The TWS Education Committee developed a variety of theatre-related, interactive workshops for Actives, CTWS Parents and Patrons. Each workshop has its own registration period and will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. In most cases, class size is limited in order to provide a high level of interactive training.

We hope you are as excited about these offerings as we are and that you will take advantage of these workshops.

- The TWS Education Committee

How to Register | Teacher Bios

January 2010

Shakespeare

Participants learn a sonnet as a method for learning how to become comfortable with the language of Shakespeare.

Teacher: David Soria
Dates: Saturdays January 9 and 23; 10:00 – 1:00 pm
Class Maximum: 16
Cost:  $25 TWS Actives, $30 TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents
Registration begins: Dec 14/Actives, Dec 23/Patrons/CTWS Parents

February 2010

Shakespeare: the First Folio Technique

An overview of the Folio Technique, a method of approaching Shakespeare's texts from an acting perspective. Participants practice skills by applying the technique to some Shakespeare passages.

Teachers: Alison Vesely and David Rice
Dates: Monday February 1 and Sunday February 7; 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Class Maximum: 16
Cost:  $25 TWS Actives, $30 TWS Patrons/CTWS ParentsRegistration begins: Jan 11/Actives, Jan 20/Patrons/CTWS Parents

March 2010

Playwriting

This class guides students through theprocess of writing a ten minute play (a common length for festivals). $5 discount if attended the Nov 30 orientation.

Teacher: Tanya Palmer
Dates: Mondays March 15, 29; April 5 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Class: Maximum 20
Cost:  $35 TWS Actives, $45 TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents

Set Painting

Teacher: Thad Hallstein, TWS Technical Director
Date: Thursday, March 4; 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Class Maximum: 20
Cost:  Free for TWS Actives, $10 for TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents

March 2010

Stage Combat

Teacher: Joe Dempsey
Date: Saturday March 20; 10 am to 1 pm
Class Maximum: 20
Cost:  $15 TWS Actives, $20 TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents

April/May 2010

Theatre Appreciation Workshop

The Theatre Appreciation Workshop is a 6-session Wednesday morning workshop that covers a wide variety of topics including dramas, comedies and farces, Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, and plays inspired by other art. There are also occasionally panel discussions covering behind the scenes with TWS designers of costumes, make-up, props, set design/construction, lighting, sound, and directing.

The public is welcome to attend one or all workshops. Individual sessions are $8. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from October 7 through November 11, and April 7 through May 12, 2010 from 9:30 – 11:30 am. For more information, call 708-246- 4043.

April 2010

Light Design

An introduction to the basics of light design

Teacher: Cal Turner (TWS Active)
Date: TBD
Class Maximum: 16
Cost: Free for TWS Actives, $5 for TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents
Registration begins: TBD

Costumes

An introduction to the basics of costumes
Teacher: TBD
Date: TBD
Class Maximum: TBD
Cost:  Free for TWS Actives, $5 for TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents

May 2010

Acting

A 4-session workshop
Teacher: Rick Snyder, Steppenwolf Theatre
Dates: Saturdays May 1, 8, 15, 22; 10 am to 1 pm
Class Maximum: 16
Cost:  $60 TWS Actives, $75 TWS Patrons

June 2010

Stage Management

An introduction to the basics of stage management and assistant stage management at TWS
Teacher: Edward W. Wavak (TWS Active)
Date: Monday June 7; 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Class Maximum: 16
Cost:  Free for TWS Actives, $5 for TWS Patrons/CTWS Parents

June 2010

Set Design

Teacher: Thad Hallstein, TWS Technical Director
Date: TBD
Class Maximum: TBD
Cost:  Free to Actives, $10 for Patrons/ CTWS Parents

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
(Attention Patrons!)

Are you interested in joining us and acting on the TWS stage? STUDIO 1 is our annual "casting call", but it's more than that. It's a workshop which introduces you to the culture of TWS in an environment that is shared with other aspiring actors.

The Studio workshop is TWS’ unique method for procuring actors.  Participants may or may not have prior acting experience.  Even if you have performed on Broadway, you must complete the Studio workshop to act at TWS.  The only requirements are that you be a TWS Patron with a 7-play subscription and be 18 or older.

Studio 1 is offered each Fall, usually in 10 sessions over two weeks. The dates for our 2010 Studio sessions are as follows:

Going through Studio is not required to be an Active. If you are not interested in acting, but would like to volunteer your time and talents, we would love to have you join us. Call the office to find out more at 708-246-4043.

