847-866-8049 info@piventheatre.org

PEEP

PEEP: Piven Empowerment through Enrichment Program

A space for adult artists with developmental disabilities to learn the power of PLAY.

The PEEP Manifesto

We are artists.

We  are enthusiastic, expressive, exciting, singing, drawing, emotional, creative, happy, poetic, curious artists who believe that art creates love and connection.

We are proud of our growth.

We have practiced sharing our lives through our art.

We tell stories that bring moments to life on stage.

We teach others – new players, old players, audience members, and anyone who might pop their head into Room 103.

We respect the space of our class.

We can always ask for help. If we get stage fright, we know our ensemble will support us.

We know what we are capable of.

At home at Piven…

Piven pushes us to be creative and to grow as artists.

Piven makes us happy.

Here, we find other artists who have a wide array of backgrounds.

We are invited to find our own style, to find our own way.

Here, we feel accepted.

At Piven, there are awesome teachers.

Piven is almost as cool as Wonder Woman.

If you come see us play…

You will witness a loving, caring, and supportive ensemble that will make you laugh.

You will see how well PEEP players know the rules of the games, and notice that they are always saying “Yes!” with their open minds, bodies, and hearts.

You will be struck by a wave of PEEP energy, and you will most certainly be entertained.

You will want to join us.

WHO WE ARE

PEEP is a theatre ensemble that celebrates and invites artists with developmental disabilities. For nearly two decades, PEEP has provided space and time for creative exploration through improvisation and original storytelling. Players develop process-based theatre and improvisation skills while building deep ensemble awareness. Ensemble members practice taking risks, cultivate their individual voices, and explore how each player contributes to the whole. Any player who has completed one semester is invited to play with the PEEP improv performance ensemble, which specializes in completely improvised original group storytelling.

The PEEP players come from a wide range of backgrounds, and include Special Olympic athletes, visual artists, and musicians. They are world travelers and classic TV experts, poets and technicians, caregivers and dedicated peer-supporters, and artist-creators. If you are interested in seeing if PEEP is the right fit for you or someone you know, please contact Donna Osowski (847.866.6597). PEEP is always offered as a free resource to players, but there is a waiting list to attend.

OUR SPONSORS

Thank you to the Seabury Foundation for their generous support of the PIven Empowerment through Enrichment Program. We would also like to thank Eliot Monaco, Amanda Brown, and The Mime Company for their generous support of PEEP.

OUR TEACHERS

PEEP is coached by Gillian Hemme, Bec McNamara, and Donna Osowski. Past coaches include Beth Voitik Terlizzi, Nancy Schultz, Eliot Monaco, and Kevin D’Ambrosio.

Artists with developmental disabilities

“It’s cool how we can come up with so many ideas from one sentence, one word, or one body frozen in space.” – Michaela

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“My leadership has really grown.” – Jake

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“I used to be really shy backstage, but now I’m really involved.” – Chip

piven-theatre-peep-caroline

“I was really quiet when I first started, but now I see how fun improv is.” – Caroline

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Full body improv!

If you are interested in seeing if PEEP is the right fit for you or someone you know, please contact our Education and Community Partnership Manager at 847.866.6597. PEEP is always offered as a free resource to players, but there is a waiting list to attend.