Theatre

Thin Ice Ensemble Theatre welcomes 9-19 year old home school students who want to act on stage. Everyone who registers will be cast. Rehearsals are Mondays, 9/8-12/1 from 12-3P. Tech Rehearsals are 12/8-12/12 from 12-4P. Holiday: 11/5. Performances: 12/12 & 12/13 at 7P and 12/14 at 3P. Director Cheryl Yenter.

Young artists develop foundational skills and techniques designed to strengthen confidence, self-expression, focus and social skills as well as inspiring creativity through dramatic play, imaginative theatre games, storytelling, dance and song. Students dramatize their own stories as instructors prepare them to be in the full production. Lead Instructor: Gayle Starr. No class on 11/27.

Casting is by audition for ages 12-19. Auditions are: August 11 from 1-4P. To schedule an audition, email rgoldberg@skokieparks.org. Rehearsals run Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 9–December 18, 12-3P with holidays November 27 & December 23–January 5. Technical Rehearsals are January 5-9 from Noon-4P. Performances are January 9-10 at 7P & January 11 at 3P.

The young actor develops full rich characters, while practicing truthful use of self in imaginary circumstances. Students enhance speaking, singing and dance techniques to meet the challenges of expressive storytelling for solos and ensembles. They have fun behind-the-camera for one session, then experiment with makeup, costumes, lighting, sound, props and set design. Lead instructor: Gayle Starr. No class 11/25. .

No lines to learn, nothing to prepare, just show up for the ultimate in comedy and fun Without knowing it, you will develop great skills for teamwork and working in the moment. Lead Instructor: Sara Segneri

Students learn to develop character and practice truthful use of self in imaginary circumstances. Students explore theatre of other cultures, experience brief work in front of and behind the camera plus theatre makeup, costume/prop selection and lighting/sound basics. Includes: basic dance techniques and fundamentals of good vocal production. Lead Instructor: Gayle Starr. No class on 11/26.

Are you a young actor whose strength is in singing and acting but as a dancer you seem to have two left feet? This class will help non-dancers conquer dance auditions. A showcase is held at the last class for family and friends. Lead Instructor: Allison Grabarcyck.

Is your tot a born performer? If so, this class will serve as their acting debut! Imaginative play, singing, acting, movement, musical theatre games, stories and dance will all be combined in a playful, creative environment to establish the building blocks of performing arts and nurture self-esteem. Lead instructor: Allison Grabarcyck. No class on 11/25.

The ABCs of magic are taught by award-winning magician, Mr. Terrance Hunter. Students will learn magic tricks with everyday objects like rubber bands, money, pencils and more. The structured program introduces mentalism, uses commercial tricks and card tricks. This fun beginner’s class is centered around the three P’s, practice, practice and more practice. All materials are included.

Shakespeare comes to life in this playful introduction to the world’s most famous playwright! Through games, storytelling, and creative performance, young actors will discover that “the Bard ain’t hard” at all. Students will explore Shakespeare’s characters, language, and themes in a way that’s age-appropriate, imaginative, and fun—building confidence, teamwork, and a love for theatre along the way. No prior acting experience required—just bring your curiosity and creativity! Instructor: Lenna Wren

Our Town is Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play about everyday life in the small community of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Told through the eyes of the Stage Manager, the play follows the ordinary yet profound experiences of the townspeople — love, marriage, family, and loss — ultimately highlighting the beauty in life’s simplest moments.. Auditions are required and should be scheduled prior to registration. To schedule an audition, email rgoldberg@skokieparks.org Director: Eileen Hand

Young artists develop foundational skills and techniques designed to strengthen confidence, self-expression, focus and social skills as well as inspiring creativity through dramatic play, imaginative theatre games, storytelling, dance and song. Students dramatize their own stories as instructors prepare them to be in the full production. Instructor: Allison Grabarcyck

Sing your way to fame and light up the Broadway stage. Learn songs, scenes and choreography from the Broadway greats, past and present. Solo and ensemble work will be part of this class. A showcase will end the session. Instructor: Kayleah Wilson

All who register are cast. It's our show now, kid. The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in Beetlejuice JR., the frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion picture turned Broadway phenomenon. Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether) world of pandemonium. Youth, aged 14 may register if they are still in 8th grade. Rehearsals: 2/2-4/16 (M, T & Th 5:30-8:30P & Sun. 1-4P) Pick-up Rehearsal: April 23 / 5:30-8:30P Holidays: March 28-April 5 Performances: Saturdays, April 18 & 25/7P and Sunday, April 19 & 26/3P Director: Gayle Starr

