Application Deadline Extended to January 20, 2011!

Founded in 2001 by Michael Patrick Thornton and William Nedved, The Gift Theatre has produced nearly 40 productions to date, is a Jeff Award winning theatre, the only professional theatre in the Jefferson Park neighborhood (Thornton is a Jeff Park native) and, at roughly 40 seats, Chicago’s smallest Equity theatre. Dedicated to telling great stories onstage with honesty and simplicity, Gift is an ensemble theatre, known for powerful, emotionally raw performances, sensitive and intelligent direction, and cutting edge world premieres of plays. As Gift prepares for its 10th Anniversary Season, it proudly launches its education program, “giftED”.

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The giftED Ensemble is a rigorous afterschool program for high school students on Chicago’s Northwest side.  Creative and motivated students spend two years with the award winning Gift Theatre, learning about the theatre (from what it takes to build a company to the choices made by artists on and off stage) and developing their own artistic voice.  Over the course of two years spent with The Gift, students build ensemble with their peers, create meaningful and lasting relationships with The Gift family, and serve as ambassadors of the theatre to the neighborhood.

What kind of commitment does the program require?
Students are asked to commit their time, passion, and energy to giftED for two years. At the end of the first year, giftED staff will meet individually with students to offer feedback and discuss goals for the following year.

What would I do as a member of the giftED Ensemble?
giftED Ensemble members experience what it takes to make a play and to build a company by exploring The Gift 360 degrees; through ensemble work with their peers and intensive mentorship by professional artists, members develop and articulate their own artistic voice.

Year One: “The Milwaukee Year” is an immersive experience with the Gift Theatre.  Students commit to spending 10-15 hours a month at The Gift with weekly Tuesday meetings (after school 4:30-6:30) and attending Gift productions on Sunday afternoons. During Tuesday meetings, students participate in:

• 360 Degree Workshops where they meet with Gift artists and management, learning the inner workings of professional theatre.
• giftED Ensemble Labs where they play, create, and build ensemble together.
• Circle-Up Meetings where they read, analyze, and discuss Gift plays and theatre literature. 

In addition to Tuesday meetings, students will be invited to sit in on auditions, first readings, tech, previews, new play readings, board meetings and other opportunities occurring throughout the year.  The Milwaukee Year culminates with an open house at The Gift, and students invite friends and family to come share in their experience.

Year Two: “The Lawrence Year” is an intensive.  Students pick a focus (acting, directing, writing, design, or management) and are individually mentored by Gift artists/management. Throughout the Lawrence Year, students work together towards a final creative project or theatrical event that is reflective of and in conversation with The Gift’s season.  

Students commit to spending 10-15 hours per month at the theatre; these hours are scheduled around students’ individual areas of focus, with monthly group meetings as an ensemble. 

Who can join?
giftED Ensemble is open to all freshman and sophomore high school students on Chicago’s Northwest side (Albany Park, Austin, Avondale, Belmont Heights, Belmont Cragin, Dunning, Edison Park, Edgebrook , Forest Glen, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Irving Park, Jefferson Park, Logan Square/Palmer Square, Mayfair ,Montclare, North Park , Norwood Park, O’Hare, Old Irving Park , Portage Park, Sauganash, West Ridge/Warren Park).
This program is best for creative and motivated young people who are in some way interested in the arts (from creating, to observing, to discussing).  Students must demonstrate considerable leadership and a desire to learn alongside their peers.  Students must be able to commit to 10-15 hours a month for two years.

When and where does the program happen?
During the first year, giftED Ensemble will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30.  We will meet at The Gift Theatre or The Gift Rehearsal Space in Jefferson Park.  In addition, students attend Sunday matinee performances and have optional opportunities for engagement outside of Tuesday meetings. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from The Gift.

Why join?

• Work with professional artists and peers to explore the theatre and develop your own creative voice.
• Understand how a theatre company works and the people/resources that it takes to build a company.
• See great theatre for a discounted price.
• Read plays and learn how to analyze and talk about plays.
• Gain valuable public speaking and organizational skills.
• Become a more active participant in your neighborhood, as you help connect the theatre to your friends and family.
• Have an important role in an established Chicago theatre.
• Create an artistic project/event with an ensemble of peers.

Is there a cost?
There is a $100 fee per year for participation. This fee goes to help ticket and supply costs. The Gift will award two scholarships based on need per year in memory of Dr. Gerald Gawlik.

For More Information:
Contact Director of giftED, Lindsey Barlag Thornton at l.barlagthornton@thegifttheatre.org or 312-342-7896.

Ensemble member John Kelley Connolly helps students from Schubert school anticipate an entrance.

Ensemble members Benjamin Montague, Maggie Andersen, Michael Patrick Thornton and Paul D'Addario after a successful show with some of the cast and their teacher, Ms. Jeanne Andersen.

The Bandana Bandits hope and search for rain in the bone-dry
desert of "Pecos Bill."

The audience watches as a tornado swirls around the rocks (milk crates) and horse-drawn wagons (lunchroom dollies) of southwest Texas.