Actors Training Center Expands to Oak Park with Fall Classes at Madison Street Theatre

Since 2006, Actors Training Center (ATC) in residence at the Wilmette Theatre has built a reputation as one of the premiere acting schools in Chicago. When seeking young talent, directors from Chicago’s Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Steppenwolf know where to look for exceptional talent. From NYC to LA, there is no other place like Actors Training Center. Many ATC alumni have gone on to pursue successful acting careers including Rachel Brosnahan (House of Cards), Emily Chang (Seussical The Musical), Katie Chang (A Birder’s Guide to Everything; A Bling Ring), and Zoe Levin (The Way, Way Back). Today, ATC is excited to announce its expansion to Madison Street Theatre in Oak Park, at 1010 Madison Street, with three professional acting classes for students 7th-12th grade.

“Acting is both a profession and an art. It is an industry in which supply far outweighs demand; and jobs have been won and lost on how an actor walks into the audition,” said Carole Dibo, ATC Founder and Artistic Director. “ATC bridges the gap between the art and the profession by focusing on skill-based training and on teaching students how to successfully navigate their way through an overcrowded industry.”

As a leader in theatre arts education, ATC understands that actors are always learning and fine-tuning their craft with classes and workshops throughout their careers. The new location will offer students in the area the opportunity to enhance their artistic talents with creative, challenging, supportive, and professional acting classes taught by professional theatre artists Jeff award winner Janet Louer, and Ryan Kitley.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring the journey of training young actors that has been wildly successful in Wilmette to The Madison Street Theatre in Oak Park,” said Janet Louer, Musical Theatre Director. “ATC is an important addition to the already existing wonderful arts community that Oak Park has to offer. ATC at The Madison Street Theatre will bring a professional actors training program to those who are interested in being trained according to the entertainment industry standards.”

Louer’s experience as an actress, director, choreographer, casting director for Broadway, talent agent, and manager of the Tony Award Winning Actress Heather Headley all come together when teaching those who have dreams of winning a Tony themselves. Louer sets the bar high, noting: “In jumping to catch a hold of it, the young actor will learn to fly.”

Starting this fall, for students looking to further develop their acting and dramatic skills, ATC will offer the following professional acting classes:

Acting The Song

Sundays / 4-6pm / November 2 – December 14

7th-12th grade

Instructor: Janet Louer

Musical theatre performances are powerful when song furthers both the character’s journey and the play’s central story. This class takes the five W’s (who, what, where, when and why) and applies them to song. This class will culminate in a final performance for friends and family. $275

Actor’s Essentials

Thursdays / 6-8pm / November 6 – December 18

7th-12th grade

Instructor: Janet Louer

This core acting class breaks down the most challenging steps for an actor. Students will explore the physical, vocal and emotional details that lead to three-dimensional characters. $275

On Camera Technique

Mondays / 6-8pm / November 3 – December 15

7th-12th grade

A specific skill set is required for a powerful, truthful on-camera performance. This essential skills class provides a comprehensive overview of on-camera technique. Students will shoot in our professional studio, work from industry copy, and analyze their work as it is played back each week. $275

Registration is underway, and classes will fill up. To register, please call: 847-251-8710 or visit: wilmettetheatre.com/class-registration

For those interested in seeing what the classes are all about, ATC is offering a sample day of classes on October 18th, 1:00pm-4:30pm, at the Madison Street Theatre, Oak Park location. Pre-registration is required for any or all of the 3-classes. Space limited. Reservations can only be made by emailing: info@actorstrainingcenter.com

BIO: Janet Louer

Jeff award winner Janet Louer is the Musical Theater Director of the Actors Training Center and Artistic Director of The ATC Repertory Company. Janet was a Casting Associate for BCI in New York City for Film and Television and worked at TNI in New York City in Casting Broadway Shows such as Elizabeth Taylor’s Little Foxes, Jerome Robbins revival of West Side Story, Sandy Duncan’s Peter Pan. Janet was a Film and Broadway agent for Harrise Davidson’s and Associates where she helped launch the careers of Jamie Denton (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) Steve Carell (THE OFFICE) Tom Amandus (Everwood) Paul Adelstein (THE PRACTICE) Ratchel Dratch (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE) Paula Newsome, Kevin Anderson (Sleeping w/the Enemy), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), and Kara Zediker. Janet was Heather Headley’s Manager from Ragtime through Ms. Headley’s winning a Tony for Outstanding Lead Actress in a musical for her role in AIDA. She still works with Ms. Headley on a consulting basis.

BIO: Ryan Kitley

Ryan Kitley has worked in Chicago and Los Angeles for nearly 20 years as an actor, an improviser, a director, and an acting teacher. He is a member of SAG, AFTRA, and AEA with his MFA in acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. Film and television credits include Boss, Detroit 1-8-7, Turks, Early Edition, Miss March, Soul Survivors, Barbershop II, Awaken Me, San Gabriel, Dream Slashers, Laqueus, The Heart of the Matter, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, in addition to many commercials and industrials. Theatre credits include major roles at Drury Lane Theater, Writers’ Theatre, Provision Theatre, The Matrix Theater, Colony Theater, The Organic Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Shattered Globe Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Piven Theatre Workshop, Theatre at the Center, Meadow Brook Theatre, Journeymen, Free Associates, and Talisman Theatre. He received two Jeff Citation nominations for his role as Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Austin in The Big Funk. He is the published author of his new book Acting with Integrity. Ryan is currently a faculty member at both the Actors Training Center in Wilmette and DePaul University. During his career Ryan has taught for countless acting schools and programs in Chicago and LA.

THE INDUSTRY IS TALKING:

“ATC corners the market on teaching and training young people” ---

Erica Daniels, Associate Artistic Director with Steppenwolf.

“ATC offers the best actor training for teens and young adults in the Midwest. Carole sets the bar high, which will always make ATC the first stop when looking for young talent in Chicago”

--- Geoffrey Soffer,

New York Casting Director (Ugly Betty)

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“ATC is the place I go when I’m looking for talent. Their track record is unbeatable.”

--- Adam Belcuore, Casting Director at The Goodman Theatre

About Actors Training Center (ATC):

The Actors Training Center provides professional-level, process-driven classes for children from kindergarten through 12th grade and adults. Courses in acting, improv, physical theatre, on-camera and musical theatre are offered at the school. Need-based scholarships are also available. For more information about ATC, please visit: www.actorstrainingcenter.com