Youth Acting & Improv Program
New classes starting in September 2024!
Westside Improv Studio is proud to offer a youth program for children in the community who want to gain experience and confidence in performing. If you are a parent looking for a unique opportunity for your child to learn improv in a fun and safe environment, this is it!
Children will have a blast exploring lots of theater and improvisational games. Young performers will learn basic stage and acting techniques while they further develop their creativity.
Using improv techniques, your child will learn how to:
build social skills
improve confidence
learn acceptance though the YES, AND method of improv
work collaboratively in an accepting environment
develop active listening
form connections with other children
Each class/session will end with a student showcase and performance.
Details of that will be shared once the class begins.
DETAILS
We have classes for Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8.
Grades 3-5 meet on Tuesdays from 4:30pm - 5:25pm.
Grades 6-8 meet on Tuesdays from 5:30pm - 6:25pm.
ALL SESSIONS for the 2024/2025 year are open for registration now.
Session 2: 11/5/2024 - 12/17/2024 (no class 11/26)
Session 3: 1/14/2025 - 2/18/2025
Session 4: 3/11/2025 - 4/22/2025 (no class 4/1)
About Your Teachers
Anne Marie Irey has been involved in theater for thirty years. She minored in Theatre at Saint Mary’s College and earned her M.Ed. at DePaul University. Anne Marie is an Alum of The Second City and she spent several years performing improv in Chicago. Previously, she taught 4th grade at Sacred Heart School, where she founded an after school drama program. Prior to teaching here at Westside, Anne Marie taught the Children’s Workshop at Wheaton Drama.
Josh Hepler has been improvising since high school, and teaching theater and improv since 2012. As an improv teacher and coach, he enjoys working with improvisers and troupes of all types, experience levels, and backgrounds, and has worked with both new and long-established teams.
He’s a graduate of the Second City Conservatory, and previously performed with One Group Mind in Chicago.
Grades 3-5
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Grades 6-8
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Grades 9 -12
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Want to be involved but can’t make it work right now? Let us know if you are interested in hearing about upcoming classes.
Session 4: 3/11/2025 - 4/22/2025 (no class 4/1)
Classes meet on Tuesdays from 4:30pm - 5:25pm