Summary
- Theater Camp, a mockumentary-style comedy set in upstate New York, was actually filmed in the Hudson Valley area, swapping the Adirondacks for locations like Warwick, Newburgh, and Goshen.
- The use of real locations in the state adds authenticity to the film, making the AdirondACTS camp feel more believable to viewers.
- Warwick, known for its annual apple-centric festival, was the primary filming location at the former Camp Kutz, which is now being reinvested in as a recreational area.
The New York-set Theater Camp was filmed in locations throughout the state, though those places don't quite align with the movie's scripted setting. The mockumentary-style comedy opens with Joan Rubinsky (Amy Sedaris), the director of a summer camp for theater lovers, falling into a coma. As a result, her non-dramaturge son, Troy (Jimmy Tatro), tries to keep the camp afloat with the help of former campers-turned-staff-members Amos Klobuchar (Ben Platt) and Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon).
With other greats like Patti Harrison (Shrill) and Ayo Edebiri (Bottoms) rounding out the cast, Theater Camp is an improvision-packed comedy that's well worth the watch. Beyond the Theater Camp cast's comedic chops, the movie soars in part because of its authenticity. Not only is it made by and for theater nerds, but it was filmed in the state it's supposed to take place in. This gives the upstate New York-based camp, aptly titled AdirondACTS, a more believable feel, even if the film team swapped the Adirondacks for other Empire State spots.
Former Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York
Although the film is supposed to take place in upstate New York, Theater Camp's sunny showbiz parody was actually filmed in a more southerly region of the state. Filmmakers traded the Adirondacks — the fictional theater camp's northern New York namesake — for the Hudson Valley area. Given the more contained premise of the film, the majority of theater camp was shot at the former Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York (via NYup.com).
Composed of several smaller hamlets and villages, the town of Warwick is perhaps best known for its annual apple-centric festival. Despite its remote, small-town, woodsy feel, Warwick is conveniently located an hour or so from Manhattan. In real life, as in the film, this makes it the perfect site for a summer camp. The former Camp Kutz has been abandoned for some time, but since filming on Theater Camp ended, the town of Warwick has committed to reinvesting in the camp, turning it into a recreational area for locals (via Town of Warwick).
Other Hudson Valley Area Towns
Outside of Warwick, Theater Camp filmed in a few other New York-based locations. Again, neither of these other spots were in the Adirondacks. Even so, the Hudson River Area locales make for solid stand-ins. Warwick's fellow Orange County towns, Newburgh and Goshen, are also west of the Hudson River, small in feel, and well-forested. Needless to say, even though the film team didn't make it to upstate New York, it found suitable replacements a few hours closer to New York City. Viewers can check out all the wonderful scenery now, as Theater Camp has finally released on streaming.
Source: NYup.com, Town of Warwick