Hubbard Woods Elementary, Winnetka
Focus: Theatre Tools: Mind, Body, Voice
Participants: 2nd and 3rd Grade Classrooms
Format: 8-week curriculum
Activities: Improvisational team building exercises and theatre games focused on language, movement, communication and listening.
Illinois State Goals for the Arts: Goal 25/Know the Language of the Arts, Goal 26/Through creating a performing, understand how works of arts are produced, Goal 27

"Anything that makes a child want to go to school is a bonus. I wish I had a program like this as a girl!" - Hubbard Woods Parent

"Wonderful!" - Hubbard Woods Parent

"This was a great medium for me to discover additional strengths in students that may not have surfaced in our other work. I was surprised by many who excelled!" - Hubbard Woods Teacher

Chute Middle School, Evanston
Focus: The Holocaust (2009)
The Civil rights Movement in America (2008)
The Harlem Renaissance (2007, 2005)
Participants: Core Group: Entire 8th Grade/Non Core: ESL Students
Format: 4-8 week curriculums
Activities: Students created improvised and scripted work inspired by historic texts, poetry, music, photography and fiction.
Illinois State Goals for the Arts: Goal 25/Know the Language of the Arts, Goal 26/Through creating a performing, understand how works of arts are produced, Goal 27/Understand the role of the arts in civilizations past and present.

"The instructor did an excellent job encouraging sensitivity and cooperation among the students. Come back, Piven!" - Chute 8th Grade Teacher

"We’ve had Piven before at Chute and Love it! Not only are the students engaged, but also the teacher is skilled and flexible enough to adjust to changes and differences within each class!" - Chute 8th Grade Teacher

Walker Elementary School, Evanston
Focus: Poetry and Stories of Freedom
Participants: Core Group: Entire Second Grade/Non Core: Entire School K-5
Format: 6-week curriculum
Activities: Students use theatre games and improvisational techniques to explore themes of freedom, risk, and personal narrative.
Illinois State Goals for the Arts: Goal 25/Know the Language of the Arts, Goal 26/Through creating a performing, understand how works of arts are produced, Goal 27/Understand the role of the arts in civilizations past and present.

"When we were first talking about creating a new residency program for Walker School, we immediately thought of Piven Theatre Workshop. Their proven success and tremendous impact they have had on the students that have particpated in their residency programs ensured our students a great introduction to this process. We couldn't be more excited for this artistic opportunity for our children." - Debra Price, Walker School PTA Co-President and Cultural Arts Chair

The Cove School, Northbrook
Participants: High School Communications Class
Focus: Public speaking, speech related skills, and speaking confidence
Format: 8-week curriculum
Activities: Improvisational skills applicable to everyday and special event needs: listening, clarity, confidence, risk-taking, performing instinctively and spontaneously.