Workshops Ages 9+

The courses available at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York are designed to supplement your regular education, to help you develop the skills that are useful no matter what kind of career you choose.

John Robert Powers Chicago/New York programs are broken down into two different categories; The Hobby or Development Programs, which include Life, Fashion/Commercial Print, TV1, Communication and Public Speaking. The second category is by invitation only and this is our Elite or Career Program. It is designed for our clients to have access to development and advanced – career level coaching.

Please click on one of the workshops for a description

The Life Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York will prepare one for the future, as well as give one the leading edge for today. It is not only meant for aspiring actors and models; this course can and should be taken by anyone wanting to excel and succeed. The workshop teaches personal development skills that help students achieve higher self-esteem, overcome shyness and gain over-all confidence. Topics covered in this workshop include public speaking, manners, etiquette, grooming, creating a great first impression, voice and diction, fashion coordination and wardrobe, visual poise, and goal setting. At the completion of the workshop, the student will have an improved self image, an enhanced outer appearance, and be more aware when in professional and social environments.

The Fashion and Commercial Print Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps students develop skills necessary to work successfully as a model. This workshop will teach students about photo posing, body alignment, the differences between editorial and commercial photography, hair and makeup styling, and how to conduct themselves on an audition. At the completion of the workshop, the student will know the fundamentals of photography work, how to pose more naturally and confidently, and how to market themselves to agents.

The TV1 Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps students learn the basic techniques in acting and commercial work, improve memorization and confidence in front of people and the camera, as well as develop skills for auditioning with agents, casting directors, and managers.  The workshop will instruct students on basic commercial techniques, breaking down commercial copy, the creation of marketing materials, on camera auditioning techniques, and how to market themselves to agents, casting directors, and managers. At the completion of the workshop, the student will have developed skills for acting in television commercials, have improved confidence in front of the camera, know how to market themselves to agents, manager, and casting directors, and know the basics of auditioning.

The Communications/Public Speaking Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York is designed to develop the student as a speaker and performer. The goal is to exercise and stretch the vocal instrument, help students become more dynamic and interesting speakers, and develop creative speaking skills to enable students to be more flexible in their approach to public speaking and performance. Some topics covered include articulation, enunciation, pronunciation, breath control, pitch and emphasis, verbal vs. non-verbal communication methods, and group communication.   At the completion of the workshop, the student will have learned how to speak more clearly, develop the ability to communicate effectively, and express emotion and energy.

The Professional Acting Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps students learn the basic techniques in acting and commercial work, improve memorization and confidence in front of people and the camera, as well as develop skills for auditioning with agents, casting directors, and managers.  The workshop will instruct students on basic commercial techniques, breaking down commercial copy, the creation of marketing materials, on camera auditioning techniques, developing a monologue, and how to market themselves to agents, casting directors, and managers. At the completion of the workshop, the student will have developed skills for acting in television commercials, have improved confidence in front of the camera, know how to market themselves to agents, managers, and casting directors, be able to select and prepare a monologue, and know the basics of auditioning. 

The Professional Modeling Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps students develop skills necessary to work successfully as a model. This workshop will teach students about photo posing, body alignment, how to walk the runway, the differences between editorial and commercial photography, hair and makeup styling, rules and regulations of the industry, skin care, nutrition, and how to conduct themselves on an audition. At the completion of the workshop, the student will know the fundamentals of photography work, how to walk with poise and confidence, how to pose more naturally and confidently, be capable of demonstrating professional cosmetic techniques and hairstyling, and how to market themselves to agents. 

The Runway Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps students learn the basic techniques to handle a runway show or audition as well as developing skills needed to improve appearance through poise, posture, and walking. Instruction is given in many different types of modeling including High Fashion Runway, Trunk Shows, Promotional Modeling, and Informal Modeling. At the completion of the workshop, the student will know how to walk with poise and confidence, be able to demonstrate the different types of runway walking, know how to prepare for a runway audition or go see, be capable of demonstrating professional cosmetic techniques and hairstyling, and be able to participate in and help organize a fashion show.

