Improv Playhouse adapts to Virtual and In-Person Camps

Improv Playhouse Theater and its robust training center celebrated its 20th Anniversary two weeks before the emergence of the global pandemic and the Shelter in Place orders were announced for Illinois. The in-person programs were brought to a screeching halt.

As with many businesses in the world, the quick spread of Coronavirus (Covid19) and the resulting social distancing guidelines meant that Improv Playhouse programs and summer camps would have to adapt to a virtual world until the Phases of Reopening in the State of Illinois were implemented. David Stuart, IP Founder and Executive Director had a hunch that by going virtual for existing programming and incrementally easing into Summer Camp and “workshop season” might just be the solutions to salvaging the revenue destruction to the organization without compromising health and safety for patrons, students and staff.

“We immediately went into Zoom mode. My incredible staff adapted programs quickly to a virtual world. While our Spring youth programs have begun to run their course, we are now adapting new programs to the virtual platforms and looking to ease back into ‘in-person’ options. We want all of our students, adults and youth, to sense our concern for their development, health and welfare.”

Stuart and his entire staff, like so many other businesses, engaged in a quick learning curve. Improv , Stand-Up, productions of Jungle Book, Moana, Into the Woods and acting class were all set up with virtual rehearsal and class spaces. Productions have been adapted to “record” productions. A 6 week digi-film workshop gleaned students from as far away as Georgia and California. A Stage Make-Up class was created.

“We were forced to create a way to engage our students, maintain a creative environment and pivot to what might be an exclusively virtual performing arts training ground. But I thrive on these challenges and persevered in my positive message to staff that we will be back to a blend of the old and new normal by Summer.”

And, indeed, that is how this twenty-year-old institution is moving forward. Unlike many camps shut down for the summer, Improv Playhouse Performing Arts Camp is offering all its programs with protocols in place. “We are guided by the American Camp Association protocols and State guidelines. Our registrations will be capped for smaller groups led by our trained camp staffers in their roles of expertise.” IP Performing Arts Day Camps have become a model of success through its twenty years. The ACA guidelines have been presented on national news outlets out of the need for summer camp options for so many. “Whether it is any one of our Musical Camps or evening programs, Film or Improv Camp, out strict protocols will create an environment of fun and safety.”

Stuart also has created a camp program with the “stay at home” model in mind. “I have trademarked and am now developing CAMPTOYOU, a program that releases one to two of our professional camp staffers to a host home. The staff and campers are checked daily for temperature and protocols. They are assigned a host home where the staff engages their children, friends, extended family or neighbors in several weeklong camp themes for half or full days. The max is six children. Musical Theater, Acting, Digi-Film, Puppetry, Art Activities and Science/Environment are offerings that have been developed thus far.”

Asked whether or not the virtual world would be utilized for live comedy and interactive improv shows Stuart had this to say. “Improvisation is an interactive art form. The energy derived between both the audience and performers in both Stand-Up and Improv is essential for connected, successful experiences. We are developing some game-like virtual formats and an AskMeAnything format based on our anniversary theme. This can be ridden out into the future. But I specifically chose to relinquish live shows to other organizations. I just anticipated that being an overreach for us and the fierce competition in that space would not have made that use productive for us early on.”

Many of the programs Improv Playhouse developed in this transition have been discounted to reflect scholarship needs and the reduction of learning time. Virtual programs are limited in time to avoid Zoom fatigue. And the CampToYou program is discounted to reflect the half day and shorter program experiences. Half days is also a renewed option for Day Camps. IP Community Outreach and Education has implemented a GoFundMe for its scholarship students and staff outreach to underserved communities.

“It is all a very exciting and challenging landscape,” says Stuart. “Who would have thought that we’d be drawing attention to programming outside of our Midwestern world and be forced to create new and better ways to serve our IP friends and family. All with the intention of continuing to create joy for children and adults in safer environments of learning.”

Who knew?

Register Here: http://www.improvplayhouse.com/CampToYou.html