Steel Beam introduces improv troupes
Find out what all the laughter's about at the premiere of Steel Beam Theatre's new Improv Troupes, Team Hilarious and Team Hysterical, Tuesday, April 5, to Thursday, April 7, at Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles.
Team Hilarious will perform at 6:30 p.m. The Hilarious Ones are Emily and Tom Burback, both of Wayne; E.J. Card of Winfield; Celina Di Ciaula of Bartlett; Garrett Otto of Geneva; and Morgan Fanning, Amy Hasselroth, Jenny Leben, Beth Mehl and Emma Wartman, all of St. Charles.
Team Hysterical follows at 8 p.m. The Hysterical Ones are Annie Black, Jimmy Farace, Lucy Gruber, Griffin Johnson, Beth Kahan, Emi Kaliski, Grace Zimmermann, all of St. Charles; Milla Guerra, Chicago; and Myndy and Sarlyn Muryn, both of South Elgin.
There is free parking and a variety of restaurants near the theater, which is handicap accessible. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 16 and younger. For tickets, visit www.SteelBeamTheatre.com.
Teams Hilarious and Hysterical are directed by SBT Improv Instructor Bonnie Gruesen, who studied at Chicago's iO (Improv Olympic) and Second City training centers. Gruesen graduated in 2010 from the University of Michigan with a BFA in theater performance.
At University of Michigan, she was artistic director of Basement Arts, an acclaimed student-run theater organization. She is currently associate producer at Outside da Box, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make educational and faith-building films for teens.
“Through improv, the kids are learning the concept of ‘open focus,' which heightens their awareness of fellow actors, the audience and their environment,” Gruesen said.
“All the kids have done improv if they've talked with someone. What I'm trying to show them is that improv is not scary once you think of it as a new conversation. After a few classes, the kids become more confident performers and take more risks.”
Improvisational skills are not only useful in rehearsal and onstage, but also in the classroom, at home and when dealing with friends and foes alike. Simply put, improvisation helps children hone basic life skills critical to successful lives, all through a fun and creative process.
Building both life skills and theatrical skills are Steel Beam Theatre's mission. Its motto is “It's What Happens Off-Stage that Counts” to emphasize Steel Beam's belief that participation in theater is not simply about winning a starring role, and that skills like communication, discipline, teamwork and respect are developed during the rehearsal and performance process.
Steel Beam Theatre offers classes, summer camps, workshops and audition-based theatrical productions for children ages 6 to 16. Many Steel Beam Theatre alumni have gone on to major in the arts at college or appear in professional productions.
For details, visit SteelBeam Theatre on Facebook, SteelBeamTheatre.com, or call (630) 587.8521.