Featuring Stand-Up Comedy with Master Coach Dobie Maxwell!
6-wks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 7:30-9:30pm
Check out which level is when and where.
Highland Park and Libertyville Locations.
DOBIE MAXWELL
“Taste of Stand-Up: Top Ten Principles of Stand-Up Comedy”!
!! FREE !!
Charlie Stone rocks the crowd at IP
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
improv PLAYHOUSE training center
BEGINNING IMPROV
This is the foundational “how to” of improvisation. Our instructors will coach you through the games and exercises that will get you thinking and reacting spontaneously, developing in “on-the-spot” improv, expressing your creativity, growing your self-esteem...plus you’ll have a ton of fun!
INTERMEDIATE IMPROV
The Character Class
Discover the dimensions of Characters inside yourself. Exploration of goofy, theatrical, believable and “real world” character types is emphasized helping you overcome "the fear factor" and propelling your confidence to the next plane of performance improv and life skills!
Scene Structure
You’ll discover how to find the Beginning, Middle and End of improv scenes. Go beyond the “here and now”. Improvisers will be engaged in the sketch comedy writing process similar to SNL and and MAD TV.
ADVANCED IMPROV
Combining the foundational tools, styles, games and characters explored in the previous sessions students create their own improv “showcases” for family and friends on the I.P. main stage.
PERFORMANCE LEVEL
You can’t get enough of this stuff! Coached and given consistent assessment of your development you'll be guided to successful stage presence and ensemble work. Additional forms of improvisation are explored. You’ll have a blast creating scenes in the serious, satire and parody styles, and it splits with a show mid-term all ends with “another” show.
ADVANCED PERFORMANCE LEVEL
The deeper exploration of Long Form and Sketch Comedy is guided by an advanced professional from the ranks of Chicago (and the nation's) premiere improv venues. Mid-range and Long Form structures such as LaRonde, The Harold and additional "story" structures will immerse students in a "semi-pro" environment.
STAND UP COMEDY
You’ll develop material, study delivery techniques and command your own unique stage presence as you discover and practice your own personal comedy style. The workshop would not be complete if we didn’t end with a demonstration stand up comedy showcase for family and friends.Beginning Stand-Up is designed to honestly assess each student's abilities and find how where they fit into the big picture - but it's also FUN!
BEGINNING STAND UP
Week 1 - GENERAL COMEDY OVERVIEW
The big picture and where you fit in, realistic goals, putting together your personal plan of attack. The instructor will model Week 2 - JOKE WRITING FUNDAMENTALS
A nuts and bolts approach to creating funny material that works for you, writing exercises, insider's secrets. How to write, rewrite, edit and organize your jokes into an order that packs the most punch lines. Week 3 - PERFORMANCE FUNDAMENTALS: Delivery, Timing and Rhythm
How to present yourself like a professional, developing good habits, proper stage and mic technique
Week 4- HOSTING
the importance of the host being clean, the importance of the host being likable, the host being able to bring a show “back”, the importance of the host knowing the other comics’ credits and credentials, the hosting role on the East Coast Week 5 - SHOWCASING, NETWORKING and FOLLOW UP
open mics, the importance of being ready for showcasing, showcasing details and tips, networking with comedians, bookers, club owners, Facebook!, Email, call clubs. Following up with comedians, bookers, and club owners.
Week 6 - SHOWCASE
Yes...you want to perform doncha?! You'll put up what you've created on stage for family and friends. Loads of fun and an incredible experience that will build your confidence and keep you salivating for more!
INTERMEDIATE STAND-UP
The same fundamentals as the beginner level are emphasized in the Improv Playhouse Intermediate Stand-Up workshop, but it is taken to a deeper and more personal level for each student. Beginning Stand-Up or previous training will be a pre-requisite for this workshop. Emphasis will continue to be placed on focusing on the discovery of a student's best five minutes of material. Stand-Up students will also move more deeply into the marketing of their craft.
