Camp ENCORE!
Prescott Park Arts Festival is excited for another wonderful summer with our signature theatre education program, Camp ENCORE! We always look forward to engaging the Seacoast’s youth throughout the summer at Prescott Park, located in the idyllic natural setting along the Piscataqua River in beautiful downtown Portsmouth.
The Festival’s youth theatre camp serves 150+ kids ages 6-17 and helps them to gain valuable teamwork skills, experience theater arts, and build confidence. Each session culminates with a fully staged public performance on PPAF’s Wilcox Main Stage.
Our goal is to make every camper feel included and valued, while cultivating a love for theatre. In addition to working on the show, campers will explore the art of theatre through games, improvisational activities, and masterclasses from local artists about some of the backstage and onstage specialties of the performing arts.
As always, we offer early and after care, in addition to sibling and multi-session discounts.
Our Partnership with #areuin? a KEY Collective program
The KEY Collective’s #areuin? card program gives kids from low income families access to youth activities for free or at a reduced cost with no social stigma attached. To learn more, please visit www.keycollective.org/areuin-progam
2023 Campers. Photo by: Grace Rohde, Camp Apprentice
Questions About Visiting?
Visit our FAQ pageCamp ENCORE! Links
Scholarship Info
Due to popular demand, we have added a second session for Finding Nemo Kids. We’re calling it Nemo: Second Wave!
It will have all the same activities and the same number of performances, with some added collaboration opportunities with Nemo: First Wave.
The performances of Finding Nemo KIDS will take place on the Wilcox Main Stage July 19 (exact time to be finalized) and July 20 (exact time to be finalized). Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo!
Register for Nemo: Second Wave
2025 Sessions
Please note: Session 1 has SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist by clicking the registration button below!
Session 1 | Seussical Jr.
Ages 7-17 | 2 weeks
June 16 – June 29, 2025 | 9 am – 4 pm
Public Performances June 28 & 29 at 11 am
“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
Description: During Session 1 of Camp ENCORE! campers will explore the art of theatre as they work towards a production of Seussical Jr. After auditions and role assignments on the first day, campers will learn choreography, music, blocking and theatre fundamentals. Our goal is to make every camper feel included and valued in our show and at our camp. Therefore, in addition to learning our show, campers will explore the art of theatre through games, improvisational activities, and masterclasses from local artists about some of the backstage and onstage specialities of the performing arts. The performances of Seussical Jr. will take place on the Wilcox Main Stage June 28 at 11am and June 29 at 11am.
Show Synopsis: Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Join us for this crowd-pleasing show where the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!
Tuition: $799
Sibling: $675
Early Care (8:30am): $50, After Care (until 5:00pm): $100
Please note: Session 2 has SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist by clicking the registration button below!
Session 
Ages 7-17 | 2 weeks
June 30 – July 13, 2025 | 9 am – 4 pm (No camp on July 4th)
Public Performances July 12 and 13 at 11 am
Laugh yourself silly with Junie B. Jones in this hilarious Broadway Junior adaptation of Barbara Park’s beloved series.
Description: During Session 2 of Camp ENCORE! campers of all ages will explore the art of theatre as they work towards a complete production of Junie B Jones JR. After auditions and role assignments on the first day, campers will learn choreography, music, blocking and theatre fundamentals. Our goal is to make every camper feel included and valued in our show and at our camp. Therefore, in addition to learning our show, campers will explore the art of theatre through games, improvisational activities, and masterclasses from local artists about some of the backstage and onstage specialities of the performing arts. The performances of Junie B Jones JR. will take place on the Wilcox Main Stage July 12 at 11am and July 13 at 11am.
Show Synopsis: Join Junie B. on her first day of first grade, where many changes are in store: Junie’s best friend Lucille has found new best friends -— and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. While in Mr. Scary’s class, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard — and she may need glasses. Add in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.
Tuition: $799
Sibling: $675
Early Care (8:30 am): $50, After Care (until 5:00 pm): $100
Register for Junie B. Jones Jr
WE ADDED A SECOND SESSION!
Snag one of the last spots for Finding Nemo: Second Wave
Session 3 | Finding Nemo Kids
Ages 6-12 | 1 week
July 14 – July 20, 2025 |
9 am – 4 pm
Public Performances July 19 and 20 at 11 am *Please note: Second Wave performance times are TBA but will happen on these same days.
Explore the big blue world with this lively 30-minute musical based on the beloved Pixar film!
Description: During Session 3 of Camp ENCORE! Our youngest campers will explore the art of theatre as they work towards a complete production of Finding Nemo KIDS After auditions and role assignments on the first day, campers will learn choreography, music, blocking and theatre fundamentals. Our goal is to make every camper feel included and valued in our show and at our camp. Therefore, in addition to learning our show, campers will explore the art of theatre through games, improvisational activities, and masterclasses from local artists about some of the backstage and onstage specialities of the performing arts. The performances of Finding Nemo KIDS will take place on the Wilcox Main Stage July 19 at 11am and July 20 at 11am.
Show Synopsis: Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Tuition: $399
Early Care (8:30 am): $50, After Care (until 5:00 pm): $100
Register for Finding Nemo: SECOND WAVE
Snag one of the last spots!
Session 4 | Something Rotten! Jr.
Teen Musical Theatre Intensive | 2 weeks
July 21 – August 3, 2025 | 9 am – 4 pm
Public Performances August 2 and 3 at 1 pm
A hysterical Broadway Junior musical adapted from the Broadway hit!
Description: During our Teen Musical Theatre Intensive, campers will learn an entire musical in two weeks, with masterclasses taught by professional musical theatre performers and directors. This is an ideal camp for any teen who is looking to bolster their skills in dancing, singing, acting, and performing musical theatre. This camp will be fast-paced, but campers do not need to have prior experience in theatre to attend. Performances of Something Rotten JR will be on the Wilcox Main Stage August 2 at 1pm and August 3 at 1pm.
Back by Popular Demand in 2025! In response to your feedback, we will be making our teen session more of an INTENSIVE once again this year. Campers will audition in-person during the first week of camp while also learning key “offstage” tools of the trade through workshops like resume building, audition techniques, and self-marketing as a performer. This is a great chance to get an inside look at what it takes to be a performer in the musical theatre world both on and off the stage.
Show Synopsis: Travel back to the Renaissance for an hour of musical comedy gold in Something Rotten! JR. Adapted from the Broadway hit that Time Out New York hailed as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years,” Something Rotten! JR. celebrates one undeniable truth: “nothing’s as amazing as a musical!”
Please Note: There is an $8 processing fee for all sessions.
Tuition must be paid in full prior to the first day of camp. Thank you!
Camp Discounts | Signing up for multiple sessions? Here’s the DEAL
Sessions 1 & 2: $1,470.16 | Sessions 1, 2 & 3: $1,797.30 | Sessions 1, 2 & 4: $2,157.30
Please reach out with any questions to camp@prescottpark.org
- The opportunity to participate in a fully staged musical, both onstage and behind the scenes. In addition, campers will participate in community outreach experiences during the session.
- End of session performances on the Wilcox Main Stage.
- Camp ENCORE! encourages teamwork while building self-esteem.
- Camp ENCORE! hosts a staff of professional teachers and artists with extensive experience.
- Afternoons at Camp ENCORE! provide unique opportunities, specialized focused workshops, community outreach experiences, and more!
- Campers receive hours of learning, rehearsing, and fun!
- Every camper receives a Camp ENCORE! cast t-shirt and memories that will last a lifetime.