The Actors Gymnasium

Great org.!! Staff, faculty, and vibes were professional and engaging. Unique creative and lots of fun. Thank you for the experience.

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Vital lifeskillz

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Stage combat classes are top notch!

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Incredible teachers, incredible people... the real deal in the circus world.

Reviewed on Facebook

Awesome experience with awesome people! Very talented and professional performers

Reviewed on Google Maps

Actors Gymnasium is my circus home. I perform there, I did the program, and I teach classes in this place. Simply a great circus space to learn new skills or taking yours to the next level. All ages and levels are welcomed!

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Leo’s experiences at the Actor’s gym helped him develop confidence and perseverance. He made friends, built his physicality and eye-hand coordination and learned to stand in front of an audience and deliver messages. All under the supervision of a world-renown circus artist and choreographer. I can’t say enough about this organization. More...

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Wonderful circus performance by inspiring young people. And the instructors appeared to be very dedicated. Loved it! I

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its a great place to develop or hone your circus skills, absolutely, but don't forget to go to their shows! Their productions are a wonderful combination of theatre and circus that will always leave you entertained.

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My artistic home. I can grow and exercise both physically and creatively here. What more could an artist ask for?

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Awesome and talented artists and staff!

Reviewed on Facebook

In a word; awesome. ....and amazing. And magical

Reviewed on Facebook

Everyone from the students, teachers, performers, and staff are so kind! Such an inspiring place to grow as an artist!

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Saw a end of school show and was blown away by the professionalism. Loved it!

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Amazing staff, professional atmosphere, if you want to see progression in your craft THIS is the gym to attend. This place is seriously become my second home and safe haven, would go to no other school in Illinois.

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We have loved every show we've seen here. Each actor brings their own personality to the performance, and the acts are thrilling and innovative.

Reviewed on Facebook

Really great original shows, and the best summer camp in the Chicago area. The staff here are first class. Amazing place for kids and adults to grow physically and emotionally. Highly recommended.

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My kids and I have learned to challenge ourselves physically and mentally...while having fun in a super encouraging environment. All the instructors are supportive and have enormous talent, and are passionate about every aspect of this art.
The circus fitness class is the best boot camp EVER! This institution truly invites people of all levels of fitness and flexibility.
My kids have learned to juggle, unicycle, and walk on a tight rope amongst other circus arts which have increased their self confidence and strength.
They are now taking Parkour and love it. I can't wait to see what they can do outdoors!
The aerial arts class is truly inspiring, and as a novice I feel supported among some of the most talented aerial artists who perform professionally. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

AG is one of our all time favorites for stellar circus arts classes and world class shows! They host beginning to pro workshops and classes for kids and adults. Their original productions are mind-bendingly excellent. Well worth the trek to Evanston, even from Chicago and the surrounding burbs. Highly recommended! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Awesome place to check out if your in the area!!!!

Reviewed on Facebook

The Actors Gymnasium is one of the best things that I have ever done in my life! I was part of the Professional Program last year and I can honestly say that the Actors gym is the reason I am working professionally now. I have been offered work in a few traveling circuses and I am currently performing at Club Med. Because of the hard work everyone at the Actors Gymnasium put in and the great instructors I get to live my dream.
I would highly recommend the Actors Gymnasium to anyone and everyone interested in circus and performing arts! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

