Before there was Glee or American Idol, there was Stagedoor Manor, a theater camp in the Catskills where casting directors came to find the next generation of stars. It’s where Natalie Portman, Robert Downey Jr., Ansel Elgort, Lea Michele, Jon Cryer and many others got their start as kids. Since 1976, a new crop of campers have stepped onto these stages each summer to begin an intense, thrilling and magical introduction to professional theater. Every three weeks, 14 full-scale productions come to life. The faculty – all seasoned professionals – demand adult-size dedication and performances from the kids.
Stagedoor is not just a place to be discovered. It’s now a place for major entertainment corporations to workshop new material. In 2006, Disney Theatricals began the long process of repurposing the mega-hit movie High School Musical for the stage. Would it work? Would it need more songs? To find out, Disney turned to Stagedoor for a trial run. These opportunities are now a part of the camp’s DNA. In 2007, campers at Stagedoor participated in a new MTI High Schools adaptation of Sweeney Todd, with Stephen Sondehim himself e-mailing changes to the score. In November 2009, Stagedoor made its first of several appearances in the famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Carl’s slogan had been, “The only summer camp of its kind.” But Stagedoor Manor has become more than a camp. After over 45 years, it has become a foundation for young people interested in making their mark on American theatre.
While professional opportunities have increased exponentially, Cindy and Debra have worked to maintain balance for the campers. Making decisions, they always ask “How is this going to impact the kids?”
Because, as Cindy often says, “Stagedoor is a family, not a business.”
Location(s)
- Stagedoor Manor, Loch Sheldrake, New York
Schedule
- Session 1: June 16th - July 6th, 2025
- Session 2: July 7th - July 27th, 2025
- Session 3: July 28th - August 17th, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- Each session costs $6,845
- Students can attend two sessions for $12,695
Eligibility Requirements
- Campers must be between the ages of 10 and 18
- No experience is required, but campers will audition to be placed in a show once at camp
- Campers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Deadline
- All applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until full
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application
- Deposit of $1,500 per session ($500 of which is a non-refundable application fee)
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Stagedoor Manor is a summer theater camp in Loch Sheldrake in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Each summer, Stagedoor Manor holds 14 full-scale productions, and has a reputation for training future stars like Natalie Portman, Jon Cryer, and Robert Downey Jr. Since 1976, a new crop of campers steps onto the stage each summer to begin an intense and thrilling introduction to professional theater. The faculty is made up of seasoned professionals who demand dedication and performances from the campers.
