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.
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 also 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.
“The absolute best training in theatre I have ever received, without fail.”
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.
“This program helped me build strong integrity in my work as an actor and confidence in my ability to succeed.”