Season 5 is here!
Newport Theater Camp registration is OPEN! After a short holiday hiatus, we're super excited to bring you a jam-packed line-up of burlesque, bellydance, clowning, comedy writing and improv acting classes. Classes run Saturdays through Wednesdays starting from January 29 with an optional chance to perform for a live audience for students who complete their 8-week course. Scroll down for all our classes. We hope to see you soon!
Our mission is to introduce you to different art forms in a safe, low-pressure environment and give you a chance to perform onstage. We’ll be offering a variety of 4, 6, or 8-week sessions in the heart of Lakeview from professionals that you know and love - including burlesque, bellydance, clowning, sensuality and fitness. Whether you’re getting your groove back or adding some drama for the first time, you can do it with creativity, self-expression, and confidence!
Classes will be held at the Newport Theater in both their mirrored dance rehearsal room and the theater space, which features a sprung dance floor and projection screen capability, depending on class size/subject. Classes are open to all humans of all identities.
Note: The Newport Theater is located up one flight of stairs with no elevator. All students are required to comply with Newport's safety policy. QUESTIONS? Write to us at: NewportTheaterCamp@gmail.com
SUNDAY
Joke and sketch writing for beginners
Sundays 10am-Noon
January 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Fee Basanavicius of Trash Panda Comedy
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Students will learn the basics of joke/sketch writing and development with the opportunity to experience their work go through a writer's room, and be produced in front of a live audience.
Students will :
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Learn the basic building blocks of joke and sketch writing and construction. (Including how to give/receive/apply feedback.)
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Get out of this class what they put into it as the majority of our class will be spent workshopping everyone's writing assignments from the week prior.
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Experience their comedy writing being workshopped and performed by professional Chicago comedians.
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Have a packet of completed jokes and sketches to use for pitches or their own performance use.
Required for every class:
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Laptop or smart device to read/share your work with the class, take notes, and look up topical news stories for class. *Recommend bringing chargers as well.
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Notebook + writing utensil
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An open mind
Clowning level 1
Sundays 11am-1pm
January 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19
Maximum 15 Participants
Instructor: Journey Maranto
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
INTRODUCTORY COURSE
From birthdays to murderers, everyone seems to have feelings about clowns. Clowning can be described as exploring the human experience through personal connection, physical comedy, and failure but it is also A LOT more than that. It can be childlike wonder, unadulterated joy, and even deep sadness. If you would like to discover who your clown is and how they traverse this wild world, then this class is for you.
Through physical theater exercises, group exploration, and a whole lot of play, this 8-week course will challenge you to be vulnerable and push you to embrace failure all while being truthful along the way. This class is geared towards folks who have never experienced clowning before and would like to learn the basics of the form and discover who their clown is. We hope to create an inclusive and welcoming space that is open to anyone and everyone who is interested. Come play with us!
Clown playground:
Advanced
Sundays Noon-2pm
January 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Evan Richter
Payment is on a sliding scale. Registration is free, but required.
Clown and improv are cut from the same cloth. But while improvisers play for an audience, clowns play with them. Clowns take risks. Break the rules. Celebrate success and fail epically. Clown Playground will explore clownprov and will push its players to tap into and play in their clown state. The exercises and games will help you commit to ideas without judgment and engage an audience more profoundly and intimately.
Clown Playground is not a class but rather a collective. Each week we will gather and explore different games and exercises that will challenge and guide you into a state of pleasure, joy, and play. Lead by a Clown Coach, you will be asked to leave everything at the door, be comfortable with the uncomfortable, make big choices, and relish in your failures. We will perform once a month for an audience. Come play.
Note: If you do not have clown experience, you must complete Clowning Level 1 before participating in Clown Playground. If you have never taken a class with the Hot Clown Company but have clowned in the past, please reach out to hotclowncompany@gmail.com.
