Elevate Your Art

〰️

ENROLL Today!

〰️

Elevate Your Art 〰️ ENROLL Today! 〰️

 

CONGO SQUARE THEATRE INDUSTRY TRAINING INSTITUTE

The Congo Square Theatre Industry Training Institute is a renowned entertainment educational institution dedicated to nurturing and empowering aspiring and professional artists in entertainment and performing arts.

With a commitment to excellence, our institute provides a comprehensive online training experience that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the highly competitive entertainment industry.

Our curriculum fosters creativity, artistic expression, and innovation while encouraging students to explore and celebrate the cultural heritage that has shaped the theater world.

 

TESTIMONIALS

2.png
3.png
1.png

COURSE LIST

SUPERIOR SELF TAPES

Instructor – Tracey Bonner
Duration – 4-week sessions
Dates – Tuesdays in September (09/03/24 - 09/24/24)
Times – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST
Class Size – 8 students per course
Location – This course is live online.
Tuition – $75 General tuition / $35 Student Tuition

 
  • Superior Self Tapes for the Working Actor aims to equip actors of all levels with the skills to create a compelling self-tape audition from any location. The course teaches the actor how to improve the technical aspects of a self-tape and enhance the overall quality of their in-home audition set-up. Over four weeks, you can learn how to make your self-tape auditions more engaging and stand out.

  • Tracey N. Bonner is a proud Screen Actor’s Guild & Actor’s Equity Association member.  Some of her Television/Film credits include Apple TV’s Beanie Bubble starring Zach Galifianakis and Elizabeth Banks, TUBI original Girls Getaway Gone Wrong, action film Cop Shop starring Alexis Louder,  feature horror film The Georgetown Project starring Russell Crowe, feature film Greenland starring Gerard Butler, new Netflix series’s Sweet Magnolias, Raising Dion, Cobra Kai, Black Lightning (CW), Queen Sugar (OWN), Ozark (Netflix), Being Mary Jane (BET), STAR (FOX), The Quad (BET),  Brockmire (IFC), and Miracle Workers (TBS).Read More >>


ON CAMERA ARTISTRY

Instructor – Morocco Omari
Duration – 4-week sessions
Dates – Sundays in October 2024
Maximum – 8 students per course
Location – This course is live online.
Tuition – $75 General tuition / $35 Student Tuition

 
  • On Camera Artistry is an innovative course that aims to help actors enhance their on-camera skills and take their craft to the next level. The curriculum focuses on breaking down the script's beats, connecting with the camera, working with the director and DP to establish shots, and mastering acting techniques for close-ups, stillness, active listening, and internalization.

  • Morocco Omari has taught acting in LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Newark, Gaborone, Botswana, Kigali, Rwanda, Nairobi, Kenya, Kampala, Uganda, Lagos, Nigeria, and Buea, Cameroon. 

    Mr. Omari's directing credits include (Mis)Leading Man, Good Intentions, Mission Mom Possible, Make A Name, and “Big City” and “Kanyama” music videos. In addition, Mr. Omari is the Executive Producer and writer of The Male Groupie, which aired on HBO. Mr. Omari also produced two television pilots in Uganda, The Reporter and Cultural Creations, and he's also the executive producer of the Ugandan film The Girl In The Yellow Jumper, streaming on Netflix Africa and Allblk.

    Acting TV/Film credits include 21 Bridges with Chadwick Boseman and Wendy Williams The Movie. Series regular roles include P- Valley and Empire.  Recurring roles on 61st Street, Homeland, Chicago Fire, NCIS, and Joan of Arcadia. Guest star roles on The EqualizerFBI, Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, The Good Wife, Prison Break, and 24.                                            

    Theater credits include A Streetcar Named Desire and A Time To Kill on Broadway, as well as performances at notable theatres such as Lincoln Center, Huntington, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Geffen, Denver Theatre Center, Congo Square, Pittsburgh Public, St. Louis Rep, Lookingglass, and Virginia Stage.


MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS

Instructor – Sylvia Ewing
Duration – One-night-only
DatesCOMING SOON
Class Size
– 25 students per course
Location – This course is live online.

