Wisconsin Theater Game Center

We offer workshops in the work of American theater legends Viola Spolin and Paul Sills. Actors, theater students, teachers, directors and other players are invited to attend. Workshops are held in Door County, Wisconsin, a famous vacation destination on the beautiful peninsula in Lake Michigan.

Story Theater Intensives

In the late 60s Second City founding director Paul Sills surprised the Chicago theater scene with a new art form. Players in street garb enacted tales from the oral tradition set to contemporary music on bare, dramatically-lit stages. By 1970 Paul Sills’ Story Theatre had won critical acclaim on both coasts. “Unequivocally great,” wrote Clive Barnes in the New York Times. Sills imparted this method in an intensive he coached with Carol Sills in 2008. Since then, Carol and Rachel Sills have continued the practice. Players will adapt stories from literature in a process that leads to a workshop performance. Viola Spolin’s theater games spark fire in a curriculum that prepares participants to coach players in their own classrooms and theaters. Stories performed in past seasons may be found here.

STORY THEATER INTENSIVE IN DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN

Inspired by Paul Sills’ approach to the oral tradition, players will explore storytelling in a personal, present time manner, entering into Viola’ Spolin's theater games with group creative spirit. Bring flutes, strings and dancing shoes. Players of all experience levels are welcome.

If you’d like to prepare, please read Paul Sills’ Story Theater: Four Shows, Applause Books. Paul's prefaces for each show are eloquent, describing the history of this popular theater we practice. Carol and Paul Sills co-authored the book and Rachel in Rumi adorns the cover.

Dates:

Workshop schedule: Monday through Friday, 10.30am - 1.30pm and 4.30 - 6.30 pm. 25 hours of workshop time. Afternoons and evenings are free to explore Door County.A workshop presentation will take place Friday afternoon at 4pm followed by a 6.30pm wrap-up festivity. Plan to arrive July 28th and depart August 3rd.

Location: Workshops are held on the Sills Farm at 2397 Old Lime Kiln Road, Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin 54202

Tuition: Tuition is non-refundable, but you can transfer your space to someone else with prior approval, or in the event someone on the waitlist can purchase your space. Some sliding scale spaces are available and there are special rates for Door County residents.

Spolin Theater Game Workshops

Learn more about ongoing Spolin improvisation workshops online and in-person around the country here.

5-day Viola Spolin Theater Game Intensive in Door County, WI

Explore the transformational theater games of Viola Spolin to enhance your training as an actor, improviser, educator, director, or to experience more play in your daily life. Viola Spolin’s theater games launched the modern American improvisational theater movement and changed the way acting is taught. Her work has influenced generations of actors and educators. The Theater Game Intensive is a concentrated course based on her groundbreaking book Improvisation for the Theater. Coached by Aretha Sills from a lesson plan created by Paul Sills, the intensive is open to beginners and experienced players.

Learn more and register at www.violaspolin.org/workshops

Young Adult Story Theater Workshops

More info may be found HERE.

GENERAL INFO

WORKSHOPS: take place both online, in person around the county, and in studios at and nearby the Sills farm in Door County, the peninsula in Lake Michigan north of Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

LODGING: Nearby lodging is abundant. Resort hotels, motels, or cottages are available through various online reservation sites. Ephraim and Sister Bay are the nearest villages, but Fish Creek and Baileys Harbor are also close. You can research lodging options and obtain travel information at Door County Visitor and Convention Bureau, 920-743-4456. Other sites such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and locally, Lundquist Realty, may provide more options.

BY CAR: The Sills Farm is located at 2397 Old Lime Kiln Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202 and is around 4.5 hours North from Chicago and 1.5 hours North from Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay.

Students arriving close to the same time and staying at the same place often share car rentals.