We are dedicated to creating programs that make use of the full educational potential of theater as a subject of study, an instrument for the development of life skills, and as a means of making other subjects more accessible to students.

The art of theater is also an excellent method of teaching non-theatrical subjects in a creative interactive and stimulating way. In addition to the workshops below, we've worked with schools on their productions, filling in roles such as Fight Choreographer, Dialect Coach and even Director! We will partner with your school to develop a program that specifically meets your needs.

Costs for workshops and residencies vary with each topic. Prices range from $60 - $100 per session. Sessions are 45 minutes - 1 hour, adaptable to school schedules. All workshops are designed for a classroom sized group of 10-30 students. Most workshops can be performed in single visits or in a residency format with multiple visits. To get the most out of the experience, we recommend a residency of at least four visits to go in depth on any of the topics below. Many topics fall into multiple catagories, so be sure to scroll down through all offerings!

Programs for Theater Arts Standards
These workshops serve as introductions to aspects of the theatrical art form. Let our teaching artists design a program tailored to your students' interest and level of expertise.

Acting Basics
So many members of the education artist staff love teaching basic acting skills that this course can offer a number of approaches to learning acting basics. Try a single approach or several, you’re bound to love the learning too!
Teaching Artist: Various Recommended: 4th - 12th grades

Acting with Style
This workshop explores the demands of acting within a particular historical style, including: Ancient Greek, Elizabethan, Commedia dell’Arte and Restoration. Theatrical conventions, the demands of wearing period costume and social customs, including bows and curtsies, are covered.
Teaching Artist: Angela Iannone Recommended Age: 9th - 12th grades

Auditioning Techniques
This practical workshop for students will explore how to audition, including monologues and cold readings. Some focus will also be placed on resume development and headshots. For high schoolaudiences, the workshop will also include techniques for auditioning and interviewing for college theater programs. Monologue selection and coaching is also available.
Teaching Artist: Dean Yohnk, Jenny Kostreva Recommended Age: 8th - 12th grades

Introduction to Directing
This hands-on workshop will look at ways to read and analyze plays as well as develop a concept for taking a play from page to stage. Learn to translate your ideas into stage action as well as techniques on working with actors.
Teaching Artist: Dean Yohnk, Jenny Kostreva Recommended Age: 9th - 12th grades

Introduction to Improvisation
Okay. . . the audience suggests that a UFO has just abducted you and you’re locked in a holding cell with a talking tree, two politicians and Bozo the Clown. . .GO! Through this fast-paced class, students learn to take suggestions and create lively scenes that leave the audience cheering.
Teaching Artist: Various Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades

Movement for the Actor
This workshop provides an overview of movement for the stage and an examination of the student actor’s physical energies including: neutrality, relaxation, balance, alignment, center of gravity, isolations and movement choices. It encourages the student to explore creative movement and apply these skills to character study and scene-work. The workshop also promotes awareness of the body on stage, reinforcing and developing physical stage presence and the dynamics of non-verbal communication through both scripted and improvised character-based movement. Minimum of 2 visits required.
Teaching Artist: Angela Iannone Recommended Age: 9th - 12th grades

Musical Theater Dance
This high-energy workshop consists of a basic dance warm-up, followed by three dances often found in musicals. The dances are easy to learn and fun to execute, but give a sense of how it feels like to dance in a musical theater production. Emphasis is placed on “dancing a character”, as well as trying the steps and styles of Music Theater. Fun for all!
Teaching Artist: Nancy Weiss-McQuide Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades

Physical Comedy Toolbox
Comedies and farces are full of physical humor that continues to make audiences laugh. This workshop will teach students to explore these hilarious physical possibilities and incorporate them seamlessly into character.
Teaching Artist: Marcy Kearns Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades

Playwriting: Expressing Life Stories
This flexible playwriting workshop will introduce participants to a wide range of playwriting techniques and activities intended to express diverse life stories. Participants will work collaboratively to create original monologues, scenes and plays.
Teaching Artist: Dr. Dean Yohnk Recommended Age: 9th - 12th grades

