I second the reviews below, and then some. Found RB when a cousin invited me to join her for a…read moreproduction, and was instantly smitten. Later became a subscriber, and have enjoyed every play I've seen since, and really appreciate the "Talk Backs", Q&A sessions which allow you to interact with the actors, and learn more about the plays. The subscription prices are unbelievably reasonable, but my favorite thing is the "Flex Pass" - you don't have to commit to specific dates immediately, which is invaluable when coordinating with other subscribers. On my list of "Ten Best Ways to Spend a Sunday Afternoon", a play at Remy Bumppo followed by a beer and a burger at John Barleycorn is very near the top!

I am so surprised there aren't more reviews about this theatre!! But that is its key problem: It…read moredoesn't advertise. No one knows about Remy Bumppo despite its unusual name and history, and despite incredible performances, despite its ability to turn me on to playwrights I knew nothing about, despite that it can get me thinking and despite that it has me craving more theatre -- seriously wishing for the next performance. Despite all this, its ambience beyond the lobby is that of a real warehouse/ experimental theatre which they share with at least one other theatre company (Eclipse). I believe this is because the Remy Bumppo Theatre Company does not have a full understanding of non-traditional marketing or guerrilla tactics for pr and their applications in today's world (and how you can achieve so much by spending so little.) I mean, I have attended one of their openings, and the food spread was opulent -- more opulent than Victory Gardens' who has a seriously beautiful and wholly owned theatre. But I digress. I'll offer marketing advice when they call me, but otherwise, I'll stick to the theatre review. And the theatre is magnificent. I saw a Pinter play almost a year ago here and haven't stopped thinking about it. I've even followed Pinter works up to Evanston to compare (and to make it clear: The Remy Bumppo performance surprised me by being far better -- like professional v. amateur -- than the Piven Theatre's). I've laughed at everything they've done and come out lighter -- even though some of their works were seriously heavy. They just know how to pick 'em: playwrights, directors and actors alike. First-rate, all the way. Remy Bumppo lends something powerful and meaningful and fun and unexpected to your life. That is why you should spend your money here. I know people in Chicago who don't consider themselves serious theatre-goers (and some who do) think that the end-all, be-all of theatre is "Wicked," but this is FAR BETTER than that. FAR more entertaining. And costs a lot less for which you will end up with so much more. I promise.

The new studio is fabulous! Clean, spacious, and includes locker rooms!…read more I've taken a four classes and really enjoyed half of them. Strength and Stretch was enjoyable and challenging. The instructor/owner Pia was warm, helpful, and constructed a great class with good flow and great music. She even spent time correcting postures and helping push people further into stretches. I loved that. Yoga Sculpt also had a fabulous instructor. I was the only one in the class, so I ended up with a private lesson and she did a regular yoga class for me when I expressed an interest. Super sweet as well. The Jazz/Ballet classes I've taken were taught by a sub who I wasn't a big fan of. He had a little trouble with the flow of class, ballet ended after the jump combination. We never made it out of the center of the room, no grand allegro, which is the best part of the class. For beginning/intermediate jazz the combination was way too easy and short. I would recommend going up a level from the classes you take elsewhere. But Intrigue is a great dance studio and I love their new location. They just posted their fall schedule and the adult classes are aplenty, at least 4-5 a day. Can't wait for them to start September 4th!

