Welcome to Youth Theatre at the U!
We’re so glad your family is joining us this summer. Our team has been preparing for a creative, energetic, and memorable experience for your child.
Our Theatre School for Youth is about more than performance — it’s about building confidence, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. Our staff are not only skilled instructors but also role models who foster growth in students of all ages and experience levels.
Whether you're new to the program or returning, we’re thrilled to have you with us.
This handbook will help you prepare for the session ahead. It includes the latest policies, daily procedures, and camp expectations. Please take time to review it - and go over the key guidelines with your student. Policies may be updated throughout the summer based on recommendations from the University of Utah and the State of Utah.
SUMMER HANDBOOK for FAMILIES
For forty years, Youth Theatre has helped young people learn to communicate, collaborate, create and celebrate by experiencing, hands-on, the theatre arts. In the classroom, in rehearsal, and in performance, students learn valuable principles, techniques, and skills that help them grow as people and as artists.
Mission
Youth Theatre is dedicated to empowering youth to skillfully participate in the performing arts as a vehicle to explore their creativity, engage in their community, and think critically about the world.
Our Philosophy
- Embracing Individuality: We celebrate and honor the individuality of every student. Regardless of their age, experience, background, or identity, every student belongs in our program. We recognize and value the perspectives, abilities, and backgrounds that each student brings.
- Process-Oriented Learning: We prioritize the process over the final product. Our focus is on creating a supportive and nurturing environment where every student feels heard, celebrated, and uplifted. We embrace the idea of "productive struggle" and view challenges as opportunities for growth and understanding. We believe that practice leads to progress and that failure is a valuable step towards learning.
- Collaborative Spirit: We emphasize the power of collaboration and ensemble work. We believe that no singular person is more important than another and that we rise and fall together. We encourage students to actively listen, respect each other's ideas and point of views, and work together to create shared artistic experiences. Collaboration fosters mutual support, trust, and a strong sense of community.
- Theatre for Social Change: We believe in the transformative power of theatre to inspire social change. We recognize that the skills learned through theatre, such as empathy, communication, and critical thinking, contribute to building a more just and kind world. We strive to instill these values in our students and empower them to use their voices for positive impact.
- Lifelong Learning: We are committed to ongoing learning, growth, and adaptation. We actively seek new knowledge, listen to feedback, and respond to the evolving needs of our students and the community. Through our dedication to continuous improvement, we strive to provide the best possible theatrical education for all.
- All Youth Theatre Lead Teachers have degrees in theatre performance or theatre education. Many are middle school and high school teachers in local school districts.
- Our Teaching Assistants are students in the Department of Theatre who are studying theatre teaching, stage management, and/or performance.
- All Youth Theatre staff and faculty members have background checks that are renewed every three years.
- All Youth Theatre staff and faculty members have a Youth Protection training to make sure they understand the Safety of Minors policy.
- Our program goes above the minimum requirements to make sure we provide a safe environment for all youth participating in our program.
The University of Utah is committed to providing for the safety and protection of all youth that participate in University programs or programs operating on University premises. This commitment lead to the creation of University Policy 1-015 Safety of Minors and the establishment of Youth Protection and Program Support, whose primary goal is providing for the safety and protection of youth participating in University programs. YPPS supports the policy by providing guidance and training to all staff, faculty, students, and volunteers working with youth.
We have four simple rules: Be kind. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be brave.
At Youth Theatre, we strive to create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for all students. To support this, we use positive behavior guidance techniques, including:
- Stating expectations clearly and positively
- Offering choices when possible
- Redirecting attention
- Providing breaks when needed
Behavior Expectations
Students may be removed from class or activities if:
- They are physically hurting themselves or others
- They are disrupting the group and need a break
- Their behavior negatively affects the safety, learning, or enjoyment of others
If your child is having difficulty meeting behavior expectations, we’ll contact you to talk about next steps. In rare cases where the behavior continues and cannot be resolved, the student may be dismissed from the program. Any refunds are at the discretion of Youth Theatre.
Zero Tolerance Policy
The following items are strictly prohibited on the University of Utah campus:
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes, vapes, or other smoking devices
- Drugs
- Weapons of any kind
If a student is found in possession of these items — or comes to class under the influence — their parent or guardian will be contacted immediately. The student will be dismissed from the program without exception.
