Theater Basics for Kids

Instructors: Jeremy Kruse, Emmy Bjerre-Jensen and Carla Garippo

This fun, beginner-friendly class introduces students to the fundamentals of acting, singing, and dancing through a rotating class structure that keeps things fresh and engaging. Students will be divided into groups according to age. In acting, students will develop original scenes through improvisation and acting exercises. We will explore characters and situations from well known stories like “Cinderella,” “Harry Potter,” “Spider-Man” and “Mean Girls.” The kids are free to suggest any character they wish to work on from any story they wish. In singing and dancing, they’ll learn age-appropriate songs and choreography from musical theater. The session ends with a relaxed, low-pressure demonstration where students perform the scenes they’ve created along with the songs and dances they’ve been working on. It’s perfect for kids who are curious about theater and want to get their feet wet—or for those with some experience who are looking for a fun, low-key environment to continue exploring their creativity.

• Tuesdays September 23 – November 11
• Ages 5 to 14
• 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
• Price: $300

Jeremy Kruse, acting teacher/director/Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio, is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series, 2017). Jeremy is a professional actor, published playwright, award-winning screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. Some of the classes he taught at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York include Method Acting, Comedic Improvisation, Sketch Comedy Writing, and Acting for Film and TV. He graduated from The Strasberg Institute at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he majored in drama. Jeremy also teaches privately, one on one. www.jeremykruse.com and www.jeremykruseactingtraining.com 

Emmy Bjerre-Jensen, singing teacher/musical director, is an experienced teacher in the classroom and on the stage. She has a bachelor’s in digital cinema and a masters of education from DePaul University. This is her fourth production in a directing role. She is thrilled to be sharing her love of music and theater with the brilliant young thespians of Lake Forest. 

Carla Garippo, dance teacher/choreographer, received her professional dance training from Ruth Page Center for the Arts and was a principal dancer of The Ruth Page Civic Ballet Company of Chicago. She is fluent in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Poms, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Stretch/Conditioning and Character. Some of Carla’s credits include: The Chicago Tribune Charities production of “The Nutcracker ” at The Arie Crown Theatre, Dirty Dancing, Carnaval at The Victor Hotel, Dance Chicago, MTVs Sweet 16, as well as various music videos and concerts nationwide. Carla teaches dancers of all ages and levels and is excited to be a staff member at Gorton Drama Studio.