After a 9-year hiatus from performing, I landed in Chicago. Tired of my life, tired of feeling as…read moreif I didn't have the right tools to "do this" at my age (I'm in my early 40s). Frankly, feeling tired. I also wasted a lot of money taking classes at places people told me I "should" be taking classes and feeling as if no one cared if I showed up and there was no measure whether I was improving or making progress. *bangs head on wall* I first found Black Box's Studio classes through a fellow improv student. From the pre-admissions interview process and then day one in their B1 class, I knew something was different. They weren't going to put up with my BS (or let ME put up with it any longer) and there was no choice except to tell the truth and be myself. It wasn't about getting it RIGHT. It was about being honest. After B1, I decided to audition for the ACADEMY conservatory program (I just graduated from Winter ACADEMY 2015 last week). I went ahead and took B2 while I was waiting on admission results. Well, I got in. And here's what I can say about The ACADEMY. 1) It's intense. If you're not ready to redefine your Level 10, keep doing what you're doing. It's one helluva shock to discover your idea of Level 10 was closer to a 6. 2) You're treated like a professional. There is no "hey, you paid -- show up when you want" mentality like most studio classes in Chicago. Our ACADEMY class saw one ensemble member dismissed mid-term. You're an ensemble and your partners rely on you to be there. Black Box won't let you forget that. Just because you paid doesn't mean you get to come and go as you please (how refreshing). 3) The instructors in this program (and the entire school) WORK in the industry. Incessantly. Audrey Francis is in The Herd at Steppenwolf, and no fewer than 4 of our other instructors are also in shows at this time at Step Up, Jackalope, Pegasus, and Red Orchid. They practice what they preach and are working professionals, not just professional instructors. 4) You're going to have days where you feel like crap. But it's good crap. That's your crap dissolving into a pile of crap you no long need. You'll keep going. It's acting. If it were easy, it would be called "beer." 5) The five months in this program transformed who I am as an acting industry professional and gave me a process that I can use on a moment's notice at an audition when they throw another set of sides at you to season generals where you're in a room full of people who hate monologues (but you now love them). My approach to text has been revolutionized, my relationship with my body in space is completely re-thunk (yes, that's a word), and my heart is sad that after graduating a week ago, I don't see my friends' faces every day. So, if you're looking for a ticket to fame or an easy button to push, keep looking. It doesn't exist. But if you're looking to do some hard (expletive) word and find your place in an industry that can chew you up and spit you out if you don't know your place and value --- then check out Black Box. I've found my voice, learned my value, and have a process to use throughout the continued growth of my career. *They are kind, but blunt. *They do not gush praise, but it'll come when you least expect it (probably when you STOP expecting it). *They will hold you to a higher standard than you've ever held yourself. *If you think this is solely a Meisner school, you're mistaken. The Black Box Method is a hybrid of many different schools of acting. And if you hate Meisner, that's a damn fine reason to try Black Box. And above all, for the actor considering where to spend his or her money in Chicago, I have found this to be the best money I've ever spent on my career -- above a beyond my college degree.

After completing the Studio program, I can say I highly recommend this class. It's definitely for…read morethose who are ready to work hard and are in it for the long haul. This class slowly delivers their method which gives you great structure for prep and gives you tools to focus before an audition/performance. The way it slowly unfolds definitely is intentional and allows you to really hone your process and helps to try to avoid common pitfalls. I especially appreciated this program already having a lot of acting training - getting some new tools (while being familiar with some things) and more structure for my process. However, I talked to newer actors who loved starting with this program too and complained of other schools not actually teaching students how to act but rather just getting notes on specific scenes done in class. What you learn in this class can be applied to every audition/performance scenario. Every teacher I had (4 total including subs) were generous, kind and still pushed you hard. They also did a good job of giving fair feedback that both encouraged what was working and helped you fix things that needed to be worked on. I found the teachers to have no ego and there to be no favoritism which is something I found annoying in some previous LA acting classes. All in all, if you have the time, energy and curiosity to commit to it, this class will help you grow immensely and hone your artistic voice.

S Loop Speak Freaks is a Toastmasters Club located at Chicago Downtown. It meets on 1st and 3rd…read moreTue of every month between 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Please find more details at - http://speakfreaks.toastmastersclubs.org/ Toastmasters Club is a non-profit communication and leadership organization with over 280,000 members across 116 countries! Speak Freaks club helps its members practice their public speaking and leadership skills through speaking, evaluation, and leadership tasks. You can view the Toastmasters' official sample meeting at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WStG9TnG0Gw&feature=plcp Street/Garage parking is available on Washington street. CTA routes are also close-by.

Since July, I joined 2 other Toastmasters clubs to increase my exposure to the Toastmasters…read morecommunity and still, this Toastmasters club is my home Toastmasters club. In person, we would meet in the center of Chicago downtown Loop. Right now, we're meeting virtually on Zoom and every week, there are consistent virtual Toastmasters members that attend the meeting. We have members who are from Chicago and across the 50 states, we welcome all guests and Toastmasters members from around the world! Come check out our Toastmasters club that's at the heart of Chicago!

NPTI was the best decision I've made yet career wise, other than coming to Chicago. The program is…read moreso exciting and easy to understand. It will pass you by if you don't want it, it is a lot of information. I quite honestly am biased because I think I got the best instructor NPTI has. Annette is the instructor you want for this program. Her class is thorough and really she just makes it so exciting. It took my dream of just wanting to do something, something I may enjoy and made it a 6 figure small business doing independent training. Personal training is something I wanted. NPTI gave me a strong platform for success in a competitive Chicago market.

