YOUTH SUMMER CLASSES
June 21 – July 30, 2010

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

4th - 8th Grade Classes

4th, 5th, & 6th Grade 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.

Choose one class, or register for multiple classes for a more intensive experience.

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!

6th, 7th & 8th Grade Theatre Intensive
Twice as long as the other classes for this age group, students get a stronger and more intensive experience in the Piven technique with the chance to work within an intimate ensemble. Taught by a senior member of the faculty, students build their talents in theatre games, improvisation, story theatre, and scene study.

Want even more? Pair this with Improvisation & Scene Study and Story Ensemble for a week-long intensive experience!

7th & 8th Grade Story Ensemble
Perfect for junior high students looking for a supportive environment to stretch their creative limbs, this class is where students will learn about improvisation ensembles & Story Theatre. Get those creative juices flowing and re-learn how to play.

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 Scene Study & Story 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!

Choose one class; goes well with other classes like Scene Study Intensive, Musical Theatre, or any of our fun weekly Intensives!

High School Scene Study Intensive
This class uses the Piven technique to explore the scene study rehearsal process. Students apply improvisation to characters and relationships in contemporary plays. Under the guidance of a senior faculty member, students work with advanced material to stage fully rehearsed scenes.

Advanced High School Performance Conservatory
Our most advanced and intensive experience for young actors, this class meets 4 days a week, and explores the full Piven canon, culminating in two performances: one exploring literary adaptation and improvisation, and the other offering a full showcase of stage contemporary scenes. Because of the ensemble-dependant nature of this class, students must be recommended by a Piven instructor or be accepted by application to register and will be allowed no more than two absences.

Pair with the Musical Theatre class on Fridays for a full week experience, or with our weekly intensives for more great resume builders!

There will be no class Monday, July 5th.
The building will be closed in observance of the 4th of July holiday.

NEW! Weekly Intensive (4th - 8th Graders)

The 35-Hour Play Experience
Write it. Cast it. Costume it. Light it. Direct it. Act it. This whirl-wind experience gives students the ultimate chance to explore every element of a show, from blank paper and a pen to fully-mounted show in just one week. The best way to start out your summer vacation!

* Students will need to bring a bagged lunch every day
** Students will be broken into groups based on their age as registration warrants
*** Early-bird and refer-a-friend discount not available for this program

NEW! Weekly Intensives (7th – 12th Graders)
Tuesdays & Thursdays • 1:00-4:00pm
$95 each

This year we offer these exciting new add-ons options to your regularly scheduled classes. Each week will feature an intensive two-day class in a different theatrical area that complements our Piven training and gives students new skill sets from some of our most popular specialty classes. Take just one that speaks to you, or all six for a fun-filled summer!

Stage Combat: June 22nd & June 24th 1:00-4:00pm
Viewpoints Lab: June 29th & July 1st 1:00-4:00pm
Commedia del’Arte: July 6th & July 8th 1:00-4:00pm
Audition Technique: July 13th & July 15th 1:00-4:00pm
Puppetry: July 20th & July 22nd 1:00-4:00pm
Playwrighting: July 27th & July 29th 1:00-4:00pm

Stage Combat: Taught by the premiere stage combat team in Chicago, this class teaches students the art of safe fight choreography. Students are taught physical timing, non-verbal communication skills, and the practical applications of hand-to-hand combat and staged weaponry choreography.

Viewpoints Lab: Taught by Chicago-area director, Shade Murray, this innovative brand of movement-based improvisation explores physical and spatial relationships.

Commedia del’Arte: Back by popular demand! This incredibly fun and outlandish form of theatre uses masks, costume, and make-up to explore the extreme characters and ridiculous plot. Taught by Piven senior instructor Mikalina Rabinsky.

Audition Technique: For students wanting to ace their next audition, this class gives students confidence and tools for getting that next role!

Puppetry: It ain’t like Mr. Rogers anymore. In this class, students get hands-on and creative with this stunning artform!

Playwrighting: Lead by Piven’s literary manager Scott Shallenbarger, students use Piven improvisation and games to create and workshop original scripted material!

New Summer Options in Lincoln Park

Summer Conservatory in Lincoln Park
Who: Grades 4-8
When:

How Much: $725 per two-week session
Where: Latin School of Chicago

Join Piven for a fun, full-day intensive training experience! Spend two weeks training in our legendary acting technique playing theatre games, building improvisation ensembles, learning the art of storytelling, and rehearsing scenes & stories – all culminating in a performance for parents and friends on the final day! Students will be broken into groups based on age as registration warrants. Students will need to bring a bagged lunch every day.

Theatre Intensive Class in Lincoln Park
Who: Grades 6-8
Where: Latin School of Chicago

Looking for a supportive environment to stretch your creative limbs? In this class, students will experience Piven's legendary acting technique working within improvisation ensembles. Students will build their talents while exploring scene study and story theatre. Get those creative juices flowing and re-learn how to play!