Where Books Meet the Stage

The CAMP D.N.A. Reading List

At The Human Race Theatre Company, we believe that great theatre doesn’t begin when the lights dim… it begins with curiosity.

As our CAMP D.N.A. students prepare for their culminating performance on July 24, we’re excited to partner with Dayton Metro Library to encourage young artists, families, and our community to continue exploring the themes of storytelling through books.

Reading allows us to experience new perspectives, discover characters who challenge us, and deepen our understanding of ourselves and others. Just like the work our campers have been doing in script analysis, movement, voice, improv, comedy, and character development, these stories remind us that every person has a story worth telling.

Our CAMP D.N.A. Reading List

As You Walk On Byby Julian Winters

When his plan to ask out his crush at a Halloween party goes hilariously viral, Theo Wright spends one chaotic night confronting old friendships, family, and who he really wants to be.

Golden Boysby Phil Stamper

Four gay best friends scatter across the country for the first summer apart, testing whether their friendship and their sense of themselves can survive growing up and growing apart.

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kimby Patricia Park

A Korean-Argentine teen from Queens navigates a mostly white Manhattan prep school, grief for her father, and questions of identity and belonging when a classroom comment goes viral.

Where You See Yourselfby Claire Forrest

Effie, a wheelchair-using high school senior, chases her New York college dreams and a first romance while learning to advocate for herself when her school falls short.

While We're Youngby K.L. Walther

Four friends with tangled secrets and romances take an unsanctioned senior skip day across Philadelphia in a whirlwind adventure inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Whiteoutby Dhonielle Clayton, Angie Thomas, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

A surprise snowstorm strands a group of Atlanta teens who band together to help one friend win back the girl he loves, in six interconnected love stories by six bestselling authors.

Each title celebrates themes of identity, belonging, friendship, resilience, and finding your voice; ideas that are at the heart of the CAMP D.N.A. experience.

We invite our campers, their families, and our audiences to visit The Dayton Metro Library to check out these books before or after the performance. Whether you’re an avid reader or simply looking for your next great story, these selections offer meaningful conversations that extend beyond the stage.

Thank you to The Dayton Metro Library for partnering with us to inspire the next generation of artists, readers, and changemakers. Together, we’re proving that stories connect us, challenge us, and help us imagine a better world.

Pay What You CAN Performance

Join us on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 6:00PM as our CAMP D.N.A. students take the stage to share the stories they’ve been working so hard to bring to life. Bring a canned food donation for the Dayton Food Bank as your ticket to see the show!

We can’t wait to celebrate their creativity, courage, and growth with you.