NEWPORT THEATER
CAMP!
BURLESQUE! BELLYDANCING! CLOWNING! ...AND MORE!
Newport Theater Camp introduces you to an exciting world of fringe art forms in a safe, low-pressure environment and give you a chance to perform onstage! We offer a variety of 8-week sessions in the heart of Lakeview from professional artists who 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 are open to all humans of all identities!
Questions: Write to NewportTheaterCamp@gmail.com
Saturdays
Burlesque Level 1
INSTRuctor: Vivi Valens
(She/Her)
Saturdays 10:30am-12Pm
Jan 17, 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7
Bonus Week Mar 14
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Burlesque Level 1 introduces students to the foundations of burlesque movement, stage presence, and confidence-building through playful choreography and expressive performance techniques. Open to all levels of dance experience from newbie to seasoned pro!
Burlesque Level 1
INSTRuctor: Thorne
(they/them)
Saturdays 10:30am-12Pm
Jan 17, 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7
Bonus Week Mar 14
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
JUST ADDED!
Due to high demand for Burlesque Level 1, we've added an additional class!
Burlesque Level 1 introduces students to the foundations of burlesque movement, stage presence, and confidence-building through playful choreography and expressive performance techniques. Open to all levels of dance experience from newbie to seasoned pro!
Burlesque Level 2
"Bawdy Beautiful"
Instructor: Morteisha Addams
(They/She)
Saturdays 12:30-2pm
NOTE: This class begins one week delayed.
Jan 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7, 14
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Are you ready to level up your bump and grind skills? Take your striptease journey further with sophisticated choreography, bolder stage presence, and fierce charisma! Prior performance/stage experience recommended. In this class we’re marrying moves of classic and neo burlesque to the sounds of today’s alternative music.
Sundays
Clowning fundamentals
INSTRuctor: journey maranto
(She/Her)
Sundays 10am-Noon
Jan 18, 25; Feb 1, 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8; Bonus Week Mar 15
Showcase TBD
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
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!
Clowning in burlesque
All Levels
Instructor: mackenzie shapiro
(She/her)
sundays 12:30-2pm
Jan 18, 25; Feb 1, 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8
Bonus Week Mar 15
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Welcome to Clowning for Burlesque! We use clowning techniques to make stronger, more unique Burlesque performances. Clowning for Burlesque is a multi-level class designed to meet you where you are and give you the tools to grow confidently in your artistic identity. By the end of the class you will have a self-created and workshopped solo piece to take with you in your portfolio. This class will explore timing, tension, character, connection, and play. This class is perfect for if you are a clown looking to introduce burlesque into your repertoire, a dancer looking to embrace clown and comedy in their acts, or anyone wanting to make weird and authentic cool shit.
REVIEWS
“Fun class, I feel like I learned a lot of good tips and tricks about putting together a performance, and feedback was always helpful and descriptive”
“I absolutely loved this class, and really was drawn to the interdisciplinary clowning/burlesque learning approach, which was not only fun and freeing but also a really helpful way to practice and improve my confidence and overall performance techniques. Also, was a GREAT way to meet silly and fabulous like-minded individuals who I saw grow tremendously in our short time together. Mackenzie has been one of my absolute favorite instructors (of any kind!) to date, and really fostered a supportive, constructive, and creative environment that helped me craft a waaay better first solo performance than I could have on my own, without that balance of guidance and freedom.”
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Burlesque Level 2 "Sensualesque!"
Instructor: mocha mocha 2.0
(She/Her)
Sundays 1:30-3pm
NOTE: This class begins one week delayed.
Jan 25; Feb 1, 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8; Mar 15
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
This class will be focused on audience engagement and strip tease! Sensualesque is about commanding the attention of your audience sensually. Prior performance/stage experience recommended.
mondays
Upcycled Costuming
all levels
INSTRuctor: Eva La Feva
(She/Her)
Mondays 6:15-7:45pm
Jan 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9
Bonus Week Mar 16
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
This intro-level costuming class focuses on how to execute your champagne tastes on your beer budget. This class is part lecture and part project-based practical skills. Learn costuming basics like introductory hand sewing techniques, tailoring basics, taking accurate body measurements, and ways to modify existing garments into cohesive costuming looks. Learn where to source affordable costuming items and accessories in Chicago and online. Practical portions will include making a duct-tape mannequin to your size, a headpiece, and a garment (cocoon robe). Participants will be able to walk the runway in their creation in the student showcase.
Ensemble devised cabaret
all levels
Instructor: jamie olah
(She/her)
Mondays 6:15-7:45pm
Jan 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9
Bonus Week Mar 16
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Shake off those creative cobwebs and let’s get devising! This all-levels class welcomes performers of all disciplines (especially you theatre kids) to connect with new collaborators while building a group cabaret act from the ground up. From inspiration and improvisation to refining and rehearsing, let award-winning playwright and devisor Jamie Olah guide you through the process. You’ll discover new ways to create performances, unlock possibilities within your creative practice, and gain a deeper understanding of your strengths as a collaborator. The class will conclude with a live performance at the Camp Cabaret Showcase.