The Actors Gymnasium saved me. I have a joint disorder which has caused me pain in all of my joints my entire life. They dislocate and move around and have limited my day-to-day life since as long as I can remember. As a child, I believed that I would never be able to hold my baby because my arms would be too weak. By high school, my arms were even too heavy for themselves and would dislocate on their own without provocation. I began training at the AG in high school for a performance Pippin and my life was changed. I had been in physical therapy for 8 years attempting to strengthen my body and the AG accomplished more than my PT was able to in 8 years in just a few short months. Sylvia was strength training us in a healthy way and met each and every one of us at our own level. When I began, I couldn't even hold a binder in choir. Now, I am doing aerial work on the Spanish Web and Silks. I am accomplishing things I never thought were a remote possibility. AG gave me the freedom to live my life the way I want to and I will be forever grateful. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Worth the 2 1/2 hour trek from Indiana for my daughter to be in the Teen Ensemble for those four years. Sylvia is one of the kindest and talented women I've ever met. The rest of the staff and kids helped AG feel like home too. Now that she's in college AG is my daughter's Summer home. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I came to AG with a very specific goal: acquire and maintain a skill set that would put me on the radar for Lookingglass Theatre. As an actor with movement experience, I wanted to "up" my skill set. I participated in the beta year of the Professional Training Program and found myself constantly outside of my comfort zone; a necessity, but also incredibly terrifying. We were faced with the task of creating and developing our own work; rewarding, but also incredibly terrifying. Pretty much everything I did was equally positive and fright-inducing, and it is this balance of fright and flight that is so important for professional growth. I am the first to admit that I still have A LOT to work on in regards to my circus practice, but my thorough understanding of the basic aerial and ground skills opened the door to a teaching position. No actor wants to wait tables forever, and teaching has become a wonderful way to be creative and help make an impact on the younger generation. I continue to train there as well as other circus schools in Chicago, and Lookingglass grows ever closer. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Great space, great show!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Love Philip and his class

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My 12 year old daughter goes here for Circus Arts class. The instructors are talented & encouraging! Highly recommend this for anyone that loves gymnastics, acrobatics &/or acting.

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Not cheap, but a great program that is a bit gymnastics but with a fun twist. Very enthusiastic thumbs up for the summer camp.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Held our 5 year old's birthday here. They did a great job trying to keep the attention of 20, 5 year olds. Staff was very easy to work with.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Love Philip and his class

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Great space, great show!

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They put on an amazing show!!

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This group performed at my wedding. They were amazing! The owner worked with my budget and delivered a fantastic program that our guests are still commenting on 3 months later. It was an amazing combination of technical skill, suspense and choreographed content. The owner also took the time to make us feel confident and planned pretty much everything without us having to be involved, which was such a relief! It was truly breathtaking and a night to NEVER forget. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Classes are enjoyable and shows are So look fun!

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Great place for young adults and children to go to camp.

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Great circus and performing arts programming for all.

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What a great family experience! Not realizing how small the venue would be, only about five rows of seating, I brought my 3 year old. She thoroughly enjoyed the performance, but didn't understand the concept of making requests quietly.That aside, between watching my 5 year old's face and my 3 year old's eyes lit up and hands clapping the whole time, I'm not sure which I enjoyed more their faces or the show.It is a quaint theater. The group is made up of such talent and from such young performers. Their strength is really incredible and the enthusiasm was evident. While my kids would have done a little better at an earlier time (maybe?), I didn't think it was too old for them at all. They didn't understand the story line, but I did and found it really smart and interesting. We were all entertained by the acrobatics and silk work. Definitely a cool thing to do as a family. I will definitely be returning again in the near future! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing to see a place creating new and original work also treating each student and audience member with respect and care. A great place to watch or do circus! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I attended this past Saturday's show, "Marnie & Phil:  A Circus Love Letter".  It was a really fun experience!  This was my first time at Actors Gymnasium, so I was not quite sure what to expect - but I was incredibly impressed by the talent of the young kids who performed.  It was a very entertaining show, and I would definitely go back to see another one.Additionally, the Actors Gym does a great job investing in the Evanston community.  I would recommend it to any family! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

