Compass Creative Dramatics
Week-Long Theatre Residencies
You seem to handle the kids so well.
I admire your approach, energy and patience. I felt very comfortable leaving my child with you.
Thanks for the awesome experience!
Vicki, Parent of 5th Grader
I admire your approach, energy and patience. I felt very comfortable leaving my child with you.
Thanks for the awesome experience!
Vicki, Parent of 5th Grader
While multiple theatre companies exist in the Midwest that offer programming for children as an extension of their main mission, at Compass Creative Dramatics, children and residencies are our mission. Our students are provided a unique educational experience through their work alongside professional actors who engage them in the process of mounting a full musical production and provide an opportunity for intelligent dialogue and additional resources.
The programming we offer is two-fold: the first part of the program is a 90-minute original musical production. The production is directed by two professional actor-educators, who also perform with the students at the end of the week. Over the course of five days, students are cast, learn their parts, and perform a complete show. Through the process, the kids learn about teamwork, trust, responsibility, and empathy.
The second element of our programming is a series of theatre enrichment workshops on topics like improv, public speaking, stage combat, and Shakespeare.
What are the benefits of a Compass Creative Dramatics residency for my child?
Your student will learn and grow throughout the week as an individual, valued part of a collaborative team.
Compass Creative Dramatics residencies encourage students to have fun and explore the dramatic arts by participating in a full production of a classic children's story. During their theatre residency, kids will be part of a collaborative artistic process that encourages teamwork -- while still inspiring them to take ownership of and pride in their unique ideas and capabilities.
Theatre residencies are a great opportunity to make new friends.
Students are grouped by age for the afternoon activities, allowing age-appropriate lesson planning. They are integrated during rehearsals, so your student will learn how to collaborate with students from first grade up through recent high school grads!
CCD encourages kids to expand their horizons by stretching their creativity muscles.
Our programming encourages imagination and critical thinking, providing a safe environment in which kids can take healthy risks and explore their strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the week, our students learn about themselves and discover how to turn their limitations into assets.
CCD residencies are a great way to supplement previous and ongoing theatre experience, or to introduce students to theatre for the first time.
Since the program is designed to be customized and flexible to a wide variety of ages, experience, and talents, we are able to adjust the teaching and guidance as well as the level of difficulty for each student, which means that whether your child is a veteran of the stage or a first-timer, we'll be glad to help nurture them and challenge them to further growth.
My child is shy. How will a Compass Creative Dramatics residency help my child? Will they feel comfortable?
One of the strengths of our team is that we're good at assessing each child's comfort levels and building from there. Our program has been developed to give each student a support network onstage and off. They work in groups and are supported onstage by the other members of the cast, as well as by the two adult actor/educators who perform alongside them. This level of teamwork usually helps alleviate most students' initial fears and concerns. It encourages our students both to feel safe and to grow throughout the week. While we don't promise to erase all stage fright from our students, we have a great track record of helping shy kids find their voice and become more comfortable in their skin. We pride ourselves in helping our students stretch their bravery muscles.
What does the week look like?
Each day, the tour actor/educators will rehearse with the students for three hours plus one 15-minute break.
On Monday, the directors meet the children and cast them in their roles through a simple, no-pressure audition -- no preparation necessary. After the audition, roles are announced and rehearsal schedules are distributed. Some children will then be dismissed until the next day, and others will stay for a fifteen-minute break and a half-hour rehearsal.
On Tuesday, the rehearsal times are staggered, so once again, not all students will be required to be there the entire three hours. Please keep in mind, however, that in order to participate in the auditions, the students must be available for all rehearsal times.
On Wednesday and Thursday, all students are called for the entire rehearsal, including a fifteen-minute structured break.
On Friday, all students are called for a dress rehearsal. Friday's schedule varies depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
Saturday schedules vary depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
Check with your local sponsoring organization regarding specific scheduling questions.
Who can participate in a residency?
Our residency program is designed to be flexible in age range, and can accommodate students from 1st - 12th grade. Check with your sponsoring organization to find out what the age range is for your community's residency week!
How will the students' roles be chosen?
On Monday, the students will participate in a low-pressure group audition. No experience and no preparation is necessary. We cast students based on their individual attitude, behavior, and ability levels. We do not cast based on age, so all roles are open for all students. Students are encouraged to be loud and silly when it is their turn, quiet and actively listening when it is not, and to have fun with all of the activities.
What if my child doesn't receive a role?
Up to 75 students may be part of the cast. Depending on your local sponsoring organization, a handful of other students (3rd grade and up) may have an opportunity to run lights or sound, or to assist backstage.
Some sponsoring organizations choose to cap registrations at 75, so that all students who register will receive a role after auditions. Other sponsoring organizations do not. At some auditions, 25 children are present. At others, 125 may be present. Sponsoring organizations are required to cap auditions at 125.
