Home|Learn & Engage|Summer Camps & Workshops

Summer Camps & Workshops

The Carson Center offers a variety of engaging summer camps and workshops designed to inspire creativity and foster a love for the arts among participants of all ages. These programs provide unique opportunities to explore various aspects of the performing arts, including theater, music, dance, and more, all within a supportive and educational environment. Led by experienced instructors, attendees can develop new skills, build confidence, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Located in downtown Paducah, Kentucky, The Carson Center serves a diverse population from a four-state region and beyond, making it a hub for cultural enrichment and artistic growth.

UPCOMING CAMPS & WORKSHOPS:

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Jul 2025

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Hop in — WAR is coming to The Carson Center, and we just released new ticket inventory. 🎤 🎟️ Grab your seat today. https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/events
🎸 The wait is over. Tickets are ON SALE NOW for STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, live at The Carson Center on October 17! 🎶 Hear the hits that defined a generation: ✅ “We Built This City” ✅ “Sara” ✅ “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” ⚠️ This ONE NIGHT ONLY concert is expected to sell fast — don’t miss your chance to rock out with the voice behind the anthems! 🎟️ Grab your seats now at the link in our bio! 📅 Friday, October 17 | 7:30 PM 📍 The Carson Center | Paducah, KY 💥 Secure your spot before it’s nothing but history. #StarshipLive #MickeyThomas #WeBuiltThisCity #PaducahEvents #TheCarsonCenter #LiveMusic #80sRock
At the Carson Center, we’re lucky to bring big-city Broadway magic ✨to our small but mighty town of Paducah. And none of it would be possible without the love and support ❤️ of our amazing donors, members, subscribers, and patrons. Justice Shea and Carolyn have been part of our story from the very beginning—supporting the arts 🎭, showing up for every season, and dancing their way through events like our Season Preview Party (seriously, just look at them!). “I was thrilled when I learned that Paducah was going to have a first-class performing arts center,” says Carolyn. “Why go to Nashville or St. Louis when you can experience top-tier entertainment right here at home?” Through their ongoing support, they remind us that the magic of live theatre is even sweeter when shared with someone you love. 💫 #PaducahCreativeCity #PaducahProud #TheCarsonCenter #SupportTheArts
Set sail for adventure this Friday with Treasure Island! ⚓ Come support our talented local youth as they showcase what they’ve learned during a week full of rehearsals and workshops, including stage combat, music, and dance. 🎭 Two performances: Friday, July 11 at 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM 🎟️ Tickets just $5 - don’t miss it! #SummerCamp #TheCarsonCenter #TreasureIsland #PublicPerformance
🚀 JUST ANNOUNCED: Get ready for an out-of-this-world night with STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas – live at The Carson Center on October 17! From the powerhouse vocals behind “We Built This City” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” to rock anthems that defined a generation – this is your chance to relive the soundtrack of the '80s in one unforgettable show. 🎟️ Tickets on sale FRIDAY at thecarsoncenter.org or 270.450.4444 📍 Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 PM 📍 The Carson Center, Paducah, KY Carson Center Donors and Members get to buy BEFORE THE CROWD! You can, too! Learn more about membership at https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/support-your-center/membership or give us a call at 270.450.4444! #StarshipLive #MickeyThomas #WeBuiltThisCity #TheCarsonCenter #LiveMusic #PaducahEvent
Every time the curtain rises 🎭, we’re reminded of the freedoms that make the arts possible. From Broadway dreams to small-town stages, thank you for supporting live performance in Paducah. 🎆 🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day, from all of us at the Carson Center. 🇺🇸
💸 Skip the fees – Fee Free Friday the 4th! This July 4th, we’re celebrating freedom the best way we know how: no facility fees on ALL shows currently on sale! ONLINE ONLY OFFER! 🎤 Concerts. 🎭 Comedy. 🎄 Holiday magic. ONE DAY ONLY, ONLINE ONLY! ✅ WAR – Why Can’t We Be Friends? 50th Anniversary Tour ✅ Ashley McBryde – The Devil I Know Tour ✅ April Wine & Sweet – Legends of Classic Rock ✅ John Crist – Jokes for Humans Tour ✅ Nutcracker: Magical Christmas Ballet 🎟️ Get your tickets FACILITY-FEE-FREE at thecarsoncenter.org — no code needed! 🚨 Offer ends Friday at 11:59 PM!
Mark your calendars—because the Carson Concert Series is HERE with a late summer lineup you don’t want to miss: August 23: 🎤 WAR – the legends of funk September 4: 🤠 Ashley McBryde – country soul with edge September 19: 🎸 April Wine & Sweet – your rock ‘n’ roll fix All brought direct to you by Golden Eagle Distributing. Get your tickets today—just click the Linktree in our bio! #CarsonConcertSeries #GoldenEagle #PaducahKy #LiveMusic
TONIGHT’S the night! Our Popstar Campers take the stage with Taylor Made during Long Live: The Journey of Taylor Swift! 💫🎤
🎭 Broadway is Back at the Carson Center! Get ready for show-stopping tunes, larger-than-life characters, and unforgettable nights out. Our 2025/2026 Broadway Season, sponsored by Baptist Health and CSI, brings you: ✨ Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol 🎩 Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular 👠 Kinky Boots 🎺 The Music Man 💄 Mrs. Doubtfire It’s not too late to subscribe! Renewing subscribers: Be sure to complete your subscription form by July 21 at thecarsoncenter.org. For RENEWING Subscribers: my.thecarsoncenter/packages/renewals 1.) Login to your Carson Center Account 2.) Add Subscription Package to Cart 3.) Fill out Notes or Payment Plan information 4.) Checkout For NEW Subscribers: https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/purchase-tickets/subscriptions/broadway-series/ 1.) Select Package 2.) Create or Sign in to your Carson Center Account 3.) Fill out Notes or Payment Plan information 4.) Box Office will call you by July 31st for seating placement 5.) Checkout Grab your seats now and experience the magic of Broadway, right here in Paducah! For more information and show descriptions visit https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/purchase-tickets/subscriptions/broadway-series #BroadwayIsBack #PaducahEvents #CarsonCenterBroadway #SubscribeNow #LiveTheatr
