OPENING: Cursed Costumes at Actors Gymnasium

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Cursed Costumes

A Curse Falls this Weekend

The Actors Gymnasium presents the fifth annual Fall Youth Circus, Cursed Costumes: A Spooky Circus opening October 22.  This weekend and next, ChiIL Mama will be ChiILin' just north of Chicago in Evanston, IL with The Actors Gymnasium Youth Circus! Both of my kids have been having a blast being in the cast. Come check out this all ages, Halloween themed, circus arts extravaganza.  ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: Family Friendly Halloween Fun Are you ever too old for Halloween? Not in this town! At the annual Halloween Block Party, everyone dresses up: grownups, kids, pets, even the mayor! But what will happen when a mysterious curse hits and all the trick-or-treaters turn into their costumes? Having escaped the troubling transformation, two sisters must work together to battle their way through a web of spooky obstacles to get to the haunted house at the end of the block and bring back their neighbors from the spell.  Come along for the ride as the Actors Gym Fall Youth Circus tumbles and twirls its way through a story of friendship, identity, and growing up.

The Actors Gymnasium Youth Circus is a performance-based training program that culminates in a fully-produced, original show. This intensive experience pairs professional artists and youth performers to collaboratively create an original new show and includes high-quality training in drama, dance, aerial and circus arts. In the process, students develop skills in collaboration, problem solving, and social interaction with their peers. The Youth Circus is one of our most popular ticketed events each year. 

Here's a compilation video of past Youth Circus shows including the spring show my daughter, Sage, was in.

To ensure a broad education in circus and performing arts, The Actors Gymnasium brings in instructors who specialize in dance and drama, while Artistic Director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi teaches circus and aerial skills that include juggling, tumbling, trapeze, tightwire, stilts and more. 

"Youth Circus is such a lucky opportunity, one we definitely don't take for granted. Where else can kids be part of the development and execution of a complete work of performance art with such a uniquely talented team of teachers and artists... and to truly feel like part of the 'team' throughout the process." says parent and board member Lauren Sinai. 

10% discount with the code dkenazmara or skenazmara (no caps)!

The show runs October 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2016 with three shows each weekend. Tickets are available now and can be purchased at www.actorsgymnasium.org. For group reservations and general questions call 847-328-2795. The on-location box office opens 1.5 hours prior to the start of each performance. 

About Cursed Costumes: A Spooky Circus 

Co-Writers/Co-Directors: Anna Basile and Abby Pajakowski 

Circus Co-Choreographers: Sylvia Hernandez DiStasi and Tommy Tomlins 

Dance Choreographer: Hillary Aarons 

Lighting Designer: Justine Brock 

Sound Designer: Patrick Budde 

Costume Designer: Serena Sandoval 

Props Designer: Clara Wendland 

Stage Manager: Daniel Parsons 

Stage Management Intern: Maddie Lee 

Featuring: Nico A., Abbi B., Emma B., Liam B., Milo B., Audrey B., Emerson C., Griffin D., Molly F., Noah F., Penelope G., Ella G., Noam H., Jeremy K., Dugan K., Sage K., Mia K., Rebekah L., Maya M., Caroline P., Natalie R., Kathryn S., Grace S., Sadie S., Leonardo V.

Location: 

The Actors Gymnasium is located at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL - just off of the Noyes purple line 'L' stop. The Noyes Cultural Arts Center is owned by the City of Evanston and home to over 20 artists and arts organizations offering music, theater, and visual arts programs and studios. The galleries exhibit local artists, with exhibitions changing every two months.

 

Actors Gymnasium classes are taught in a 3,000 sq/ft gymnasium space that features a 1,600 sq/ft sprung floor and a fully rigged 24 foot ceiling. All aerial equipment such as the Aerial Hoop, Spanish Web, aerial silks, static trapeze and more are provided, as well as the equipment for ground skills such as unicycling, juggling, tight wire and gymnastics. Starting Fall Session 2015 additionally classes will be taught in Studio 108, a 900 sq/ft classroom space that features a floating sprung White Oak dance floor, a fully rigged 14 foot ceiling, a handstand wall, conditioning ladders, and room length 12 foot mirrors for aerial work.

About The Actors Gymnasium:

The Actors Gymnasium is dedicated to bringing a new physicality to the American Theatre. Encouraging ground-breaking theatrical exploration, The Actors Gymnasium teaches circus arts, physical theatre and multi-disciplinary performance to children and adults; produces original, daring works of circus-theatre; and serves as a talent resource, providing performance opportunities to our students and innovative professional event entertainment for a wider audience. At The Actors Gymnasium, people Learn To Fly - physically, emotionally, and creatively. For more information, please visit www.actorsgymnasium.org