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SUMMARY:THE GREAT GORTON ELECTION
DESCRIPTION:THE GREAT GORTON ELECTION\nIt’s Election Day – but on stage\, anything can happen! In this high-energy one-day theater camp\, students create original characters\, invent campaign platforms\, write speeches\, make commercials\, and perform hilarious debate scenes as they run for the most entertaining and unexpected offices imaginable. \nAlong the way\, performers campaign to become everything from the “Mayor of Musical Theater” to the “President of Recess.” As they rehearse\, they discover how actors use voice\, movement\, and storytelling to persuade\, entertain\, and connect with an audience. Then\, through improvisation\, comedy\, creative writing\, and performance\, students build campaign teams\, create memorable slogans\, and bring their original characters to life. \nSong & Performance Material May Include:\n\nYou’re the One That I Want\nThis Is Me\nCount on Me\nBest Day of My Life\nWe’re All in This Together\n\nFinal Event\nFinally\, families are invited to a live Election Night Rally. Students present campaign speeches\, perform songs\, and showcase their funniest campaign moments before everyone casts the final vote. \nNo previous theater experience is needed. Just bring your imagination\, energy\, and a willingness to campaign with creativity and confidence! \nLevel Two: Explore/Develop Day Camp \nAges: 9–14 \nTuesday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM \nNovember 3\, 2026 \n1 Day | 6 Hours | $110 \nAt Gorton Drama Studio\, students learn foundational acting skills through the teaching methods developed by Jeremy Kruse\, author of The Young Actor’s Handbook (Applause Acting Series\, 2017) and the upcoming The Young Actor’s Technique. Throughout the day\, students strengthen stage presence\, projection\, active listening\, and the ability to create believable characters. At the same time\, they build confidence\, overcome stage fright\, and develop valuable communication skills. Most importantly\, every class encourages students to discover more about themselves\, better understand the world around them\, and express themselves through the art of theater. \n\nMeet The Gorton Drama Studio Creative Team\n \nJeremy Kruse\, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series\, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. 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  \n  \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/the-great-gorton-election/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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SUMMARY:"Mr. V.'s Day Off" - Election Day
DESCRIPTION:“Mr. V.’s Day Off” – Election Day\n\nKids ages 4–11\, cast your vote for adventure and join Mr. V for an Election Day history experience like no other! First\, travel from sea to shining sea as you explore America’s incredible landscapes. Then\, visit famous national parks\, monuments\, and landmarks through music\, stories\, and hands-on activities. \nNext\, celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66 as you journey from Chicago to the Pacific Coast. Along the way\, take exciting road trips\, enjoy river rides\, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Meanwhile\, Mr. V brings each destination to life with live piano music\, engaging stories\, and interactive multimedia. As a result\, kids will sing\, move\, learn\, and explore while making history fun every step of the way. \nChoose the full-day camp (9 a.m.–3 p.m.\, $120) or the half-day camp (9 a.m.–12 p.m.\, $60). \n\nAges: 4-11\nTuesday\, November 3\nFull Day ($120) or Half Day ($60)\n\nMeet the Gorton Drama Studio Team\n\n \nBill Vaananen is an award-winning music educator and composer who has taught and directed elementary-aged students for over 45 years. Originally from Oklahoma\, “Mr. V.” was general music teacher at Wescott School in Northbrook for 37 years. He has written hundreds of songs and dozens of original theater works that have been performed across Chicago’s northern suburbs. Recipient of the Golden Apple Award\, IEA Human Rights Award\, National-Louis Distinguished Alumni Award for Social Justice\, and Star of Teaching Award for the State of Illinois\, Vaananen continues to perform classes and presentations for children\, weaving his original music into inspiring lessons on Nature\, history\, culture\, and adventure. \n  \n \nAbout Our Artistic Director: Jeremy Kruse\, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series\, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. 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 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/mr-v-s-day-off-election-day/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Age,Camps,Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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CREATED:20260629T224909Z
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SUMMARY:HOLIDAY ON BROADWAY
DESCRIPTION:HOLDAY ON BROADWAY \nCelebrate the season on stage in this festive musical theater production class! Students will sing\, act\, dance\, and perform in a holiday-themed musical revue. Along the way\, they will bring classic Christmas stories\, favorite holiday songs\, and memorable characters to life.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFirst\, students will build acting\, singing\, and performance skills. Then\, they will strengthen stage presence\, develop memorable characters\, and learn to work as a strong ensemble. Throughout the session\, performers will rehearse scenes\, songs\, and choreography while preparing for a polished production. \nStudents may perform selections inspired by Elf the Musical\, The Polar Express\, A Charlie Brown Christmas\, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!\, White Christmas\, and other holiday favorites. \nAs a Level Three class\, students take an active role in the rehearsal process. Over 24 hours of rehearsal across six weeks\, they will tackle more challenging material\, memorize scenes and songs\, and refine their performance skills. At the same time\, they will build confidence\, strengthen teamwork\, and grow as performers. \n\nGorton Drama Studio proudly teaches foundational acting exercises and acting technique developed by Jeremy Kruse\, author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series\, 2017) and the author of the upcoming book\, “The Young Actor’s Technique” that are designed to teach students the basics of acting such as stage presence\, projection and creating believable behavior and life skills such as confidence\, active listening and managing stage fright. In partaking in a Jeremy Kruse acting class\, one makes discoveries about oneself\, makes discoveries about the world and learns how to express oneself artistically. \n\nPerformance: The session concludes with a fully staged performance for family and friends. Unlike a Level One Demonstration or Level Two Presentation\, a Level Three Performance features memorized scenes\, developed characters\, polished choreography\, and complete storytelling. Students present a cohesive holiday production that showcases everything they have learned. \nPerfect for students who love musical theater and are ready for a fun\, challenging\, and rewarding performance experience. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLevel Three: Perform\n\nAges 9–14\n\nTuesdays & Wednesdays | 4:30–6:30 PM\n\nNovember 3–December 9\, 2026\n\n24 Classes | $800\n\nMeet The Gorton Drama Studio Creative Team\n \nJeremy Kruse\, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series\, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. 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  \n  \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/holiday-on-broadway/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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SUMMARY:PIRATES & MERMAIDS