What a lovely place! I was lucky enough to be a part of the audience last Friday for their 7:30 show of Marnie and Phil. What an excellent show. The actors were fun, the acrobatics were entertaining and well executed. I was a little unsure of bringing my 4 year old because the event page on Yelp! said the show would be best for ages 5 and up, however she did just fine. 90 minutes no intermission and her eyes were glued to the stage. She clapped her hands and excitedly exclaimed when the performers did tricks. She expecially liked Phil's silliness. I have to say all around it was an excellent experience, especially for my four year old's first theatre introduction. I would note that the story is not geared specifically young children. In fact, I'm not sure my daughter can recall what the story was about. I just think it's a show the entire family can enjoy. I love it! I would highly recommend checking it out. One small negative which is charactaritic of all small venues, it gets a little warm in there. Don't dress too heavy. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I LOVE Actors Gymnasium!  It is easily my favorite place in Evanston, and really all of Chicago.I've been taking aerials classes at Actors Gym (AG) for almost two years, and my biggest regret about my time in Evanston is that I didn't start classes there earlier.  AG is truly a special place--here's what I appreciate about it, and why I absolutely recommend taking a class or seeing a show:1) It's CIRCUS. There's really nothing cooler than learning tricks on the trapeze or silks, or if it's more your style, you can learn general circus skills (like juggling, miming, etc.), or take a contortion, gymnastics, or circus fitness class.  Circus is exhilarating and addictive, and is a unique experience that you can't get everywhere.  Circus is a chance to push what you *think* are your body's limits.  It also makes for excellent Facebook pictures and is a great conversation starter at a party or on a date.  ;)2) The teachers and staff.  Everyone who runs AG is just excellent.  The teachers are experienced and talented--some grew up in the circus or in circus families, others have been taking classes at AG since childhood.  I have found a great mix of encouragement and challenge from the teachers, depending on what phase I was in (nervous newbie vs. more experienced).3) The community.  If you give it time, you will discover that AG has a real community feel--more than just a place to drop in, take a class, and leave without interacting with anyone.  One thing I appreciate about taking 10-week group classes is that I see the same people week to week.  If you stick with it, you get to know the other students, your teachers, and even some of the people who run AG (lots of the staff take classes too).  This does take time, but is an added bonus if you really get into circus arts.  AG has shows, fundraisers, intensive circus programs, and lots of opportunities to feel involved beyond classes, if you look for them (tip: read their emails and like their Facebook page for updates).4) The chance to grow as an athlete and person.  I never believed I would ever do a pull-up in my life, but after 9 months of aerials classes, I could actually do 2 (there is no upper-body workout more fun than aerials!).  I was fearful of anything dance-related coming into classes, and nervous to wear tight-fitting clothes in front of a group of strangers.  None of that actually matters.  At all.  Many different types and ages of people take classes, and the focus is on what you can do, and what you can learn to do--not on whether you are messing up (part of the process!) or on how you look.  People encourage each other at whatever level, and the more classes you take, the stronger you get, the more graceful you become, and the more confident you are about every aspect of aerials (or whatever you are learning).5) The shows.  AG has several shows a year and they are excellent and inspiring.  Go see one!  It is a lot of fun and a good value.  :)  Circus right here in Evanston!Bottom line: check out Actors Gymnasium--don't miss out on this wonderful, unique place!Final note: if you're new and don't know which class to take (especially if you are unsure about it), call the main office and tell them a bit about your interests and experience.  Are you a gymnast or dancer, are you totally new, have you been working out a ton or are you looking to start that now?  The main office staff is friendly and helpful, and can direct you to the best class for what you'd like to get out of the experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Me and my 7 year old loves the show!  The talent was outstanding!  Ages seemed to be 10-21ish.  Truly inspiring!

Reviewed on Yelp

Shows:Actor's Gym offers several performances throughout the year, but their highlight is their winter show and it is NOT to be missed!  This year's CIRCUSCOPE is amazing-a completely different look at our microscopic world.  The show stars the talented and very funny Dean Evans & Molly Plunk as tardigrades (google it).  It is brilliant, beautiful, heart-pumping and full of joy.  Classes:A little background information---I was always that scrawny clumsy kid picked last in gym class.  Not an athletic bone in my body, ever.  The most exercise I ever got on through my adult years was maybe an occasional yoga class (child's pose being my favorite part) or walking the dog.  So almost 2 years ago, I'm hitting the almost-mid-40-somethings, with two teenagers and I go crazy one day and sign up for a Circus Fitness class.  I don't know why-I couldn't even do a pull up (really, I couldn't even do 1 pull-up).  It was a great choice.  The class tends to be nicely balanced between NU students, aerialists who want to strengthen & refine and us regular folks-some local parents-who want to get a good workout that also happens to be fun.  Everyone is very supportive of each other.The instructor is amazing! She pushes those who can and offers modifications to those who can't, but are trying, and then pushes them until they can too. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The classes are wonderful and the staff is very nice.  The activities are great for kids.  highly recommend.

Reviewed on Yelp

My boyfriend and I came here for the "Exploding Boy & the Invisible Circus" and had a lot of fun. The only part that sucked was that they have kids participating in the acts and some are far less skilled than others. This wouldn't be an issue if this was free but we paid money to see a show so I expected the performance to be well balanced. More...

Reviewed on Yelp