CLASSES / WORKSHOPS

THE IMPROV PLAYHOUSE

TRAINING CENTERS

Fun Times!  Great Friends!

5 I.P. Young Actors Land TV Series

  INTO THE OUTDOORS 

click here for the link!!  

David, thank you so much. We are so grateful to you and IP for keeping the troupe alive and well!!!   It has been one of Jonny's best theatre experiences.

Marissa O. (Highland Park)

Improv Playhouse performing arts training identifies, nurtures and enhances each individual's natural communication ability and talent, while building the confidence needed to apply these skills to performance and real life situations.  Our program for youth includes performing arts training for children from kindergarten to high school with beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Generally, with some exceptions, each class meets once per week for six to seven weeks for both adults and youth.

School District 70 Partner for Excellence in Education

ACTING  -  DRAMA  -  FILM MAKING 

IMPROV COMEDY  -  MUSICAL THEATER

FASHION and PRINT MODELING

Libertyville, Round Lake Beach

Highland Park and Vernon Hills Park District5

Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center

provided by Improv Playhouse Creative Education and Outreach

Click here for Summer Camp Info

LIBERTYVILLE

LIBERTYVILLE FALL CLASS SCHED CLICK HERE

OKLAHOMA!

SHOWSTOPPERS

present the

ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN Tony Award Winning Broadway Hit!

Congratulations:  Great job everyone!

REVISED CAST LIST FOR OKLAHOMA (Cick Here)

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD

YOUNG ACTORS WORKSHOP FALL PRODUCTION

CAST LIST FOR ROBIN HOOD (Click Here)

ACTING CONSERVATORY FOR TEENS

MONOLOGUE AND SCENE STUDY SHOWCASE with Director Courtney Shaughnessy

Begins September 10

ugh that the

tVERNON HILLS

rVERNON HILLLS PARK DISTRICT BROCHURE LINK

Scroll to p.38

At the Sullivan Center Through Vernon Hills Park District

SHOWSTOPPERS

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!

will be continuing this FALL presenting the award wining musical and Broadway hit!!

BROADWAY BOUND

Disney's ALADDIN kids

will be continuing this FALL!

HIGHLAND PARK

HIGHLAND PARK

HIGHLAND PARK FALL NORTH SHORE TRAVELLING TROUPE

CALL TO SCHEDULE AUDITION

Tues 9/14  4:30-7:30p

Rehearsals:  Saturdays 9-Noon, 9/25-12/18,  1/8-5/14

Free Sneak Peek Pre-Audition Workshop 

See the Space, Meet the Staff and Work your Voice

 Thurs., 9/9  4:30-6:30p 

The Elite Triple Threat Troupe of the North Shore!  Audition Only.

KARGER RECREATION CENTER - Rehearsal Room 

**Parent Troupe Meeting Required at First Rehearsal**

HIGHLAND PARK CLASS SCHEDULE CLICK HERE

Now Registering for youth musical theatre, improv and on-camera!

THE KARGER CENTER- 1850 GREEN BAY ROAD

Introducing....BROADWAY BOUND (2nd-5th grades)

Disney’s CINDERELLA kids (Term 1)

Disney’s JUNGLE BOOK kids (Term 2)

Learning how to trust, relax, speak out, work as an ensemble, create improvisationally, theatrically, and to experience real change are all excellent reasons to study at the Improv Playhouse®. Through creativity, imagination and playfulness your personal development as a student OR performer will grow to a level you never dreamed possible.

At IP, our staff stresses the importance of personal integrity, developing personal expression using the best of one's values and character.  We train children and adults in improvisation, acting, music theater, dance, vocal training, on camera, voice over and commercial work among other arts components.

You will experience the supportive instruction of some of the Midwest’s finest arts professionals in a safe, age appropriate environment who comprise some of the most gifted Chicago area actors, directors and facilitators instructing and inspiring with passion and personal integrity.

Sherry Bell, Photographer. ( 312 ) 409-6868

TEEN COMPOSITE LINK CLICK HERE      TWEEN COMPOSITE LINK CLICK HERE
Sherry's focus is on locational imaging, using the natural light to bring out the best in each subject. She is well known& recommended by Chicago's top talent agencies.