DESCRIPTION:PIRATES & MERMAIDS \nDive into an unforgettable musical theater adventure! Young performers will sail the seas\, hunt for hidden treasure\, meet magical mermaids\, and outsmart playful pirates. Along the way\, they’ll sing\, act\, dance\, and bring exciting ocean stories to life. \nFirst\, students will learn songs inspired by favorite sea adventures\, including “Under the Sea\,” “Part of Your World\,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls\,” and fun pirate-themed favorites. Then\, they’ll jump into theater games\, creative storytelling\, movement activities\, and character exploration. As they rehearse\, they’ll build confidence\, strengthen their imaginations\, and practice working together as an ensemble. \nNext\, performers will develop foundational acting skills\, improve stage presence\, and learn simple choreography. Every activity encourages creativity\, teamwork\, and self-expression in a fun and supportive environment. Best of all\, every student will have a chance to shine while creating memorable characters and exciting adventures. \n\nGorton Drama Studio proudly teaches foundational acting exercises and acting technique developed by Jeremy Kruse\, author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series\, 2017) and the author of the upcoming book\, “The Young Actor’s Technique” that are designed to teach students the basics of acting such as stage presence\, projection and creating believable behavior and life skills such as confidence\, active listening and managing stage fright. In partaking in a Jeremy Kruse acting class\, one makes discoveries about oneself\, makes discoveries about the world and learns how to express oneself artistically. \n\nDemonstration: Finally\, the session concludes with a demonstration for family and friends. Students will share theater games\, exercises\, and songs that showcase the skills they developed throughout the session. They will perform songs in one large group or several small groups\, complete with simple choreography. \nNo experience is necessary. Just bring your imagination\, your adventurous spirit\, and get ready to make a splash on stage! \n\nLevel One: Explore\n\nAges 5–8\n\nSaturdays | 9:00–9:45 AM\n\nNovember 7–December 12\, 2026\n\n6 Classes | $200\n\nMeet The Gorton Drama Studio Creative Team\n \nJeremy Kruse\, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series\, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. 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  \n  \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/pirates-mermaids/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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SUMMARY:MOVIE MUSICALS
DESCRIPTION:MOVIE MUSICALS\nLights\, Camera\, Action! \nStep into the spotlight and bring your favorite movie musicals to life! In this exciting musical theater class for ages 9–14\, students sing\, act\, dance\, and perform scenes inspired by today’s biggest movie musicals and timeless favorites. Along the way\, they’ll build confidence\, strengthen acting skills\, and become more expressive performers. \nStudents will explore songs and scenes inspired by The Greatest Showman\, High School Musical\, Descendants\, Newsies\, Hairspray\, and more. Next\, they’ll rehearse scenes\, learn songs\, develop characters\, and perform simple choreography. As they rehearse\, they’ll strengthen stage presence\, vocal projection\, and storytelling skills. \nThroughout the session\, students will work together as an ensemble. They’ll make creative choices\, share ideas\, and support one another. At the same time\, they’ll discover how acting\, music\, and movement work together to tell a story. \nIn addition\, every class includes foundational acting techniques developed by Gorton Drama Studio Artistic Director Jeremy Kruse\, author of The Young Actor’s Handbook (Applause Acting Series) and the upcoming The Young Actor’s Technique. Students will practice acting exercises that build stage presence\, clear projection\, active listening\, and believable characters. Just as importantly\, they’ll develop life skills such as confidence\, creativity\, collaboration\, and strategies for managing stage fright. Every class encourages students to discover more about themselves\, connect with others\, and express themselves through the performing arts. \nPresentation: The session concludes with a final presentation for family and friends. Students will perform scenes and songs rehearsed throughout the session. They’ll perform in one large group or several small groups and present simple choreography as part of the performance. \nWhether your child is new to musical theater or already loves to perform\, this class offers a fun and supportive place to grow. Students will make friends\, build new skills\, and enjoy every step of the creative process. \nLevel Two: Develop\nAges: 9–14 \nSaturdays | 10:00–11:00 AM \nNovember 7–December 12\, 2026 \n6 Classes | $200 \nMeet the Gorton Drama Studio Creative Team\nJeremy Kruse\, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio\, is the author of The Young Actor’s Handbook (Applause Acting Series\, 2017)\, which has also been published in Korean and Chinese. He is also the author of the upcoming The Young Actor’s Technique. \nJeremy is a professional actor\, published playwright\, award-winning screenwriter\, and award-winning filmmaker. Previously\, he taught Method Acting\, Comedic Improvisation\, Sketch Comedy Writing\, and Acting for Film and TV at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. He graduated from The Strasberg Institute at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in drama. Today\, he continues to train actors through Gorton Drama Studio and private coaching. \nLearn more at jeremykruse.com and jeremykruseactingtraining.com. \n  \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/movie-musicals/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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