In 2023 we had seven counselors + two apprentices, Jams, Elective Experiences, Shows, and even camp activities like canoeing, arts + crafts, and campfires – there’s so much to do at camp. At class registration time (happening mid-may 2024) you’ll pick from an assortment of courses of your own design. Wondering what types of things happened last year?
HERE YOU GO!
**The Bonus Stuff –
OPEN OFFERINGS ON SITE (no need to pre-register): TBA Jams as breakouts – once Friday/Sat, watchable Jams as mini-shows (BIPOC, Women+, LGBTQ+ sets), Soundscape Experience;
ACTIVITY YOU CAN PRE-PURCHASED: Canoeing
THE 2023 WORKSHOPS
THREE with Rance Rizzutto
While two person scenes are a common starting point for improv, we sometimes find ourselves in a three person scene. There are common pitfalls to the trio and this is all about working past those to establish solid relationships.
–
MUSICAL IMPROV 1 with John Sturk
Learn the fundamentals of improvising with singing! We’ll work on some rhyming exercises, rhythm, timing, and a few short-form games to get your on your path to singprov! No previous experience in musical improv is necessary.
–
MUSICAL IMPROV 2 with John Sturk
Create a long-form narrative musical, Broadway-style! We’ll focus on ensemble work, finding a form, and storytelling through song. Previous experience is helpful, but not completely necessary – please tale MUSICAL IMPROV 1 at camp on day 1 if you don’t have MI experience outside of camp.
–
JOY + BEAUTY OR BUST with Tara DeFrancisco
Our pre-frontal cortex needs to be told that our show is a joyful space; Rediscovering “play state” is imperative to personal discovery and team success. When we feel joy within performance alongside our teammates, Serotonin and Eustress shows up to the party. In this workshop, you’ll get playful secret challenges, performance tips, and dared to create from a mindset that allows you to enjoy the show instead of critique the show in this present moment.
–
MAKE A MOVE with Nnamdi Ngwe
Hesitancy from you or your ensemble kills momentum or an entire piece. But you can overcome this! We’ll explore how you as an individual can make moves that support others and empower you to make positive moves others would love to support.
–
**SOUNDSCAPE+ THE BAT (elective mid-camp!)
The Bat is a Chicago form relying heavily on the Harold – but also, in its trippiest state, it depends on the interconnectedness of soundscapes and support of a strange and glorious tapestry of ideas and interconnectedness. Come enjoy a soundscape intended for thematic generation, and the wildness of scenes that follow, lead by a veteran Chicago performer and instructor.
THE ARMANDO with Patrick Rowland
A form that originated in Chicago where improvisers create scenes based on personal monologues, but it goes deeper than that. In this workshop, Patrick will break down the Armando form and how you as a player can take your performance and monologues to another level.
–
SURPRISE, MOTHER F*CKER with Rance Rizzutto
Simply put, you will play in the world of surprise – Making big choices, but supporting big as well. It will be chaotic and end in useful subdued tools – flexibility and adaptability, noticing moves beyond your own, and readiness for great shows.
–
BE HERE NOW with Tara DeFrancisco
A sought-after camp classic, this workshop is heavily requested and re-grounds us in experiential, interconnected work with one another. We notice the intangible, we trust our guts, we put down our apprehensions to truly understand one another and play in a circle of like minded people. Bohemian and playful original two person exercises/group work happens here, leading to much more than improvisation alone.
–
TEAMWORK MAKES THE TEAMWORK – Nnamdi Ngwe
We are gonna work together in ensembles and discover things that make a team look like they know what the heck they are doing.
–
DANCE LIKE EVERYONE’S WATCHING with Nathan Jansen
This will be a full workshop devoted to “dancing in an improv show that people played money to see.” We’ll make it fun, we’ll make it beautiful, we’ll make it watchable. Wear comfortable clothes.
–
POSSESSED with Liz Marcucci
In this workshop we’ll take a deep dive into “how you do something is who you are.”
–
SIDELINE SUPPORT with Kait Burch
Strengthen your knowledge and barometer on how, and when best, to embellish and give gifts to your long and short form teammates without stepping foot into their scene.
WORK FROM WHERE YOU ARE with Cristela Carrizales
Improv can be more than just funny. It can be used to inspire your professional life. In this professional development workshop, we’ll use basic exercises to change how you interact with your coworkers.
–
Doing two-person improv can be tough, you are on stage for the whole show and have to keep track of themes, characters, relationships, and environment. This workshop pairs you with a partner and you will learn how to pace yourselves, control the stage, and work together as if you’re sharing one mind. By the end, you will come away with the skills to be able to jump on stage with anyone to create scenes, characters, and worlds with ease.