National Personal Training Institute (N.P.T.I.) They really pack the classes in tight with very…read morelittle space. The class instruction is good, but with so many students you will rarely, if ever, get personal attention during the practical portions of the class i.e. form and technique in the gym. Its best to get certified through an accredited college. Most of the health and fitness establishments I interviewed with didn't recognize N.P.T.I.'s certification and laughed at how much I payed for the program. Did I mention N.P.T.I was very pricey? If you're rich, bored, and are interested in physical fitness, N.P.T.I might offer some interesting classes for your own benefit. If you are seriously thinking of perusing a career as a physical fitness professional, this is not a economical nor smart option.

I started attending Instrumental education in September for the 5 week course. My instructors were…read moreKaleb and Krystina. When I say they are by far the most intelligent, professional, and compassionate people I've ever met in my life I stand by that! I went into this class doubting myself and being hard on my self but they would continue to push me and reassure me that they would not let me fail and now I can say I'm very proud of my progress and completion of the course successfully. I must include that I am a dialysis patient which my instructor Krystina was aware of. I usually do my dialysis before class but was going through a life struggle that morning before class so it wasn't on my mind to do it at that time. I usually keep an emergency kit on me during times like this but the emergency kit was not where I expected it to be and was left at home. Long story short is my professor Krystina called me to let me know she was on her way to class because she knew I always showed up to class extremely early than expected. As we were on the phone I disclosed to her panicking that I don't have my drainage bag and mini cap to drain the solution out of me and she immediately told me everything will be okay. She told me we are going to figure this out. She made phone calls until she finally reached out to a man by the name of Darius Walls who works in the medical supply. During the time I'm not knowing any of this and I'm freaking out because I need this class and I didn't want to travel all the way back home which was an hour + away not including traffic. I can only leave the solution in me for 16 hours max and I was on my 14th hour. As I approached UChicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery I gave Krystina a call back and she reassured me that we were going to figure this out. When I finally got to the center I made it to class and she let me know that Darius contacted a woman by the name of Elisa who said she would provide me with the materials I needed for my dialysis. My professor Krystina walked me down to the dialysis floor and stayed with me while we waited to receive the equipment I needed to perform my dialysis. Elisa then asked if I receive my equipment from Baxter and I stated yes. Within minutes I received my equipment, did my dialysis, and was able to drain before the 15th hour came thanks to Krystina, Darius, and Elisa. No professor has showed unconditional love for a student like Krystina has in this program and I will be forever grateful!! I strongly suggest Instrumental Education to everyone!

I would not recommend this class to ANYBODY!! Where do I begin to being between 45 minutes to an…read morehour late to class every week. The complete unprofessionalism and lack of consideration for the students time, to on the night before midterm request the remaining cost to be able to sit for the midterm to our surprise had the students sitting for an hour and it would have been more of another student had not contacted her. The lack of communication is only part of it! Run far away from this so called "Business" All you need to do is go to the Sterile Processing University website and you will be good. The "teacher uses their book. Don't waste your money and don't get scammed!

Free English lessons, bring them on! New classes with trainee teachers starting every 4 weeks so it…read morenever gets boring :)

I attended the Teaching House in Chicago during the summer of 2014 and it was wonderful. The…read moreteacher trainers where extremely thorough in their feedback and help and they continue to help you and give advice about job searching even after the program has ended. They really know what they are talking about and are very experienced. I learned amazing things from the trainers at Teaching House Chicago. If you are willing to learn and ready to work hard and prepared for it all to pay off, join the Teaching House Chicago, you won't be disappointed

This is a review of the Thorne auditorium, which was opened up for several lectures in the Chicago…read moreHumanities festival. Not too conveniently located for the general public is the only concern, but once you get there it is a nice intimate space that allows you close access to the presenters. The sounds system is well balanced and the sightlines are great, this would work well as a classroom and as a public space

I graduated from Players Workshop in Summer 2001…read more As a stage and film actor, I find the training provided at PW extremely useful and inspiring. Thank you, instructors Steve Roath and Jeff!

If making choices in life are a challenge in any aspect of life or career, this program is for you!…read morePlayers Workshop will help to fine tune your ability to access your internal creative core. Once you have started unlocking and breaking down your fears and barriers, your ability to give presentations, engage in conversation and perform in life are at a renewed and heightened level. This program is great for developing teamwork skills and being able to trust your inner self.

"This place changed my (son's/daughter's) life"…read more This is the single most common quote I've heard the past three years as a parent of a Senior and Junior dancer at The Academy. Both my daughters have said this, many parents have said this to me and recently, a returning academy alumni who now writes for Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber said The Academy saved him. The environment, academically and through the arts is extremely challenging and difficult for both daughters to a point to where I wonder at times if it's too much. But then as we complete the school year and reflect on their growth, accomplishments and the connections they've made, it feels very much like a place like no other in preparing them for a demanding future. The most important thing you can do is get out to a performance where you may conclude as many do, that it seems impossible these are only high school students. Then visit the school itself where you'll see how accepting and diverse the culture is which seems to enrich and nurture our children in ways high school never did for the majority of us.

My daughter goes to art classes here and it's a wonderful experience. So glad we found this through…read morefriends.... It's an actual Chicago high school, yay glad we found it!!