater intensives, alongside Executive Director Chad Hembree and Mason Hembree, who is returning after completing his junior year as a performing arts major at Bellarmine University. For families considering whether a child is ready for a more focused acting experience, that teaching lineup offers reassurance that students will be guided by staff already deeply familiar with Spotlight’s educational programs.
✅ Camp Fast Facts
The family appeal is also highly practical. The full-day format helps working parents while still giving students a specialized arts experience close to home.
- Dates: Monday, June 29 – Friday, July 3, 2026
- Times: Drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m. | Pick-up by 4:00 p.m.
- Location: The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea
- Ages: Rising 6th graders through age 18
- Cost: $150 for the week (tuition is non-refundable and not prorated)
🥪 Lunch and Campus Policies
There are a few key details parents will want to know before registering. Students may not leave campus for lunch, regardless of age—a strict policy meant to protect all participants, especially the younger students. Campers should bring a packed lunch and a reusable water bottle each day. However, older students are welcome to use DoorDash or pizza delivery if it does not interrupt the daily schedule. Comfortable clothing designed for movement is highly recommended.
For Berea families, the Film Acting Camp rounds out a June lineup at The Spotlight Playhouse that includes broader arts offerings for younger students and even an all-ages summer workshop. It provides older students a different entry point, one that may especially appeal to kids who are curious about acting but more interested in screen performance than a traditional musical.
Space is strictly limited to ensure each student gets enough dedicated time in front of the camera. Families with questions can contact Chad Hembree at 859-756-0011 or chad@spotlightactingschool.com.
Click Here to Enroll in the 2026 Film Acting Camp
About the Author
Dr. Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. Affectionately known as “Mr. Chad,” he is an accomplished performer, director, and creative executive who draws on his broad experience to guide students and staff with creativity, care, and a passion for making community events accessible to everyone in Berea.
Upcoming Events in Berea & Beyond
🎭 Theater & Performance at The Spotlight Playhouse
(Tickets and info for all shows: thespotlightplayhouse.com)
- The Booking Committee (The Bluegrass Players) — April 17–25
- Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS (Ages 4–11) — April 24–26
- Madagascar: A Musical Adventure JR. (Ages 9–14) — May 1–10
- The Secret Garden (The Bluegrass Players) — May 1–10
- Macbeth (The Bluegrass Players) — June 19–28
- Wolves of Sherwood (The Bluegrass Players) — July 31 – Aug 8