Week 1 - REVIEWING THE CURRENT TRENDS AND STAND-UP FUNDAMENTALS
Week 2 - ADVANCED JOKE WRITING - MORE OF THE INSIDE SECRETS OF JOKE WRITING
How to write, rewrite, edit and organize your jokes into an order that packs the most punch lines. Week 3 - ADVANCED PERFORMING - MORE INSIDE SECRETS OF PROFESSIONALS
Everything onstage, from overcoming stage fright to dealing with hecklers and everything in between. Week 4 - YOUR TOTAL PACKAGE
A personal review of your progress on stage and off from your act to your business skills.
Week 5 - REHEARSING YOUR TOTAL PACKAGE
Improv Playhouse Stand-Up students will rehearse new material. Either this week or the week prior, they will have been an opportunity to experience an "open mike" night at a nearby venue.
Week 6 - SHOWCASE
Yes...you STILL want to perform doncha?! You'll put up what you've created on stage for family and friends AND Improv Playhouse family.
IMPROV FOR ACTORS Another way of saying, “Actors…be spontaneous!”
For those students who have a professional background in theater or have
a theater degree. Through the process of improvisation
students will learn to develop their character and scene building
skills.
actors institute THE ACTORS WORKOUT This class is for students who are looking for an exploration
of in-depth acting. Students will focus on growth and
creativity in classroom activity centered upon basic acting
fundamentals. Rehearsal and improvisation are used to help
students connect the body and the voice allowing students
to become comfortable and confident on stage, in auditions
and in life.
BEGINNING ACTING
Through the use of objectives, character development, given circumstances, sub-text, obstacles and physical actions the student will focus on how the actor portrays human behavior. The students learn to eliminate the paralysis of the beginning actor and become comfortable and confident on stage by learning to be “in the moment”.
INTERMEDIATE ACTING This “on your feet” class will look at various works from contemporary American and British playwrights and teach students how to break down a scene and make more creative and daring choices. Learn the various techniques used by arts professionals. Students will explore improvisation to make creative choices, complemented by research and scene analysis. Students will work on different scenes with a focus on stretching creative range. Outside rehearsal time will be required.
ADVANCED ACTING: FOR THE CAMERA
This class is an in-depth look at what it takes to truly “make it” as an On-Camera Actor, whether it’s here in Chicago or on either coast. Students work with material from current on-air television shows, films (both indie and studio), and commercials/PSAs. Students get insight not only from practical experience and “Auditioning Successfully”, but also on what to do once the job has been offered! Students will have the benefit of working with an actual union member or agent who will provide honest, direct, constructive feedback and guidance.
THE ACTOR'S ARSENAL : MONOLOGUES, METHOD, SCENE Students will breathe new life into audition pieces by exploring Lee Strasberg’s Method and/or Michael Shurtleff’s method, made famous at the Actors Studio in New York. Using techniques such as relaxation, sense memory and substitution, students will discover ways to create playable realities within the confines of an audition situation. Please come with at least one prepared 1-3 minute monologue. Midwest and/
or National Casting Directors will assist in critique of actors during the process or at a final "looksee".
BEGINNING COMMERCIAL VOICE-OVER Learn the “how to’s” of radio and television
voice-over. Ideally suited for students with some acting experience,
this class covers analyzing and acting commercial copy, taking
direction, audition skills and techniques used to increase
versatility as a voice actor. In addition, students learn
the ins and outs of the biz including demo tapes, agents and
the voice-over market in the Chicago area. A local voice-over
talent/agent will lead sessions which will take place in a
professional recording studio. Please bring two blank burnable
CDs to the first class.
INTERMEDIATE COMMERCIAL VOICE-OVER Take the next steps towards a career working in voice over.
This class will delve more deeply into voice over technique
as well as help you put together a useable demo. Weaknesses
and strengths will be addressed and worked on. Outside work
will be assigned. Several sessions will take place in a professional
recording studio. Please bring one blank CD to the first class. Pre-requisite: Students must have taken Beginning Commercial Voice-over, have equivalent educational or professional experience, or permission from the instructor
THE ACTOR’S VOICE Discover the elements of the speaking voice and its application to acting, presentation and studio work. Exercises are used to protect and strengthen the voice focusing on breathing, resonance, projection, inflection and communication skills. This course will talk about taking care of the voice including how to properly warm it up resulting in vocal health, longevity, and stamina.
In addition, students will cover topics of interest to voice-over professionals such as alignment and breathing, the use of pitch, inflection and rhythm, character, voices and dialects.