If your child is not cast, the most important thing is for you, as their adult, to keep a positive attitude. Let them know that you're proud they were brave enough to audition. Congratulate them on their effort.
Later on, you might talk to your child about what they thought went well in the audition. What did they notice? What did they wonder about? Keep in mind that we are looking for students who listen well, follow instructions, and are respectful of the other students' turns. We're also looking for students to be brave and silly and loud! You can talk them through these elements of the audition and ask your child what he or she might choose to do differently next time.
If my child is not available for the entire week or would need to miss the performance, can they still participate?
We understand you and your child are both busy individuals and have commitments outside of this residency; however, because of the very collaborative nature of the program, students are not excused from rehearsals or performances. If your calendar is too full this time, maybe we'll see you next year!
May I stay and observe rehearsals?
Definitely! We have an open rehearsal policy. As long as your presence is not a distraction to the students, yours included, you are more than welcome to observe throughout the duration of the residency. However, please note that if at any time a CCD staff member deems your presence may be hindering the campers' ability to learn or focus you will be asked to wait outside of the rehearsal space in a common area.
Who are your teachers?
Our actor/educators are chosen based on their experience not only in theatre, but in education as well, often boasting multiple college degrees. We select our actor/educators from the extensive pool of Chicago teaching artists who also specialize in topics like Shakespeare, musical theatre, improv, and stage combat. The resumes of our touring actor/educators have included such educational theatre companies as Imagination Theatre, Explore Theatre, GreatWorks Touring Theatre, and Caton Enterprises, as well as non-educational credits at many regional theatres, including Jeff-nominated companies and productions.
You also may have the opportunity to meet one of our Education Interns, who sometimes have the opportunity to travel with us. Our interns are generally recent college graduates or seniors in college who are passionate about children and education. Our tour actor/educators teach the intern staff by example, as they do our student actors!
All of our touring actor/educators, including our traveling interns, receive background checks and fingerprinting prior to being brought on as a CCD team member.
Do you offer early education programming?
We do! Early education residencies are a three-hour program consisting of three separate classes with a 15-minute break between each class. This program stretches 3 - 6 year olds' creativity and bravery muscles as we lay foundations for cooperation, empathy, social skills, and creative art appreciation. The week-long program culminates in an end-of-week showcase. Students must be fully potty trained and may not have completed kindergarten.
What do you mean by "Sponsoring Organization"?
Each residency week is presented by a local organization (often a PTO, PTA, library, performing arts center, or school). That local organization arranges the week's calendar, sets up registration fees and ticket prices, and will be able to answer any questions about your local week of Compass Creative Dramatics.
What if I have more questions?
You can give us a call at 773.893.0535 or email us at leadtheway@ccdramatics.com. We'll do our best to answer any questions you might have!
The programming we offer is two-fold: the first part of the program is a 90-minute original musical production. The production is directed by two professional actor-educators, who also perform with the students at the end of the week. Over the course of five days, students are cast, learn their parts, and perform a complete show. Through the process, the kids learn about teamwork, trust, responsibility, and empathy.
The second element of our programming is a series of theatre enrichment workshops on topics like improv, public speaking, stage combat, and Shakespeare.
What are the benefits of a Compass Creative Dramatics residency for my child?
Your student will learn and grow throughout the week as an individual, valued part of a collaborative team.
Compass Creative Dramatics residencies encourage students to have fun and explore the dramatic arts by participating in a full production of a classic children's story. During their theatre residency, kids will be part of a collaborative artistic process that encourages teamwork -- while still inspiring them to take ownership of and pride in their unique ideas and capabilities.
Theatre residencies are a great opportunity to make new friends.
Students are grouped by age for the afternoon activities, allowing age-appropriate lesson planning. They are integrated during rehearsals, so your student will learn how to collaborate with students from first grade up through recent high school grads!
CCD encourages kids to expand their horizons by stretching their creativity muscles.
Our programming encourages imagination and critical thinking, providing a safe environment in which kids can take healthy risks and explore their strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the week, our students learn about themselves and discover how to turn their limitations into assets.
CCD residencies are a great way to supplement previous and ongoing theatre experience, or to introduce students to theatre for the first time.
Since the program is designed to be customized and flexible to a wide variety of ages, experience, and talents, we are able to adjust the teaching and guidance as well as the level of difficulty for each student, which means that whether your child is a veteran of the stage or a first-timer, we'll be glad to help nurture them and challenge them to further growth.
My child is shy. How will a Compass Creative Dramatics residency help my child? Will they feel comfortable?
One of the strengths of our team is that we're good at assessing each child's comfort levels and building from there. Our program has been developed to give each student a support network onstage and off. They work in groups and are supported onstage by the other members of the cast, as well as by the two adult actor/educators who perform alongside them. This level of teamwork usually helps alleviate most students' initial fears and concerns. It encourages our students both to feel safe and to grow throughout the week. While we don't promise to erase all stage fright from our students, we have a great track record of helping shy kids find their voice and become more comfortable in their skin. We pride ourselves in helping our students stretch their bravery muscles.