✨Everyone deserves a seat at the show! ✨ Support your Carson Center’s Access Arts Program by participating in the 2025 Fred Paxton Fund Challenge for Charities! Make a donation that makes a difference! 🎨Donate NOW at the link in our bio! Donations through the Fred Paxton Fund Challenge will be accepted through August 31st.
🎤✨ FINAL CALL: POPSTAR CAMP REGISTRATION EXTENDED! ✨🎤 We’ve opened up just a few more spots—but only for a limited time! If your child dreams of the spotlight, this is their moment to sing, dance, and perform like a true popstar. 💫 POPSTAR Camp is an unforgettable experience for kids ages 9–13 featuring: ✅ Songwriting with professional musician, Casi Joy ✅ Dance & choreography ✅ Acting for the stage ✅ Perform LIVE on the Carson Center Stage ✅ VIP tickets to the Taylor Swift tribute concert on June 28th! 📅 Camp runs June 24–28 — and this is your last chance to join the lineup! 🎟️ Register NOW before it’s too late: https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/events/detail/popstar-camp 📍 The Carson Center | Ages 9–13 | June 24 - 28 #PopstarCamp #CarsonCenterKids #LastChance #SwiftieCamp #PerformLikeAStar #PaducahEvents
TONIGHT on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon is John Crist! Catch him at 10:35PM CST on NBC. Crist will be at YOUR Carson Center on September 21st--Get tickets TODAY at https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/events/detail/john-crist-jokes-for-humans About Crist: John Crist is one of today's fastest-rising stand-up comedians, earning more than one billion video views, more than 7.5 million fans on social media, and sold-out shows from coast to coast -- continuously charting as one of Pollstar's Top 10 Global Touring Comedians. John has sold out the majority of his 2025 U.S. 'Jokes For Humans' dates and continues to add multiple shows in select cities.
The true popstar journey doesn’t start on stage—it begins in your imagination, your practice, and your passion. 🌟 Over the years, the Carson Center has hosted countless stars. Now it’s your turn. Don’t miss the chance to take the stage where legends have stood. Step into the spotlight and shine. Popstar Camp sign-ups close today! Register now at the link in our bio! 🎤✨ #PopstarCamp #CarsonCenterVibes #StageReady
#13 is Taylor’s lucky number… and now it's yours! ✨ Get $13 tickets to Long Live: The Journey of Taylor Swift for 13 hours only! Use code: LUCKY13 or check out the link in our bio! Offer only valid June 13th, 2025 at 10:00AM - 11:00PM. $13 tickets only available for seats in Price Level 2 (red dot) and Price Level 3 (yellow dot). Here's your chance to channel your inner Swiftie and turn this #CruelSummer into a night to remember💕🎶 #TaylorMadeBand #SwiftieGiveaway #Lucky13 #TaylorSwiftTribute #TheCarsonCenter
🎶ON SALE NOW!🎶 Get ready for a night of iconic funk, jazz, and rock as WAR takes the stage at The Carson Center on August 23! From "Low Rider" to "Why Can't We Be Friends?" and "Cisco Kid," this powerhouse band has been making hits for decades, and now’s your chance to experience their legendary sound live! 🔥 Tickets are on sale NOW! Get them at the link in our bio!
🎤 Meet Casi Joy, bringing powerhouse vocals and high-voltage energy to multiple Carson Center events this year! Like Taylor Swift’s early days--she’s deep in her unstoppable country-pop star era 💫 CATCH CASI JOY AT YAPPY HOUR & POPSTAR CAMP! YAPPY HOUR - JUNE 24 - 6PM Grab the leash and head on down to the lawn—it's time to paw-ty! Join us for live music on the Carson Center Lawn featuring Casi Joy! Experience great food, cold drinks, and the best four-legged company around. All dogs are welcome (big or small!) but must remain leashed. Tickets are just $5, so don’t miss out on this tail-wagging night of fun you and your pup won’t forget! 🐾🎶🍔 🎟️🐾 Tickets in our bio! POPSTAR CAMP - JUNE 24-28 - REGISTRATION ENDING FRIDAY! From turning all four chairs on The Voice to racking up over 50 million video views, Casi’s electrifying stage presence and vocal versatility have made her a standout artist in today’s country scene. With a background that fuses old-school country, modern pop, and rock roots, she’s here to show campers how hard work, creativity, and passion come together to make magic on stage. 🎟️✨Register at the link in our bio! #PopstarCamp #PopstarProfessionals #SwiftieSummer #StageDreams #CarsonCenterVibes #CasiJoy
🎶ON SALE TO CARSON CENTER MEMBERS & DONORS NOW!🎶 The legends are coming to Paducah! Get ready for a night of iconic funk, jazz, and rock as WAR takes the stage at The Carson Center on August 23! From "Low Rider" to "Why Can't We Be Friends?" and "Cisco Kid," this powerhouse band has been making hits for decades, and now’s your chance to experience their legendary sound live! 🔥 Tickets are on sale NOW to Carson Center Donors & Members! See more about the event at the link in our bio. Members, grab your seats today! Everyone else, get them tomorrow! See you then!
🎶ON SALE TO CARSON CENTER DONORS NOW!🎶 The legends are coming to Paducah! Get ready for a night of iconic funk, jazz, and rock as WAR takes the stage at The Carson Center on August 23! From "Low Rider" to "Why Can't We Be Friends?" and "Cisco Kid," this powerhouse band has been making hits for decades, and now’s your chance to experience their legendary sound live! 🔥 Tickets are on sale NOW to Carson Center Donors! Carson Center Members can buy tickets tomorrow! Want to become a member and get tickets early? Call us at 270.450.4444 or get a membership online at the link in our bio! Donors, grab your seats today!
Popstar essentials include more than a microphone and killer dance moves. It’s about building confidence, finding your voice, and stepping into the spotlight—surrounded by new friends, music, and moments that feel bigger than life. At Popstar Camp, we give young performers the tools to shine—on stage and off. Registration is ending soon! Sign-up today at the link in our bio! “It’s a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat…” 🎶 #PopstarCamp #StageDreams #PopstarEssentials #SwiftieSummer #CarsonCenterVibes
Party like a POPSTARat The Journey of Taylor Swift with the Taylor Made Band! Experience the music of Taylor Swift in a live, energetic setting. Relive your concert-going days and treat the Swifties in your life to their first concert experience in a world-class theater at an affordable ticket price. Express yourself by wearing your own signature outfit, connect with other fans, and sing and dance along to all of Taylor's hits from different eras. GET TICKETS TODAY AT THE LINK IN OUR BIO!

