BEREA, Ky. — Families in Berea looking for a summer option that blends creativity, structure, and performance have a new date to circle on the calendar.
Registration is officially open for Spotlight Acting School’s Creative Arts Camp, a weeklong program for rising first through ninth graders hosted at The Spotlight Playhouse on Richmond Road. The camp runs Monday through Friday, June 8–12, providing a full day of arts immersion for local students.
🗽 A Big-City Creative Lens
This year’s camp theme is “New York, New York,” giving students a chance to explore performing and visual arts through the energy of the big city.
Campers will be divided by age groups and take part in six distinct classes each day. The curriculum goes far beyond the standard stage time, including musical theater dance, acting, music, visual art, stage makeup, and design work focused on sets and costumes. Families will also get a firsthand look at what the students have been learning during a short Friday presentation at the end of the week.
For many local parents, that mix is the biggest draw. Instead of a camp built around a single skill, Spotlight’s program is designed to expose children to several parts of the creative process in one week. That appeals both to students who already love the spotlight and to children who may be more interested in painting, design, or hands-on making behind the scenes. In a town where families often look for programs that keep children engaged while school is out, the camp offers a robust local option without the need for a long commute.
✅ Camp Fast Facts
- Dates: Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12
- Times: Drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m. | Pick-up by 4:00 p.m.
- Location: The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea
- Cost: $150 for the week (tuition is non-refundable and not prorated)
- What to Bring: A packed lunch and a reusable water bottle
Required paperwork will be completed at first drop-off, where parents can also share any special needs, allergies, or dietary restrictions directly with the staff.
🎟️ A Community Arts Hub
The camp will be held at The Spotlight Playhouse, a venue that has become a deeply familiar arts hub for local families through its steady lineup of youth productions, classes, and community performances.
On the Playhouse calendar this spring, family audiences can also find Spotlight Acting School productions including Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS in late April and Madagascar: A Musical Adventure JR. in early May. It is a busy season that underscores how the Richmond Road space continues to serve as both a training ground and a performance home for young artists year-round.
Space for the Creative Arts Camp is strictly limited. Families with questions can contact Chad Hembree by email or call 859-756-0011.
Click Here to Enroll in the 2026 Creative Arts 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