District 214 Community Education

Have you ever said, "I used to love doing theater in high school," or "I miss acting but life got in the way"? Whether you're brand new, returning after a break, or looking to sharpen you skills, this welcoming 8-week class is for you. Led by The Theater Lab Producer, Patrick Zielinski - an actor, director and writer with over 25 years of esperience - This course explores monologues, scene work, subtext, improvisation, and ensemble techniques. All levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. At The Theater Lab, we believe in collaboration, inclusion and most importantly, fun. Join a supportive community of fellow creatives and rediscover the joy of acting.

You can play at any age! Have you ever wanted to think quicker on your feet, connect more deeply with others, or simply laugh more while learning? In this welcoming course, you'll explore the foundations of improv theater: agreement (yes, and), active listening, spontaneity and ensemble collaboration. Through games, exercises, and short-form scenes, you'll unlock your creativity and build confidence both on and off the stage. Led by The Theater Lab Producer Patrick Zielinski--an improvisor, actor, director and writer with over 25 years of experience--this class is designed for absolute beginners and returning performers alike. No script, no pressure, just a supportive space to take risks, share laughs and discover the joy of improvisation. At The Theater Lab we believe in collaboration, inclusion and most importantly, fun!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream The Theater Lab Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream To celebrate its 10th anniversary season, The Theater Lab, a District 214 Community Education program, returns to the production that started it all: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A tangled web of love, mischief, and magic unfolds in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream, where enchanted forests blur the line between reality and illusion. As four young lovers lose their way under a spell gone wrong, a band of bumbling actors prepares a play, and a feud between the fairy king and queen sends the natural world into chaos. With transformation, mistaken identity, and whimsical humor at every turn, this beloved comedy invites audiences into a dreamlike world where anything—and anyone—can change overnight. The enchanted cast of The Theater Lab’s A Midsummer Night's Dream, features (in alphabetical order) Jorge Bello (Lysander), Caryl Davidson (Peter Quince), Sylvain Field (Puck), Erin Fleming (Nick Bottom), Keri Graham (Robin Starveling), Egor J Gribbet (Theseus), Karin Hansen (Titania), Jane Heyman (Hippolyta), Sarah Jane “SJ” Heyman (Peaseblossom), Aimee Jaske (Helena), Hunter Johnson (Demetrius, Flute), Inaya Latif (Mustardseed), McKenna Marie (Oberon), Rachel Misic (Moth), Nancy Morrison (Tom Snout), Patricia Tinsley (Snug, Egeus), Grace Vestal (Cobweb), Karen Warlin (Philostrate), Kaylee Williams (Hermia), and dancers from Mt. Prospect School of Classical Ballet’s touring repertory company, Ballet Expressions. For tickets, you may purchase them through our website or by calling 847-718-7700. To additionally support The Theater Lab, simply add a donation under 'Donation' and click 'Enroll Now'.