The Goodman’s ACTivation Series offers a dynamic lineup of workshops led by experienced Chicago theater artists and educators, designed to spark creativity and build community.
Starting March 11, 2026
The Goodman's Alice Center for Education and Engagement - Baskes Rotunda
170 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60601 - View on Google Maps
The Goodman’s ACTivation Series offers a dynamic lineup of workshops led by experienced Chicago theater artists and educators, designed to spark creativity and build community. Held in the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement, these classes (designed for ages 18+ and open to all experience levels) welcome both lifelong learners eager to celebrate their inner artists and theater professionals looking to refine their craft. Participants will engage in exciting, immersive, and joyful hands-on experiences that highlight the transformative power of theater.
We believe in theater for everyone and recognize there can be financial barriers to participation; please choose the option that best fits your current circumstances and ability.
Producer tier – I am willing to pay the full registration fee so that someone with financial limitations can benefit from a discounted registration.
Director tier – I can afford to pay a reduced cost for the workshop.
Ensemble tier – I can comfortably pay this amount right now.
UP NEXT
Wednesday, March 11 at 6PM
Known collectively as La Vuelta Theatre Lab, the creative minds behind the Jeff Award winning performance of Teatro Vista’s production of Memorabilia, Raquel Torre and Jean Claudio, are teaming up to lead a 3-part workshop for The Goodman’s ACTivation series. A wise person once said, “All theater is physical. If not, we’re just narrating text.”
Starting off with a bang, let’s explore our potential for high physicality! Developing the fundamentals for safe acrobatic movement, we’ll be learning techniques that expand our physical vocabulary while helping us feel more comfortable in our bodies. Open to all levels*
Attendance to all three workshops is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Charge up that curiosity and come ready to move, play, and explore.
Recommended for ages 18+. While this workshop is open to all levels, a basic sense of movement, balance, and coordination are needed to participate.
Producer: $75
Director: $60
Ensemble: $50
Past Event
Thursday, March 12 at 6PM
Join Goodman Theatre’s ACTivation Series in collaboration with the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) for an unforgettable cultural experience! Discover the vibrant Afro-Caribbean tradition of Bomba.
This interactive workshop will introduce you to the basics of Bomba dance and percussion, guided by SRBCC’s talented teaching artists. Feel the beat of the drums, learn the language of movement, and explore the history and heritage behind this powerful art form.
Whether you’re a first-time dancer or seasoned professional, this workshop is for you! Come ready to move, connect, and celebrate the spirit of Bomba! All skill levels invited.
Producer: $45
Director: $35
Ensemble: $25
This program has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Saturday, March 14 at 11AM
Ever wondered what it takes to break into the world of voice–over? This introductory workshop is your chance to learn from one of the best in the business.
Join Emmy Award-winning voice artist for an immersive, hands-on experience designed for beginners who want to explore the art and craft of voice acting.
In just four hours, you’ll:
Producer: $100
Director: $85
Ensemble: $75
SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, March 17 at 6PM
Join Goodman Theatre’s ACTivation Series in collaboration with the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) for an unforgettable cultural experience! Discover the vibrant Afro-Caribbean tradition of Bomba.
This interactive workshop will introduce you to the basics of Bomba dance and percussion, guided by SRBCC’s talented teaching artists. Feel the beat of the drums, learn the language of movement, and explore the history and heritage behind this powerful art form.
Whether you’re a first-time dancer or seasoned professional, this workshop is for you! Come ready to move, connect, and celebrate the spirit of Bomba! All skill levels invited.
Producer: $45
Director: $35
Ensemble: $25
This program has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Wednesday, March 18 at 6PM
Warm up for another week with La Vuelta, let’s indulge in play! Through game, trial, and joyful error, we’ll be learning what it means to perform in openness, in connection, and in poetry. Clowning works acting muscles that apply to any performing genre! Attendance to all three workshops is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Charge up that curiosity and come ready to move, play, and explore.
Attendance to all three workshops is not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Recommended for ages 18+.
Producer: $75
Director: $60
Ensemble: $50
Wednesday, March 25 at 6PM
To really home in on that nonverbal toolbox that takes any type of performance to the next level, we’re touching on the three core elements of our work: being active, being playful, and being embodied.
To close our Bodies In Play series, let’s ground in physical storytelling! Weaving through different approaches to movement-based theater, we’ll be exploring and expanding our capacity for powerful physical performance with a body that is present and active in the space. Attendance to all three workshops is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Charge up that curiosity and come ready to move, play, and explore.
Attendance to all three workshops is not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Recommended for ages 18+.
Producer: $75
Director: $60
Ensemble: $50
Saturday, March 28 at 11AM
Ready to step behind the mic and experience what it’s like to record in preparation for studio work? This 4-hour immersive workshop is your chance to learn from Emmy Award-winning voice artist Abby Thompson and take your voice-over skills to the next level.
In this hands-on intensive, you’ll:
Whether you’re new to voice-over or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop offers practical experience and insider knowledge that will set you apart.
