2026 STEAM
SUMMER YOUTH CONSERVATORY
This year, more than 90 Detroit youth auditioned for Shakespeare in Detroit's summer conservatory. From that group, students who demonstrated talent, seriousness, and a genuine commitment to performance and education were selected and placed into ensembles for this year's production: an accessible, hilarious, and raucous romp through all 37 of William Shakespeare's plays.
Each student earns a scholarship for their time in the summer conservatory.
Free community performances on
July 31, 2026
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There will be 2 public performances of the complete works of william shakespeare (Abridged) [REVISED]
10:30 AM & 1 PM
Location: Marlene Boll Theater (Downtown YMCA)
1401 Broadway, Detroit
Metered street Parking and paid lots available in the area.
* NO TICKET OR REGISTRATION REQUIRED, SEATS ARE FIrST COME , FIRST Served.
What is shakespeare STEAM ?
Shakespeare in Detroit's teaching artists are embedded in Detroit schools during the academic year (September–May), working alongside educators in grades 3–12 to supplement arts and vocational learning.
High school students who thrive during the school year can audition for the Summer Conservatory — an intensive five-to-six-week program of paid, onsite training with Shakespeare in Detroit's experts that builds directly on what students learned in the classroom.
Shakespeare STEAM gives students hands-on experience across a wide range of creative and technical disciplines — from design and rendering to stagecraft, performance, and programming — blending scientific concepts with artistic expression. Students don't just study these fields; they build sets, program lighting cues, design costumes, and take the stage, developing real technical skills alongside critical thinking and teamwork.
The result is a program that prepares young people not just for a summer of theatre, but for careers and opportunities across an expanding range of industries — grounded in real, paid work experience most students their age don't yet have access to.
Science
Students in grades 3-12 learn the Science of Lighting a production with curriculum, assignments, activities and exercises that are curated for each class and grade level.
Technology
Students in grades 3-12 are introduced to how Sound is used in storytelling with curriculum, assignments, activities and exercises that are curated for each class and grade level.
Engineering
Students in grades 3-12 are introduced to the parallels between traditional ideas of Engineering (i.e. Automotive design) and Costume design as well as Props for the field of Theatre.
Art
Math
Students in grades 3-12 learn the Art of classical performance via Shakespeare tools that include: verse vs. prose, heightened language, metaphor, antithesis and the hardest working words in showbiz (verbs). Curriculum, assignments, activities and exercises are curated for each class and grade level.
Students in
grades 3-12 learn rendering, geometry and other applicable measuring and mathematic exercises that help make set building possible. Curriculum, assignments, activities and exercises are curated for each class and grade level.
Summer 2026 YOUTH CONSERVATORY
Shakespeare in Detroit produces an annual youth-led production of a classic Shakespeare play, featuring Detroit teens ages 14–18.
All participants — whether onstage or behind the scenes — engage in STEAM-based theatre training, attend field trips with our educational partners, and complete the program by making meaningful contributions to the final production.