Our main office is located on the second floor of the Price Theatre Arts Building (PTAB) — Rooms 240 and 241.
If you need to:
– Meet with a staff member
– Drop off items
– Pick up a sick student during the day
Please come to PTAB and check in with our office.
Parking: Free 30-minute street parking is available on the north-facing side of the building.
Each session kicks off with a mini-orientation on the first day — just for students.
Parents do not need to attend orientation.
Students will be grouped into their Companies based on:
- Age
- Program track: Creative Drama, Musical Theatre, or Acting
On Day 1, students will:
- Receive a name tag
- Join a fun warm-up activity
- Tour the facilities with their group
- Begin regular camp activities
- Receive a detailed schedule (updated as needed during the first 3 days)
Company & Elective Classes
Every student is assigned to a Company, which serves as their “home base” for check-in, end-of-day wrap-ups, and creative work with the same core group and teacher.
Throughout the day, students attend elective classes in a variety of subjects. These are held across campus, and students always travel with staff or teen aides between buildings.
We do our best to help students learn the layout quickly — the first few days include lots of guidance and group transitions.
This summer, our camp takes place across FIVE buildings:
- Fine Arts West (PAB)
- Price Theatre Arts Building (PTAB)
- Pioneer Memorial Theatre (PMT)
- Marriott Center for Dance (MCD)
- Student Union (Lunch Location)
To help things run smoothly across all five locations, we ask that all families follow these essential guidelines:
Drop-Off Location
All students must be dropped off at the Pioneer Memorial Theatre (PMT) Parking Lot.
Staff will greet you and check your student in for the day. Please do not drop students off at any other building, as this creates confusion and delays.
Drop-Off Time: 8:45–9:00 AM
Classes begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
If you arrive late, please walk your student to the PMT lot and call the office at 801-581-6098.
We will arrange for a staff member to escort your child when available. Do not walk your child to a classroom.
Pick-Up Location & Sign-Out
All students must be picked up from the PMT Parking Lot.
- 1st–3rd grade students must be signed out by a grown-up.
- 4th grade and up may sign themselves out unless otherwise arranged.
If you prefer to personally sign out your older student, just let us know — we’re happy to accommodate! They’ll stay with a Company Leader until a grown-up arrives.
Early Pick-Up Policy
Because our program spans five buildings — and students may be in rehearsal, electives, or lunch across campus — early pickups require advance planning.
-
Call the office if your child needs to leave early:
801-581-6098 -
All early pickups must be coordinated through the office.
– All students must be picked off at our Main Office on the 2nd Floor of the Price Theatre Arts Building. There is 30 minute street parking directly in front of the building facing North for your convenience.
– Please do not pick students up directly from classrooms — faculty members are not authorized to release students without admin approval. -
Important:
Depending on the time of day, we may need you to meet your child at an alternate location — like the Union Building during lunch, which is a 10-minute walk from our main classrooms.
We’ll let you know the pickup spot is different and make sure your child is signed out properly.
Unplanned or last-minute early pickups can delay class and cause confusion across buildings, so we appreciate your advanced notice and flexibility.
Late Pick-Up Policy
Pick-up ends at 3:30 PM.
– First 5 minutes: Grace Period
– After that: $5 per child every 5 minutes
Please be on time — our staff often have rehearsals, classes, or other jobs right after camp.
- 9:00 AM to 9:05 AM Morning Announcements
- 9:05 AM to 9:15 AM Group Warmups
- 9:20 AM to 10:35 AM Company (75 min)
- 10:40 AM to 11:35 AM Elective 1
- 11:40 AM to 12:25 PM Lunch
- 12:30 PM to 1:25 PM Elective 2
- 1:30 PM to 2:25 PM Elective 3
- 2:30 PM to 3:25 PM Company Rehearsal (55 min)
- 3:25 PM to 3:30 PM Theatre School Song
Youth Theatre at the U follows the University of Utah’s observed holidays. There is no camp on the following days:
-
Juneteenth (Observed) – Monday, June 16
-
Pioneer Day – Thursday, July 24
Please plan accordingly, as there will be no classes, rehearsals, or supervision on these dates. We do not offer makeup sessions or refunds for these scheduled closures.
Even with these breaks, each Company will still rehearse and perform their final piece at the end of the session — so it’s important students attend consistently on all other camp days.
