Victory Gardens' Training Center to Offer 2016 Classes on Dance, Auditions, Writing & More

Victory Gardens Theater announces the return of The Training Center, with courses beginning in fall 2016.

Classes in a variety of disciplines, including performance, dance and writing will be taught by celebrated local artists such as playwrights Ike Holter and Arlene Malinowski, choreographer Breon Arzell, as well as Arts Education Director Robert Cornelius, and Artistic Director Emeritus Dennis Za?ek.

All Training Center classes will be held at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

"We're kicking off the return of The Training Center to Victory Gardens Theater with a variety of classes led by many talented and highly experienced Chicago artists. These courses are designed to deepen and enhance the skills of local theater makers at any point in their artistic journey. With courses ranging from the fundamentals of writing a potent ten-minute play, to contemporary dance, to audition essentials and comedic writing, these are a must for all artists," states Artistic Director Chay Yew.

For more information about The Training Center or to register for courses call 773.871.3000 or visit victorygardens.org/also-playing/training-center.

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The Fall 2016 Training Center Schedule is as follows:

COMEDY SCENE STUDY

with Dennis Za?ek

Saturdays, 10am - 1pm

October 15 - November 19, 2016

6 classes

Course Price: $225

The master, Dennis Za?ek, returns to Victory Gardens for his classic deep-dive into comedic styles. Explore such forms as farce, realistic comedy, and high comedy through scene study and class discussions. If you're refining your comedic skills, or just want to dip your toe into comedic styles of all kinds, this is the perfect opportunity.

Contemporary Theatre DANCE: THE BOOTCAMP

with Breon Arzell

Sundays, 7:30pm - 9pm

October 16 - November 20, 2016

6 classes

Course Price: $150

From the choreographer that brought you The House that Will Not Stand's electric rhythms comes the new wave of dance for the stage! Join choreographer Breon Arzell for a fun-filled 6-week session blending contemporary dance styles and classical musical theatre influences.

THE ESSENTIAL AUDITION

with Robert Cornelius

Mondays, 7pm - 10pm

October 17 - November 21, 2016 (no class November 14)

5 classes

Course Price: $225

Taught by actor, singer, and VG Arts Education Director Robert Cornelius, this class will explore successful techniques for auditioning and getting cast using a variety of disciplines to further develop and sharpen acting instincts. Participants will work on monologues for general auditions and will read pre-chosen sides with readers to complement their work. Gain confidence with this exploration of best practices to hone your auditioning skills. Independent outside work is a required component of this class.

THE TEN-MINUTE PLAY

with Ike Holter

Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 9:30pm

October 18 - November 15, 2016

5 classes

Course Price: $225

Playwrights' Ensemble member and hit Chicago playwright Ike Holter offers insight on the creation of a 10-min play. Participants will draft their own 10-min pieces while getting feedback from one of the Chicago stage's hottest young voices.

"THE STORY IS IN THE TELLING" INTENSIVE

with Arlene Malinowski

November 12 and 13, 2016

Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 2:30pm

2 classes

Course Price: $150

This hands on workshop will focus on strengthening your unique story style. Day 1 is devoted to developing your story and Day 2 to the performance aspect. Through one-on-one coaching, exercises and "playing around," you will find the style that best serves you and the material to help you deliver an engaging story with confidence. Whether you want to perform on a stage or tell a good story at Thanksgiving Dinner, this intensive will provide you with the tools and techniques. We will also discuss the Live Lit scene in Chicago. No experience required - this class is appropriate for new storytellers as well as seasoned writers, performers, stand-ups, and solo-artists looking to develop the tools in their backpack. Participants may bring to class a 5-10 minute story that they would like to work on. Stories don't need to be "perfect" and can be "in your head" and delivered from memory or written.

In addition to The Training Center, Victory Gardens also offers Arts Education programs for students and teachers including Drama in the Schools, a teaching artist residency program in the Chicago Public Schools; the Scholarship Subscription Series, a program of free student matinees of Victory Gardens productions; and the Teen Arts Council. Victory Gardens Theater deepens student learning and enhances teacher practice through integration of arts in core curricula. Victory Gardens affirms its commitment to the living playwright with arts education programming focused on exploring and heightening the practitioner's understanding of the processes and structures of modern storytelling in its varied forms.

For more information about Victory Gardens Education programs or The Training Center visit www.victorygardens.org.

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Under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew, Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. Victory Gardens Theater is committed to the development, production and support of new plays that has been the mission of the theater since its founding, set forth by Dennis Za?ek, Marcelle McVay, and the original founders of Victory Gardens Theater.

Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theater work and cultivating an inclusive Chicago theater community. Victory Gardens' core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city's and nation's culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to our city's active student population.

Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater includes the Za?ek-McVay Theater, a state-of-the-art 259-seat mainstage and the 109-seat studio theater on the second floor, named the Richard Christiansen Theater.

Victory Gardens Ensemble Playwrights include Luis Alfaro, Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Ike Holter, Samuel D. Hunter, Naomi Iizuka, Tanya Saracho and Laura Schellhardt. Each playwright has a seven-year residency at Victory Gardens Theater.

The Playwrights Ensemble Alumni includes Claudia Allen, Lonnie Carter, Steve Carter, Gloria Bond Clunie, Dean Corrin, Nilo Cruz, Joel Drake Johnson, John Logan, Nicholas Patricca, Douglas Post, James Sherman, Charles Smith, Jeffrey Sweet and Kristine Thatcher.

For more information about Victory Gardens, visit www.victorygardens.org. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/victorygardens, Twitter @VictoryGardens and Instagram at instagram.com/victorygardenstheater.

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