STAGE
COMBAT: + $35
optional SAFD skills proficiency test fee
Focus on Rapier, Dagger, Small Sword and hand-to-hand combat:
The weapons of choice for those classic Shakespearean heroes
and villains: Saint Joan, Prince Hal, MacBeth, Richard III
and many others. This class will concentrate on the basics
required to sell the power, speed, and danger of these medieval
weapon. Particular attention will be paid to partnering, safety
and connecting the physical action to character and text.
The techniques required to perform a sword fight for an audience
are the very same required to perform Shakespearean text.
Class will conclude with a live performance of a fight, complete
with scene, for a Society of American Fight Director’s
Proficiency Certification, which is an excellent caveat for
an actor, director or teacher’s growing resume.
EXPERIMENTAL PLAYWRIGHTINGor Writing for the Actor: 10-Minute Plays
This course explores the craft, language, tone, character and range of experimental playwriting particularly those styles and topics which can be effectively presented in a 10 minute script. In-class exercises, improvisation, and examination of existing texts aid in understanding the form. Outside assignments are required. This class is intended for the intermediate playwright but beginning playwrights may attend with the instructor’s permission.
PUBLIC SPEAKING This class will help students face society’s number one fear—public speaking. Basic voice, breath and speech fundamentals are covered. Controlling body language and nerves is practiced every day in a fun and creative environment. Guest artists will address the specific obstacles faced by many in the art of perfecting and giving a tailored and unique presentation.
AGENCY and I.P. RECOMMENDED HEADSHOOTERS(Photographers)
One of Chicago's busiest headshot photographers is Brian McConkey, who for the past 10 years has been capturing the hopes, dreams, and most importantly, personalities of Chicago's young and veteran actors. In addition to photographing Chicago's up-and-comers, Brian has photographed such well known actors as David Schwimmer, Martha Plimpton, Morgan Freeman and Brian Dennehy. Ask I.P. about Brian's on-location shoots that will get the results you want for a discounted price from his already reasonable rates.
Sherry Bell, Photography. ( 224 ) 513-5650
TEEN COMPOSITE LINK CLICK HERE TWEEN COMPOSITE LINK CLICK HERE Sherry's focus is on locational imaging, using the natural light to bring out the best in each subject. She is well known and recommended by Chicago's top talent agencies. She has extensive experience photographing Actors Headshots, Fashion & Beauty images for children and adults. Many of the children she has photographed such as Danielle Campbell of Disney's "Starstruck" & "Prom", are enjoying successful acting careers. Others have landed national commercials, TV/Film roles and have performed at some of Chicago's most prestigious theatres such as the Cadillac Palace and Steppenwolf Theatre. Her photo sessions are sceduled at locations in the northern suburbs. Improv Playhouse and our staff is pleased to recommend her services to our students. For further information call Sherry directly at: 224-513-5650 or email her at:sherrybellphotography@yahoo.com
Who is Zoe Mckenzie?
She is the owner/photographers daughter and inspiration. The studio is a team of women who inspire and push each other to produce beautiful photos and wonderful experiences. The owner, SANDY SAGER has been shooting for 28 years and working exclusively with talent for the last 15 years. JULIA MARCUS started working with Sandy 15 years ago doing hair/makeup and styling and has been shooting at ZMP for the last 6 years, she has worked with some amazing celebrity photographers such as , Jerry Avenaim and Marc Hauser. NATALIE GOLDEN has been shooting with us for the last three years and before she came to us spent most of her time shooting amazing interiors for developers, her passion is shooting people and it shows in her work! The team would not be complete without NANCY VELA, she is our Hair/Makeup Stylist and is the very best in the business, she has worked in the industry for over 25 years, she is a Sassoon trained hair stylist and stays on the cutting edge of what is current in makeup. She is also studying Eastern medicine, and teaches meditation and energy work. The vibe is casual and when you leave you should feel like you just played for an hour, not worked!
office/studio: 116 w. lake, libertyville, illinois 60048 •
847.968.4529
• 847.968.4530 fax •
E-MAIL black box space - theatre: 735 n. milwaukee, libertyville, illinois 60048
home
