Kids & Teens Classes
We will work with each student & parent to direct them towards the class that is best for them, but please explore the website as much as possible as the answer to most of your questions can likely be found amongst these pages! See the class descriptions below for our teaching approach and curriculums. This top section is all business stuff! 

In short- a bit about our program overall.... The primary focus of the our kids curriculum is on-camera commercial audition training.  It was designed by David Murphy and Sean Bradley, both having worked for years at O'Connor Casting as casting directors  for commercials, television, film, etc. where they developed a process for directing kids in all sorts of audition situations.  Our main goal in providing this program is to keep the kids on camera talent pool in Chicago competitive on a national level, which in turn helps bring more casting opportunities into town (for both adults and kids alike)!  So the local casting directors stay active in our curriculum, and we keep in conversation with them as to how effective the training is, and what modifications we can make to keep moving it forward. Styles change rapidly in this business, and so must an effective on camera curriculum. Most sessions we are able to bring in a local casting director to work with the kids for one or two of the class days.

Now to address one of our most commmon questions: Many parents ask if their children can be placed in an age group that is slightly older or younger than what they really are.  This is sometimes because the child is rather mature for their age, rather shy, or simply because their sibling is in the other age group, mom can't carve out a full four hour chunk on every Saturday, and it would be way easier if the kids could just be in the same class!  Our policy is thus: we are open to that within reason, and the parents are typically far better judges on wheter it is an appropriate move or not. Here are a few bits of info that can help you make your decisions:

• Being off by one year is usually fine, two years only ocassionally works,
  three or more- no way.
• You are the parent. You know the maturity level of you child. Be honest about it.
• Each class uses scripts that are typical for that age group. More often than not, it behooves a child that looks like a six year old to work on scripts that are written for a six year old, regardless of how mature they may be. A six year old reading at a 13yr old level still looks like a six year old, and will be cast accordingly. But this is by no means a deal breaker.
• The basic concepts and issues taught in each age group are basically the same. There are some scritps that are different to fit the age groups, and a few of our approaches on certain topics may be modified and simplified for our youngest groups, but the overall approach is intact and similar in each of the age groups.

What kind of kids & teens take classes at The Green Room?  Our students range from child actors who are already out there in the business, to kids who have never taken an acting class in their lives. From extremely precocious to painfully shy. Some take our classes to help further their careers, some to help them out of their shells and gain some self confidence in their everyday lives. We approach all of our students as if they are here to learn how to succeed in the on camera business in Chicago and beyond, and are here to guide our students and their parents through the maze of issues including talent agents, headshots, casting directors, bookings, etc. But if you want to join us for classes and have no interest in actually getting into the business of it all, that's fine too!

All classes are limited in size- See particular class description for details. Not all classes are offered each term- see schedule for classes available curently.

Teens On-Camera (14-18yrs)
A modified version of our On-Camera adult curriculum geared towards the on camera commercial roles that teens will audition for. NOT your typical commercial class. A wide coverage of topics in commercial acting from the perspective of casting directors. Limit 10 students.

• Work in a classroom setting with other teens on roles written for teens.
  - Learn how to analyze a commercial script.
• Learn an effective audition strategy that may differ from other other mediums.
  - Learn how to use and develop your own personality.
• Work towards “keeping it real”.
• Incorporate tips and tricks that many actors overlook.
• Strengthen your business and communication skills as you discover
  what is expected of you.
• Develop your ability to use Simplicity / Specificity as an incredible tool.