Senn Arts Theatre

Senn Arts Theatre is an ensemble based theatre program that activates observation, critical thinking, and problem solving to develop students' artistic voice. With the support of their teachers, ensemble, and the Chicago Theatre community, young artists use their voice to react to and create works of theatre from diverse global perspectives. Every Senn Arts Theatre student participates in performance classes and departmental productions and also has the opportunity to explore and pursue all disciplines and aspects of theatre arts. Our robust partnerships with members of the Chicago theatre community allow students the opportunity to work firsthand with theatre professionals to gain practical insight into the inside workings of the theatre world.

Rob Schroeder, [email protected]

Michael Driscoll, [email protected] 

First Years: Building Ensemble
In their first year, theatre students learn the value of ensemble. In performance, students learn the tools of the actor, how to support each other, and build their community so they may openly share and work with each other. Through playwriting workshops and experiencing live theatre performances, students learn about dramatic structure, they experience how to rehearse and perform two showcases through our arts residencies, and are introduced to careers in the theatre. 

Courses: Theatre Fundamentals, Drama I


Sophomores: Exploring Voice
In their sophomore year, theatre students build on the foundations they have learned to dig deeper into the message of theatre pieces, further examine how theatre explores ideas, and begin building their own creative voice. Using their ensemble for support, students will investigate their connection to the art they create through our theatre residencies. Students will begin trusting their instincts and taking risks when making creative choices as well as explore how experienced theatre-makers do the same. 

Courses: Theatre Academy I, Drama II


Juniors: Finding Voice
In their junior year, theatre students will apply skills they have learned through their explorations in sophomore and first years. They will begin the rigorous IB Theatre process making artistic choices for theatre work they will complete in senior year. They will start solidifying their own artistic process and voice through researching theatre theorists, world theatre traditions, imagining their own theatre production, and collaborating with ensemble members to create their own theatre piece. 

Courses: IB HL Theatre Arts I, Drama III


Seniors: Using Voice
In Senior Year, theatre students become their own theatre makers. From the research they prepared in junior year, students will create an original collaborative theatre piece with their ensemble members and a solo theatre piece. Students will also complete their directorial vision for their play, as well as present work from a world theatre tradition. Students will learn the profession of theatre through professional writing, preparing an audition portfolio, and examining theatre through critical review. These student-centered experiences will prepare students to enter the theatre world with a clear understanding of their own artistic voice.

Courses: IB HL Theatre Arts II, Drama IV

2011-2012

• Moments of Change (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)

2012-2013

• Our America: Ghetto Life 101 (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• Our Town: The OT Project (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)
• Realize Life (In Partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)

2013-2014

• Our America: Ghetto Life 101 at Illinois High School Theatre Festival (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• First Year One Act Play Festival
• Picasso at Lapin Agile
• Metamorphoses (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)
• Remembering 9/11: Perspectives (In partnership with Bailiwick Chicago)

2014-2015

• Metamorphoses at Illinois High School Theatre Festival (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)
• An Evening of August Wilson (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• The Royale (In partnership with American Theatre Company Mosaic)
• I & You
• Broken Text (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• The Fair of a Thousand Faces (In partnership with Bailiwick Chicago)
• The Michael Brown Project

2015-2016

• The 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love Suicide at the Den and Illinois High School Theatre Festival (In partnership with The Hypocrites)
• Self-Centered (in partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• Milk Like Sugar at The Raven (In partnership with Raven Theatre)
• An Evening of August Wilson (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Kill Floor (in partnership with American Theatre Company Mosaic)
• Avenue Q
• I & You at the Frontier (in partnership with Jackalope Theatre)
• Eclipsed (In partnership with Steppenwolf Theatre Company)

2016-2017

• Legally Blonde (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)
• Waiting for a Dream Deferred (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• The Nina Variations (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)
• The Wiz (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)
• An Evening of August Wilson (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Snack Break 
• Blood at the Root (In Partnership with Jackalope Theatre)
• Summer Production: The Lion King (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)

2017-2018

• Senn Shorties
• Bite-Sized Broadway (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)
• Passing Period (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• The August Wilson Festival (in partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Once On This Island (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)
• Secret in the Wings (in partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)
• What If We Has the Wisdom? (in partnership with Steppenwolf What If Project)
• Snack Break II: Lunchbox Boogaloo
• Columbinus (In partnership with Steppenwolf Theatre)
• Summer Production: Mind Games (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)

2018-2019

• Senn Shorties II: I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller
• Brainstorm at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• Broadway Rocks (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)
• The August Wilson Festival (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Hairspray (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)
• Keen Teen One Act Showcase (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre)
• Summer Production: Memories of Yesterday (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters)

2019-2020

• The Changing Room (in partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• Disney on Broadway (in partnership with After School Matters)
• Senn Shorties III: The Final Chapter
• The August Wilson Festival (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Summer Production: This I Believe (in partnership with Chicago Opera Theatre and After School Matters

• We’re Here (In partnership with After School Matters)
• The August Wilson Festival (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Generation of Change 
• The Time Capsule Diaries (In partnership with Lookingglass Theatre & Hubbard Street Dance)
• Working: A Musical (In partnership with After School Matters and Porchlight Music Theatre)
• Senn Arts Playwrights New Play Festival (In partnership with Raven Take Flight and Northwestern University)
• Summer Production: Working: The Encore (In partnership with After School Matters)2020-2021 (Remote Productions)

• Returning Home (In partnership with After School Matters)
• Dear Chuck (In partnership with Raven Take Flight)
• The August Wilson Festival (In partnership with Victory Gardens Theater)
• Senior Night Live
• Skokie Detective Charter School
• Matilda: the Musical (In partnership with After School Matters and Porchlight Music Theatre)
• Senn Arts Junior Theatre Ensemble Presents: Hillsborough High
• Summer Production: Mary Wears What She Wants (in partnership with After School Matters and Porchlight Music Theatre)