Education & Family Opportunities

Adventure Awaits at the Kate!

The Kate is dedicated to bringing quality arts and culture to patrons of all ages, but special care is given to our youngest audience members. Children build skill, confidence, and appreciation for the arts during summer and after school sessions of Kate’s Camp for Kids. Tweens ages 11 to 13 will write an original, one-act musical play to be performed live on stage at the Kate in Summer Spotlight! Families can enjoy a great afternoon of theater specifically designed for young viewers with the Children’s Series. Additionally, there are opportunities for the Kate to connect with local classrooms or bring students to the Kate for special presentations.

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300 Main Street
Old Saybrook, CT

(860) 510-0473
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The Kate’s signature education programs focus on nurturing children and teens creative potential through the arts. A state-licensed camp, each program is filled with theater, music, dance, and visual art and culminates in a performance for family and friends that unifies all of the art forms! Kate’s Camp for Kids is specifically developed for our youngest campers ages 5-10 while Summer Spotlight takes teambuilding and content creation to the next level with 11–13-year old’s. These programs run in rotation all summer long and fall and spring after school programs are frequently offered. Check out what’s coming up!

Kate’s Camp for Kids Summer Spotlight

Missoula Children’s Theater: Jack and the Beanstalk

Twice a year the little red truck from Missoula, Montana arrives at the Kate, and kids line up to get into the show! Kids grade 1-12 audition on Monday and after casting is complete, the team has just 5 days to learn their lines, the choreography, and get into their costumes for the performance on Saturday.

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Children’s Series At the Kate

Join us for one of several Children’s Series offerings each year. Please visit the detail page for each individual show to view age recommendations. The Children’s Series is generously sponsored by Vivian Partridge.

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Scholarship

The Kate is very proud to offer the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Scholarship, established in 2019 in celebration of the Kate’s 10th anniversary year. It annually recognizes a high school senior residing in Old Saybrook who has demonstrated participation in and an appreciation for the arts (performance, visual, or literary arts) with a $4,000 scholarship.

Applications for 2024 will open in late winter.

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Student Outreach

The Kate also works with schools and community organizations on a wide range of creative initiatives. From presenting in-school workshops and performances by nationally touring artists to hosting student groups at the Kate for special school-time presentations and hosting guided tours of the Katharine Hepburn Museum, the Kate looks forward to engaging with local students.

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For Classroom Teachers

Learn more about our customizable education programs and ways to connect your classroom with the Kate’s programs. We would love to explore how we can further support teacher lesson plans and the student experience.

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