Do you have children who love the spotlight or are curious about the magic behind the scenes? Whether they’re eager to perform on stage or interested in set design and backstage work, Jacksonville offers many youth theatre programs that they can explore. From summer camps and youth theater classes to hands-on workshops and full-scale productions, our city is home to a thriving and diverse theater community where kids can develop their talents and creativity.
Theatre Programs at the Beach
Greenlight Theatre Company
Greenlight Theatre Company has two locations in Jacksonville—Riverside and Jacksonville Beach—offering performers a chance to shine on stage and behind the scenes. Known for their high-quality productions, Greenlight provides aspiring actors, singers, and stage crew members with a professional yet welcoming environment to hone their skills. Throughout the year, they host an array of workshops and camps designed to build confidence, foster creativity, and teach the fundamentals of theater arts.
Set Studios
Set Studios provides a dynamic and enriching environment for performers to develop their theatrical skills. Offering a variety of educational theater classes, hands-on workshops, and engaging summer camps, Set Studios focuses on building confidence, creativity, and stage presence.
First Act Children’s Theatre
Located in Atlantic Beach, First Act provides a welcoming space for young performers to develop their talents through educational theater classes and immersive summer camps. With a focus on creativity, skill-building, and confidence, First Act offers programs designed for beginners and experienced actors alike.
Christ Episcopal Church Creative Academy
Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Christ Church Creative Academy is dedicated to breaking down barriers to personal creativity and artistic exploration. Through a unique blend of instruction, hands-on creation, and meaningful engagement, the academy uses the arts as a powerful tool for spiritual growth, conversation, and community building.
Theatre Programs Around Jacksonville
Artist Connection Theatre
Located in Arlington, Artist Connection Theatre is a vibrant hub for family-friendly theater performances and creative exploration in Jacksonville, FL. Offering opportunities for actors of all experience levels, Artist Connection provides a welcoming space to develop talent, buildconfidence, and bring stories to life on stage. A.C.T. has multiple productions throughout the year, and summer workshops for youth.
Next Stop Broadway
Next Stop Broadway is an immersive, week-long musical theatre intensive that brings the magic of Broadway to life for aspiring performers every summer in Jacksonville. Designed to celebrate the “Golden Age of Broadway,” this program offers a unique opportunity to train with seasoned Broadway professionals.
FSCJ Summer Musical Theatre Experience
The Summer Musical Theatre Experience is an annual summer program designed for local high school students passionate about the performing arts. This immersive experience offers young performers the chance to work alongside experienced local theater professionals, honing their skills in acting, singing, and stage production.
Theatre Jacksonville
Theatre Jacksonville is located in San Marco. They are a volunteer based community theatre whose mission is to enrich lives and broaden cultural understanding through community participation in theatre arts.Theatre Jacksonville is Florida’s longest running community theatre. They currently offer summer camps and year round productions.
Orange Park Community Theatre
Offering year-round programming for all ages, Orange Park Community Theatre is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
The Island Theatre
Located in Fleming Island, The Island Theatre provides theatrical education through workshops for both youth and adults. It fosters social awareness, education, and community engagement by producing high-quality live performances and supporting arts-related charitable organizations.
Jacksonville is a city that truly embraces and nurtures young performers, offering countless opportunities for kids and teens to shine on stage and behind the scenes. Whether your child dreams of starring in a musical, learning the art of stagecraft, or simply building confidence and creativity, there are youth theater programs perfectly suited for them. With an incredible variety of youth-focused theaters, camps, and workshops across the city, the performing arts community in Jacksonville is thriving—providing a place where imagination takes center stage and lifelong skills are developed. No matter their experience level, every child has a chance to explore, grow, and be part of something magical in Jacksonville’s vibrant theater scene!
Jillian is a New Englander at heart. Born in Jacksonville Beach, she grew up in Massachusetts but was beckoned back to Florida for a Disney World Internship. She returned to the beach in 2005 after graduating from Florida State. Ten years ago she opened her handmade & vintage collective shop, Sew Vicious, in Neptune Beach. Jillian raises chickens, is a passionate gardener, a DIYer, a thrift store junkie, a deal loving mama, and has several inspirational travel journals available on Amazon. She leads her daughters’ Girl Scout Troop, teaches sewing at a local Montessori School, and is a Parents Who Lead Alumni. She loves surprising her husband and daughters with mini-vacations around the Sunshine State.
