Sandpoint youth invited to set with LPO Rep’s summer camp

Young performers and aspiring techies will have the chance to discover the magic of live theater this summer as Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theatre presents its annual Summer Theater Camp at the Heartwood Center.

Open to students ages 10-17, this year’s camp will culminate in a lively youth adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, an action-packed comedy complete with pirates, mermaids and evil sorcerers.  The camp is made possible through a collaborative partnership between LPO Rep, the Heartwood Center and the Pend Oreille Arts Council, with scholarships available through LPO Rep, courtesy of the Angels Over Sandpoint. 

These organizations are committed to expanding arts education and creating meaningful opportunities for kids here in North Idaho.  The camp reflects a shared belief that the performing arts build confidence, encourage teamwork, and foster creativity in students of all experience levels.

Throughout the camp, participants will learn the fundamentals of theater production, including acting, stage management, world-building and working as a team.  This year, the camp organizers are focusing on roles beyond the stage, with costumes, sets, props and assistant stage manager positions all available for kids who don’t have the acting bug but would love to make friends and learn new skills.  Whether stepping onto the stage for the first time, or returning with previous experience, every student will be encouraged to grow as both a performer and collaborator in a welcoming, supportive environment.

The camp concludes with a fully staged public performance of The Tempest, reimagined as a fast-paced, modern-language comedy that highlights the play’s unforgettable characters, magical mishaps, and timeless themes of forgiveness, friendship and adventure.  Family members and community audiences are invited to celebrate the students’ accomplishments at the final performance.

LPO Rep has earned a reputation for producing engaging educational theater experiences that inspire young artists while strengthening community connections.  Past summer camps have introduced dozens of local students to acting storytelling and the joy of creating theater together.  “I was really nervous my first year in theater camp,” says 15-year-old, Leina Luttmann.  “But then I got to know everyone and it’s a great way to make friends.  I’ve learned a lot about acting and working as a team to put on a whole show.  It’s pretty cool.”

Families interested in enrolling are encouraged to register early, as space is limited.  Summer Theater Camp runs from Monday, July 20, through Saturday, Aug. 8, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with performances on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.

The cost is $175 for the three-week experience, and scholarships are available by request.  To sign up, visit lporep.com. Questions can be directed to the company’s email at [email protected].

    Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theatre campers are pictured at the 2025 production of "The Three Musketeers".