Head Coach: Evan Richter
Evan has been clowning for almost a decade and is currently the Hot Clown Company executive director. He has a theater degree from Muhlenberg College and has trained with the Academia D’ell Arte, Francine Roussel, Philippe Gaulier, and more. He is also the founder of Hot Clown History, a virtual clown history learning course. He has failed spectacularly for far too long, so he decided to make it a profession.
moNDAY
burlesque Mixed Levels:
"Sensual & Sexy"
Mondays 6:30pm-8pm
January 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: MochaMocha2.0
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
A sensual class for those who would love to indulge in Burlesque, one of the most empowering dance forms. This class can be described as sensual, fiery, and powerful. In this class, students will learn how to captivate the attention of their audience by using sensual and seductive techniques. This class is for mixed levels - anyone looking to add a little sparkle into their life (no dance experience required!) Students who complete the full 8-week session will have an opportunity to perform for a live audience following the final class!
burlesque level 2:
Intermediate
"Rascal's rock & roll"
Mondays 8pm-9:30pm
January 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Lilly Rascal
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Do you want to add some rock to your roll and style to your steps? Love the burlesque style but wanna kick it up a notch? Learn how to break down choreography with rock/alt moves, burlesque technique, stage presence, and over the 8 weeks learn a shimmy shakin routine with an edge! Lilly has been teaching this rock and roll burlesque class for over 8 years around the country and wants to share her knowledge so you to can bring something different to the stage that shows you off as the kickass performer you’ve always wanted to be! Bring heels or boots with heels (or flat foot if needed) and clothes you can move in.
tuesday
burlesque level 1:
Introductory
Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
January 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Helena Handbasket
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Looking to launch your burlesque career? Join Helena Handbasket for this 8 week long course where you'll learn the basics of burlesque movement, a history of burlesque, fundamentals of bump & grind, neo-burlesque, and nerdlesque, character development (including picking your name and discovering your style), and stage confidence to thrill your audience! No prior dance or performance experience required. Come as you are and unleash your sexy beast!
Wednesday
fusion bellydance
mixed levels
Wednesdays 6:30pm-8pm
February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Raks Geek
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Move like lightning, with precision - and then melt into liquid. Choose to have bones only when you want them.
Join the dancers of the internationally-acclaimed Raks Geek for an introduction to a modern, fusion dance style that combines elements from hip hop, flamenco, jazz, classical Indian dance, ballet, and more with a foundation of movement from the Middle East. Your teachers have performed from Argentina to the UK!
No dance experience necessary. All genders and bodies encouraged. New movements and choreography every session, so we encourage returning dancers!
Students who complete the full 8-week session will have an opportunity to perform for a live audience in a theater following the final class.
Chair play Level 2
3-week miniseries
Wednesdays 6:30pm-8pm
February 1, 8, 15
Maximum 10 Participants
Instructor: Tila Von Twirl
$75 for 3-week miniseries ($25 per class)
So! You made it thru one or more sessions of Chair Play Level 1. Congratulations! Now what?
Join Tila Von Twirl for the next step in your Chair education. In this three part mini series we will
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Try out the chair skills you have learned in heels/shoes of your choice. A whole new world!
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Begin integration of clothing removal which includes endurace, flexibility, tips and tricks and some creative thinking
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Continued work on musicality and dynamic performance while creating a character and choreography
Shoes of your choice required, knee pads suggested. In class one we will discuss what clothing pieces we can use for the rest of the session. Let's get creative!!
Burlesque mixed levels
"Boas"
Wednesdays 8pm-9:30pm
February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Tila Von Twirl
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Boost up your burlesque game in a mixed level course with an emphasis on BOAS! Learn classic burlesque choreography and incredible skills with feather boas as your central focus. Tips, tricks, technique, and a whole lot of sassy strutting so you can BE that sizzling fajita skillet that turns everyone's head. Rehearsal boas will be provided. Students who complete the 8-week course will be invited to perform for a live audience!
Saturday
burlesque level 2:
Intermediate
Saturdays 11am-12:30pm
February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Elle Du Jour
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Ready for something harder, faster, and sexier? Level up with this intermediate burlesque class. Learn more advanced choreography, costuming, and stage technique. Some dance experience required or successful completion of previous burlesque classes. Students who complete the full 8-week session will have an opportunity to perform for a live audience following the final class.
improv acting level 1:
introductory
Saturdays 12:30pm-2pm
February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25
Maximum 12 Participants
Instructor: Marissa Chastain of Trash Panda Comedy
$160 for 8 week session ($20 per class)
Level 1 provides a safe environment to explore your creative potential, and experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play. We will go through the basics of "YES AND", and explore short form improv games, that will lay the foundation to create without self-judgment, be supportive, and improve your active listening skills. No experience needed. Come dressed to move, with a bottle of water.