Now enrolling for August 2026!
Medieval Music & Drama
Aug 17-23, 2026
This summer workshop and performance outing has been among our participants' favorite parts of the SHAK year for more than a decade! Enjoy bringing history to life by performing in real period costume. Choose music and/or drama option. After a friendly five-day learning workshop, our groups perform for the public at Camlann Medieval Village. The workshop is taught by SHAK founder Shulamit Kleinerman, singer and instrumentalist Nick Chrisman (SHAK alum '21), and longtime SHAK stage director Carmen Mettler. See glimpses from our past seasons here.
What's medieval music like? It's beautiful and enjoyable! Here are some rehearsal clips with experienced students ages 12-15, plus highlights from a middle schooler's independent-study performance in 2023 with mentor teacher Nick Chrisman.
For the Mon-Fri camp week, choose music only (short day), drama only (afternoons only), or both (full day).
Music (9:30-1:30):
Sing thrilling centuries-old melodies in small and large ensembles. SHAK director Shulamit Kleinerman and returning teacher Nick Chrisman lead the workshop and accompany on high and low medieval fiddles and percussion.
- Kids 7 and up don't need a special music background as long as they can match pitch (sing in tune, in a basic sense).
- Older kids and teens with musical training as singers and/or on instrumentalists may be featured in small-group and solo repertoire. Instrumentalists should inquire for details before enrolling.
Drama (1:30-3:30):
Revel in playful stories of transformations and miracles, adapted from medieval sources with a humorous twist by Shulamit Kleinerman and coached by Carmen Mettler.
- Kids 7 and up, and high school students who are experienced actors.
Schedule
Workshop
Mon-Fri Aug 17-21 at director's studio in the Lake City neighborhood (Address given upon enrollment)
Choose full-day, or part-day music or drama options:
- Music: 9:30am-1:30pm (bring lunch)
- Drama: 1:30-3:30pm
- Full day: 9:30-3:30
Performances
Sat-Sun Aug 22-23 at Camlann Medieval Village
Arrive at 11am for afternoon performances ending at 5pm
Cost
All of SHAK's programs operate on a sliding-fee model.
Above local median household income / net worth, suggested tuition payments:
- $400-500 for music only
- $325-375 for drama only
- $575-715 for the full day
Near local median household income / net worth, suggested tuition payments:
- $325-375 for music only
- $250-300 for drama only
- $425-550 for the full day
Somewhat below local median household income / net worth, suggested tuition payments:
- $325-300 for music only
- $200-225 for drama only
- $350-400 for the full day
Significantly below local median: No one turned away for lack of funds. Please pay whatever makes sense for your household, in line with the percentage you pay for your student's other extracurricular activities. You may also request a full scholarship with this form (Just be sure to also fill out the class registration!).
At SHAK we know that everyone benefits when our programs are accessible, diverse, and welcoming!
Register online
Know before you enroll:
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Newcomers to SHAK:
- The registration form does not hold a place in the workshop until any payment due has been received (or until a need-based full scholarship has been confirmed). Please wait to sign up until you are ready to complete your registration.
- No audition is required. Since this project is focused on group singing with performances for the public, you will be asked to provide a reference contact (usually a music teacher) who can speak to the participant's basic pitch-matching ability.
- Returning SHAK participants: If you haven't done any small-group singing with SHAK before, please contact Shula before enrolling. If you have already done a project like this with SHAK, you may skip that step and enroll directly.
Registration form
Registration form for NEWCOMERS
Registration form for RETURNING PARTICIPANTS
Your registration is complete only when we receive any payment that is due. You may pay either by credit card below, or by check to SHAK, PO Box 27472, Seattle WA 98165
You should hear from us within 3 business days of our receipt of your payment. In the unlikely event that your form or our reply gets lost in the ether, please reach out through the website's Contact page.
