Free Adult Theatre Classes to Sharpen Your Skills
After a week-long virtual Kids Camp and still no live theatre on the horizon, it's clear that our adult community members need some way to keep their skills polished too. That's why we've asked our Kids Camp instructors to come back and share their expertise with a grown-up audience! This series of free classes, taught live over Zoom, will allow actors, singers, dancers, and theatre lovers to delve into topics that interest them, learn some new tips, or maybe pick up a brand new skill. These classes are tailored toward adults young and old, high school age and up!
We're thrilled to be able to offer classes twice a week from Monday, July 13 until Thursday, August 6. And did we mention they're all FREE?
Click Here to Register
Can't make it? Become a monthly patron and access all the classes on demand, to enjoy at your convenience!
Classes by Instructor
Andrew Trygstad is known throughout Chicagoland and the western suburbs for being not only a sought after actor and director, but also a certified Advanced Actor Combatant and accomplished juggler. He received his BA in Acting from Columbia College Chicago, where he studied Shakespeare, movement, and honed his stage fighting skills. Summer Place credits include playing Judah in Joseph...Dreamcoat and choreographing the fight scene in Oklahoma!
Choreography July 13, 20, 27, August 3 at 7pm
No Fear Shakespeare! July 23 at 7pm
Actor's Advocacy August 6 at 7pm
Matt Whalen has appeared onstage at Summer Place most recently as Bill Austin in Mamma Mia. Previous to that, he has been seen in Kiss Me Kate, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Into the Woods. He’s served on the Board at Summer Place, has co-produced The Secret Garden, and directed You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Grease. Last year, he directed Doubt: A Parable at GreenMan Theatre in Elmhurst. He is a Naperville native and a graduate of North Central College. By day, he’s a Career Advisor, and lives in Wheaton with his labradoodle, Milllie.
Musical Theatre Acting July 30 at 7pm
How to Make a Theatre Resume August 3 at 8:15pm
Emma Gingold is a pianist and music theory teacher whose first show with Summer Place Theatre was over fifteen years ago. You'll sometimes find her conducting the orchestra for Summer Place's musicals, like last year's South Pacific and other favorites like Footloose, 9 to 5, and Camelot. She was the accompanist at Lyons Township High School for nearly ten years, and she looks forward to starting her graduate studies in Collaborative Piano in the fall. Emma lives in Elmwood Park and has a hound dog named Bonnie.
What's My Note? July 16 at 7pm
Sarah Batzel's professional roles include playing Katie/Kirsten for four years in the American Girl Revue and Myrtle in Street Scene at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Majoring in vocal performance at Mary Baldwin College, she played Cinderella in Into the Woods, Edith in Pirates of Penzance, and was student director of Madrigals and Choir. She teaches second grade at The Avery Coonley School and brings her love of musical theater into the classroom by producing musical productions with her students.
Tips on Memorizing July 20 at 8:15pm
Kayla Lollar was the music director of our 2019 production of Mamma Mia and most recently performed in our spring fundraiser. You may have also seen her in Wheaton Drama’s winter production of Little Women as Meg’s understudy or in the ensemble. After studying musical theater at Columbia College Chicago and music directing for various local community theaters, she’s thrilled to be taking part in this awesome program giving back to the local theater community.
Musical Theatre Singing July 27 at 8:15pm (with Audrey McGee)
Audrey McGee is currently employed as the K-5 General Music Teacher at Kipling Elementary School in Deerfield, IL and Voice Teacher at Tracey Ford Voice. She has recently held positions as Music Director for Clarendon Hills Park District’s summer musical for 3 years, K-3 choir director at West Des Moines United Methodist Church for 2 years and K-8 General Music Teacher at St. Rose School in Wilmington. After a few years hiatus from theatre to complete her music education degree at Drake University, Audrey participated in the spring fundraiser cabaret with Summer Place Theatre and is excited to continue with more projects like this one alongside this wonderful community of artists.
Musical Theatre Singing July 27 at 8:15pm (with Kayla Lollar)
Classes by Date
Monday, July 13, 2020
Choreography 1 with Andrew Trygstad, 7pm
Thursday, July 16, 2020
What's My Note? with Emma Gingold, 7pm
Monday, July 20, 2020
Choreography 2 with Andrew Trygstad, 7pm
Tips on Memorizing with Sarah Batzel, 8:15pm
Thursday, July 23, 2020
No Fear Shakespeare! with Andrew Trygstad, 7pm
Monday, July 27, 2020
Choreography 3 with Andrew Trygstad, 7pm
Musical Theatre Singing with Kayla Lollar and Audrey McGee, 8:15pm
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Musical Theatre Acting with Matt Whalen, 7pm
Monday, August 3, 2020
Choreography 4 with Andrew Trygstad, 7pm
How to Make a Theatre Resume with Matt Whalen, 8:15pm
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Actor's Advocacy with Andrew Trygstad, 7pm
That's a lot of classes. In fact, it's too many for one Facebook event! Click to RSVP for our July classes and our August classes and invite your friends--the more the merrier! All classes are free and open to the public.
Zoom links will be posted closer to each event, but if you register in advance you'll get them sent directly to your inbox. Better yet, by registering, you'll ensure that our instructors are tailoring their classes to your needs!
Click Here to Register