2021 Fall Youth Classes
Fall 2021 Classes Start September 18!
No classes Nov 22-27 for Thanksgiving Week
Please read class descriptions to learn about on-site and virtual offerings, as well as recommended age groups for each course. Email education@piventheatre.org with any questions or give us a call at (847)866-6597.
*We will be following the latest CDC advice for on-site classes. On-site classes may become virtual if advised by local health agencies.
“It has become clear to me that what the Pivens teach has as much to do with human development as it does with preparation for a life in the theatre. I am not a teacher. I am merely a father of five who has watched his children, and many other children, now adults, grow under the extraordinary values given them, in part, through their Piven Theatre Workshop experiences.”
Advisory Board Member
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 Grade and Up
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.
While no actor is ever “done” with training, our performance classes invite students who have exhibited an excellent understanding of the Piven Technique to create works that move from the classroom to the Piven stage. These classes are something that our students aspire to, and often take several years to attain. Invitations to performance ensembles are mailed throughout the summer session.
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.