These fun and inspiring one-, two- and three-week summer theater programs introduce young actors* ages 7 to 17 to Shakespeare's language, stories, characters, and themes using imaginative and playful methods.
Riotous Youth 2025
Celebrating its 25th Year!
Classes incorporating voice, movement, and acting enable participants to explore Shakespeare’s text emotionally, physically, and intellectually. On the final day of the session, participants create a performance piece based on their experience of the play, which they share with family, friends, and Company members.
One-week Introductory Session
Monsters, Magic, & Mischief: The Tempest – August 11–15, 2025
Ages 7–9* – Waitlist Only!
Ages 10–12 – Waitlist Only!
Tuition: $450
“The isle is full of noises” in this fast-paced one-week exploration of Shakespeare’s characters as they navigate the magical and mischievous beings of an enchanted island, using text and characters from The Tempest. Participants will share the text and events they have explored from the play with family, friends, and Company members on the final day of the session.
*To participate in Riotous Youth, your child should turn 7 by March 1, 2025.
Two-week Sessions
For Ages 7–15*
Tuition: $850
Designed to introduce young actors to the language, stories, characters, and ideas in Shakespeare’s plays in imaginative and playful ways. Classes incorporating voice, movement, and acting enable students to explore Shakespeare’s text emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Participants will then create a “Greatest Hits” performance piece based on their experience of the play, which they will share with family, friends, and Company members on the final day of the session.
The Taming of the Shrew
June 30 – July 11
Session A: ages 7–9
Session B: ages 10–12 – Waitlist Only!
Session C: ages 13–15 – Only One Spot Left!
Romeo & Juliet
July 14 – 25
Session D: ages 7–9 – Waitlist Only!
Session E: ages 10–12 – Waitlist Only!
Session F: ages 13–15 – Waitlist Only!
Henry IV, Part 1
July 28 – August 8
Session G: ages 7–9
Session H: ages 10–12 – Waitlist Only!
Session I: ages 13–15
*To participate in Riotous Youth, your child should turn 7 by March 1, 2025.
Three-week Advanced Session: Riotous Company
July 28 – August 15
For Students Entering 9th –12th Grade – Waitlist Only!
Tuition: $1,075
This program allows young actors to take the next step in their training. Actors who are heading into 9th-12th grade and who have participated in Riotous Youth for at least two sessions, or have equivalent experience in other Shakespeare & Company Education Programs, are eligible to apply. Classes may include ensemble building, voice, movement, clown, fight, and acting. At the end of the three weeks, they will perform scenes chosen specifically for them from several Shakespeare plays.
Hours & Location
Riotous Youth is held at Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, both outdoors and indoors. The program runs from 9 am – 3 pm, Monday–Friday, with a final performance sharing mid-morning on the last day at the Rose Footprint Theatre.
Tuition, Refunds & Discounts
A $300 deposit is due at the time of registration for all Riotous Youth and Riotous Company sessions. Tuition payments are due in full by May 31, 2025. Enrollments after June 1, 2025, should be paid in full at the time of registration.
Sibling Discount: $25 off the family’s total tuition per additional sibling enrolled.
Multiple Session Discount: $25 off the family’s total tuition per additional session enrolled.
Refund Policy
A Full Payment Refund, minus a $100 processing fee per child per session, is available if the participant notifies Shakespeare & Company in writing by May 1st, 2025. A 50% Payment Refund, minus a $100 processing fee per child per session, is available if the participant notifies Shakespeare & Company in writing by May 15th, 2025. No Refunds will be given after June 1st, 2025. Any enrollment change (i.e. switching sessions) is subject to an additional $50 application fee.
Riotous Youth Information & Required Forms
Financial Aid
We are happy to extend an automatic 40% program discount to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders. Additional financial assistance is available on a first-come-first-served basis, as available. Please submit our Financial Assistance Request Form, along with proof of income (i.e. the first page of your most recent tax return) to Caitlin Kraft, Riotous Youth Manager, at ckraft@shakespeare.org at the time of your registration.
Those seeking the EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare tuition discount should additionally email an image (PDF or JPEG) of their EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare card. Please feel free to let us know of any additional information about your current need that may not be reflected on this form.
Contact Information
Please contact Caitlin Kraft at ckraft@shakespeare.org, or call (413) 637-1199 ext. 132 with any questions.
Our ability to provide financial assistance is made possible through generous contributions from friends of Shakespeare & Company Education. To make a donation to our Riotous Youth Scholarship Fund or to find other ways to support our Educational Programs, please reach out to our Development Office at (413) 637-1199 ext. 105.
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