This review is for the Adult classes, specifically the ballet class. When I first started going it…read morewas a monthly fee for 2 classes of your choice. It then moved to 1 class for the monthly fee. This is a little pricey considering the fees for the other studios in the area that offer adult classes. If you took ballet as a child and want to get back into it and grow, I would not recommend this studio. The training of the teachers they select for this class is wishy washy. Sometimes they have teachers that are professionals or former professional dancers, which is great. Sometimes they have teachers that trained as a dancer so they took ballet classes, but ballet isn't their thing, or in the case of 1 person they would use to sub doesn't even like ballet. I signed up for ballet. I don't want a hip hop fusion or jazz, but ballet. There doesn't seem to be any mentoring of the younger teachers so they can grow and develop. I don't see the younger students exhibiting studio etiquette. Also not sure if it's even taught to them. When I was a young student, when the class ended, you needed to gather your things and leave and the class helpers made sure you were with your parent/guardian. There's a lot of lingering so the next class starts very late, but still ends on time, so we are cheated out of time and money. They also need to be more transparent on their money practices. They would sometimes randomly cancel class or breaks in the middle of the month, with no mention of giving a credit unless you specifically call or email to inquire. If you don't inquire, they have no intentions on offering a remedy.

After attending a student showcase one of our friends was in, my maid of honor organized a private…read moreclass for my bachelorette party here! It was a blast! We went to their studio Saturday afternoon around 12:30 and brought in mimosas before we began at 1pm. The class was about an hour and a half from what I can remember. We opted to learn a mini routine for fun. Our group had about 8 girls in total. Red hot Annie led the class, she was full of energy, positive, kept a great pace, and did an excellent job explaining the various dance moves. We would learn portions of the dance and then practice the whole thing to music. We really liked the song selected and the routine! It was prefect for a bachelorette party. Overall it was a fun unique activity to do to get everyone out of their comfort zones. A few girls were worried about feeling uncomfortable but everyone was able to quickly get really into it and feel open to fully embrace it! It was a great activity to start the day and get everyone talking! I would highly recommend for bachelorette parties!!! I'm definitely going to look into taking workshops since I'm tight on time right now but I'd also look into taking classes with Red Hot Annie again!

JEEZY'S JUKE JOINT, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN BURLESQUE SHOW…read more Loved Jeezy's Juke Joint, an all African-American Burlesque Show!. So much fun, not to mention somewhat educational. :) I enjoyed the MC, Jeez Loueez'. Got a kick out of her crazy humor and her ability to roll with the punches. The eclectic styles of burlesque that the ladies performed were very entertaining and some were more unique than others. I had never seen an all African-American cast of performers of burlesque and this was a real treat. I liked some more than others, but they all did their "thang" and did it in a way that made me feel they loved their craft. Can't be shy here. This is a very sexy show. I loved the campiness of some of the performers and it quite cool seeing slender and "healthier" ladies perform. There was something for everyone. MC Monty and his dancers did a dance number to his rap. Holliwood Monroe can really blow. She has a great set of pipes. Loved her voice. There was a male and a female drag performer, Shea Coulee and Switch the boi wonder. I've been around the block, but I was still enlightened. Among my personal favorites were Coco DuPree's interpretation of Isaac Hayes' song, "Do Your Thing". Her hot 1970's "Foxy Brown/Pam Grieresque" costume, complete with black faux fur jacket and train covering her red with black zebra stripe hotpants ensemble, topped off with a big red fan pick in her "fro" was so "right on" point. Reminiscent of Angela Davis. That girl knows she CAN move! Make no mistake, she did her thang. The girl was "baaaad" and her moves were tight. Praline DuPree's 1950's poodlelicious outfit and spirited dance routine were big fun. She was classy, spunky and coquettish all rolled into one. She had great charisma with a lovely hint of southern Louisiana charm. Horchata Dentata is one strong, tall woman who had some intense control on "the pole". She made it look easy. I expected to see a more petite woman, but I was so impressed with her strength and confidence. I ain't mad at her, no sireee. Foxy LaFeelion did a wonderful 1920's style dance and her costume was beautiful with its many layers. Marz Timms, the comic, was very funny. He cracked me up. I enjoyed Star Dixon's incredible tap dancing and the talent of "Shea Coulee", the rather rhythmic and stylish female impersonator. He definitely worked it for us. All in all, there were about 17 performers and they were all marvelous. They came in all shapes and sizes, which was refreshing to see. It was plain to see that everyone in the theater was having a good ol' time and tappin' their feet. Lots of whoopin' and hollerin' was goin' on. After seeing this show, I wanted to run out and buy some pasties and a red "Wonder" bra.

