ATC Performances

Comedy Troup Interview from Chicago SKETCHFEST!

Posted January 31, 2013 by Actors Training Center

AMAZING interview just published today from The Chicago Sketchfest (the largest Sketch Festival in the world):

The ATC Teen Comedy Troupe interviewed at Sketchfest by Steve Tobiasz. Listen to 10 minute interview by clicking here!

Go ATC Comedy Troupe!

PS: Stay tuned for news on their upcoming shows at The Annoyance Theatre and at the Wilmett Theater in Spring! They're "in process" writing it right now...shh, it's still a secret.

Categories: ATC Classes, ATC Students, Blog, Performances

ATC Comedy Troupe at Chicago Sketchfest!

Posted January 20, 2013 by Actors Training Center

Last Saturday, The ATC Teen Comedy Troupe rocked a full-house at The 2013 Chicago Sketch Festival! These talented comedians, under the direction of ATC Instructor Tim Soszko, performed 5 original sketches and three improvised pieces throughout the hilarious show.

Comedy Troupe member Matthew Wronski wrote this blog post about the experience:

It was truly an incredible experience getting to perform at sketchfest. The idea that the troupe and I were performing on the same stage as over a hundred other professional groups made me so proud after our performance. It was so great to be in an environment with so many other groups and people that came to laugh, and we were one of the groups that made them laugh! It was awesome to get up on the stage and make so many other people entertained, on the same stage that many other professional groups also performed on! I will never forget the amazing experience with the troupe at sketchfest.

These guys are going into "process" this Winter to create a fully-fledged show which will tour CPS school programs in the Spring, as well as perform on the Annoyance Theater stage and at the Wilmette Theatre!

Stay tuned!

Categories: ATC Classes, ATC Students, Blog, Performances

Fan Mail!

Posted December 17, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Fan mail this morning from an ATC Rep Student in our musical theater shows !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Janet,
The past two shows for me have been incredible learning experiences and I wanted to tell you how much I feel I have grown since the beginning of Peter Pan. I felt like such an underdog, it being my first year in Rep, but I have truly found a home for myself at act and I have to thank you for inspiring so much growth in me.

Categories: ATC Classes, ATC Students, Blog, Performances

ATC Students booking roles from our Blog/Facebook/Twitter!

Posted December 11, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Congrats to ATC Students Talia Levy and Erin Graham booked roles on "Great Controversy" by reading this Blog post and our Facebook and Twitter! See it pays to follow us :)

Also congratulations to ATC Student Marilyn Bass who booked this role today at Profile's Theatre! Thank you for sending in this lovely note, Marilyn:

Hi Carole!

I just wanted to let you know that today I found out I was cast as Chelsea in "Dream of the Burning Boy" at Profiles Theatre!! I can honestly say that I could not have gotten this role without you. Taking classes at ATC has changed my whole persepctive on acting and has shaped me into the actress I am today. Aside from the amazing acting lessons I have learned from you, you have also taught me so many life lessons that I will always carry with me. I can not thank you enough for that Carole.

Sincerely,

Marilyn

Categories: Auditions and Casting Calls, Blog, Performances

Congrats to cast of "It's Christmas, Charlie Brown!"

Posted December 10, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Congrats to the unbelievable sold-out opening performances last Saturday of our ATC REP COMPANY's Production of "It's Christmas, Charlie Brown!"

We just love getting fan mail like this after the show, sent to Director Janet Louer:

Janet, I just wanted to communicate to you how very talented you are, and thank you, thank you for all that you are teaching the children. I saw Charlie Brown yesterday, and have seen the past year's performances multiple times. The amount of genius you bring to these performances hit me the most yesterday. The way each character moves, looks, their expressions, the dances, the stage, and the way each song is sung is genius. Every detail created by you! And importantly, the children are getting the opportunity of a lifetime to experience these productions and be able to perform them. They are learning so much from you every day they are there. Thank you for all your dedication and genius! We are so grateful. And Charlie Brown Christmas is absolutely darling! It put my whole family in the Christmas spirit!

And here is a blog post with thoughts on the show from ATC Student Sam Baum, who plays Charlie Brown himself:

Charlie Brown opened it's run this weekend and it has once again been an incredible experience to be a part of. After putting the show together last year with an incredible cast and the outstanding leadership of our director, Janet Louer, being able to remount the production with a new group of INCREDIBLE talent and for a new audience of kids is nothing short of fantastic. It has taken a lot of hard work, persistence, and dedication but I think everybody involved with the show is incredibly proud of the result. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the reaction of the kids watching the show and while interacting with them in the sing-a-long. It's Christmas, Charlie Brown is a wonderful holiday treat for the entire community and I hope everybody comes to see it and enjoys the show as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you all.

Don't miss the last 3 performances which are almost all sold-out! You can buy tickets below:

ATC REPERTORY COMPANY PRESENTS

IT'S CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN! THE MUSICAL!

The Actors Training Center has transformed this classic holiday movie into a live performance. Despised by the commercialism around him, Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas.

Directed by Janet Louer

Musical direction by Claire Bigley

Tickets $15

Buy Tickets - Saturday, December 15 @ 10:00am

Buy Tickets - Saturday, December 15 @ 12:00pm

Buy Tickets - Sunday, December 16 @ 7:30pm EVENING SHOW ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!

Categories: ATC Classes, ATC Students, Blog, Performances

Write-up on PETER PAN in Wilmette Beacon!

Posted November 11, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Thanks to The Wilmette Beacon for this wonderful write-up on our recent production of PETER PAN, which had 4 SOLD OUT SHOWS! Tickets are on sale for the next ATC Rep Company show: "It's Christmas, Charlie Brown!" here: http://www.wilmettetheatre.com/events/29885-atc-live

From this week's Wilmette Beacon article:

Imaginations soar with Pan at Mette

by Allison Bernstein

There aren't many opportunities for a child to imagine running away and never growing up with their parents' approval. But at the Wilmette Theatre's "Peter Pan! The Musical!", presented by the resident ATC Repertory Company and directed by Janet Louer, young ones can take flight for Neverland.

The show, which runs about an hour long, is recommended for ages 5 and up. All ages were present at the second performance Saturday, Nov. 3. From children with booster seats to young teenagers to excited parents, all were eagerly swept away in a fun performance.

Neverland is brought to life by the staple main characters and three distinct groups: the eager Lost Boys, the beautiful Indians, and the villainous pirates. The pirates tend more toward being silly than scary, so parents need not worry about nightmares.

"What you have to do is find the perfect balance between being goofy and being scary. It makes a good character. And kids like that," said Connor Carlin, who played a pirate.

From the joy of "I'm Flying" to the flowing dances of the Indians, from scenes stolen by Nana the dog to the pirates' tarantella, every moment is full of enthusiasm and impending adventure. Kids will clap especially loud for Tinkerbell, whose voice is melodiously supplemented by Musical Director Claire Bigley.

Kids have the opportunity to meet the characters after the show as they exit the theater, too.

They can pose with a menacing pirate, scratch Nana behind the ears, and be sprinkled with fairy dust by the one and only Peter Pan, played by Nicole Karkazis.

"It's a lot of fun having all the little kids come up to you and wanting to fly with fairy dust," said Karkazis, who was in the original repertory company two years ago. "I always wanted to fly away to Neverland, and now I get to."

Colleen Dougherty, who plays Wendy, agreed.

"You really get into the character. Sometimes I don't have to act, I'm just like, 'Oh, it's so pretty,'" Dougherty said.

Flying to Neverland is no easy feat, though. The repertory company, which is made up mainly of seventh- through 12th-graders, has a demanding schedule.

"We don't have a lot of rehearsals, so we really pack a lot of work into the rehearsals we have," said Bigley. "They work really hard, and we expect them to do a lot of work outside of what we do too. So yeah, it's pretty intense."

It is easy to be swept away by these thorough actors who dive so deeply into their characters. No small part of that is because of the beautiful costumes. Fans of the Disney movie will be pleased to see Captain Hook's bright red coat, the Darling children's trademark nightgowns, and, of course, Peter Pan in green with a feather in his cap.

"It's a lot of fun … especially with the beard and the whole costume," Carlin said. "It kinda makes you feel like a kid playing dress-up."

Both cast and crew's hard work pays off in the end. Kids enjoy an immersing journey filled with laughter and adventure. Even if the dialogue is a bit grown-up at times, the intent is usually clear enough for children to follow along.

Parents with children are advised to sit close to the stage or along the aisle, as there is some action on the floor of the stage that they won't want to miss.

"Peter Pan! The Musical!" performs its final day on Saturday, Nov. 10, with shows at 10 a.m. and noon. Tickets are still available for both performances. For tickets and information, call (847) 251-7424 or visit www.wilmettetheatre.com.

Categories: ATC Students, Blog, Performances

AUDITION NOTICE: Hair and Conservatory

Posted November 6, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Categories: ATC Classes, ATC Students, Blog, Performances

ATC Student Nicole Karkazis about the opening of Peter Pan - the Musical!

Posted October 29, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Great blog post from ATC Student Nicole Karkazis about the opening of Peter Pan -The Musical at The Wilmette Theatre! She played Peter Pan:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter Pan has officially opened - and it is a hit with the audience and the actors! Rehearsals were stressful at times to say the least. But the cast and I knew that the end product would be worth it. The morning of the show you could tell w

ho was nervous and who wasn't, but everyone was excited! At the beginning of the show we could hear the audience laughing, and that is an amazing sound to an actor. As the show went on everyone was feeding off each others energy - but mostly the audiences energy. They were so into it! Laughing, gasping, things that make an actor work even harder. The show went wonderfully! After the show we had a parent meeting with Janet, Philip, Carole, Cortney and Joshua. We discussed the forward movement of REP and the process. Though a tough one, it is a rewarding one. Lots of work, but an amazing learning experience and great shows. Everyone needs to come see Peter Pan and they can see why everyone loves REP!
-Nicole Karkazis

Categories: ATC Students, Blog, Performances

ATC Student Isabelle Roberts at the JEFF AWARDS

Posted October 20, 2012 by Actors Training Center

Check out this photo of ATC student Isabelle Roberts performing at the Jeff Awards last Monday. Isabelle is in the cast of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, which was nominated for best midsize musical.

http://johnnyknight.smugmug.com/Theater/Equity-Jeff-Awards-2012/25975484_cVJGhk#!i=2156545926&k=TJ3hfVn

Categories: ATC Students, Blog, Performances

ATC Student Austin Moore in American Theatre Magazine article about Tusk, Tusk!

Posted October 2, 2012 by Actors Training Center

We can't wait to see ATC Student Austin Moore in Tusk, Tusk atPiven Theatre Workshop this Friday! The whole office staff is taking a field trip to see her work.

In the meantime, check out this article about the show (Austin is pictured to the right) in American Theatre magazine !

Categories: ATC Students, Blog, Performances

Professional, process-driven classes for young and adult actors, serving the Chicago suburbs and North Shore.

Blog Posts: Performances

Comedy Troup Interview from Chicago SKETCHFEST!

ATC Comedy Troupe at Chicago Sketchfest!

Fan Mail!

ATC Students booking roles from our Blog/Facebook/Twitter!

Congrats to cast of "It's Christmas, Charlie Brown!"

IT'S CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN! THE MUSICAL!

Write-up on PETER PAN in Wilmette Beacon!

AUDITION NOTICE: Hair and Conservatory

ATC Student Nicole Karkazis about the opening of Peter Pan - the Musical!

ATC Student Isabelle Roberts at the JEFF AWARDS

ATC Student Austin Moore in American Theatre Magazine article about Tusk, Tusk!

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