She has extensive experience photographing Actors Headshots as well as Fashion/Beauty for children & adults.

Many of the children she has photographed such as Danielle Campbell of Disney's "Starstruck", are enjoying successful acting & modeling careers. Others have landed national commercials, TV/Film roles & have performed at some of Chicago's most prestigious theatres such as the Cadillac Palace & Steppenwolf.   Her photo sessions are scheduled at locations in the northern suburbs.    Improv Playhouse and its staff is pleased to offer Sherry's services to adults, teens and tweens throughout the region.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

IMPROVISATION TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

IMPROV & THEATRE GAMES 

(6th - 8th grade & High School)
A blast for all the students, but more than learning the forms of “Whose line…” our students participate in the games of theater that nurture skills in character development, spontaneity, giving and taking focus and ensemble (team-work) building.     Beginning through Advanced Sections for Junior High and High School. 

IMPROV PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES 

(5TH -8TH & High School)
Designed to give the Advanced Junior High, Teen & High School improviser expansive opportunities to develop and demonstrate their skills for diverse audiences and events. Students will not only be challenged by pushing the limits of conventional games, but will train in long form, sketch, story theatre and other improvisational forms gathered from earlier training. Audition or instructor approval required for all ensembles. Teen and Junior Improv Ensemble Members must be registered in classes to retain their position for performances. Due to scheduling issues ensemble members may choose to register for intermediate and/or advanced workshops to retain performance eligibility. Our Teen Improv Ensemble has twice been invited to perform at the nationally renowned Chicago Improv Festival (CIF).

BIZ KIDZ (On-Camera Commercial and Film Acting)  

(3rd-5th)
Improv Playhouse was the first suburban training center outside of Chicago to implement "commercial" instruction in its workshops. You'll work on successful Auditioning skills, the Art of Cold reading, "popping" on camera, learning the secrets of working pros and centering yourself for camera performance.  Our "tweens" and "teens" make it in the business and our superior training is the reason why.

PRESCHOOL PLAYHOUSE (4yrs--Kinder)
Music, Acting and Theatre Fun for little people just looking to explore their creative side.  Teachers gifted with this age group engage these young ones in a space filled with imagination, melody and story playing building up their confidence, focus and self concept.

FASHION AND PRINT MODELINGG:  Fashion Week 

(TWEEN 8-12yrs and TEEN 13-17yrs)

Develop Confidence, Style and the Appropriate Image for fun or as a career.  Do you dream of becoming a model?  Did you know that it’s a fun career and a performing art?!  This is an exciting and glam workshop that will leave you with a ton of knowledge on how to take the next big step.  Girls will be taught everything they need to know about the competitive fashion and print modeling industry in workshops or camps filled with runway technique, role playing, a healthy self concept, visits from pros and a final fashion showcase. Each day will focus on new activities that build upon each other.

MUSICAL THEATER TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE (Age appropriate resources from the best of Broadway, Disney and World Theater)

NORTH SHORE TRAVELLING TROUPE

(3rd grade - 9th)

This is the "elite", triple threat touring ensemble of the North Shore and the I.P. youth music theatre program.  Before there was the North Shore Traveling Troupe there was the iP Travelling Troupe, and prior to that the legacy of the Apple Tree Theatre travelling troupe, and before that, was the incredible Eileen Boevers.  It started with 5 children in 1977. It has always been a unique, amazing, and reputable group of talented children—children who have entertained at various venues throughout the Chicago-land area and even have as journeyed as far as Italy to entertain and learn.   The Troupe has always been unique because it is an ensemble; there are no stars. Students featured in one show may be in the chorus the next time. Although, it is true to the theatre rule that no one is given a role that they cannot “pull off”.   So some new members may have to go through a learning, growing period of time before being featured.