What does the week look like?
Each day, the tour actor/educators will rehearse with the students for three hours plus one 15-minute break.
On Monday, the directors meet the children and cast them in their roles through a simple, no-pressure audition -- no preparation necessary. After the audition, roles are announced and rehearsal schedules are distributed. Some children will then be dismissed until the next day, and others will stay for a fifteen-minute break and a half-hour rehearsal.
On Tuesday, the rehearsal times are staggered, so once again, not all students will be required to be there the entire three hours. Please keep in mind, however, that in order to participate in the auditions, the students must be available for all rehearsal times.
On Wednesday and Thursday, all students are called for the entire rehearsal, including a fifteen-minute structured break.
On Friday, all students are called for a dress rehearsal. Friday's schedule varies depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
Saturday schedules vary depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
Check with your local sponsoring organization regarding specific scheduling questions.
Who can participate in a residency?
Our residency program is designed to be flexible in age range, and can accommodate students from 1st - 12th grade. Check with your sponsoring organization to find out what the age range is for your community's residency week!
How will the students' roles be chosen?
On Monday, the students will participate in a low-pressure group audition. No experience and no preparation is necessary. We cast students based on their individual attitude, behavior, and ability levels. We do not cast based on age, so all roles are open for all students. Students are encouraged to be loud and silly when it is their turn, quiet and actively listening when it is not, and to have fun with all of the activities.
What if my child doesn't receive a role?
Up to 75 students may be part of the cast. Depending on your local sponsoring organization, a handful of other students (3rd grade and up) may have an opportunity to run lights or sound, or to assist backstage.
Some sponsoring organizations choose to cap registrations at 75, so that all students who register will receive a role after auditions. Other sponsoring organizations do not. At some auditions, 25 children are present. At others, 125 may be present. Sponsoring organizations are required to cap auditions at 125.
If your child is not cast, the most important thing is for you, as their adult, to keep a positive attitude. Let them know that you're proud they were brave enough to audition. Congratulate them on their effort.
Later on, you might talk to your child about what they thought went well in the audition. What did they notice? What did they wonder about? Keep in mind that we are looking for students who listen well, follow instructions, and are respectful of the other students' turns. We're also looking for students to be brave and silly and loud! You can talk them through these elements of the audition and ask your child what he or she might choose to do differently next time.
If my child is not available for the entire week or would need to miss the performance, can they still participate?
We understand you and your child are both busy individuals and have commitments outside of this residency; however, because of the very collaborative nature of the program, students are not excused from rehearsals or performances. If your calendar is too full this time, maybe we'll see you next year!
May I stay and observe rehearsals?
Definitely! We have an open rehearsal policy. As long as your presence is not a distraction to the students, yours included, you are more than welcome to observe throughout the duration of the residency. However, please note that if at any time a CCD staff member deems your presence may be hindering the campers' ability to learn or focus you will be asked to wait outside of the rehearsal space in a common area.
Who are your teachers?
Our actor/educators are chosen based on their experience not only in theatre, but in education as well, often boasting multiple college degrees. We select our actor/educators from the extensive pool of Chicago teaching artists who also specialize in topics like Shakespeare, musical theatre, improv, and stage combat. The resumes of our touring actor/educators have included such educational theatre companies as Imagination Theatre, Explore Theatre, GreatWorks Touring Theatre, and Caton Enterprises, as well as non-educational credits at many regional theatres, including Jeff-nominated companies and productions.
You also may have the opportunity to meet one of our Education Interns, who sometimes have the opportunity to travel with us. Our interns are generally recent college graduates or seniors in college who are passionate about children and education. Our tour actor/educators teach the intern staff by example, as they do our student actors!
All of our touring actor/educators, including our traveling interns, receive background checks and fingerprinting prior to being brought on as a CCD team member.
Do you offer early education programming?
We do! Early education residencies are a three-hour program consisting of three separate classes with a 15-minute break between each class. This program stretches 3 - 6 year olds' creativity and bravery muscles as we lay foundations for cooperation, empathy, social skills, and creative art appreciation. The week-long program culminates in an end-of-week showcase. Students must be fully potty trained and may not have completed kindergarten.
What do you mean by "Sponsoring Organization"?
Each residency week is presented by a local organization (often a PTO, PTA, library, performing arts center, or school). That local organization arranges the week's calendar, sets up registration fees and ticket prices, and will be able to answer any questions about your local week of Compass Creative Dramatics.
What if I have more questions?
You can give us a call at 773.893.0535 or email us at leadtheway@ccdramatics.com. We'll do our best to answer any questions you might have!