On The Road Again!

Every ensemble spends a great deal of time together.  Imagination Theater is no exception.  This past week our nomadic cast of actors and facilitators traveled to New York City, Pittsburgh, Roanoke, Cleveland, Cedar Rapids, Pella, Buffalo, and several stops in between!

Heavy touring can either make or break an ensemble.  I'm happy to say that future shows will benefit from this busy week of travel.  By week's end, we were celebrating dozens of successful performances and hours of priceless bonding experiences.  Killing time in the car by sharing desert island playlists and embarrassing stories strengthens the chemistry between artists.  Audiences take note of an ensemble that really understands how to work with and support one another.  Our cast's ability to do just that keeps entire gymnasiums engaged in our shows and tuned into our message.

A quick stop on the way to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Niagara Falls.

We look forward to many more weeks on the road during the 2013/14 season!

As always, you can learn more about our programs at www.imaginationtheater.org.

-Jeremy Schaefer

College Bound!

Imagination Theater is college bound!

When first year students transition into college life, Imagination Theater is there to meet them, celebrate their excitement, and ease their anxiety.

College 101 kicks off our season every year.  This participatory program runs the gauntlet of topics from new roommates to sexual assault.  We conclude performances with a fully improvised scene that addresses students' specific concerns.  The show gets audience members laughing over their shared fears and exchanging ideas about how to handle difficult situations.

College 101 is a tremendous introduction to college life.  Imagination Theater is grateful that such a dynamic performance kicks off our season in cities all over the country!

As always, you can find more information about Imagination Theater at www.imaginationtheater.org.

- Jeremy Schaefer

  

Go Green!

As summer winds down, the number of perfect camping nights dwindles ever closer to a snow covered zero.  This past weekend I took advantage of the absolutely perfect late summer nights we've been having and pitched a tent at Starved Rock State Park.

The Illinois River rushing past dramatic sandstone bluffs stands among the prettiest views in the state.  At times, however, the view along the popular path was less awe inspiring. When I saw the myriad water bottles discarded along the trail, I couldn't help recalling Imagination Theater's Go Green.

In one scene, two friends are on a nature hike when one of them drops an empty water bottle along the trail.  A brief conversation follows about littering, but the actor who dropped the bottle defends the choice by pointing to all the other bottles and asking, "What difference does it make?"  

This is when we freeze the scene and ask the audience the same question.  K-5 students are quick to point out that "just because other people do it, doesn't make it right," and that "littering hurts the plants and animals." Litter diminishes the beauty of nature and reduces its perceived value.  Our audiences understand that being an "anti-litter bug" is just one way to respect each other, and protect the planet. 

At every performance of Go Green, a volunteer comes on stage to explain to our actors why they shouldn't litter, and encourage them to pick up their trash.  Many volunteers have motivated our actors to pick up other trash as well (with gloves and parental supervision, of course.)

This weekend, as I often am, I was inspired by our audiences.  At the end of my hike I emptied a backpack full of litter into the recycling bins by the trail head.  The passion of our audience volunteers persists well after the show.
 
As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater programs, including Go Green, at www.imaginationtheater.org.   

- Jeremy Schaefer

New Ensemble Members!

An ensemble is like a family; therefore, when Imagination Theater welcomes three new actors into our ensemble, it is something to celebrate!

We are certainly celebrating the addition of three wonderfully talented actors to Imagination Theater's cast: Jake Jones, Kanomé Jones, and Marquecia Jordan!

We spent the last month introducing them to our signature style of theater.  They have picked up beautifully!  It is a pleasure to watch them take on scenes from Ease the Tease and Show Some Respect!  Their personalities and experience breathe fresh life into popular scenes.  We can't wait to get them in front of audiences!

As always, if you would like information about Imagination Theater's interactive programs, you can visit us at www.imaginationtheater.org.

- Jeremy Schaefer

Celebrating the 2012/2013 Season!

The 2012/13 season has been a truly fantastic experience!  Our collaboration with Now Is The Time To ACT allowed us to contribute to a vital mission, Take A Stand evolved throughout the year to become a potent exploration of bullying for junior high and high school audiences, and Ease The Tease 2.0 took our most popular program to an inspiring new level.

What really made this season a success, however, was our phenomenal ensemble of actors, facilitators, and teaching artists.  I have had the pleasure of going out on numerous shows as both a performer and an audience member.  Whether I'm on stage or in the audience, it is impossible to ignore how powerful our programs have become in the hands of this talented ensemble!

Imagination Theater is so grateful to the individuals that make us great!

As always, you can learn more about our ensemble and the programs we produce at www.imaginationtheater.org.

- Jeremy Schaefer

No Secrets

No Secrets stands among the most powerful programs in Imagination Theater's history.  Our intuitive ensemble members bring the vital and often neglected issue of sexual abuse directly to Chicago's students.

Initiating a discussion about sexual abuse with K-8th graders is a daunting task, however, our excellent facilitator and passionate actors make it look easy.  The audience eases into the discussion via playful initial scenes where kids accidentally hurt each other, or an aunt pinches their cheeks.  These early scenes provoke laughter and make a serious discussion less intimidating while introducing the ideas of safe versus unsafe touches, personal body safety, and the right of children to tell anyone "no" if they ever receive a touch that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.  The subject matter gets weightier as the scenes progress.  By the time we approach the topic of sexual abuse, the audience is engaged and prepared.

We provide the students with a definition of sexual abuse and the assurance that if it happens it is not their fault and must be stopped.  Audience members create a list of trusted adults that they can report sexual abuse to, learn their rights, and practice saying 'no' to unwanted touches.

Before No Secrets even comes into a school, counselors and social workers receive a 3 hour training from the CCAC, and RVA provides a 90 minute staff/teacher training to prepare the school for the program and stress the proper procedure for student disclosures.

The show can be an emotional experience for some audience members.  Our partners, Rape Victims Advocates, support audience members that are affected by the performance.  There is a safe room where students can anonymously report to social workers and get the help they need.

Imagination Theater is excited to launch a continuing education component this year for K-2 audiences.  As part of this supplemental workshop RVA and Imagination Theater actors reiterate the show's most vital themes to our youngest audiences.  This is an important opportunity to review the difference between safe and unsafe touches.

This immensely powerful program is fully grant supported within the city of Chicago.  It is a resource that we are proud to provide.

As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater at www.imaginationtheater.org

— Jeremy Schaefer

 

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS!

Friday night's Illuminate Benefit was fantastic!

Rape Victim Advocates were celebrated for their amazing work with our No Secrets program.  Their work in the classroom and in the safe room after the show, has a profound impact on children who have survived sexual violence.  RVA and No Secrets truly changes lives.

Over the course of the evening we raised nearly $25,000 for our cause!  This goes a long way toward sharing our powerful programming with eager audiences!  All students deserve theatrical expression and open discussion.  Your support and contributions make it happen!

Thank you!

As always, you can learn more about Imagination Theater at www.imaginationtheater.org.

— Jeremy Schaefer