Theater Basics for Kids

This fun, beginner-friendly class introduces students to the fundamentals of acting, singing, and dancing through a rotating structure that keeps every session fresh and engaging. In acting, students develop original scenes through improvisation and exercises, exploring characters and situations from stories like Cinderella, Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Mean Girls, or any character they choose. In singing and dancing, they’ll learn age-appropriate songs and choreography from musical theater. Perfect for curious beginners or young performers with some experience, this class provides a playful, supportive environment where kids can build confidence, explore creativity, and develop their skills in theater.

• Tuesdays
• November 18 to December 16 (No class week of Thanksgiving)
• Ages 5 to 14
• 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
• $150

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 is an experienced teacher in the classroom and on the stage. She has a bachelor’s in digital cinema and a master’s of education from DePaul University. A lifelong singer and performer, Emmy has studied voice in a variety of styles and has helped students of all ages develop healthy, confident singing techniques. Emmy has served as musical director on numerous musical theater productions and she is thrilled to be sharing her love of music, theater, and vocal performance with students of all ages and experience levels.

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.