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Spring Youth Classes

Spring Semester Dates: February 4, 2023 – April 29, 2023

 

“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.”

Dick Cusack

Advisory Board Member

Elementary School
Middle School
Performance Ensembles
High School

3rd Grade and Up

Register

Intro to Piven for 3rd-5th Graders

Saturdays, 9:00am to 10:00am

13 weeks
Sat, Feb 4, 2023 – Apr 29, 2023

$300

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!
Register

5th-6th Improv, Story and Scene

Saturdays, 10:00am to 11:30am

13 weeks
Sat., February 4 – April 29

$350

Students focus on using improvisation as a tool for young actors in scene study in the fall and have the opportunity to explore Story Theatre, Piven’s signature performance form in the spring.  Open to new and returning students, especially those who are interested in learning about the techniques employed by Piven’s professional-level youth ensembles.

6th Grade and Up

Register

5th-6th Improv, Story and Scene

Saturdays, 10:00am to 11:30am

13 weeks
Sat., February 4 – April 29

$350

Students focus on using improvisation as a tool for young actors in scene study in the fall and have the opportunity to explore Story Theatre, Piven’s signature performance form in the spring.  Open to new and returning students, especially those who are interested in learning about the techniques employed by Piven’s professional-level youth ensembles.
Register

Advanced Performance Ensemble – 7th-8th Grade

Saturdays, 10:00am to 11:30am

February 4 – April 29

$350

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 class will culminate in a performance for families and friends exploring the work students have done over the session. Admission is by invitation or resume submission.

High School Classes

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High School Performance Lab

February 25 – April 29 (10 weeks)

Saturdays, 11:30am – 1:30pm

$350

This program is an intensive experience for actors in grades nine through twelve. High School Performance Lab explores the full Piven canon, blending improvisation, theatre games, scene study, adaptation, and directing opportunities. 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 in a special Open Workshop! This class is open to new and returning high school students, and admission is by invitation, recommendation, or resume submission.

Register

Directors’ Institute

April 15 – May 20

Saturday, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
$300

 

YPC Director Morven Higgins will be leading six weeks of Directors’ Institute. This collaboration-focused directing program is an invaluable learning experience for any aspiring theatre artist, where students will have the chance to work side-by-side to generate and workshop new material!

The class will be structured around different student-led workshops so the ensemble will get to explore a lot of new material and different directorial points of view with YPC ensemble members leading workshops. Not only will it be a lot of fun to be directed by a fellow actor, it’s excellent preparation for summer and college-level programs that often focus on student-led pieces and devised work. It’s a great resume builder!

Admission is by invitation or resume submission. For high school students.