In the Studio with Joyce Piven ─ Theatre Games, Story Theatre and Text Work for Actors

Joyce Piven is a celebrated master teacher, director, actress and co-founder of the Piven Theatre Workshop with her husband Byrne Piven. As Co-Artistic Directors of the Workshop, Joyce and Byrne developed the system of actor training outlined in this book. Joyce was a founding member and leading actress at the Playwrights Theatre Club, the group led by Paul Sills that spawned Compass Players and Second City. While acting professionally and teaching in New York, Joyce and Byrne both studied extensively with Uta Hagen and Mira Rostova whose work informs their own. Returning to Chicago, Joyce and Byrne continued to act professionally and then turned to directing. As Artistic Director Emeritus, Joyce continues to teach and direct in Evanston and Los Angeles.Susan Applebaum has a long and rich affiliation with the Piven Theatre Workshop where she trained under Joyce and Byrne Piven. At the Workshop, Susan taught theatre games and story theatre to all age groups, served as Director of the Junior Company and the Young People's Company, developed story theatre productions of folk tales and literary stories, and acted professionally. Susan currently serves on the theatre faculty of Loyola University Chicago, where she teaches contemporary dramatic literature and play analysis.