The TV2 Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York is an advanced workshop that helps students learn the techniques necessary for acting in television sitcoms and soap operas. The workshop will instruct students on how to improve their on-camera acting and believability, help to develop skills for advanced auditioning, and show how to prepare a character.  At the completion of the workshop, the student will have developed skills for acting in soap operas and sitcoms, understand how to act in front of multiple cameras, and be able to make their own audition tapes for agents and casting directors.

The TV3 Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York focuses on perfecting the skills for film. The advanced actor will fine-tune cold reading and auditioning skills as they are guided through the audition process. The workshop will instruct actors by working on-camera exploring cold readings, interviews and auditions for agents, managers, casting directors, and producers, and teaching students the differences between film and stage acting. At the completion of the workshop, the student will have developed skills for acting in film, understand how to interpret and break down scenes, and be able to prepare a character.

The Actor’s Audition Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps students develop skills that will allow them to make a lasting impact when auditioning for agents, managers, and casting directors. The workshop will instruct students on the audition process, the business of acting, cold reading, preparing monologues, on-camera auditioning techniques, marketing materials, slating, and how to prepare for Agent, Commercial, and TV/Film auditions. At the completion of the workshop, the student will be able to perform cold readings, display an increased level of confidence when placed in an audition, and be more knowledgeable about the business of acting.

The Improvisation Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/NewYork is designed to provide beginning actors with the chance to explore the fundamentals of acting. Improvisation allows actors to stretch their imaginations, create characters, find new forms of expression, and become more confident in performance. Topics covered include developing a character, ensemble acting, vocal technique, pantomime, and physicalization. At the completion of the workshop, the student will be able to perform confidently in front of an audience, be able to express himself or herself creatively, and be more comfortable in social settings. 

The Monologue Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York helps the more advanced acting student develop the skills needed for performing both dramatic and comedic monologues. The workshop will instruct students on how to develop techniques to help prepare and relax when performing, how to break down monologues, how to truly get into character using exercises in believability and emotion, and how to select a monologue. At the completion of the workshop, the student will be able to select and perfect a monologue, perform their monologue with self-assurance, and give a believable performance.

The Theater Arts Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York will allow students to learn techniques necessary for the performing arts by improving professional presentation, developing discipline, and expanding the skill set necessary for performance. Topics covered include basic theater auditioning techniques, copy breakdown, character creation, marketing tools, developing stage presence, theatrical monologues, and script analysis. At the completion of the workshop, the student will have developed skills for acting in theater, have improved confidence on stage, have a theatrical monologue prepared, and know the basics of theater auditioning.

The Professional Singing Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/New York nurtures the gifts and talents of aspiring singers and songwriters and brings them to a level of maturity and competitiveness for the exciting world of music entertainment. This workshop supports each individual’s natural talents and interest with a unique and distinctive mode of training. Artists will develop a strong sense of their musical self and strengthen their social skills through emotional development and stage presence. At the completion of the workshop, the student will be able to develop their natural talent, have enhanced their stage presence, and have improved their ability to express themselves creatively.

The Hip Hop Dance Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/NewYork will teach students dance techniques and movements, elements, and vocabulary. They will learn dance sequences and routines to be performed individually and in groups, create their own movement sequences, learn historical and cultural elements of dance, and observe performances by other students as well as on-screen.  At the completion of the workshop students will have an improved understanding of dance, be able to perform a choreographed dance routine, and have an improved self awareness and creative ability.

The Voice and Diction Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago/NewYork is designed to teach students how to speak more clearly and express emotion and energy, as well as improve enunciation and vocal presentation. The workshop will instruct students on vocal analysis, articulation and pronunciation, releasing tension through relaxation techniques, and learn the basics of volume, pitch, and rate. At the completion of the workshop, the student will have developed skills to increase memorization skills and focus, be able to express emotion and energy when reading orally, and be able to speak more clearly.

The Parent’s Business Workshop at John Robert Powers Chicago helps parents understand the workings of the entertainment industry. The workshop will instruct parents on the audition process, the business of acting, rules of the industry, marketing materials, and how to get an agent. At the completion of the workshop, the parent will better understand how to conduct themselves on set, know how to market their child, and be more knowledgeable about the business of acting and modeling.