Workshop Date: Tuesday & Thursday, November 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, & 17
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm PST/ 6:30pm-8:00pm MST/ 7:30-9:00pm CST/ 8:30-10:00pm EST
Instructors: Chuk Obasi, Jaina Alexander & April Sigman-Marx
Location: Online via Zoom
Sliding Scale Pricing: $135-$215
Learn more about our pricing structure
Please contact us with any questions
FULL NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS now available to this workshop! Apply HERE.
In this workshop you will learn about the Michael Chekhov acting technique, beyond psychological gesture, by integrating your mind, body, and spirit within your current actor’s process. This course is great for those new to this technique and those who wish to deepen their connection and knowledge of the work. Over six classes, we will dive into fundamentals such as qualities of movement, imaginary body, the 6 directions, building & maintaining atmosphere and more. The workshop will wrap with practical application of these tools so you can immediately begin applying this work to your current performance practice.
All classes will be recorded with consent of participants and shared privately with the class for student’s review and practice
Meet the Instructors
Jaina Alexander (she/her) is a singer, actor, educator, dog mom and a Founding Artistic Director of Thumbprint Studios Chicago. A multi-genre artist, Jaina has sung with theatres, opera companies, and choirs all around the Midwest, at award-winning cabaret and jazz clubs, and with The Rolling Stones. Her work as an educator focuses on vocal confidence and flexibility to allow for bold and brave artistic choices. Select projects include: The Secret Garden (Lily, Guest Artist Residency with Cloud County Community College & Manchester Theatres), Chicago Premiere of Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line To Freedom (Ensemble, South Shore Opera Company), The Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin (Chorus, a multimedia benefit for Holocaust survivors with The Defiant Requiem Foundation). She is also a proud member of Estill Voice (EMT-C), MICHA, VASTA, and Lola Bard Productions.
Chuk Obasi (he/him) is an actor, writer, director and choreographer. In addition to serving on the advisory board for Collab24 co-producing partner Thumbprint Studios, he currently serves as Co-Director of TÈA Artistry, a company member with the People’s Theatre Project, and a company member with The Private Theatre. He is also an educator, currently a faculty member with the Michael Chekhov Association and Black Arts Institute, and having served as a Movement Project Director at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, a Musical Theatre Adjunct Professor at Drew University, and a frequent guest teacher for LAByrinth among other engagements. He has recently worked with Intersections International (Artist in Residence), the National Dance Institute (Teaching Artist), and STAR Theatre at the Director’s Company (Choreographer). Chuk has performed, written, or directed across disciplines, including theatre, film, television, dance, and live poetry performance.
Obasi is also a social justice activist. He has taught workshops on using art for social justice at colleges, high schools, and professional organizations - most recently including The University of Montana, Emerson College, Fordham University, Fieldston Ethical Culture, Humanities Preparatory Academy, and Girl Be Heard.
Obasi is a proud New York City Native and son of Nigerian immigrants.
April Sigman-Marx (she/her) is an actor, director, writer, educator, cat mom and a Founding Artistic Director of Thumbprint Studios Chicago. Specializing in new work development, April has created/written, directed, produced and performed in several original solo shows, web series, films and plays--Many of which focus on social justice issues. Select projects include: Rover the Bear (playwright/ director, Cal Rep. Affinity Series), Sheepdog world premiere (assistant director to Leah C Gardiner, South Coast Rep.), Fefu and Her Friends a virtual staged reading (Assistant Director to Stacy Stoltz, Seasons of Concern), Permed (playwright/ director/ performer, Tower Theatre & Uptown Theatre), Making Up History world premiere (performed Julia, DC Fringe Festival), Open Door (performed Lead, Feature Film, Sapling Pictures), Pathways (creator/ performer- currently in development).