2021 Fall Youth Classes

Intro to Piven for 3rd-5th Graders 

Saturdays, 9:00am to 10:00am

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

Perfect for the young student who wants to begin exploring theatre arts in a fun, supportive environment! Students stretch their creative muscles through theatre games while they begin to discover the art of storytelling and improvisation. This class provides the perfect introduction to the Piven training technique!

Advanced Performance Ensemble for 6-8 Graders

Students in grades six, seven, and eight who have been recommended by their Piven instructor for this advanced program have the opportunity to build work that moves from the classroom to the Piven stage. Under the guidance of their senior instructors, students work within their ensemble over the course of twelve weeks to adapt stories into original performance pieces. This invitation-only class will culminate in a performance for families and friends exploring the work students have done over the session. Admission is by invitation only.

6th- 8th Grade Improv, Story, and Scene
Saturdays, 9:30am to 11:30am

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$400

Students learn about improvisation ensembles, story theatre, and scene study in this class that explores all that the Piven Technique has to offer. During the Fall Session, class focuses on improvisation as a tool for young actors in scene rehearsals. In the Spring Session, students have the opportunity to explore Story Theatre, Piven’s signature performance form. Open to new and returning students, especially those who are interested in learning about the techniques employed by Piven’s professional-level youth ensembles.

Virtual Improv and Story-building for ages 9-13
Saturdays, 11:00am to 12:00pm

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$300

Join a dedicated ensemble of young storytellers and explore a unique, virtual approach to the Piven method. We use improv games to create original characters, locations, and stories, all while taking advantage of Zoom to hone on-camera technique. Students will gain skills as actors, collaborators, and creative writers. Get ready to play and let your imagination soar!

6th- 8th Grade Improv, Story, and Scene
Saturdays, 9:30am to 11:30am

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$400

Students learn about improvisation ensembles, story theatre, and scene study in this class that explores all that the Piven Technique has to offer. During the Fall Session, class focuses on improvisation as a tool for young actors in scene rehearsals. In the Spring Session, students have the opportunity to explore Story Theatre, Piven’s signature performance form. Open to new and returning students, especially those who are interested in learning about the techniques employed by Piven’s professional-level youth ensembles.

Advanced Performance Ensemble
for 6th-8th Graders (IN PERSON)

Saturdays, 9:30am to 11:30am

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$400

Students in grades who have been recommended by their Piven instructor for this advanced program have the opportunity to build work that moves from the classroom to the Piven stage. Under the guidance of their senior instructors, students work within their ensemble over the course of twelve weeks to adapt stories into original performance pieces. This invitation-only class will culminate in a performance for families and friends exploring the work students have done over the session. Admission is by invitation only.

Virtual Improv and Story-building for 3rd-6th Graders (VIRTUAL)
Saturdays, 11:00am to 12:00pm

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$300

Join a dedicated ensemble of young storytellers and explore a unique, virtual approach to the Piven method. We use improv games to create original characters, locations, and stories, all while taking advantage of Zoom to hone on-camera technique. Students will gain skills as actors, collaborators, and creative writers. Get ready to play and let your imagination soar!

Performance Project (IN PERSON)

Wednesdays, 4:30pm to 7:30pm

12 weeks

9/22/21 – 12/8/21 (No class Thanksgiving week)

$975

Performance Project is comprised of Piven’s most advanced students in 7th – 9th grade. Students in this performance troupe study with us for several years before being invited into the ensemble, so they are already well-versed in the Piven Technique and are building the skills necessary to move on to more advanced coursework at the Workshop. Performance Project company members undertake an intensive 9-month training program focused on improvisation, ensemble-building, and crafting Story Theatre adaptations of myths, folktales, fairy tales, and modern short stories. Every winter, Performance Project presents a week-long festival of world premiere adaptations for Piven students as well as the wider community. This September-February commitment is by invitation only.

Performance Project (IN PERSON)

Wednesdays, 4:30pm to 7:30pm

12 weeks

9/22/21 – 12/8/21 (No class Thanksgiving week)

$975

Performance Project is comprised of Piven’s most advanced students in 7th – 9th grade. Students in this performance troupe study with us for several years before being invited into the ensemble, so they are already well-versed in the Piven Technique and are building the skills necessary to move on to more advanced coursework at the Workshop. Performance Project company members undertake an intensive 9-month training program focused on improvisation, ensemble-building, and crafting Story Theatre adaptations of myths, folktales, fairy tales, and modern short stories. Every winter, Performance Project presents a week-long festival of world premiere adaptations for Piven students as well as the wider community. This September-February commitment is by invitation only.