Upcoming Events

Saturday | Aug 16, 2025

Cap'n Kraken's Yo Ho Ho Pirate Show

FREE EVENT

Event Starts 11:00 AM
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Thursday | Aug 21, 2025

Vine & Dine

with freight house and Wagner Wine & Spirits

Event Starts 6:30 PM
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Saturday | Aug 23, 2025

WAR - Why Can't We Be Friends?

Carson Concert Series

Event Starts 7:30 PM
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Thursday | Sep 4, 2025

Ashley McBryde

Carson Concert Series

Event Starts 7:30 PM
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Friday | Sep 19, 2025

April Wine & Sweet

Event Starts 7:30 PM
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Sunday | Sep 21, 2025

John Crist: Jokes for Humans

Event Starts 7:00 PM
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Friday | Oct 17, 2025

STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas

Carson Concert Series

Event Starts 7:30 PM
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Tuesday | Nov 18, 2025

Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol

Part of the 25-26 Broadway Series

Event Starts 7:15 PM
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Friday | Dec 5, 2025

Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular

Part of the 25-26 Broadway Series

Event Starts 7:15 PM
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Wednesday | Dec 10, 2025

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

Event Starts 7:15 PM
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Thursday | Mar 26, 2026

Kinky Boots

Part of the 25-26 Broadway Series

Event Starts 7:15 PM
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Wednesday | Apr 22, 2026

The Music Man

Part of the 25-26 Broadway Series

Event Starts 7:15 PM
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Sunday | May 3, 2026

Mrs. Doubtfire

Part of the 25-26 Broadway Series

Event Starts 7:15 PM
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