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on-Camera acting, improv, & Stand up Comedy

Whether you are looking to take the stage or screen, our acting & comedy classes will help you evolve as a performer. Class sizes will be limited to 6 students per class. 

Register Now

theatre department director

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Jonathan Keaton

Jonathan is a Chicago native and alum of the Second City National Touring Company and has performed with other organizations including MPAACT, I.O. Chicago, CIC Theater & The Annoyance Theater. He has kept busy with film & television roles in “Chicago Code”, “Chicago Fire”, “Chicago P.D. & Showtimes “The Chi” & “My Names is Jerry” as well

Jonathan is a Chicago native and alum of the Second City National Touring Company and has performed with other organizations including MPAACT, I.O. Chicago, CIC Theater & The Annoyance Theater. He has kept busy with film & television roles in “Chicago Code”, “Chicago Fire”, “Chicago P.D. & Showtimes “The Chi” & “My Names is Jerry” as well as voice-over (radio) for Comcast, McDonalds & Coors Light.  An instructor of improv and on-camera acting for the past 15 years he has taught students with The Second City Training Center, School of Performing Arts, Waldorf School of DuPage & Artful Impact. 

Acting On camera

improv comedy

stand up comedy

class descriptions

Beginning On-Camera Acting

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Notebook, Pen, Focus and willingness to push past their comfort zone.

WHAT IT IS:

  • Our Beginner/Level 1 class is for young actors with an interest in Film & TV. Working both on and off camera students learn camera technique, how to read copy, hit the mark, how to slate and prep for an on-camera audition.

WHAT TO EXPECT  

  • Class exercises will are filmed and reviewed in class weekly.
  • Use of improv, simulated auditions, technique review, blocking with a strong emphasis on students learning how to relax and be themselves on camera.
  • Limit 10 Students

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Bring a notebook & Pen to every class
  • Come dressed ready to move
  • Silence when the camera is running and others are performing

Intermediate On-Camera Acting

 REQUIREMENTS:

  • On-Camera Level 1 or 14+ with performance experience preferably in front of the camera

WHAT IT IS:

  • Our Intermediate/Level 2 On-Camera continuation of on-camera acting technique as well as helping the young stage-trained actors become comfortable and confident working on a film

WHAT TO EXPECT  

  • Reinforcement of Level 1 basics plus additional on-camera technquie plus, intense simulated on-camera auditions & callbacks,
  • Discuss, Research & Prepare for the Chicago Film Community including resume & biography creation.
  • Learning how to conduct themselves as a profesional when on set.
  • Character creation and scene study
  • Limit 10 students.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Bring a notebook & Pen to every class
  • Come dressed ready to move
  • Silence when the camera is running

Advanced On-Camera Acting

REQUIREMENTS:

  • On-Camera Intermediate (level 2) or 2 years of semi-professional acting work.  

WHAT IT IS:

  • Advanced On-Camera Acting is for young aspiring entertainment professionals who are serious about their work and are interested in colabrating with others.

WHAT TO EXPECT  

  • Setting-up and shots
  • Interpretation of film scripts
  • Understanding the advantages and disadvantages to acting on camera.
  • Scenes will be recorded every week and watched back for critique and improvement.
  • Creation/Refinement of Actor Biography & Resume
  • Students will leave the class with a clear and comfortable grasp on how to act on camera.
  • Script Writing Introduction
  • This is designed to be a class that can be taken more than once.
  • Limit 8 students.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Bring a notebook & Pen to every class
  • Come dressed ready to move
  • Silence when the camera is running and others are performing
  • Continuous research of current acting trends and production work in Chicago

Improv

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Shoes and clothes you can move in.  


WHAT IT IS:

No experience needed! This class introduces the basics of improv with a focus on finding your voice, communicating with others and the principles of “yes and”. Students learn how to work together to create improvised scenes, characters and voices in a supportive environment using a variety of improv games & exercises.


STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Listening Listening aaaaaand more listening. 😊
  • Supporting other performers
  • Fearless Fun

Advanced Improv

 REQUIREMENTS:

  • 1 year minimum of improv training. 

Details:

All of the basics of improv will continue to be built upon and refined but this class will push their skills closer to expert/performance levels.  This invite only class will work on the student’s ability to introduce games, navigate suggestions of all types from the audience, introduce games, build detailed characters and continue learning the nuances of short-form, long-form and game oriented improv. 

Instructor is Jonathan Keaton:

  • The Second City Touring Company Alumni
  • The Second City Training Center Instructor Alumni
  • I.O. Chicago Training Center Graduate and performer
  • Playground Theater Chicago Performer
  • CIC Theater Performer 
  • The Second City Diversity & Inclusion – performer and instructor
  • Annoyance Theater performer for multiple shows
  • The Second City Works Asst. Facilitator for their professional development program

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Listening Listening aaaaaan more listening. 😊
  • Supporting other performers
  • Character work outside of class
  • Goal oriented mindset focused on “what does the show need” instead of a “me first” approach.

Stand Up Comedy

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2 section notebook preferable size is 8.75 x 5.75

WHAT IT IS:

  • Students are fully imersed in the process of creating comedy designed for the world of stand-up comedy. They will be writing material for themselves as well as the other students in the class. Writing, re-writing & refinement of material, technique and delivery are major components of this class.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Constant creation of new material IN and OUT of class.
  • Supporting other performers
  • Fearless Fun

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