Wisconsin Theater Game Center
We offer workshops in the work of American theater legends Viola Spolin and Paul Sills. Actors, theater students, teachers, directors and other players are invited to attend. Workshops are held in Door County, Wisconsin, a famous vacation destination on the beautiful peninsula in Lake Michigan.
Story Theater Intensives
In the late 60s Second City founding director Paul Sills surprised the Chicago theater scene with a new art form. Players in street garb enacted tales from the oral tradition set to contemporary music on bare, dramatically-lit stages. By 1970 Paul Sills’ Story Theatre had won critical acclaim on both coasts. “Unequivocally great,” wrote Clive Barnes in the New York Times. Sills imparted this method in an intensive he coached with Carol Sills in 2008. Since then, Carol has continued the practice. Players will adapt stories from literature in a process that leads to a workshop performance. Viola Spolin’s theater games spark fire in a curriculum that prepares participants to coach players in their own classrooms and theaters. Stories performed in past seasons may be found here.
2024 Story Theater Intensive
July 29 - August 2
This year’s intensive will be led by Rachel Sills with Make Keene assisting and Carol Sills as consultant.
Inspired by Paul Sills’ approach to the oral tradition, players will explore storytelling in a personal, present time manner, entering into Viola’ Spolin's theater games with group creative spirit. Bring flutes, strings and dancing shoes. Players of all levels are welcome.
Check out Paul Sills’ Story Theater: Four Shows, Applause Books. Paul's prefaces for each show are eloquent, describing the history of this popular theater we practice. Carol and Paul Sills co-authored the book and Rachel in Rumi adorns the cover.
Dates: July 29 - August 2, 2024.
Workshop schedule:
Monday through Friday, 10.30am - 1.30pm and 4.30 - 6.30 pm.
25 hours of workshop time. Afternoons and evenings are free to explore Door County.
A workshop presentation will take place Friday afternoon at 4pm followed by a 6.30pm wrap-up festivity, with wine and cheese. Plan to arrive July 28th and depart August 3rd.
Tuition: $550. Tuition is non-refundable, but you can transfer your space to someone else with prior approval, or in the event someone on the waitlist can purchase your space. Some sliding scale spaces are available and there are special rates for Door County residents. Please email Make Keene for details.
To register: View the workshop listing at www.violaspolin.org and register here.
Contact: Email Make Keene with any questions.
Covid precautions: We follow recommended CDC & local health guidelines, and their requirements.
Housing: See Destination Door County and also VRBO for houses, motels, condos or apartments in the area.
Make reservations soon, as July/August is still peak season.
Contact fellow players for ride sharing, or lodging possibilities. Green Bay is nearest airport.
Travel: See this link for details about travel by land, air or water https://www.doorcounty.com/getting-to-door-county#land
Please email for more information.
Spolin Theater Game Workshops
Learn more about ongoing Spolin improvisation workshops online and in-person around the country here.
Explore the transformational theater games of Viola Spolin to enhance your training as an actor, improviser, educator, director, or to experience more play in your daily life. Viola Spolin’s theater games launched the modern American improvisational theater movement and changed the way acting is taught. Her work has influenced generations of actors and educators. The Theater Game Intensive is a concentrated course based on her groundbreaking book Improvisation for the Theater. Coached by Aretha Sills from a lesson plan created by Paul Sills, the intensive is open to beginners and experienced players.
5-day Viola Spolin Theater Game Intensive in Door County, WI July 22 - 26, 2024
Learn more and register at www.violaspolin.org/workshops
GENERAL INFO
WORKSHOPS: take place both online, in person around the county, and in studios at the Sills farm in Door County, the peninsula in Lake Michigan north of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
LODGING: Nearby lodging is abundant. Resort hotels, motels, or cottages are available through various online reservation sites. Ephraim and Sister Bay are the nearest villages, but Fish Creek and Baileys Harbor are also close. You can research lodging options and obtain travel information at Door County Visitor and Convention Bureau, 920-743-4456. Other sites such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and locally, Lundquist Realty, may provide more options.
TRAVEL: We are about a 1.5 hour drive northeast from the Green Bay airport. Students arriving close to the same time and staying at the same place often share car rentals.
BY AUTO: From Chicago take I-94 to Milwaukee, then I-43 to Green Bay, following Sturgeon Bay signs north on 57 E. After Sturgeon Bay follow 57 north to Baileys Harbor. 4 1/2 miles north of Baileys Harbor turn east (right) onto Old Lime Kiln Road, one-half mile to 2397. From Green Bay airport take 172 E to 43N to 57 E (follow Sturgeon Bay signs).