High School Performance Lab (IN PERSON)

Saturdays, 11:30am to 1:30pm

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$400

This advanced, performance-oriented program is an intensive experience for actors in grades nine through twelve. Meeting for ten weeks, this class explores the full Piven canon, blending improvisation, theatre games, scene study, adaptation, and directing opportunities within a two-hour intensive class. At the end of the program, students perform the work they’ve explored on the Piven stage for family, friends, and the wider Piven community! This class is open only to high school students and admission is by invitation only.

Young People’s Company 

Saturdays, 1:30pm to 4:30pm, plus additional rehearsals

$975

Fall commitment: 9/25/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

The most advanced program Piven offers to our youth performers in 10th–12th grades, Young People’s Company has a long history of seeing outstanding performers and artists emerge from its folds. Young People’s Company members typically study with Piven for several years before being invited to join this elite ensemble. Company members are adept in all of the skills that Piven trains actors to value: they are dynamic, surprising performers who are sensitive to the emotional needs of the stories they share with our audiences. After an intensive training and rehearsal process, YPC’s annual week-long festival of world premiere story theatre adaptations is always a highlight of our season. The themes and stories of YPC dovetail with our professional season and help spark community-wide conversations while showcasing the talents of our young artists. By invitation only.

Advanced Performance Ensemble
for 6th-8th Graders (IN PERSON)

Saturdays, 9:30am to 11:30am

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$400

Students in grades seven and eight who have been recommended by their Piven instructor for this advanced program have the opportunity to build work that moves from the classroom to the Piven stage. Under the guidance of their senior instructors, students work within their ensemble over the course of twelve weeks to adapt stories into original performance pieces. This invitation-only class will culminate in a performance for families and friends exploring the work students have done over the session. Admission is by invitation only.

Performance Project (IN PERSON)

Wednesdays, 4:30pm to 7:30pm

12 weeks

9/22/21 – 12/8/21 (No class Thanksgiving week)

$975

Performance Project is comprised of Piven’s most advanced students in 7th – 9th grade. Students in this performance troupe study with us for several years before being invited into the ensemble, so they are already well-versed in the Piven Technique and are building the skills necessary to move on to more advanced coursework at the Workshop. Performance Project company members undertake an intensive 9-month training program focused on improvisation, ensemble-building, and crafting Story Theatre adaptations of myths, folktales, fairy tales, and modern short stories. Every winter, Performance Project presents a week-long festival of world premiere adaptations for Piven students as well as the wider community. This September-February commitment is by invitation only.

High School Performance Lab (IN PERSON)

Saturdays, 11:30am to 1:30pm

12 weeks

9/18/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

$400

This advanced, performance-oriented program is an intensive experience for actors in grades nine through twelve. Meeting for ten weeks, this class explores the full Piven canon, blending improvisation, theatre games, scene study, adaptation, and directing opportunities within a two-hour intensive class. At the end of the program, students perform the work they’ve explored on the Piven stage for family, friends, and the wider Piven community! This class is open only to high school students and admission is by invitation only.

Young People’s Company (IN PERSON)

Saturdays, 1:30pm to 4:30pm, plus additional rehearsals

$975

Fall commitment: 9/25/21 – 12/11/21 (no class Thanksgiving Week)

The most advanced program Piven offers to our youth performers in 10th–12th grades, Young People’s Company has a long history of seeing outstanding performers and artists emerge from its folds. Young People’s Company members typically study with Piven for several years before being invited to join this elite ensemble. Company members are adept in all of the skills that Piven trains actors to value: they are dynamic, surprising performers who are sensitive to the emotional needs of the stories they share with our audiences. After an intensive training and rehearsal process, YPC’s annual week-long festival of world premiere story theatre adaptations is always a highlight of our season. The themes and stories of YPC dovetail with our professional season and help spark community-wide conversations while showcasing the talents of our young artists. By invitation only.