You will create a brand-new play in seven hours. You start the day by picking an original creature that you will be in our play. You will decide what type of creature you are. Do you fly, swim, crawl on the ground? Maybe you are a robot? Which of the other creatures are your friends? Are you afraid of any of them? Draw pictures of what you look like and start deciding how you will play with the other creatures. Through a series of theater games, we create a story for our characters. Then you create masks and simple costumes. You will decide on what the world looks like that our creatures live in and create a simple set. Finally, after a little rehearsal, we will present our play for our family and friends at 3:00pm.
*Please have students come with lunch.
2-1 day session Ages: 5-14 yrs. Day: Saturdays Date: 6/21, 7/12 Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm D/ND Fee: $40/$50 per session Location: Community Center Code: 263807B,C Min/Max: 4/10
Bring your fun and creative self to a weekly hour of theater games! This is a class to stretch your creativity - from improvisation games to ensemble building games - this class is for the enthusiastic actor who wants to bring the fun out of every moment on the stage! This 6-week class will end with a showcase of their new improvisation and stage skills!
6 weeks Ages: 6-14 yrs. Day: Wednesdays Date: 6/11-7/16 Time: 4:30-5:30 pm D/ND Fee: $50/$60 Location: Joseph C. Vallez Activity Center Code: 263807A Min/Max: 4/10
After doing improv together back in high school, the dynamic trio of Jane DiMaso, Joseph DiMaso, and Julia Dingman have reunited and will officially debut as Mirror Me!
With your help, these improvisers will create new scenes, worlds, and jokes just for you! They'll be performing a mix of short and long form comedy- all powered by your suggestions. Three brains, two nights, one stage, and zero scripts!
Tickets: $15 per performance Purchase Tickets: (708) 749-4900 or visit us @ 1619 Wesley Ave.
Dates: July 18, 2025 @ 7:00 PM July 19, 2025 @ 7:00 PM
Location: Joseph C. Vallez Activity Center 1529 Harlem Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402 Lower Level
1st Monday's "Let Me Tell You!" A Curated Story Telling Jam
1st Monday of each month storytelling event hosted by 2-time Moth winner Errol McLendon
Everyone tells stories. At family gatherings. In bars and coffee shops. Here is your opportunity to share your personal stories with your community. Stories can be funny or poignant. About love or tragedy, or maybe both. They can be about something you learned or something you wish you had never done. Something historic you witnessed or were a part of.
Submit a description of a 7 - 8 minute story you would like to tell to errol.mclendon@gmail.com to be included in an evening of friends sharing stories with friends. First time tellers are welcomed and encouraged.
A free Zoom workshop will be offered two weeks prior to each show to help enhance your story in a relaxed, informal environment. One-on-one coaching will also be available.
Ages: 18+ yrs. Days: Mondays Dates: 5/5, 6/2, 7/7, 8/4, 9/1, 10/6, 11/3, 12/1 Time: 7:00-9:00 pm Fee: Free Location: Joseph C. Vallez Activity Center 1529 Harlem Ave.
One person show: Dad? Daddy? Poppa? by Errol McLendon
When a heart attack took his dad the day before his 14th birthday, Errol felt like he never got a chance to know his father - didn’t even know what to call him. Dad? Daddy? Poppa? Through memories and words, he discovered years later a deep relationship and love after his father had gone.
A loving tribute to fathers and expressions of love not always clearly evident. Through slides and stories, both funny and poignant, Errol explores how individually and uniquely a father’s love can manifest.
About Errol McLendon
Errol McLendon has taught storytelling workshops in Houston, Dallas, St Louis and Lake Geneva and has told his stories in Kansas City, St. Louis and at National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN.
He has performed his solo shows at Fringe Festivals in Indianapolis, Atlanta, Orlando and Edinborough.
Errol runs a storytelling open mic, hosts a monthly storytelling show at the North Berwyn Park District and teaches an ongoing drop-in workshop. Errol is a two-time Moth winner.
Tickets: $15 per performance Purchase Tickets: (708) 749-4900 or visit us @ 1619 Wesley Ave.
Dates: July 13, 2025 @ 7:00 PM July 14, 2025 @ 2:00 PM (time changed 2/26 after printing of brochure) July 15, 2025 @ 2:00 PM
Location: Joseph C. Vallez Activity Center 1529 Harlem Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402 Lower Level
Nothing prevents a good program from running more than waiting until the last minute to register for it. Classes that have a low enrollment are generally cancelled approximately one week prior to the first meeting date. Please register for your programs as early as possible to avoid cancellations.
