While waiting for the return of in-person programming, Steppenwolf Education is excited to offer an array of virtual interviews, webinars and professional workshops. Our goal is to continue serving our constituents—teens, educators, and early career professionals—and the community at large. Since launching in March 2020, our virtual programs have reached thousands of people worldwide.
Check out a sampling of our video recordings, lesson plans, and creative challenges below.
STEPPENWOLF FOR YOUNG ADULT EVENTS
We take you behind-the-scenes to meet the artists behind our Steppenwolf for Young Adult productions. Members of our Young Adult Council speak to the cast and creative minds to learn about the theatre making process.
VIDEOS
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, the Audio Adaptation: Creatives in Conversation (Captions provided)
featuring Karen Rodriguez and Leslie Sophia Perez
Animal Farm, The Radio Play: Creatives in Conversation (ASL provided)
featuring Lili-Anne Brown, Robert Cornelius, Audrey Francis, Emjoy Gavino, Sharriese Hamilton, and Aaron Stephenson
CAREER DAY WITH STEPPENWOLF
As part of Communities in Schools (CIS) of Chicago, we're taking students behind the scenes at Steppenwolf. In a series of interviews with our production staff, we take a closer look at the theatrical process and learn more about selected careers in theatre.
VIDEOS
Stage Management with Chris Freeburg
Artistic Producing with Kenya Hall
Production Management with Claire Haupt and Elise Hausken
STEP-IN EVENTS
Step-In is a free series that offers teens the chance to participate in hands-on theatre workshops led by some of the best industry professionals we know.
VIDEOS
Step-In: Stage & Screenwriting
led byy Chicago-based writer and filmmaker Juli Del Prete
Step-In: Character Development
led by Steppenwolf Teaching Artist Jeremy Oringer and Animal Farm cast member Sharriese Hamilton
Step-In: Directing
led by Chicago director Tasia Jones and Steppenwolf Teaching Artist Tyra Bullock
Step-In: Acting
led by Chicago actor Patrick Agada and Steppenwolf Teaching Artist Ayssette Muñoz
MAKER MAY EVENTS
Maker May is a two-part workshop series where guest artists share about their own creative process and offer us a Maker Challenge that we can take on from our own living room. Participants get to see first-hand how these guest artists create and respond to weekly Maker Challenges.
VIDEOS
WEEK 1: MAY 5 AND MAY 7 (Captions provided)
Samantha Irby and Ian Belknap shared with us the history of their collaboration, their thoughts on “live lit”—literature that is meant to be performed—and what they’ve been up to during quarantine. Irby and Belknap then challenged everyone to write a paragraph on “what you miss about your pre-lockdown life.”
WEEK 2: MAY 12 AND MAY 15 (Captions and ASL provided)
Erika L. Sánchez reflected on her career as a writer, her creative process and offered us writing exercises we can use to generate materials for poetry. Sánchez also went through her process of editing and revision and gave tips on shaping the final product.
WEEK 3: MAY 19 AND MAY 21 (Captions and ASL provided)
Erik Hellman and Jessie Fisher reflected on the history of their popular Erik & Jessie & Everyone You Know variety show and reminded us of the irreplacable role of live audience. Borrowing from their essential idea that a variety act is also a gift to the audience, Erik and Jessie challenged us to create an Act of Artistic Generosity for the people we care about.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
FOR TEENS, EDUCATORS AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS
In Spring 2020, weekly virtual programs were produced with Steppenwolf Education’s core constituents—teens, educators and early career professionals—in mind. On Tuesdays, through our “What’s Next?” series, we talked with established industry professionals on their careers, the creative industry and exchanged tips on how to navigate career development in the wake of COVID-19. On Wednesdays, we provided teen-specific programs including writing and acting workshops, engagement with industry professionals and creative challenges to stay connected during this time. On Thursdays, we held panel discussions and training workshops to provide all educators with tools to pivot to remote learning and artmaking.
VIDEOS
Creative writing workshop for educators: Engaging with and Responding to Erika L. Sánchez’s “Forty-Three” led by Steppenwolf Teaching Artist Greg Greffrard
Resources: Lesson plan and “Forty-Three” by Erika L. Sánchez
“What’s Next?” Conversation with Ian Barford, Steppenwolf ensemble member, and Anna D. Shapiro, Steppenwolf ensemble member and Artistic Director
Artmaking workshop for educators: Staying Grounded and Creative in your Space with Steppenwolf Teaching Artist Wilfredo "Freddie" Ramos, Jr.
Resources: Lesson plan
“What’s Next?” Conversation with Jeff Perry, Steppenwolf ensemble member
Inside the Designer’s Studio with Scenic Designer Arnel Sancianco
Resources: Design challenge instructions