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SUMMARY:Explore Theater Basics
DESCRIPTION:Explore Theater Basics \nIs your child curious about the stage? Then this beginner-friendly drama class is the perfect place to start! Students learn the basics of acting\, singing\, and dancing. Best of all\, fresh activities keep every session fun and engaging. \nEach week\, students improvise\, play acting games\, and learn new songs and dances. Along the way\, they explore characters from beloved stories like Toy Story\, Encanto\, and The Wizard of Oz. \nThis class welcomes curious beginners and young performers with some experience. In a playful\, supportive setting\, kids build confidence and spark their creativity. As a result\, they grow their drama skills one step at a time. \nThe Demonstration \nAt the end of the session\, students host a demonstration for family and friends. They share a mix of games\, exercises\, and songs that show off the skills they learned. Students sing together in one large group or in several small groups. In addition\, each song features simple choreography. \nLet Your Child’s Imagination Shine! \nHelp your young performer take their first steps on stage. Sign up today! \n\nLevel One: Explore\nAges 5-8\nMondays | 4:30–5:15 PM\nNovember 2–December 7\, 2026\n6 Classes | $200\n\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. \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/explore-theater-basics/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261102T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261102T183000
DTSTAMP:20261028T152637Z
CREATED:20261021T185326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261028T152637Z
UID:20007633-1793640600-1793644200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Develop Musical Theater Skills
DESCRIPTION:DEVELOP MUSICAL THEATER SKILLS\nSing\, Dance\, and Act in Our Fun Musical Theatre Class for Kids! \nDoes your child love the spotlight? Then this six-week musical theatre class is a great fit! Students build their acting\, singing\, and dancing skills. At the same time\, they practice focus\, teamwork\, and stage presence. \nThroughout the session\, students explore songs and scenes from favorite shows. These include Annie\, The Lion King Kids\, Shrek the Musical\, and The Little Mermaid. Each class also features improv and acting games. These games introduce new skills and then help students grow them week by week. \nThis camp-style class welcomes new and returning students alike. Here\, imagination\, expression\, and storytelling shine. Most of all\, it suits students who are ready to move past the basics and build stronger performance skills. \nThe Presentation\nAt the end of the session\, students share a final presentation with family and friends. In this Level Two Presentation\, they perform the scenes and songs they rehearsed all session. Students sing together in one large group or in several small groups. Plus\, each song includes simple choreography. \nReady to Take the Stage? \nGive your young performer a chance to learn\, create\, and shine. Enroll today! \n\nLevel Two: Develop\nAges 9 to 14\nMondays | 5:30–6:30 PM\nNovember 2–December 7\, 2026\n6 Classes | $200\n\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. \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/develop-musical-theater-skills/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Gorton Drama Studio,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261103T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261103T150000
DTSTAMP:20260710T204811Z
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UID:20007360-1793696400-1793718000@gortoncenter.org
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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