The Performer's School Brings Industry Legends to Teach Children the Tricks of the Trade
HIGHWOOD, IL (JANUARY 2019) - Children can once again hone in on their theatre techniques and learn from the pros! After a successful first series of Guest Artist Workshops, The Performer's School (TPS) will continue to offer these unique and exclusive workshops, taught by legends in the industry. Stacey Flaster and Elizabeth Fauntleroy, co-founders of TPS, are excited to announce their 2019 series that includes workshops and classes that will give students the opportunity to be trained in acting, dance and audition techniques by well-known professional and Broadway performers.
The 2019 Professional Celebrity Hosted Workshops include:
• The Bloody Truth: In's and Outs of the Biz, A Parent workshop with George Keating: Actor, director and highly sought- after coach and teacher is back at TPS to teach a workshop for parents only! Ask anything about the business of musical theater, agents, casting...anything you want to know! And, learn the "bloody truth!" Do you want to know the truth? George will tell you that-and much more! Bring a pen, paper, and yourself. Have fun in this "adults only" class.
o February 5, 2019
• Joe Dempsey from Second City - Joe is alum of the Neo-Futurists and The Second City National Touring Company and recently appeared in 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas at Looking Glass, Faceless at St. Louis Rep and Northlight, and The Rembrandt at Steppenwolf. Other Chicago credits include shows at Goodman, Court, Paramount, Drury Lane Oak Brook, Victory Gardens, Theater Wit, and many others. TV and film credits include Chicago Fire, E.R., Early Edition, and Imperfections.
o February 12, 2019
• Yossi Chaikin, co-dance captain and swing in the Chicago company of the famous Broadway play, Hamilton: An American Musical will teach a Hamilton Dance Workshop.
o May, 2019 (tbd)
• Artistic Director, Andy Hite is back again after his highly successful workshop this past fall at TPS. Using his extensive knowledge from hundreds of productions at Marriott theater and his own personal theatrical experiences, he will work with each actor individually on their 32-bar cut. Andy is a gem in the industry and actors love to receive his knowledge and guidance.
o February 19, 2019
• Annie Jo Fischer: Tap Workshop
o March 2, 9, 16
• The Actors Tool Kit, an audition workshop with TPS founders Stacey Flaster and Liz Fauntleroy: Do you want to improve your auditions? Clean up your 32-bar cut? Get some tricks about how to enter the room, talk to the accompanist, do a better slate? Do you want to work on a new piece? Stacey and Liz can help you smooth out the kinks for your upcoming audition.
o April 23, 2019
After a fabulous year of performances at Ravinia Festival's Bennett Gordon Hall: ANNIE JR to TPS's shows at the Skokie Theater: Seussical KIDS and Elf JR, TPS will be holding auditions for the next Ravinia collaboration, Cinderella, on February 23, 2019.
With the new year, TPS is also announcing upcoming classes starting mid-January:
CLASSES
Intermediate Acting (4th & 5th Grade) - This class is designed to give actors the opportunity to explore the acting process through modern realistic dramatic literature and to continue his/ her development to build an honest and believable character.
Jan 21-Mar 18 (No class Feb 18) from 5:30-6:30p.m.
Advanced Acting (6th, 7th, & 8th Grade) - This is a rigorous class for the serious and disciplined acting student. Acting skills will be taught in a setting which emphasizes group work, with an ultimate goal of performance. The final class will feature a performance of Dear Chuck, with a series of scenes about teenagers who are trying to communicate with that wannabe special someone.
Jan 21-Mar 18 (No class Feb 18) from 7-9 p.m.
Young Performers (3rd & 4th grade) - In this class, actors will dive into the art of character development. They will strengthen their storytelling skills as we work together on shortened highlights of scenes, songs, and dances from The Little Mermaid.
Wednesdays: Jan 23-Mar 20 from 5-6 p.m.
Mini Performers (1st & 2nd grade) - Our little actors will be introduced to the basic skills of theatre, group collaboration and the art of storytelling. This session we'll focus on our favorite fairytales and fables and then we'll "fracture" them by writing our own fairytale short play together, with exciting new characters and adventures to be presented at the last class of the session.
Wednesdays: Jan 23-Mar 20 from 3:50-4:50 p.m.
For more information about these classes and to sign up, visit www.theperformersschool.com or call 847-404-9142.