Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company, in association with the School of the Actors Gymnasium, introduces the Lookingglass Studio, a new theatre education program and facility.

Beginning Oct. 6, theatre arts classes will be offered for children and young adults at the Athenaeum Theatre Building (2936 N. Southport, 3rd Floor). Classes will be taught by Lookingglass Theatre ensemble members, who have been teaching in Chicago are schools for the past five years. Jacqueline Russell, formerly of the Old Town School of Folk Music, developed the course and will serve as Director of Education and Outreach.

In Pre-School classes, parents and children will act out popular songs and stories. “Imaginastics” and “Physical Theatre” will focus on dance, movement and theatrical expression. Students in the “Blue Dog Musical Theatre Classes” will learn and perform the original musical The Blue Dog, written by director Russell and Jonathan Gross. An advanced class will give students the opportunity to create and perform their own musical. For older children, the “Ensemble Work Classes” will explore all aspects of theatre production and culminate in a final performance.

Future plans include adult classes and master classes, which ensemble members David Schwimmer (“Friends”), Joey Slotnick (“The Single Guy”) and Mary Zimmerman (Henry VIII) have expressed interest in leading.

Classes are open to children aged 3-18 and start at $83. Lookingglass Studio will also accept volunteer work and the trading of goods as payment for classes to assure the affordability of the program. For more information or to register for classes, please call (773) 477-9257

--By Laura MacDonald