Youth Classes
Our priority is to provide the highest level of training in our Youth Theatre Classes.
Our youth theatre classes focus on developing interpersonal skills, confidence and compassion through the exploration of different points of view. These skills are essential for young students and help them go on to achieve their goals both creatively and professionally.
We offer theatre classes for youth from 3rd grade to high school. Our classes are perfect for beginners as well as advanced students. The variety of our offerings creates the opportunity for students to find the perfect fit for their skills and interests.
Our acting classes focus on developing key elements of the theatre craft. From character work to creating a three dimensional space that translates to an audience, we teach students the key aspects of storytelling.
Students will stretch their imagination, voices and expression through theatre games and activities based in the Piven technique. Our improv classes center around building a strong ensemble and inviting students to take risks and share their voices. Key activities in this session include activating character through space walks, improvised scenes, and circle games, finding a strong voice through verbal games, and gaining an understanding of ‘beat,’ a theatrical metric of time that detonates breaks in a scene or the shift of energy on stage. These techniques translate into actors with strong intuition and a sharp sense of focus on stage.
“Sam has grown so much from this experience (and he has made some great friends). I can’t thank you enough for all you do.”
Our second session of the year in the youth theatre classes program centers on story theatre. The story theatre technique is unique to Piven Theatre and offers a unique opportunity for students to devise work based on their interests. Each spring session, we invite students to bring in excerpts from their favorite stories. We work on combining the skills from our first session with new techniques like third person narration to stage short adaptations of fairy tales, literary pieces and more. This is a singular opportunity for students to train with theatre professionals and become skilled in a renowned school of acting.
Once students have studied with us, they have the opportunity to be recommended into one of our professional youth companies, Performance Project and Young People’s Company. As a member of these theatre troupes, students will join our rich history and a long list of renowned theatre alumni, including playwright Sarah Ruhl, director and writer Shira Piven and many more influential theatre makers.
Spring Youth Theatre Classes Start February 1st!
February 1 – April 26, 2025
Please read class descriptions to learn about on-site offerings, as well as recommended age groups for each course. Email education@piventheatre.org with any questions or give us a call at (847) 866-6597.
3rd – 5th Grade Performance Ensemble
Saturdays, 9:00am to 10:00am
13 weeks
February 1, 2025 – April 26, 2025
$300
6th/7th/8th Grade Performance Ensemble – Improv, Story, and Scene
Saturdays, 10:00am to 11:30am
13 weeks
February 1, 2025 – April 26, 2025
$350
Designed for both new and returning students, this class explores all aspects of what the Piven method has to offer. Young actors develop essential acting and performance skills while preparing for an open performance. For returning and new students who wish to unlock their creative impulses and find new ways to collaborate.
High School Performance Lab
Saturdays, 12:00pm to 1:30pm
13 weeks
February 1, 2025 – April 26, 2025
$350
This process-oriented class introduces the full Piven technique to young actors. Blending improvisation, theatre games, adaptation, and scene study opportunities, students develop essential collaborative skills and work with senior level instructors. This class requires a strong commitment from all participants and is open to new and returning high school students.
Directors’ Institute
Saturdays, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Six weeks
April 12 – May 17, 2025
$350
YPC Director Morven Higgins will be leading six weeks of Directors’ Institute, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturdays (perfectly timed for students currently enrolled in High School Performance Lab). This collaboration-focused directing program is an invaluable learning experience for any aspiring theatre artist, where students will have the chance to work side-by-side to generate and workshop new material.
The class will be structured around different student-led workshops so the ensemble will get to explore a lot of new material and different directorial points of view with YPC ensemble members leading workshops. Not only will it be a lot of fun to be directed by a fellow actor, it’s excellent preparation for summer and college-level programs that often focus on student-led pieces and devised work. It’s a great resume builder!
Admission is by invitation or resume submission. For high school students.