How to register for a class

To register for any class, please e-mail your name during open registration times to twsedu@live.com. If you are without e-mail access, leave a message with Bonnie Hilton at 708-738-6966 to register.

Payment is to be made at least 3 days in advance of workshop to TWS at 4384 Hampton Ave, Western Springs, IL 60558.

PLEASE NOTE:

• If workshops are for more than one day, enrollment must be for the complete workshop; not just one day.
• Classes are subject to a maximum enrollment and may be subject to a minimum enrollment.
• Some classes will be open to auditing.
• No refunds will be given three days prior to the workshop.
• This schedule of workshops is subject to change.
• For purposes of these educational opportunities, Studio graduates may sign up for these workshops as if they were Actives.

What is the difference between an Active and a Patron?

Actives are Patrons who have a 7-play subscription to TWS and volunteer at TWS in some capacity. Currently we have close to 300 Active volunteers helping in a variety of areas. You can learn how theatre works and make new friends along the way. Join us!

Selected Bios

Joe Dempsey has choreographed many fights for such theatres as Steppenwolf, Northlight, Next, Milwaukee Repertory, Madison Repertory, and Yale Repertory Theatres.  He has acted on many stages including Goodman, Northlight, Chicago Shakespeare, and Lookingglass Theatres.  Joe was awarded the 1992 Joseph Jefferson Award Citation for Fight Choreography for Victims at the Organic Theater Greenhouse in Chicago.

Linda Gillum is an Artistic Associate at Remy-Bumppo Theatre. A director and teacher, she has taught a variety of acting, audition and improv classes at DePaul University, Acting Studio Chicago, Victory Gardens, and North-westernUniversity. She holds an MFA in Acting from University of Illinois.

Thad Hallstein is the Technical Director at TWS. Before coming to Theater of Western Springs, he worked as a scenic painter for many Chicago theatres, including Lookingglass and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Erin Myover is a Chicago actress/singer who has worked as a dialect coach, specializing in many dialects, including Australian, American Southern, RP and Cockney. She has appeared at many Chicago theatres including Porchlight Music Theatre, Boxer Rebellion and Whitehorse Music Theatre.

Kurt Naebig was recently named Artistic Director here at TWS. He has been a member of Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, where he has also directed several shows. He currently teaches at Acting Studio Chicago and does a variety of stage, film, and voiceover work. A graduate of Juilliard School of Drama, Kurt is guest directing our show The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.

Tanya Palmer  is the Literary Manager at the Goodman Theatre, where she oversees the theatre’s new play programs, and has served as a dramaturg on a number of new plays, including the world premiere of Ruined (winner, 2009 Pulitzer Prize).  At Actors Theatre of Louisville she served as Director of New Play Development, leading the reading and selection process for the Humana Festival of New American Plays and the National Ten-Minute Play Contest. Tanya holds an M.F.A. in Playwriting from York University.

Jim Schneider is a Chicago-based director and designer. He has recently directed shows at Circle Theatre, including Design for Living, An Ideal Husband (Jeff Nominated, Best Director, Best Production), Hay Fever, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Jim is the guest director for our Mainstage production of Lady Windermere’s Fan.

Ric Segovia is on the faculty of Triton College and the Adjunct Faculty at Columbia College. He has taught a variety of Acting and Voice and Articulation courses, as well as serving as Artistic Director of Theatre at Triton. He holds an MFA from the University of Madison – Wisconsin.

Rick Snyder is a Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member since 1983, and an Associate Artist at Steppenwolf for the last ten years.  His most recent work with Steppenwolf was the director of Art and an actor in August: Osage County and The Unmentionables.  Rick also teaches at Columbia College and has taught acting at Gustavus Adolphus College and advanced acting at Northwestern, DePaul and The School at Steppenwolf. Rick will be directing our Mainstage production of Cadillac.

Davd Soria is the Artistic Director of GreenMan Theatre Troupe in Elmhurst, where he has directed a variety of shows since 2004.  He has also directed at several Chicagoland theatres and conducts various workshops in auditioning and Shakespeare. David has an MFA from Illinois State University.

David Rice and Alison Vesely are thefounders of First Folio Theatre, located at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.  David is Managing Director and his wife Alison is Artistic Director. They have been teaching the Folio Technique for over 15 years, including presentations at conventions, private classes, and in-school residencies. Since its inception, First Folio has received 16 Jeff Nominations.