OLLI at Illinois - Lifelong Learning Community

Workshops

Workshops are a new type of programming at OLLI in Illinois. We look forward to offering a variety of new active and participatory learning opportunities at OLLI and in the community for our members.

Onstage and On Topic: In person
Facilitator: Tom Mitchell, Joi Hoffsommer
Dates: 2/23/2026 - 4/13/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: M
Format: In-Person
Sessions: 8
Room: ClarkLindsey
Seats Available: 13
Fee: $0.00
Thanks to a grant from Lindsey Community’s philanthropy committee, whose mission is “To support the Lindsey Communities’ mission by inspiring and managing charitable contributions that enable older adults to live their best lives” and OLLI at Illinois’ initiatives to increase community partners and engage with senior living communities, OLLI is offering an 8-week Performance Workshop led by Tom Mitchell and Joi Hoffsommer for OLLI members and ClarkLindsey residents. No previous experience is necessary. There is no cost to participants.

Onstage and On Topic is designed as an 8-week experience for individuals interested in developing and putting into practice the skills of performing. It will include instruction focused on fundamental aspects of performing, such as interpretation of material, development of voice and speech skills, freeing of physical expression, and considerations of how a performance can be “staged.” Over an 8-week period, participants will also develop a short performance of between 30 to 60 minutes that will be presented to targeted audiences. Performances will take the form of “readings” so no one will be required to memorize and no settings or costumes will be required. Content of performance can vary: adaptations of short stories, readings of short plays, children’s books, ghost stories, or holiday themes.

Due to space limitations and participatory requirements, this workshop is open to OLLI members through an application process rather than registration. Completing the application should take about one minute. Because the intent of the grant from Lindsey Communities is to share participation between ClarkLindsey residents and others, ClarkLindsey residents, whether OLLI members or not, need to register/apply through ClarkLindsey. The application for OLLI Members (non-ClarkLindsey residents) opens January 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM, and closes on February 11, at 11:59 PM. OLLI applicants will be notified of their application status by end of day on February 13.

OLLI Members (non-ClarkLindsey residents) apply here: OLLI Onstage & On Topic Application

ClarkLindsey Residents will need to contact Dustin Krause at ClarkLindsey to register/apply.

Topic Schedule:
- WEEK 1 Feb 23: Considerations in Performance -- Being Seen, Being Heard, Being True, Being Interesting
  - The class will be introduced to four aspects of performing and will work on simple exercises relating to each. The general area of content for performance will be introduced and participants will be asked to read sample material.
- WEEK 2 Mar 2: Voices -- Breathing, Articulating, Expressing
  - The class will learn about factors impacting speech and vocal production, then engage in exercises. Using material from the presentation, participants will explore how language prompts expression.
- WEEK 3 Mar 9: Bodies -- Posture, Gesture, Space
  - The class will learn general information about physicality and how posture and gesture communicate to audiences. Simple exercises will aim to free participants to engage physically in order to have the widest range of expression. Using material from the presentation, participants will explore expressive movement.
- WEEK 4 Mar 16: Emotion -- Range, Connection, Truth
  - The class will learn about contemporary approaches to creating characters and relating to others onstage. Simple exercises will offer practice at communicating truthfully “in the moment.” Using material from the presentation, participants will begin to clarify the truth of communicating and connecting with an audience.
- WEEK 5 Mar 23: Choices -- Why? How? When? Where?
  - The class will consider ways of digging into the material of performance. Asking questions and discerning details, participants will develop a deeper understanding of the material used for performance.
- WEEK 6 Mar 30: Rehearsal -- Working together, Working alone
  - The class will be introduced to constructive approaches to performing as an ensemble and working together in rehearsal. Techniques for individual preparation will also be presented. The group will apply approaches to the material for performance.
- WEEK 7 Apr 6 Rehearsal -- Bits and Pieces, Wholes
  - The class will consider how to recognize the micro and macro structure of performance. Breaking down larger segments of performance into small “bits and pieces” will be introduced as a means of preparation.
- WEEK 8 Apr 13: Rehearsal -- Taking stock
  - The class will focus on the whole project of performance and how each individual contributes. Going back to the first session, participants will review how effectively they are “Being Seen, Being Heard,Being True, and Being Interesting.” Rehearsals will put finishing touches on the material to be performed.
- After Workshop PERFORMANCES (at least 2): At a time and space to be determined
Weeks 1 - 8 sessions will be held at ClarkLindsey. Parking will be available.

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