Theatre

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.

Young actors! Bring your grandparent or your favorite older and wiser adult. If needed, we can also help pair youth with older adults. Enjoy time together as you act in this fun musical theatre multi-generational experience. A showcase will be performed for family and friends on Friday, November 21 at 7 p.m. Lead instructor: Gayle Starr. Age range listed is for the youth participants and the registration fee is per pair.

Build your acting chops! Focus on beginning acting technique through group and scene work. Exercises in diction, pronunciation and projection combined with scene and group work will be incorporated. Scene study classes are designed to develop and strengthen your acting skills and transfer to Thin Ice Ensemble Theatre’s larger productions. A showcase will be presented at the final class. Instructor: Eileen Hand

Thin Ice Ensemble Theatre welcomes 10-19 year old home school students who want to act on stage. Everyone who registers will be cast. Rehearsals are Mondays, 9/9-12/2 from 12-3P. Tech Rehearsals are 12/9-12/13 from 12-4P. Holiday: 11/5. Performances: 12/13 & 12/14 at 7P and 12/14 & 12/15 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 14-19. Auditions are: August 11 from 1-4P. To schedule an audition, email rgoldberg@skokieparks.org. Rehearsals run Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 3–December 19, 12-3P with holidays November 28 & December 20–January 6. Technical Rehearsals are September 10-December 19 from Noon-4P. Performances are January 10-11 at 7P & January 12 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 will explore how to find monologues, do cold readings, select and perform music and prepare for dance auditions. It would include 5 sessions with the last class as a showcase with a panel of adjudicators from DCC’s theatre staff who will provide a written evaluation and notes to help prepare the students for competitive and/or professional auditions. Instructors: Eileen Hand, Tyler Skafgaard, Gayle Starr, Celeste Williams, Will Fisher and Jennifer Ruffner-Acting, Carlie Meeker-Music and Allison Grabarcyck-Movement.

Step into the world of Shakespeare and bring his timeless works to life on stage! In this engaging and interactive class, young actors will explore the language, characters, and stories of the Bard through scene work, movement, and performance techniques. Students will gain confidence in speaking Shakespearean text, and develop their acting skills. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or brand new to Shakespeare, this class will help you discover the joy and power of his words. The session will culminate in a showcase of scenes and monologues for family and friends.

Calling all young performers! In this fun and fast-paced class, students will work together to rehearse and perform a short play or book adaptation. From learning lines and blocking to creating characters and bringing the story to life, participants will experience the excitement of putting on a production from start to finish. Along the way, they'll build confidence, teamwork, and stage skills in a supportive and creative environment. The session will conclude with a performance for family and friends—so get ready to take the stage and shine! Instructor: Cheryl Yenter

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.

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) and one beverage is included in the registration fee. Directors include: Will Fisher, Amy Torf, Jen Ruffner and Gayle Starr.

Section 01 participants will be assigned to work with the Devonshire Playhouse adult production of Once Upon a Mattress. Section 02 students will work with the Devonshire Playhouse teen production of Urinetown. 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 October 5-26 for Section 01 and November 2-23 for Section 02. Lead Instructor: 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. Lead instructor: Allison Grabarcyck. No class on 11/25.

This is just for class registration and not for pullover to guide. For guide details, see read me.

Featuring behind the scenes instruction and experience for youth and adults who want to assist in stagecraft areas. Students complete script analysis and explore principles of make-up design, three-dimensional performance environments and costume construction. Experience the role of props master, lighting and sound operation basics, and procedures for front-of-house operations. The apprenticeship concludes with a volunteer opportunity on the backstage crew for our outdoor historic show, “Patchwork-The Little House Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder”