Who Is Imagination Theater?
We are a year-round touring ensemble delivering interactive plays to schools and community centers that explore social issues like teasing, respect, bullying, sexual abuse prevention. healthy decision making, and more! Every show consists of games, scripted scenes, and audience role plays. You can see a video breaking down one of our most popular programs, Ease the Tease, at http://imaginationtheater.
What is the Commitment?
We ask for three days of daytime availability (until 5:00 PM) per week. Performance assignments are distributed two weeks in advance. A typical day is between 4 and 6 hours long. Early mornings are common.
There will be rehearsals over the summer from 9 am - 1 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays starting July 14 - August 14 (it is possible we will not rehearse all of those days). If you have conflicts with rehearsals, please let us know at the audition as we may be able to work around your schedule.
Is There Pay?
Yes. Actors are paid hourly starting the moment the cast arrives in our office through the moment the carpool returns to the office after the show. The initial summer rehearsals are unpaid, but all rehearsals and shows after that are paid.
How Can I Audition?
For the audition there will be cold readings from our shows (one from a K-5 script and another from a 6-8 script). After each scene, we'll ask you to improvise a positive conclusion to that scenario with an Imagination Theater staff member playing the role of a student volunteer. Small groups will also have an opportunity to improvise scenes together based on audience suggestions ( ie: "My brother won't let me play in the treehouse, because he says there are no girls allowed.")
Instead of a traditional call backs we will schedule interviews the week of July 6-10.
To schedule an audition contact Steve at (773) 327-6788 or Steve@
Questions?
If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact us. We hope to see you this June!
As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater at www.imaginationtheater.org
— Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
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Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Audition for Imagination Theater!
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Diversity and Inclusion Workshops
Imagination Theater, in partnership with The Felicity Group, is on tour this June leading diversity and inclusion workshops for corporations on the east coast.
Our interactive style fills the workshop with an unmistakable energy. From the very beginning, participants are moving around, meeting new people, and drawing insights from lively discussions. This is most certainly not a talking heads diversity training.
We're thrilled at how much fun people have during these insightful sessions. Learning through laughter is a terrific way to learn!
At the day's conclusion, participants acknowledge layers of diversity that they hadn't previously considered and recognize ways (both small and large) that they can actively foster inclusion in their office.
Perhaps our favorite part is witnessing meaningful collaborations emerge from our discussions. When groups of people are invited to discuss vital issues, no obstacle is too large to be tackled.
As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater at www.imaginationtheater.org.
— Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
Friday, May 15, 2015
Illuminate Benefit 2015!
The 2014/15 season saw our No Secrets program expand into the suburbs with multiple district wide bookings. We also premiered a new version of Show Some Respect that received unanimous praise. We look forward to celebrating such an awesome season tonight with a crowd of partners, friends, and supporters. There will be food, drinks, a silent auction, an award ceremony, and general good times!
Tickets are available on our website (www.imaginationtheater.org) until 2:30 today. After that, they'll be available for purchase at the door.
For more information, click here,
As always, you can learn more about our programs at www.Imaginationtheater.org.
- Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
Friday, April 3, 2015
Spring!
Spring is here in Chicago!
That means everyone in the office is cautiously optimistic that it's not going to snow next week.
That also means that we're gearing up for the end of the school year.
April through June can be very busy times for us! Our communication workshops are incredibly popular for summer camp counselor trainings and end of the year celebrations!
Additionally, all of our programs are available all year round, so they're perfect for summer school, summer camp, staff trainings, and more!
The school year stretches until mid-June, so call us today and help us end the school year on a high note!
As always, you can learn more about our programs at www.imaginationtheater.org.
— Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Performances for Whole School Districts!
Imagination Theater's message is huge: individuals have the power to positively impact their community and affect change.
Because our message is universal, it's not uncommon for whole districts to book programming. This allows our interactive assemblies to reach each school and engage every student in a meaningful conversation.
In February we brought our Children's Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, No Secrets, to entire districts in Elmhurst and LaGrange. Those block bookings enabled whole communities to get on the same page with sexual abuse prevention and establish shared vocabulary with which to talk about this sensitive topic. With Erin's Law in effect throughout the state, block booking No Secrets is a powerful way to provide students with the law's vital educational component.
We've also block booked Ease the Tease and Show Some Respect in the past. When we book whole districts, we perform at multiple schools each day, and then share the savings with the district. By booking more shows, the district saves money and every classroom benefits.
We believe that all of our shows initiate important discussions and support communities. We would love to share that experience with your district.
As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater and all of our programs at www.imaginationtheater.org.
—Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
Friday, January 30, 2015
Audiences that Inspire
When we bring Take A Stand into high schools, we know that we're going to get some reactions. The scenes speak to the reality of bullying in ways that can sometimes be uncomfortable and always ignite passionate, diverse responses. After many scenes audiences have audible reactions, sometimes in favor of the protagonist and sometimes in support of a dangerous choice. Either way, the scenes always fuel needed discussion.
Through these facilitated discussions, the audience explores consequences of unhealthy choices while celebrating those who stand up for others. The result is always empowering.
Sometimes, however, the audience is exceptional. That was the case this past Wednesday.
While students voiced diverse opinions, the amount of support the whole audience showed each individual was incredible. After one student passionately voiced her feelings against prejudice of any kind, the entire audience applauded. Rarely, is an audience so supportive of one another, that people earn applause during the post scene discussions.
Every volunteer that came up on stage had their return to the audience underscored by cheers and compliments.
Many different points of view were voiced, and all were accepted. It was a really beautiful thing to see. I'm tremendously proud that our show promotes important conversations, and I'm optimistic for the future when I see an audience so eager to participate in the dialogue.
As always, you can learn more about Take A Stand and all of our other programs at www.imaginationtheater.org.
— Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Customized Programs
We provide the platform for communities to discuss and explore the issues that are most meaningful to them. In order to best serve that end, we regularly work with schools and communities to customize programs and create original assemblies that address the social issues most critical to them.
Sometimes this means we're creating an entirely new show, like our upcoming programs on responsible proms and substance abuse. On other occasions we can tailor an existing script to suit a particular community or shine a light on a specific circumstance. This February we are touring a customized version of our No Secrets program for 6-8th grade as well as a customized version of our Aware Individuals program for high school students.
The flexibility of our style allows us to speak directly audiences about the issues that matter most to them. It is a privilege to serve communities in this way.
As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater and our programs at www.imaginationtheater.org.
— Jeremy Schaefer, Associate Artistic Director
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