Jump into a vibrant summer of creativity and connection at Paper Mill Playhouse Theater School’s Summer Studio! Students shine as artists and collaborators through participant-centered classes —building confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships along the way. Each session culminates in special performances and share-outs for friends and family to celebrate their incredible growth.
Summer Studio includes:
- Production Studio (Two-Week Sessions)
- Skills Studio (One-Week Sessions)
- Teen Studio (Two-Week Sessions)
All programs take place in Millburn, NJ, with studios and performance spaces located within walking distance of one another. No prior experience is required for any of these open-enrollment summer offerings.
Families with children ages 5–12 can build a full day of theater learning by combining:
- Before Session Wrap Around Care
- Morning Production Studio
- Lunch Supervision Wrap Around Care
- Afternoon Skills Studio
- After Session Wrap Around Care
Optional wrap around care is available for supervised early drop-off and late pick-up.
Ages 5-7
Production Studio (Two Week Session)
9:00am–1:00pm
Location: Paper Mill Studios – 20 Main Street
Young performers build confidence and creativity while exploring acting, singing, and movement in an age-appropriate rehearsal environment. Students develop ensemble skills, storytelling fundamentals, and stage presence in a supportive setting designed to spark a lifelong love of theater.
For each Two-Week Session, students ages 5–7 and 8–12 rehearse separately at their respective locations and then come together to present a shared, fully staged ticketed performance during regular session hours. Registration includes two complimentary tickets per student.
Session 1: June 29–July 10 — Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR
Session 2: July 13–July 24 — Junie B. Jones The Musical JR
Session 3: July 27–August 7 — Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR
Session 4: August 10–August 21 — Junie B. Jones The Musical JR
Skills Studio (One-Week Session)
2:00pm–5:00pm
Location: Paper Mill Studios – 20 Main Street
Designed to complement the morning Production Studio or stand alone as an afternoon experience, Skills Studio offers focused skill-building in a supportive setting. Each lab culminates in an informal family presentation during the final hour of the last day.
Broadway Beginners
Sing, act, and dance your way to the stage! Students build foundational musical theater skills while growing confidence and joyful stage presence through ensemble songs and creative movement.
Giggle Group
Laugh, play, and explore the art of comedy. Through improv games, silly scenes, and bold character choices, students discover what makes an audience laugh while building confidence and teamwork.
Storybook Singers
Dream it up and bring it to life. Students create and perform their own mini-musical inspired by a mash-up of favorite stories, inventing characters and choosing songs to tell their imaginative tale.
Puppet Players
Create characters in brand-new ways. Through puppetry and character work, students explore how voice and movement can transform simple objects into unforgettable performers.
Wrap Around Care
Location: Millburn Middle School – 25 Old Short Hills Road
Families are expected to drop off and pick up within 10 minutes of the session’s scheduled start and end times. Students requiring supervision beyond those windows should enroll in Wrap Around Care. Students will be escorted by Paper Mill Staff between program locations when necessary.
Weekly bundled package (includes all components)
- Before Session Care: 8:00–9:00am
- Lunch Supervision: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- After Session Care: 5:00–6:00pm
Ages 8-12
Production Studio (Two-Week Session)
9:00am–1:00pm
Location: Millburn Middle School – 25 Old Short Hills Road
Students strengthen vocal technique, acting skills, and choreography while developing rehearsal discipline and ensemble collaboration. This structured yet supportive environment encourages artistic risk-taking and performance confidence.
Students rehearse within their age group and join performers ages 5–7 for a shared, fully staged ticketed performance presented during regular session hours. Registration includes two complimentary tickets per student.
Session 1: June 29–July 10 — Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR
Session 2: July 13–July 24 — Junie B. Jones The Musical JR
Session 3: July 27–August 7 — Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR
Session 4: August 10–August 21 — Junie B. Jones The Musical JR
Skills Studio (One-Week Session)
2:00pm–5:00pm
Location: Millburn Middle School – 25 Old Short Hills Road
Designed to complement the morning Production Session or stand alone as an afternoon experience, Theater Lab offers focused skill-building in a supportive setting. Each lab culminates in an informal family presentation during the final hour of the last day.
Triple Threat
Build musical theater fundamentals across singing, acting, and dance while strengthening confidence and stage presence. Through ensemble numbers and skill-building exercises, students develop versatility and performance polish.
Comedy Crew
Explore improvisation, physical comedy, and character creation in this high-energy celebration of humor. Students strengthen timing, bold choices, and ensemble instincts while discovering what makes an audience laugh.
Musical Makers
From first idea to final bow, students create an original musical performance piece together. As an ensemble, they shape characters and songs into a story brought to life through imagination and music.
Performance Playground
Discover theatrical tools that extend beyond acting, singing, and dance. Guided by student curiosity, sessions may explore stage combat basics, character voices, puppetry, on-camera technique, design elements, and other specialty skills.
Wrap Around Care
Location: Millburn Middle School – 25 Old Short Hills Road
Families are expected to drop off and pick up within 10 minutes of the session’s scheduled start and end times. Students requiring supervision beyond those windows should enroll in Wrap Around Care. Students will be escorted by Paper Mill Staff between program locations when necessary.
Weekly bundled package (includes all components)
- Before Session Care: 8:00–9:00am
- Lunch Supervision: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- After Session Care: 5:00–6:00pm
Ages 13-18
Teen Studio (Two-Week Session)
9:00am–5:00pm
Location: McNany Black Box at Paper Mill Playhouse – 22 Brookside Drive
A full-day immersive rehearsal experience for teens ready to deepen technique and artistic expression. Students work as a dedicated ensemble, building performance stamina, vocal storytelling, character development, and movement skills.
Each session culminates in a ticketed performance held during regular session hours. Registration includes two complimentary tickets per student. Daily supervision of brown bag lunch is included.
Session 1: June 29–July 10 — MTI’S Broadway Junior Revue-Raise Your Voice
Session 2: July 13–July 24 — Beetlejuice JR.
Session 3: July 27–August 7 — MTI’S Broadway Junior Revue-Raise Your Voice
Session 4: August 10–August 21 — Beetlejuice JR.
Wrap Around Care
Location: Millburn Middle School – 25 Old Short Hills Road
Families are expected to drop off and pick up within 10 minutes of the session’s scheduled start and end times. Students requiring supervision beyond those windows should enroll in Wrap Around Care. Students will be escorted by Paper Mill Staff between program locations when necessary.
Weekly bundled package (includes all components)
- Before Session Care: 8:00–9:00am
- After Session Care: 5:00–6:00pm
