About Alex: Ms. Billings is the Viewpoints Associate at The Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, and has taught at the Steppenwolf Schools in both Chicago and Los Angeles since 1998.

Alexandra has studied Viewpoints under Tina Landau, one of the originators of Viewpoints along with Anne Bogart. She has also taught Viewpoints - as both an acting tool and a rehearsal technique - at Universities and theaters across the country since 1995, including the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Louis University, Depaul University, and has been on staff at both Act One Studios and for the Illinois Theatre Alliance. Ms Billings has been on faculty at CSU Long Beach, and is currently on staff at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA. She's been an actress in film, television and theater since 1968.

Viewpoints is a physical and emotional practice first adapted from the World of dance by theatre directors Anne Bogart and Tina Landau. (see "The Viewpoints Book" by Anne Bogart & Tina Landau published by TCG at Samuel French and other bookstores) It is a staple of our teaching at the School of Steppenwolf in Chicago because it encourages courageous, unpredictable, passionate work. Viewpoints is a practice that sheds light on every aspect of how we create characters, investigate text and work in ensemble. It combines Repetition, Spatial Relationship, and Instinctive Response by using both text and physicality. It deals with bodies and motion in space. By pin-pointing physical limitations to the actor, the Viewpoints allow them to free themselves up and get to the truth and heart of a scene. It is also a tool that can be used for building and creating the inner life of individual characters by way of Gesture and Tempo. Using the Viewpoints is not meant to replace an actor's individual acting technique, it is merely meant to add to it.

The ability and confidence to improvise is a must for all working actors today. This workshop demystifies the art of improvisation and gives students simple, effective tools to use in auditions, rehearsals, and while working, with a focus on improv as a component of acting rather than a separate skill. If you are reluctant, scared, or in your head about improvising, this INTRO class is for you.

About Eric: As a teacher, in addition to his SCW Viewpoints/Improv class co-taught with Alexandra Billings, Eric travels the U.S. (and Canada!), teaching at colleges, theatres, and improv festivals, and is a performer, teacher, and the Director of Training at Improv Olympic West in Los Angeles. Eric has been studying and performing improv since 1992. Since then, he has worked and trained at Comedy Sportz, Improv Olympic, and The Second City in N.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. Eric is a member of the acclaimed Chicago improv ensemble The Reckoning, has written and performed plays, films, TV, sketch comedy shows, and countless improvised shows, served as a creative consultant for MTV, MoveOn, and DreamWorks, and directed shows at The Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre, Improv Olympic, The Second City, and the Comedy Central Stage in L.A.

About Jeff: Mr. Perry is a co-founder of Steppenwolf Theatre, the School at Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf Films and Steppenwolf Classes West. Since 1976, Jeff has taught two-person, ensemble and Chekhov scene study classes in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

About Tom: Mr. Irwin has been involved as an actor or director in over 50 productions with Steppenwolf Theatre since joining the ensemble in 1979. Tom has been on the faculty of The Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University, Columbia College and The School at Steppenwolf.

About Shannon: Shannon Cochran is an actress and director who has been working in theatre, film, and television for 25 years. She is a member of the teaching staff at The School at Steppenwolf in Chicago, as well as Steppenwolf West. She taught text discovery/scene study at DePaul University, and has conducted individual workshops in Chicago for several theatre companies.