SUMMER 2015
This summer, join The Viola Project in what promises to be our most ambitious camp season yet! There is a camp for everyone this year -- whether you want to brush up your Shakespeare or challenge yourself with new texts, venture through the forest with Shakespeare's heroines or explore Oak Park, laugh along with the women involved in Chicago's comedy scene or add your own voice to Shakespeare's plays, or eat some ice cream and spend an afternoon at the beach (a Viola Project summer staple). Our summer is planned -- now all we're missing is you!
All of our Shakespeare summer camps are held at City Lit Theatre, located in the Edgewater Presbyterian Church at 1020 W. Bryn Mawr. (Note: See Two Gents camp for exception)
Our camps for girls 10-16 run M-F (with the exception of our 3 day Speak the Speech intensive, which is M-W) from 9am-4pm. There will always be a Viola Project staff member at the main door on Bryn Mawr beginning at 8:30am.
All camps end in a performance for family and friends on the final afternoon.
It is The Viola Project's mission to keep our programming accessible to all girls, no matter what their financial situation is. Please email violainfo@violaproject.org with the subject line SCHOLARSHIP to inquire about available aid.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency as well as a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
Register by February 13th to take advantage of early bird prices!
June 29-July 1
"Suit the action to the word, the word to the action..."
Kick off summer with The Viola Project with this special 3 day camp tailored to Shakespeare novices, masters, and everyone in between!
Shakespeare is full of dualities, antithesis and twins. In this special three day camp, The Viola Project will bring together players of all ability who want to brush up their Shakespeare before embarking on our most ambitious summer to date! Novice students will get a chance to warm up to Shakespeare through games, approachable group pieces and our famous 10 minute versions of the plays while advanced students will delve into working on Shakespeare’s First Folio to deepen their understanding of the text. Those who took part of Speak the Speech last year are encouraged to participate again. This three day intensive is recommended for anyone who wants to spend a week of summer camp with us, though it is not a prerequisite for participating.
Register by February 13th to take advantage of early bird prices!
July 6-July 10
"Now go we in content, to liberty and not to banishment"
Shakespeare’s savviest ladies teach us how to keep our cool when we’re on our own - in Arden’s forests or on Chicago streets!
Shakespeare’ heroines had to keep on their toes and use their cunning to fend for themselves. Whether trekking through Wales to get to Milford Haven or seeking refuge in Arden, the forest could be a dangerous and exciting place. Join The Viola Project as we explore the similarities and differences between Shakespeare’s wilderness and Chicago’s streets. At times wild and dangerous -- and always full of chance and mystery -- we’ll crack the code to keeping your cool whether you’re in the forests outside of Athens or riding the Red Line on your way to school.
Featuring workshop by guest organization IMPACT Chicago
Register by February 13th to take advantage of early bird prices!
July 13-17
"Do you not know I am a woman? when I think, I must speak."
Step aside, Hamlet, it’s time for Gertrude to tell her side of the story!
Don’t get us wrong, everyone at The Viola Project adores Shakespeare, but sometimes a girl has to take the Bard’s work into her own hands. For this week long camp on the art of adaptation, we’ll let YOU decide what Kate’s really thinking at the end of The Taming of the Shrew or what Isabella would like to say to the Duke if she could speak with YOUR voice. It’s time to be opinionated, courageous, and suit the action to the word. As we like to point out, the pen is always mightier than the sword…
Guest Artist: The Q Brothers
Register by February 13th to take advantage of early bird prices!
July 20-24
"Would that my horse were as fast as her tongue…"
Join the Viola Project for a tour de force of Shakespearean and contemporary comediennes!
Get your comedy on in this week long camp on funny ladies from Shakespeare to The Second City! Although women were not allowed on stage in Shakespeare’s comedies, the Bard had the wit to know that ladies can be every bit as shrewd, goofy, ill-mannered, and hilarious as their male counterparts. We’ll take a cue from Beatrice, Rosalind, and our Merry Wives (to name a few) to prove that girls can hold their own in comedy. Join The Viola Project as we explore the age-old tradition of women in comedy while celebrating the great comediennes of today’s Chicago!
Guest artist: Improvised Shakespeare
August 3-7
"Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit"
For our final week of camp, we are embarking on an ambitious collaboration with Oak Park Festival Theatre and their production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Join us at our home at City Lit OR at our home away from home in Austin Gardens, Oak Park!
Two Gentlemen of Verona - City Lit, Chicago (Our usual location)
Join us for a week devoted to our veterans and older students! We'll be spending our time bringing our Shakespeare scenes to a new level with advanced Folio techniques as well as delving into some of the trickier aspects of Two Gentlemen of Verona. We challenge you to come up with and new version of the heroines Julia and Silvia who may have some strong words for two gents who won't take no for an answer! Give this play your own twist and bring it down to Oak Park for a joint performance with our Austin Garden campers! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Note: Part of why we are recommending this camp for ages 12 and up is that there are come complex issues that arise in this play, despite the fact that it is a comedy. We look forward to approaching them in the typical Viola Project way: we ask the big loaded questions, we aren't afraid of digging through messy answers, and we do not mince words with the girls while, at the same time, ensuring that the content is being presented in an age appropriate way. It is going to be a week of very interesting and powerful conversations. If you have any questions or concerns about how we approach this content, feel free to reach out at any time.
Final performance: 6:30 in Austin Gardens on the OPFT stage!
Families are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and stay for the 8pm fully realized performance of Two Gents.
August 3-7
"Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit"
For our final week of camp, we are embarking on an ambitious collaboration with Oak Park Festival Theatre and their production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Join us at our home at City Lit OR at our home away from home in Austin Gardens, Oak Park!
Join us in the park for a one played focused summer camp of Two Gentlemen of Verona, one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies! We'll bring you up close and personal with a real production of Two Gents. Perform YOUR version of the play on Oak Park Festival Theatre's set and met and discuss your part with actors from Oak Park's production. The week will finish out with a joint performance of our Oak Park campers and our City Lit campers! Plus, you're invited as Oak Park Festival Theatre's guest to see their fully realized professional production!
Final performance: 6:30 in Austin Gardens on the OPFT stage!
amilies are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and stay for the 8pm fully realized performance of Two Gents.
