Through spontaneity we are re-formed into ourselves. —Viola Spolin

Returning players from Mike’s or Aretha’s workshops, email for a $25 discount code!

In the 8-week Chicago workshop with side coach Mike Brunlieb, players will explore the groundbreaking exercises and theatrical concepts found in Viola’s Spolin’s seminal text Improvisation for the Theater. Spolin’s theater games launched the American improvisational theater movement and changed the way acting is taught. Her work has influenced generations of improvisers, actors, and directors. Theater games release the intuition through focus, spontaneity, and play, opening up new avenues of expression to help players be present on stage and in daily life.

The class culminates with a workshop demonstration for an invited audience of friends and family, helping players gain onstage experience as well.

Actors, improvisers, and all who wish to play, are invited to experience Viola Spolin’s transformative techniques and learn to incorporate them into their creative practices through play.

Side coach Mike Brunlieb is a performing and teaching artist in Chicago. He improvises with the ensembles 'Sand', 'Real Angels', and '3 Actors Living in a Cave', most often performing at the wonderful Logan Square Improv theater (check them out!). Mike has received multiple awards during his fifteen years of performing and teaching improvisation, including being recognized three years in a row as one of Chicago's top improvisers by the iO theater. He studied at the Paul Sills Theater Game Center (and beyond) with Aretha Sills and Carol Sills, and at iO Chicago with TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi. He has performed and taught improvisation internationally in Europe, Asia, and Canada. Mike has also performed in a handful of TV and film projects, including "Southside" (HBO), "Joe Pera Talks with You" (Adult Swim), and "Trial of the Chicago Seven" (Netflix). The core of Mike's teaching and performance is rooted in the work of Viola Spolin. Spolin's philosophy and methodology has had a huge impact on Mike's perspective on education & approach to making art. He can't wait to dive into the games & play!

We'll meet: Sundays, 11:00 am to 1:30pm, Sept 13 through November 15, 2026, but there will be no meetings on 10/18 and 11/8.

Location: Logan Square Improv, 2825 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Tuition: $350. for new players, or $325. for returning players from Mike’s or Aretha’s workshops. Alumni, please email for the discount code. A few sliding-scale spaces are available. Email for details. 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.

Workshop email notifications: You’ll get a confirmation email and subsequent correspondence from workshops@violaspolin.org and aretha.sills@violaspolin.org. Please add these addresses to your contacts, and if you don’t hear back, check your spam folder for missing correspondence.