Conservatory Classes

In this five-week class, you will learn how break free from your barriers and be more present in your monologue and scene study work. Led by Caroline Neff, a Jeff-award winning actor and ensemble member with both Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Steep Theatre, this class is for the serious actor who is looking to bring a deeper substance and clarity to their work.

A play is a series of events created to bring an inevitable conclusion to the story the playwright wants to tell". As actors working on a new play our job is uncover the story the playwright intends and chart how our character helps tell that story. From a first objective reading to examining the deeper intentions of a character, this class will break down how to read and work on a play in order to fulfill the playwright's intention.

This two day intensive workshop with Casting Director, Claire Simon (Empire, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire) and Erica Daniels, Executive Director, Victory Gardens and former Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company will help bring a professionalism to your audition process.

Day one will focus on the Theater monologue, while day two you will work on auditioning with sides drawn from film and television. The interview process, professional advice (Headshot/ Resume, Branding) and Q and A will also be a part of this workshop.

Required: Prior professional experience and training, determined by headshot and resume.

The audition process can be a weird, exhausting, yet sometimes illuminating adventure. Actors at all levels are constantly questioning and examining their audition toolkit, in order to keep up with the latest work and best practices. In this four week course, led by Victory Gardens’ Associate Producer Kanomé Jones, actors will explore the techniques and challenges of navigating the season generals circuit and how to craft a stellar audition package that also maintains their artistic self.