I love this immersive play!…read more The new location is located in the South Loop on South Michigan Avenue. Beautiful new hallway smelling of varnish on the hardwood floors walks you back to the cutest set. There's a bar in the back yard. You can hang out and have cocktails, wine and beer before the play begins. There is an ivy covered wall, patio seating and a pergola. As the play begins, you are welcome to wander around the house, through different rooms during the show. With tons of plots and sub-plots you can catch different amazing interactions between the talented actors. There's drama, action and humor. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The actors are talented and interesting. I was intrigued the entire show. Complimentary cocktails are served during the play, which makes you feel you're a part of the party in the storyline. I really enjoyed myself and am so glad I attended. If you are looking to do something a little different, I highly recommend Southern Gothic!

If this playhouse keeps doing crazy awesome things like the show I saw here, they should do very…read morewell. I came here to see Southern Gothic. I knew this was an immersive play, but I really wasn't sure what to expect for the performance space since I was told it was in a house...They had constructed an entire house (kitchen, dining room, dining room, bathroom, porch, and patio) in the playhouse space. It was an amazing show, with an amazing company in an amazing space.

If I ever find myself in a role in a film and it becomes a hit, this is something I never, never…read moreimagined in my wildest dreams, until I decided to let the cat die and stop by the Chicago Actors Studio, meet the artistic director, and learn to be someone you are not. Has allowed me to understand much more clearly the difference between right and wrong. I feel like a fricking kid, learning a new game.

This studio is where my acting journey began, and I'm so glad I found it. From the very first…read moreclass, I felt a warm and supportive atmosphere where it's easy to step outside your comfort zone, learn, and grow. Every class is engaging, inspiring, and gives me something new to think about and work on. I really enjoy working with Ed. It's clear that he has a lot of experience, a strong acting background, and a deep understanding of the industry. I'm grateful for every piece of feedback because it's always thoughtful, honest, and gives me something to improve. I leave every class feeling inspired, more confident, and excited to keep learning. I highly recommend this studio to anyone who wants to grow as an actor.

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.

I took a class here as a teenager and it was top notch! I have talked to many students who have…read moretalked classes here recently, and you know what, they can't speak highly enough about it! Yes, the rumors are true! It's just as good now as it was 45 years ago! Hats off to all the great teachers for encouraging all the students from around the world (yes, I knew a young woman from Italy who attended classes back in 2005!). A big standing ovation to all the teachers keeping this great institution world class all these decades later! You are the greatest!

My experience with this college has been extremely disappointing. One of my biggest concerns is the…read moreway on-campus job opportunities are handled. From my experience, it feels like Black students are not given the same opportunities or consideration when it comes to certain positions on campus. It has been extremely discouraging, especially when students are trying to work to support themselves while attending school. On top of that, many things on campus are unnecessarily overpriced. Students are already paying high tuition, yet basic things can feel excessively expensive. I hope the school takes these concerns seriously.

I've just about seen all of Urban Theater's productions. Which have been known to be a bit gritty…read moreand raw on the stage, but I believe this seasons premier, BROKEN THREAD, is different and worth going to see. Plus the prices aren't expensive either....I paid $15 with my student ID on the day I went and was told they have $10 shows on Thursdays. Apart from the rude couple in front me talking, I not only enjoyed the show but was also touched and moved with the story line. It makes you think twice about the time you have to be with the ones you love and enjoying those moments to the fullest. Thank you Urban Theater for always keeping it real.

Incredible!!! Me and my mother went to see a play here. We will definitely frequent this place…read more They are beyond amazing, super friendly, and family oriented. They are an organic refreshing unapologetic representation/ dramatization of real urban history! Thanks to everyone at The Urban Theater Company!!!! Please support this amazing production