Shakespeare Power
A perfect opportunity to make sense out of Shakespeare! This workshop is designed to actively explore Shakespeare’s stage conventions, themes and wordplay. This is real proof that the Bard doesn’t have to be barbarous for your students. Single or multiple workshop experiences available.
Teaching Artist: Angela Iannone Recommended Age: 9th - 12th grades

Stage Combat
Learn the basics of hand-to-hand and simple weapons combat for the stage. With the focus on safety and the emphasis on fun, this class can’t be “beat”. Large space with mats is desirable.
Teaching Artist: Jamie Cheatham, Richard Hedderman Recommended Age: 7th - 12th grades

Programs for Language Arts and Reading Standards
The art of theater is an excellent method of teaching core subjects in a creative, interactive and stimulating way. These workshops make use of theatrical concepts as tools for educating students.

Creative Writing Workshop
This workshop is designed to enhance students' writing skills by using creative techniques that draw from students own experiences and observations. This highly successful workshop has been used in MPS, nationally and internationally. 10-20 students, spiral notebook and pencil required. Residency requires six visits.
Teaching Artist: Nomusa Xaba (Mama Nomusa) Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades

Dramatic Writing Workshops (2 options)
Two Day Introduction to Playwriting - In this workshop students will be introduced to the fundamentals of dramatic writing through creative exercises that will explore character, conflict and plot structure. Students will be encouraged to write and perform two contrasting monologues from characters they’ve created in the workshop!

Five Day Playwriting Intensive - In this workshop students will explore: character development, the layers of dramatic conflict, inciting incidents and plot development. We will focus on the creation of a ten-minute-play by constructing vivid characters and writing monologues for them.
Teaching Artist: Laura Lynn MacDonald Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades Download flyer

Mean What you Say, Say what you Mean
Encouraging honesty and a love of words, this class asks students to explore texts orally. After choosing a poem or prose piece that is meaningful to them, students will be guided through a series of exercises that explore the piece, physically, vocally and emotionally.
Teaching Artist: Shannon Sloan-Spice Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades

Storyteller in Residence – A Journey in Building Character
Story is a powerful tool to teach character and motivate students. Through carefully chosen stories, students' minds will be actively engaged in imagining, predicting and weighing the justice of the events and outcomes in each story. The power of a well-told story can win over the most reluctant participant. The school culture will benefit long after the storyteller is gone because studies have shown retention levels from stories told are higher than those that are read. This will assist the school in maintaining solid values, establishing a common language, and defusing volatile situations. Residency requires 10 visits.
Teaching Artist: Nomusa Xaba (Mama Nomusa) Recommended Age: 1st - 12th grades

Programs for Teaching Life Skills
Although all of our programs help teach students life skills necessary in tody's world including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and listening, we also have specific workshops and residencies geared towards the development of these skills.

Peacelab
In a time when violence in our schools becomes a more looming concern, this class offers peace skills to your students. Through role-playing and other awareness-raising games, students will learn a myriad of ways to recognize and avoid potentially violent situations.
Teaching Artist: Olusegun Siguwade
Recommended Age: 6th - 12th grades

Theater Residency - Life Skills Focus
We can create a program for your school-day or as part of your after-school program, to teach students through the dynamic art of theater, their importance as individuals and how to better function in a community. Theater games and improvisation teach skills in focus, teamwork, group problem-solving and communicating positively with face, voice and body. Recommended minimum number of visits: 6
Teaching Artist: Jenny Kostreva, Rebecca Witt Recommended Age: 4th - 12th grades

**CREATE YOUR OWN WORKSHOP**
Is there something you have in mind that you can’t find on this list? Do you need assistance on your school's production? The Rep’s Education Department has a wide range of talented education artists who specialize in different areas. We can be a resource to you!

Contact our education department to see how we can meet your needs:

Jenny Kostreva, Education Director - jkostreva@milwaukeerep.com or 414-290-5370

Rebecca Witt, Education Coordinator - rwitt@milwaukeerep.com or 414-290-5393