Burlesque Level 1
"Dolled Up"
Instructor: lady ve'lush
(She/Her)
mondays 8:00-9:30pm
Jan 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar 2, 9
Bonus Week Mar 16
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
This class is formulated to help new comers and veterans put on their best ShowDOLL performances. With this class I plan to teach the elements towards going from just live burlesque to sensational immersive scene. The class will be focusing on fundamental burlesque techniques, self-expression, and confidence-building. Students will learn: - Basic burlesque movements and choreography - Striptease techniques and art of seduction - Tips for Costuming and prop work - incorporating the techniques by burlesque and dancer legends - Explore theatrical story telling - Empowerment through self-expression
tuesdays
burlesque level 3
INSTRuctor: lilly rascal
(She/Her)
tuesdays 6:15-7:45pm
Jan 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; Mar 3, 10
Bonus Week Mar 17
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Level 3 Burlesque: You’ve learned the 101 moves, you’ve found more confidence being onstage…now what? Learn more skills, reveals and choreography to find your style as a performer. Lilly Rascals been performing for 14 years and has been teaching for 12. With her guidance you’ll learn for find what makes you a great performer with drills, stage presence techniques, and more!
basS drop burlesque
levels 2-3
Instructor: willy laqueue
(he/him)
tuesdays 8:00-9:30pm
Jan 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; Mar 3, 10
Bonus Week Mar 17
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Bass Drop Burlesque is an intermediate-level burlesque dance class designed to get both you and your audience to break a sweat!
Drawing inspiration from his 3 decades of experience as a hip hop dancer and choreographer, burlesque upstart Willy LaQueue is using his signature style to create a customized, accessible, and FIERCE hip hop/jazz funk group choreography piece that is sure to get stuck in your head like your favorite earworm song! Heels NOT required. All genders & body types excitedly welcomed. Dance experience recommended. Feel free to reach out to the Newport Theater Camp or Willy directly with any questions! Willylaqueue@gmail.com
wednesdays
Fusion Bellydance
INSTRuctor: dawn xiana moon
(She/Her)
Level 1
Wednesdays 6:15-7:45pm
Level 2
Wednesdays 8:00-9:30pm
Jan 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4, 11
Bonus Week Mar 18
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Learn the secrets of shimmies and slink! Choose to have bones only when you want them! Join Raks Geek founder Dawn Xiana Moon 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 movements from the Middle East.
No dance experience necessary. All genders and bodies encouraged. This class is ideal for complete beginners through the first year of training - we encourage you to stay in this level for multiple sessions as we'll continually work on new movements and combinations.
Burlesque Level 3
Instructor: tila von twirl
(They/them)
Wednesdays 6:15-7:45pm
Jan 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4, 11
Bonus Week Mar 18
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
This is a "Chair-Centric" high level burlesque class. While chair choreography will not be the main focus, students will employ prop work and the use of chair dancing in the context of the group act you'll be creating. Prior performance/dance experience required. Students will lead warm ups, with guidance, have choreographic input, and have a great time brining next level tease!
Character playground
all levels
Instructor: Brittny Congleton aka "Aunt Nance"
(She/Her)
wednesdays 8:00-9:30pm
Jan 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4, 11
Bonus Week Mar 18
$160 for an 8-week session.
Skills Track: This class does NOT end in a final culmination.
Discover the multiple characters living inside you and let them out to PLAY! This all levels class will help you utilize tools for character development and exploration through movement, improvisation, clowning techniques, games and writing exercises too! We'll create a safe and silly place to PLAY as we meet and discover the different characters inside us. This is a non-performance based class intended to expand understanding and add more tools to your performer tool belt, so come play, dance, wiggle and let out your weird with Brittny, aka Aunt Nance!
Thursdays
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burlesque level 2
INSTRuctor: catty wompass
(She/Her)
thursdays 6:15-7:45pm
Jan 22, 29; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar 5, 12
Bonus Week Mar 19
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
Take your bump, grind, shimmy, and shake to the next level in this fun, inclusive, community-oriented class open to people of all genders and experience levels! Together, we will analyze the structure of striptease, deepen our understanding of our burlesque personas, and start thinking about the relationship between character, costume, and choreography. As we work on our group choreography, we’ll also learn how to dominate the stage, develop a personal movement style, and connect with the audience, all culminating in a group performance at Camp Cabaret!
Draglesque - "Magic Mike" for all genders
Levels 2-3
Instructor: karma Carnelian
(they/he/she)
thursdays 8:00-9:30pm
Jan 22, 29; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar 5, 12
Bonus Week Mar 19
Showcase March 22
$160 for an 8-week session plus showcase.
This class is open to ALL GENDERS and expressions, and will explore traditionally "masculine" movement and choreography through the lens of gender exploration, deconstruction and overall gender fuckery! Channel your inner king/thing stripper energy, learn cool, sexy moves and get ready to ride that pony! This class is perfect for anyone looking to add draglesque to your repertoire. Prior performance experience required.