YOUTH FALL/WINTER CLASSES
September 11 – December 11, 2010

Grades are based on the year the student will be entering in the 2010-2011 school year

4th, 5th, & 6th Grade Classes

Theatre Games and Story Theatre
Come play with us! Learn the games that form the core of the legendary Piven training method. In this class, students will learn to build ensemble, explore improvisation, and adapt and perform stories. We can guarantee that you’ll never see freeze tag the same way again! For new and returning students.

Story Theatre II
Play more games, have more fun and explore everything from folk tales to myths to original stories. For returning students only.

6th, 7th & 8th Grade Classes

6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Improvisation & Scene Study
Use the fun and impulsive play of improvisation to create lively characters and realistic relationships. Students will rehearse scenes from contemporary plays, culminating in a showcase for friends and family!

7th & 8th Grade Theatre Combo
Perfect for junior high students looking for a supportive environment to stretch their creative limbs and a great introduction to Piven’s acclaimed training method, this class is where students will learn about improvisation ensembles, Story Theatre, and Scene Study. Get those creative juices flowing and re-learn how to play.

Advanced 7th & 8th Theatre Combo
Working intensively within an ensemble, students continue to build their talents in both scene study and story theatre. By recommendation only.

7th - 12th Grade Classes

Performance Project
The Performance Project is an exciting ensemble that our seasoned junior high students are invited to join. Signing a contract of commitment, students train as an intensive ensemble that meets during both Fall and Spring sessions, and culminates in a fully-staged week of performances. (For 7th, 8th & 9th Grade students. By invitation only - Invitations are mailed mid to late-summer.)

7th – 12th Grade Musical Theatre and Piven Technique
This class uses the Piven training technique to delve into the very different world of musical theatre. Singing experience and musical knowledge required for participation in this class.

High School Classes

High School Theatre Combo
A great class for high school students new to Piven - we’ll use games to build ensemble, explore improvisation, and adapt and perform stories. Come have fun and play improvisation games; see what the legendary Piven training method is all about!

High School Scene Study & Dialect Intensive
This class uses the Piven technique to explore the rehearsal process while training your ear for dialect! Co-taught by a Piven Instructor and one of Chicago’s leading dialect coaches, students apply improvisation to characters and relationships in plays that use dialects; fully rehearsed scenes are performed at the end of the session!

Advanced High School Performance Conservatory
This performance-oriented class will work intensively within an ensemble to build skills in ensemble games, improvisation, & story theatre. Because of the ensemble-dependant nature of this class, students must be recommended by a Piven instructor to register and will be allowed no more than two absences.

Young People’s Company
The most advanced class Piven offers to our youth students, the Young People’s Company has a long history of seeing outstanding performers and artists emerge from its folds. Students sign a contract and join an intensive ensemble that meets during both Fall and Spring Sessions, and culminates in a fully-staged week of performances. (By invitation only - Invitations are mailed mid to late-summer.)

There will be no classes on September 18th for Yom Kippur,
October 11th for Columbus Day,
and November 23-27 for Thanksgiving.

WINTER WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR YOUTH

Weekend workshops are intensive short classes that are complementary to our students’ work in Piven technique classes.

Monologues for the Stage (High School)
Explore adapting our ensemble-driven technique to the art of performing solo. Students will be given monologues at this two-day workshop—perfect for the students wanted to try their hand at the spotlight!