Producer: $100
Director: $85
Ensemble: $75
SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, April 21 at 6PM
Curious about storytelling but new to the form? Start here! Every person has a story worth telling, and with a little support, is capable of sharing that story in a way that connects with an audience. This workshop is designed to build your confidence and skills, whether your ambitions include performing at live lit open mics, using storytelling at work, or simply relaying moments from your life to those around you. Participate in brainstorming activities designed to mine your experiences for story, then share and listen to the stories of others in a safe, collaborative and lively environment. Explore the basic components of story, how to tell a good one, and how to bring your own authentic personality to a narrative. Led by veteran storyteller and author Julie Ganey, you’ll leave this interactive workshop understanding why the world is in love with storytelling, and that you can do it too.
Producer: $75
Director: $60
Ensemble: $50
Friday, May 1 at 4PM
Interested in creating a solo performance but not sure how to begin? Maybe you have a seed of an idea—or even a rough outline. Great! This workshop will help you turn that early spark into something tangible. Led by Julie Ganey, performer and co‑author of SOLO: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing, and Producing Your One‑Person Show, this session gives you the skills and confidence to shape your ideas into a compelling long‑form piece. You’ll experiment with techniques for getting words on the page, building out scenes, and exploring a variety of structural approaches. You’ll also learn foundational concepts for capturing an audience’s imagination—including the Seven Keys That Make a Solo Show Work. Whether you’re a seasoned performer stepping into solo creation, a strong writer new to the stage, or someone who falls somewhere in between, you’ll leave this workshop with clear tools, practical next steps, and the support you need to bring your show to life.
Producer: $75
Director: $60
Ensemble: $50
Thursday, May 14 at 5:30PM
Get ready, because we’re turning The Goodman all the way up. Back by popular demand, the incomparable Breon Arzell returns — and this time he’s remixing the classics, blending old-school musical theatre with a fresh contemporary edge. Think nostalgia meets new-school energy. Whether you’re an experienced dancer, a theatre pro, or someone who loves to move, this class is for YOU. Each session meets you exactly where you are and lifts you a little higher — part movement conditioning and technique lab, part choreography jam, and all good vibes. Every class stands alone as a mini-Masterclass, so drop in for one or ride the wave through all three workshops. No pressure. No perfection. Just music, movement, community, and joy. Reserve your spot today, and show up, show out, and DANCE!
Producer: $45
Director: $35
Ensemble: $25
Tuesday, May 19 at 6PM
Already started a solo piece—or have a strong idea you’re ready to develop? This intensive workshop will take your work to the next level. You’ll dig into organizing principles, uncover the essential question at the heart of your piece, develop theatricality, refine your voice and point of view, and explore practical pathways for getting your solo play onto a stage in front of an audience. No matter where you are in the drafting process, this workshop focuses on shaping your work and strengthening your material. Led by Julie Ganey, co‑author of SOLO: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing and Producing Your One‑Person Show, you’ll leave with greater clarity, new craft tools, and the confidence to transform your draft into a compelling, audience‑ready solo play. Participation also includes a post‑workshop one‑on‑one feedback session on your show‑in‑progress.
Producer: $75
Director: $60
Ensemble: $50
Thursday, May 21 at 5:30PM
Get ready, because we’re turning The Goodman all the way up. Back by popular demand, the incomparable Breon Arzell returns — and this time he’s remixing the classics, blending old-school musical theatre with a fresh contemporary edge. Think nostalgia meets new-school energy. Whether you’re an experienced dancer, a theatre pro, or someone who loves to move, this class is for YOU. Each session meets you exactly where you are and lifts you a little higher — part movement conditioning and technique lab, part choreography jam, and all good vibes. Every class stands alone as a mini-Masterclass, so drop in for one or ride the wave through all three workshops. No pressure. No perfection. Just music, movement, community, and joy. Reserve your spot today, and show up, show out, and DANCE!
Producer: $45
Director: $35
Ensemble: $25
Thursday, May 28 at 5:30pm
Get ready, because we’re turning The Goodman all the way up. Back by popular demand, the incomparable Breon Arzell returns — and this time he’s remixing the classics, blending old-school musical theatre with a fresh contemporary edge. Think nostalgia meets new-school energy. Whether you’re an experienced dancer, a theatre pro, or someone who loves to move, this class is for YOU. Each session meets you exactly where you are and lifts you a little higher — part movement conditioning and technique lab, part choreography jam, and all good vibes. Every class stands alone as a mini-Masterclass, so drop in for one or ride the wave through all three workshops. No pressure. No perfection. Just music, movement, community, and joy. Reserve your spot today, and show up, show out, and DANCE!
Producer: $45
Director: $35
Ensemble: $25
TEACHING ARTISTS
Carol Prins
and John Hart
Fruman and
Marian Jacobson
Kimbra and
Mark Walter
Carol and
Douglas Cohen
Scott and Lenore Enloe
The Muriel Pollia Foundation
Steven and Lauren Schiebe
Siragusa Family Foundation
Judy and Alexander Toland
