The Performer's School Offers Theater For All This Fall

HIGHWOOD, IL (JULY 2019) – Guest Artist Workshops at The Performer School (TPS) have become popular among the local community of future actors and actresses of the North Shore. TPS will continue to offer these unique and exclusive workshops, taught by highly admirable professionals in the industry. The upcoming fall series of classes and workshops for kids 1st grade through high school to bring out their inner soul and spirit through the art of theater.

Stacey Flaster and Elizabeth Fauntleroy, co-founders of TPS, are excited to announce their 2019 series that will take place at The Highwood Rec Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m! These workshops will give students the opportunity to be trained in acting, dancing, acting and audition techniques by well-known professional artists.

Flaster and Fauntleroy kick off the amazing season with an “Audition Toolkit” session to build you up for the “big audition call” on September 3rd. On September 17th, students are invited to work on their improv chops with Second City and theater veteran Joe Dempsey. Joe is a highly energetic, smart and positive improv teacher. He will teach valuable skills in this two hour class that you cannot afford to miss. He has been coming to TPS since its inception in 2013, and he’s the best in the business. Do not miss this class which will keep you on your toes, sweating and saying “yes, and!” Then, on October 29th 6:30-8:30 p.m., students have the opportunity to learn with Marriott Theatre Artistic Director Andy Hite! Andy is back again after his highly successful workshop last fall at TPS. Using his extensive knowledge from hundreds of productions at Marriott Theatre and his own personal theatrical experiences, he will work with each actor individually on their 32-bar cut. Andy is a gem in the industry, and actors love to receive his knowledge and guidance.

“The kids can learn different styles from these artists from the workshops we offer, and then decide which branch of theater fits them the best,” says Flaster. “It’s not a huge commitment, and it’s a one-time experience and a great way to dip into this amazing and fulfilling industry.”

Students from TPS have won awards including the 2017 Illinois High School Musical Theater award for Best Actress and have been cast in national commercials such as Trix cereal and Belk department stores. This is due to the field experience of each TPS instructor and their knowledge on how the national theatre industry is run. TPS’ Guest Artist Workshop Series includes workshops on Hamilton Dance, the Ins and Outs of the Business, General Auditioning, Fight Choreography, Improv, Ace your On-Camera Audition, and more, all taught by industry legends.

To browse in TPS’ exclusive Guest Artist Workshop Series and register for classes, visit www.theperformersschool.com/workshops.

For more information on the Performer’s School please check out their website www.theperformersschool.com or email info@theperformersschool.com. Below is the exciting schedule of all the upcoming fall classes!

CREATE A PLAY - MINI PERFORMERS

Taught by Maggie Portman

Open to students in 1st and 2nd Grade

Wednesdays 3:50 pm - 4:50 pm (September 4 - November 20)

or Fridays 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm (September 6 - November 22)

Cost: $370

Little actors will be introduced to the basic skills of theatre, group collaboration, and the art of storytelling. Students will put their new skills to the test by working together to create an original short play, full of exciting characters to be presented at the last class of the session. The presentation will be open to family and friends to come and enjoy and will take place on the last day of the session.

PLAY STUDY - YOUNG PERFORMERS LEVEL 1

Taught by Maggie Portman

Open to students in 3rd - 5th Grade

Saturdays 10 am - 11:30 am (September 7 - November 23)

Cost: $550

In this class, students will build and strengthen storytelling skills using the “actor’s toolkit” of the body/physicality, voice, and imagination. They will learn how to create a character with a physical life very different from our own by exploring the art of playing an animal on stage using the script from the play “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The session will end with a workshop presentation open to family and friends to enjoy on the last day of class.

MUSICAL THEATRE STUDY - YOUNG PERFORMERS LEVEL 1

Taught by Maggie Portman

Open to students in 3rd - 5th Grade

Wednesdays 5 pm - 6:30 pm (September 4 - November 20)

Cost: $550

In this class, actors will dive into the art of character development. They will strengthen their voice, movement, and storytelling skills using shortened highlights of scenes, songs, and dances from the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! Invite your friends and family to see their workshop presentation of these fun and iconic characters brought to life on the last day of class! The workshop presentation will take place on the last day of the session. The presentation will be open to family and friends to come and enjoy.

ACTING INTENSIVE - CREATING CHARACTER

Taught by Emily Rabinowitz

Open to students in 6th - 12th grades

Mondays 6 pm - 8 pm (September 9 - November 11)

Cost: $475

Actors will explore all levels of character development, learn the basics of self-discovery (both physically and vocally), and have the opportunity to work with fellow performers through acting games, exercises, and a one-act script that will be presented at the end of the session called Seth's Anxiety.

Plot: Seth is struggling to come to terms with the divorce of his parents, and his fears come to life in his dreams—from singing lunch ladies who serve him slop to mean girl bullies who cram him into a garbage can. Seth eventually finds a cure for his anxiety at a school bus stop where he meets Natalie, a girl his age, who has experienced his same fears and pains. The realization that his anxieties are shared by others sends him to his first day of middle school with a confident smile.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER’S SCHOOL

Celebrating their five year anniversary, The Performer’s School reflects on their mission to become the North Shore’s premier performance studio for young people. Due to the dedication of co-founders Stacey Flaster and Liz Fauntleroy, TPS cultivates children ages 6-18 and produces professional, self-confident actors through offering students a professional experience with top performance venues and award-winning teachers, directors and choreographers.

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