It seems like everyone knows a family with a child on the Autism Spectrum. Second City, the world-renowned improv theater and school, launches Improv for ASD with a 12-week spring program for children and adults, as well as a summer camp.
Why Improv for ASD? The press release explains that "improvisation in all forms improves wellness through encouraging teamwork and collaboration, building confidence, tying success to a model of listening and support of others, and creating a safe space to take a risk and encourage creativity. Improv for ASD is fine-tuned to help students on the autism spectrum break through various social barriers. Originally a piloted program in the summer of 2013 and further developed in collaboration with the Newmark School in New Jersey, these one-of-a-kind improv classes are facilitated by skilled Second City instructor Nick Johne."
The first session is described as "a unique 12-week mentoring and development experience that includes improv games and exercises to help with the exploration of relationships and social cues." These aren't classes designed to put your child on stage as much as these are designed to help young people use improv to interact with the world. The 12-week session starts March 7. Teens 15 - 18 hold class from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Adults 19 and older participate in classes from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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Summer camps will be held in Chicago for teens 15 - 18. More information about summer camp will be available soon.
For more information or to register, visit www.secondcity.com/training/Chicago.