 
  • Learn techniques to increase concentration, reduce stress, and energize artistry in this one-night-only course: Meditation & Mindfulness for Actors.  Stepping into any character requires self-sacrifice and commitment. Many of the most fulfilling roles also bring an additional level of mental depletion and trauma. Long-time Congo Square friend, former board member, and artistic advocate Sylvia Ewing will share meditation techniques to help you center your craft and connect your inner voice with breath, sound, and guided meditation. 
    The virtual workshop will include a lecture, demonstration, Q&A, and practice. 
    All levels of experience are welcome. 

  • Sylvia Ewing is a performer, producer, director, and certified meditation instructor who has taught and meditated for decades. Sylvia's students and workshop participants include fellows at the University of Chicago, Workshops at IMAN  for The Revolution Institute, City of Chicago and State of Illinois workers, Comer Children's Hospital, for whom she created a guided meditation audio series for patients and families, and graduate students at Columbia College Chicago. Sylvia has led a sunrise meditation at the Ida B. Wells National Memorial since the inception of the Ida B Wells Festival. She hosts the podcast This Moment with Sylvia Ewing at yogachicago.com. Sylvia can be seen around on WTTW and around the country on public television fundraisers and is a nonprofit executive and poet. She is interested in sharing her skills and the benefits of meditation with her community. She is the author of Comfort and Joy Stories of Hope Meditations for Happiness and a popular moderator and Keynote speaker.


BLACK SHAKESPEARE

Instructor – Allen Gilmore
Duration – 4 week sessions
DatesCOMING SOON
Maximum
– 10 students per course
Location – This course is live online.

 
  • Black Shakespeare focuses on text analysis and is designed to provide strategies for approaching classical texts while still honoring the African diaspora.

    Students can engage with classical scripts meaningfully and transformatively by analyzing classical texts from a global majority perspective. Students will learn to recognize the cultural and historical context that informs these plays and explore how that context can be integrated into authentic and innovative interpretations. This course will challenge you to think outside the box and discover new ways of approaching and performing classical texts.

  • Allen Gilmore is a stage actor who has played various roles in theaters across North America, on Broadway, and in Europe. He has played leading roles in several plays, including "Othello," "Cyrano de Bergerac," and "A Christmas Carol." He is also a proud ensemble member of Congo Square Theater Company and has originated leading roles in several plays. Allen is an award-winning actor, a Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, and a 3Arts Prize recipient. Additionally, he has taught, lectured, and directed at different universities nationwide. He is originally from Houston, Texas, and is a veteran of the US Army Infantry.


power of connections

Instructor – Troy Pryor
Duration – 4 week sessions
DatesCOMING SOON
Class Size
– 8 students per course
Location – This course is live online.

 
  • Power of Connections highlights the value and practices of making genuine connections within your creative space. This course provides tools to refocus on building community, empathy, and the power of observation to take meaningful actions.   

  • INSTRUCTOR BIO:
    Troy Osborne Pryor
    is a media producer and host with the superpower of connecting with broad audiences. His directorial debut was on TV One’s Change Agents, and his collaborations have led to award-winning content on multiple platforms. Pryor is the founder of Pryor Holdings and Creative Cypher, a portfolio of media brands and investments. He is also the founder of the XL Film Festival, Vice President of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, and advisor to an array of organizations.


 

Course HIGHLIGHTS

  • EXPERT INSTRUCTORS

    Learn from Congo Square’s industry professionals, who bring a wealth of experience to our virtual stage. CITI instructors are committed to nurturing your talent and guiding you toward success.

  • COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM

    Dive into a well-crafted curriculum that covers everything from breaking into the industry to honing your skills as a seasoned professional, ensuring a holistic learning experience.

  • AFFORDABLE TUITION

    At the Congo Industry Training Institute, we believe in a radical generosity that makes quality education accessible to everyone. That's why our online courses are priced at just $75. Elevate your art without breaking the bank!

  • INTERACTIVE LEARNING

    Engage in dynamic discussions, participate in virtual workshops, and receive personalized feedback to enhance your skills.

 
  • STUDENT PRICING

    We understand a student's journey and are here to support you. Present your valid student ID, and you can enroll in our courses for an exclusive price of $35. Investing in the next generation of Black and Brown voices is essential to creating a more diverse and inclusive theater community. 

 

Ready To Elevate Your Art?  

Enroll now and embark on a journey of self-discovery and artistic growth at the Congo Industry Training Institute. 

Unleash your potential today!