If you have questions about the session calendar, feel free to contact the office.
If your student will be late or absent, please call the office at:
📱 801-581-6098
We take attendance between 9:45 and 10:00 AM each day. If your child hasn’t checked in by then, you’ll receive a phone call or email.
🎭 Why Attendance Matters
Each student is part of a Company, which rehearses a performance to share at the end of the session. These rehearsals take place during the first hour and last hour of each day.
Because these sessions build day by day, attendance during Company time is especially important.
– Extended absences or frequent late arrivals can impact not only your child’s experience, but the entire group’s ability to rehearse and perform successfully.
– Please avoid scheduling vacations, appointments, or other time away during camp hours whenever possible.
Repeated or extended absences may require us to reassign roles or adjust performance participation.
Thank you for supporting your student’s full experience and helping us honor everyone’s work!
All students eat lunch together at the University of Utah Student Union.
Lunch Options:
– Bring a sack lunch
– Purchase lunch from the Union Food Court
The food court includes:
Pizza | Subs | Salads | Burgers | Panda Express
Note: Many vendors accept card or mobile payment only.
You can also use the Boost app to order lunch ahead and have it ready when your student arrives.
Sack Lunch Guidelines:
– No refrigeration is available.
– Please pack lunches that don’t require cold storage.
– Students may use Union microwaves to heat food, but staff cannot assist with food prep or heating.
Off-Campus Policy:
Students may not leave campus during lunch unless a parent or guardian has officially checked them out through the office.
🎒 What to Bring to Camp
To make the most of their day, students should bring the following every day:
- Youth Theatre at the U T-Shirt* (see below)
- Lunch and snacks
- Refillable, re-sealable water bottle
– Water fountains are limited, but most have bottle-filling stations. - Their script (once distributed)
- Sunglasses or a hat for outdoor time
- Sunscreen – we move between buildings and often spend time outside
- Cell phone (optional) — for communication with parents/caregivers only
👕 What to Wear
- Official Youth Theatre at the U T-Shirt is required daily
– Students receive two shirts on the first day of camp.
– Shirts from previous Youth Theatre sessions or productions are also okay. - Closed-toe shoes only.
– No flip-flops or platform shoes, please — safety first! - Comfortable, movement-friendly clothing
– Please avoid clothing that exposes undergarments.
We move a lot, perform, and often eat or rehearse outside — so dressing for activity and the weather is key!
While some staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR, we do not have a medical professional on staff.
Medications
- Students may carry their own medications.
- Staff cannot administer any medication — including prescription meds, over-the-counter drugs, or topical ointments.
- If your child has a medical condition that may require urgent care (such as diabetes, asthma, or allergies), please notify us so we can be prepared to respond quickly and appropriately.
Injuries & First Aid
If a student is injured during class:
– Staff will provide basic first aid and complete an accident report.
– Parents/guardians will be contacted.
If a student requires professional medical attention:
- We will contact you immediately.
- In a medical emergency, if we cannot reach you or if time is critical, we will call 911.
- All medical expenses are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of a building evacuation:
- All classes will follow our Emergency Assembly Plan.
- Students will gather at the Pioneer Theatre Parking Lot, our designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP).
- We will practice the evacuation plan on the first day of each session.
If an emergency occurs, we will make every effort to contact parents or guardians via phone or email as quickly as possible.
June Performances
- 4th - 6th Graders perform on Wednesday, June 25
- Kingsbury Hall @ 7 pm
- 1st - 3rd perform on Thursday, June 26
- Marriot Center for Dance @ 4 pm
- 7th - 12th perform on Thursday, June 26
- Kingsbury Hall @ 7 pm
July Performances
- 4th - 6th Graders perform on Wednesday, July 23
- Kingsbury Hall @ 7 pm
- 1st - 3rd perform on Friday, July 25
- Marriot Center for Dance @ 4 pm
- 7th - 12th perform on Friday, July 25
- Kingsbury Hall @ 7 pm
See You This Summer!
Thank you for choosing Youth Theatre at the U. We’re honored to be part of your child’s creative journey and excited to spend the summer learning, growing, and making theatre together.
We’re here to support your student every step of the way — whether they’re taking the stage for the first time or returning for another round. We can’t wait to see what this summer brings and to celebrate the imagination, courage, and joy each young artist brings to our program.
Let’s make it a great summer!