Dunes Arts Summer Theatre is now registering two sessions of youth theatre education programs. All programs take place at the historic summer theatre campus at 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michiana Shores, where young people have discovered the joys of theatre arts for more than 74 years. The 2025 programming is as follows:
Musical Theatre
July 8 - 24
Three weeks: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 1 to 3 p.m. CST (2 to 4 p.m. EST)
Dunes Summer Theatre
$225 or $200 for 2 or more students
Ages 8 to 18
Led by dunesARTS Education Coordinator Michael Fallon and 2024 Dunes Theatre cast member, Danielle Bilderback, students will develop their performative, creative and collaborative skills as they work on solos, dramatic scenes and group ensembles toward a final showcase production. Whether it’s acting, singing, dancing or all three, students will be able to participate at a level tailored to their strengths and interests.
Michael Fallon
As Director of Choral Activities, Musical Theatre Director, and Technical Theatre Supervisor at Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights for nearly 30 years, Michael and his students have received numerous awards for their ensembles in traditional concert choirs and grand champion show choirs through the Midwest.
Danielle Bilderback
Danielle is delighted to be teaching with the Dunes Arts Foundation again this summer. Since last summer performing and teaching at the Dunes, Danielle has stayed busy in the area, choreographing Seussical for Footlight Theatre and appearing as Marian in La Porte Little Theatre's The Music Man. She is a mentor for the La Porte Little Theatre's NextGen program and holds a BA in Theatre Arts and English from the University of Iowa. She is so excited to learn alongside the incredible young artists at the Dunes this summer!
Theatre Mentorship
July 7 - 25
Three weeks: Monday and Friday afternoons; Exact meeting times chosen mutually
Dunes Summer Theatre
$50 per one hour session or 6 classes for $250 (save $50)
Ages 13 to 18
A unique opportunity for students with higher ambitions to prepare for college and beyond by working one-on-one with dunesARTS Artistic Director, Steve Scott. Steve has directed more than 300 productions for theaters across the United States and internationally. Before joining dunesARTS, he was Producer at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, where for 30 years he oversaw more than 200 productions and earned multiple awards for his contributions to Chicago theatre.
Final presentation for parents, family and friends at Dunes on Saturday, July 26 at 11 a.m. CST (noon EST). To learn more, visit dunesARTS.org/education, email contact@dunesARTS.org or call 219-879-7509.
Registration for the summer theatre classes are here; scholarship applications are available here.
Please find the full release for the Dunes Summer Theatre 2025 season here.
ABOUT DUNES ARTS SUMMER THEATRE
The Dunes Arts Foundation, which operates Dunes Arts Summer Theatre and Education Programs, was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1951 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Nestled within the woodsy dunes of Michiana Shores, Dunes Summer Theatre is located at about a half mile from the Indiana Dunes and the Lake Michigan shore at 288 Shady Oak Dr, Michigan City, Ind. As northwest Indiana’s longest-running summer theater program, Dunes Summer Theatre has provided professional theater productions for more than seven decades. This one-of-a-kind experience is a highlight of Harbor Country’s cultural fabric, promoting community spirit and embracing inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in all areas of operations. For more information or to purchase individual tickets ($35), senior/student tickets ($30), group sales ($25 for four or more) and season subscriptions ($150) please visit dunesARTS.org or call (219) 879-7509. Follow along on social media @dunesartsfoundation.