ADULT SPRING SCHEDULE 2012

Improvisation, Games, & Risk Taking with Bernie Beck
Want to know what Piven is all about? This class allows students to discover the Piven Technique by learning theatre games & improvisation in a fun, supportive, ensemble-based environment. Taught by master teacher Bernard Beck, this class is perfect for all students looking to discover & re-discover their impulsive creativity through our work.

NEW TIME! Games, Story & Scene
In this class, students learn Piven’s core improvisational technique and apply it to scripted stories & scenes. Each session, the class is centered on a different theme. Past themes have included stories of the sea, family relationships and magical realism. With instruction from one of our senior teachers, students will create and perform stories by focusing on text exploration, subtext, dialogue and narration. This session we are excited to offer this class during the day to make it available to a wider population of students. The daytime class will be taught by Joanne Underwood and the Thursday night class will be led by Tom Herman.

Master Class in Story Theatre & Adaptation with Jennifer Green
Join Piven's Artistic Director, Jennifer Green, in this exciting new class focused on the art of story theatre. Jen is an expert at adapting literary works, folk tales and fairy tales utilizing Piven's story theatre approach and a master teacher of Piven Technique. This advanced class, open to new and returning students, will help students deepen their knowledge of Piven's improvisational games and utilize them as tools to create new works. Students will receive a complimentary ticket to Joyce Piven's production of Encores! After the Theatre and Other Stories, which focused on story theatre adaptation of Anton Chekhov's short stories, to see a work of story theatre on the professional stage, directed by our co-founder!

Piven Technique for the Actor with Joanne Underwood
Building on the skills developed in our other adult programs, in this advanced class, students use Piven improvisation and games to unlock spontaneity and take scene work to the next level. This class is taught by senior teacher Joanne Underwood and is intended for students with acting experience. Each session has a different focus and the spring session will center on playwrights of the American South, including Tennessee Williams and Beth Henley.

Fitzmaurice Voicework® with Roger Smart
Intended for artists who have always wanted to work on their physicality, breath, resonance, and vocal quality while remaining genuine and impulsive, this physical and vocal workshop guides students to use their individual voices more effectively on stage (or in any public speaking occasion). The Fitzmaurice Voicework®
technique is taught at Yale School of Drama, Harvard University/American Repertory Theatre’s Institue for Advanced Theatre Training, New York University, and numerous other studios internationally. It explores the dynamics between body, breath, voice, the imagination, language and presence, and encourages vibrant voices that communicate intention and feeling without excess effort. We are excited to welcome Roger Smart back to Piven! He has worked as director, vocal coach, and designer throughout Chicago and London and is the Artistic Director of Shattered Globe Theatre 2.0.

Master Class in Shakespeare with Susan Hart
Discover the magic and beauty behind the world's most famous playwright, with one of the best Shakespeare teachers in the Midwest. In this monologue-focused class, you will learn folio technique, language skills, breath and rhythm: all the required tools to be cast in any professional Shakespeare play in Chicago.

Master Class in Piven Technique (Advanced Piven) with Joyce Piven
Dedicated students are selected from among our adult population, and invited into this master class to continue building their improvisation muscles and ensemble skills. Studying how the games of the Piven technique apply to scripted work, the group will work with scenes or stories centered on a theme. Past themes have included Shakespeare, classical works and the plays of Sarah Ruhl.

Spring Showcase
with Tom Herman & Joanne Underwood

Back by popular demand! Last year's Spring Showcase students performed for two sold out houses and many participants have gone on to land roles in other Chicagoland productions. don't miss your chance to step into the spotlight and build your professional resume!

Spring Showcase is perfect for Piven students looking to stretch their skills and gain performance experience! In this class, students will experience the full scope of working on a professional production, from the auditions through workshopping with a playwright, rehearsals and, of course, the performance. Students will collaborate with playwright Tom Herman to workshop and develop new short plays created specifically for the ensemble. After the workshopping period, students will learn how Piven games and improvisation technique can assist them in the rehearsal process as they work with senior Piven teacher Joanne Underwood. The class will culminate in performances from June 1st through the 3rd. A great resume builder!

This class is open to new and returning students by audition. Auditions will include group improv and workshopping sides. Please pre-register for auditions by contacting the Workshop.

Auditions: May 1st from 7:00pm-10:00pm