SHOW STOPPERS PRODUCTIONS

(3rd - 9th)
SHOWSTOPPERS is designed to raise the bar of customized performances that exhibit showmanship,solos, acting, choreography, voice and music theater pieces incorporating developmentally appropriate Broadway shows or films.  SHOWSTOPPERS train toward and IP MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION usually comprising 4th-9th graders or a SHOWCASE TROUPE of 3rd-8th graders energized to exhibit skills nurtured in this advanced program.  Workshop dedication, rehearsal attendance and commitment is an expectation to remain in this training.  Every participant receives a role apporpiate to their age and performance level.  All children who demonstrate a willingness to engage in this fun, yet focused, environment are encoraged to register.  Parents are also encouraged to volunteer for a modest commitment to each production.  No audition is necessary to register. Three unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the production and showcase.  Showstoppers productions are performed on public stages at area high schools or similar spaces.  They have been invited to perform pieces from their productions at PRIVATE AND PUBLIC EVENTS.

BROADWAY BOUND (2nd-4th)
You’re on your way to the Big Apple Baby! These classes are for kids who love to perform, who want to develop their musical theater skills or the shy ones who may want to come out of their shell.  Age appropriate material is selected for the children who will be guided into solo or ensemble work.  Strengthen skills through exploration of acting technique, storytelling, singing and movement.  Broadway Bound ends with a showcase or mini-junior production performed for family and friends at the IP Black Box or class site of our local Broadway Bound workshop.

DRAMATIC TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE

ACTING CONSERVATORY FOR TEENS (ACT)  (8th-HS)

An intensive program designed to challenge, nurture and foster young actors who desire a more focused training and rehearsal regimen culminating in a small ensemble performance piece or production.

THE ACTOR'S ARSENAL  (8th-HS)

An actors boot camp for the teen student actor engaging in monologue and scene study (relating truthfully moment to moment), diction and dialect (use your vocal tools properly),

using breath to fuel performance, playing and taking risk (spontaneity).

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS PERFORMANCE (8th-HS)

Creating the One Act play from process to performance.  These young playwrights will learn the finer elements from an established playwright in the IP community. They will process the development of character, plot development, the elements of style, genre and story telling.  The "one act" created through this process will be performed at their final showcase, as semester in the making..

SCREEN TEENS

(On-Camera Commercial and Film Acting)  (6th-HS)
Improv Playhouse was the first suburban training center outside of Chicago to implement "commercial" instruction in its workshops. You'll work on successful Auditioning skills, the Art of Cold reading, "popping" on camera, learning the secrets of working pros and centering yourself for camera performance.  Our "tweens" and "teens" make it in the business and our superior training is the reason why.

YOUNG ACTORS WORKSHOP™ (3rd – 9th)
Yikes! It’s opening night! This program has been designed to expose the youthful actor to a nurturing professional theatre experience with an emphasis in practical performance methods. From the audition process, to being cast as a player and crew member, to public performances, get ready for an incredible, dramatic journey! Comedies, dramas and developmentally appropriate pieces are chosen for public performances.environment.

STORY THEATRE:  From Page to Stage  (All Ages:  Often 6-12yrs)
Creating a drama or comedy from the written page isn't as easy as it seems.  That's why we've developed a workshop that's for the young "reader" in a "reader's theatre" styled workshop.  Not only do our young and younger actors learn to act with their voices and bodies on stage, but they can do so without the burden of memorizing script.  Think "radio theatre" for young people...phyiscal theatre and more demanding drama for our mature young actors when they adapt stories scripted for the stage (and THEY will memorize their lines!).

TESTIMONIALS

David,

I just wanted to express our thanks for the recommendation you supplied for "A" last Saturday during the look-see for Jessica Brady of Jennifer's Talent.  That was very kind of you, and very much appreciated.  "A"loves your program and is looking forward to participating in many more activities with your organization.  It is a  very nurturing environment, very professional, and a lot of fun! Just so you know, "A" n is now signed up with Jennifer's Talent. 

Thank  you again,

 Mary N.

Dear I.P,

Your staff has done a brilliant job in training my child and giving him the confidence we always dreamed he'd gain. Courtney is magnificent and has created the fun, but nurturing environment you assured us you have over there.  M has not only made new friends for a lifetime, but your program has brought him out of his shell, given him new passion and focus, helped him to improve his academics and discover a creative side that has led him to theater (which we never expected).  Improv, your plays, camps...it's all been good for our "improv actor" (now going on 4 years with your program). Thanks!

David and IP Staff,

We travel each week from Northbrook and it's the best commute of my week and best program N has been in.  You are all so welcoming and supportive.