Physical Theater Festival
2026 Workshops
Physical Theater Festival is pleased to offer workshops with visiting and local artists during the festival. Hone your skills, add to your artistic toolbox, pique your curiosity, and meet physical theatre practitioners in an engaging setting.
Workshop pass: $200
This pass gives access to all 4 workshops.
See below for this year's workshop offerings!
PHYSICAL AND SCENIC TRAINING FOR THE PERFORMER
Thursday, June 5th,10 a.m.- 1p.m. | Taught by Alfonso Barón from Un Poyo Rojo
Location: Columbia College Chicago, 72 East 11th Street, Chicago IL 60605
Sports, theater, dance, and music are some of the disciplines integrated into this workshop, which encourages participants to work individually, in pairs, trios, or groups.
This playful and strategic approach to training will optimize both technique and confidence, enabling participants to inhabit their bodies and the stage in a creative, sensitive, powerful, and, above all, personal way. Exercises will focus primarily on physical endurance, structural integrity, and technical control.
This workshop offers active training designed to enhance awareness and activate the state of alertness that a performer needs to approach the stage with authenticity—centered in the present moment.
Workshop Fee: $55
THE BODY AS A STARTING POINT: A physical theatre devising workshop
Friday June 6 ,10 a.m.-1p.m. | Taught by Ephemeral Ensemble
Location: Columbia College Chicago, 72 East 11th Street, Chicago IL 60605
Calling all performing beasts and other artists wanting to get off their seats - come play with us!
Join us for a playful and creative workshop on Physical Theatre devising, where the body becomes the starting point for storytelling and expression. Through dynamic exercises and layering techniques, you will explore new ways to create with movement, unlocking fresh perspectives and deepening your artistic toolkit. Whether you're an actor, dancer, or theatre-maker, this workshop will empower participants in starting or making their own work with a renewed connection to their physical creativity.
Workshop Fee: $55
MINING THE IMAGINATION
Saturday June 7 ,10 a.m.-1p.m. | Taught by Apphia Campbell
Location: Wirtz Center Chicago @ Abbot Hall 710 N Lakeshore Drive, Chicago IL 60611
Mining the Imagination is a creative workshop that uses music, introspection, and character exploration to fuel your writing. Through guided exercises, you'll tap into emotions, develop rich characters, and craft compelling monologues. Looking at Apphia Campbell’s play, Black Is The Color of My Voice inspired by Nina Simone’s life and music as a template, this workshop will help you connect deeply with your imagination and storytelling.
Workshop Fee: $55
WRITE YOUR OWN SOLO SHOW with Sora Baek
Sunday, June 8th-10 a.m. to 1p.m. | Taught by Sora Baek
Location: Wirtz Center Chicago @ Abbot Hall 710 N Lakeshore Drive, Chicago IL 60611
This workshop is for anyone who wants to turn lived experience into storytelling—whether you’re a theater artist or writing for the first time.
We’ll write from what you already have: your life. Using simple prompts, music, and movement, you’ll generate new material and uncover stories you didn’t know you were ready to tell. The focus is on voice, curiosity, and risk—not perfection. No acting or writing experience is required, and nothing needs to be finished. Just show up ready to write, play, and explore.
If you’ve ever felt a story inside you but didn’t know where to start, this workshop is for you.
Come write what only you can tell.
Workshop Fee: $55