Thin Ice Ensemble is looking for home school students ages 9-18 who would like to act on stage. Everyone who registers receives a part! Regular rehearsals: Mondays, 12-3 p.m., January 12-April 27. Tuesday rehearsals will be added beginning March 17. Technical rehearsals: 12-4 p.m., May 4-8. Performances: May 8 & 9 at 7P and May 9 & 10 at 3P. Director: Kayleah Wilson Musical Director: Timothy Wolf

Students will focus on concept pitches and design conversations regarding their plays. Each week students will develop a presentation for the design element in question (scenic, lights, costumes, etc.). We will build a complete picture of the play and help to develop a “director’s eye.” Students will have a final presentation through a single scene from their play that implements all the components of the previous weeks. Instructor: Lenna Wren

The young actor will develop full, rich characters, while practicing truthful use of self in imaginary circumstances. Students utilize improvisation, modern comedy/drama and/or Shakespearean scenes, have fun behind-the-camera for one session, then experiment with makeup and stage combat. Lead Instructor: Elijah Jones.

No lines to learn, nothing to prepare, just show up for the ultimate in comedy and fun Without knowing it, you will develop great skills for teamwork and working in the moment. Instructor: Elijah Jones

This course will engage students in the basic principles of stage writing starting with a reading period, and finishing with a writing and feedback period, culminating in each student having a peer reviewed 10-minute play. Students will study works including: "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginold Rose, "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue, "Love and Information" by Caryl Churchill and "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. Instructor: Elijah Jones

Dive into the tragedies, comedies and sonnets of Shakespeare. You will take part in a mini slam during the last session and may even feel ready to take on the Chicago Shakes Slam when you are done.

Get professional headshots for performance auditions or business at the low cost of $175. Local photographer, Bruce Lorie even offers a $25 discount if you are a Devonshire Playhouse Alum! You receive 5 high resolution large digital shots also available in low resolution for online use. with your name printed on one shots with their name printed at the bottom corner. Contact us at Rhhorwitz@SkokieParks.Org for more details and/or to schedule your 3/4 hour appointment on between 11A-4P either January 31, February 28 or March 28.

This class is specifically for female identifying individuals who love musical theatre! Bring out your inner Audra McDonald or Idina Menzel and prepare to perform a showstopper in our finale cabaret during the final session. Instructor: Gayle Starr

Combine STEM & theatre in this unique class where we will design and build props and costume pieces with technical features and use them while performing in short scenes. Instructor: Noggin Builders

Students learn to develop character and practice truthful use of self in imaginary circumstances. Students explore theatre of other cultures, experience brief work in front of and behind the camera plus theatre makeup, costume/prop selection and lighting/sound basics. Includes: improvisation, scripted scenes, Commedia D’ell Arte (physical/slapstick humor), character movement and basic stage combat. Lead Instructor: Elijah Jones

Are you a young actor whose strength is in singing and acting but as a dancer you seem to have two left feet? This class will help non-dancers conquer dance auditions. A showcase is held at the last class for family and friends. Instructor: Allison Grabarcyck.

A creative and fun time with drinks and refreshments for sale. Pre-register to be a reader. Audience drop-ins are welcome! Alcoholic refreshments only available to those age 21+ (ID required). One beverage is included in the registration fee. Directors include: Jay Torrens, Jen Ruffner and Will Fisher.

Section 01 participants will be assigned to work with the Devonshire Playhouse adult production of Perspectives: A Series of One Acts. Section 02 students will work with the Devonshire Playhouse Young Performers production of Beetlejuice Jr. Students will complete script analysis and explore principles of make-up design, three-dimensional performance environments, and costume construction, as well as experience the roles of props master, lighting and sound operation basics, and procedures for front-of-house operations. Schedules are coordinated between the student and the lead instructor, beginning with at least once-a-week rehearsals. Participation at all rehearsals and performances begins February 1-22 for Section 01 and April 6-26 for Section 02. Coordinator: Sara Segneri

Is your tot a born performer? If so, this class will serve as their acting debut! Imaginative play, singing, acting, movement, musical theatre games, stories and dance will all be combined in a playful, creative environment to establish the building blocks of performing arts and nurture self-esteem. Instructor: Allison Grabarcyck.