Steppenwolf Theatre Launches Steppenwolf IMPACT: Corporate & Professional Development Training

Sep 17, 2024 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

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CHICAGO (September 17, 2024) – Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch Steppenwolf IMPACT, a one-of-a-kind corporate and professional development training program bringing Steppenwolf’s revolutionary ensemble approach beyond the stage and into the workplace – offering unprecedented access to this world-renowned company.

Created alongside Steppenwolf’s illustrious ensemble of artists, Steppenwolf IMPACT is designed for business owners, executives, educators, managers, department leaders and others looking to increase emotional intelligence, enhance authentic and effective communication skills and transform their team into a high-performing ensemble. The launch follows a year-long pilot program and includes the participation of ensemble members Alana Arenas, Audrey Francis, Tim Hopper, Tina Landau, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Amy Morton, Caroline Neff and Yasen Peyankov.

The IMPACT program offers a variety of unique options: each can be taken individually, in any order, and can be delivered through half-day workshops, full-day intensives and multiple-day retreats.

IMPACT OPTION A: THE ENSEMBLE WAY

• Galvanize your team with a shared vocabulary
• Develop an ensemble-based work culture
• Tap into your team’s unlimited potential

IMPACT OPTION B: COURAGE AND COLLABORATION

• Encourage bravery, innovation and risk-taking
• Challenge conventional thought patterns to cultivate growth mindsets
• Discover and develop your team’s individual and collective superpowers

IMPACT OPTION C: AUTHENTIC AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

• Empower management teams to lead with curiosity, courage and compassion
• Create a culture of communication that values authenticity
• Sharpen presentation and public speaking skills

Steppenwolf Artistic Director Audrey Francis comments, “The first time I saw a Steppenwolf show, I was struck by how the actors communicated with such authenticity, honesty and bravery. After working with this ensemble for years, I have become passionate about sharing our style of creating and collaborating with people outside of our industry. Working alongside the ensemble, we’ve created a powerful product that can change the way people approach their work and each other. I’m proud of what Steppenwolf IMPACT offers and am thrilled to expand our ensemble ethos beyond our stages and into the workplace.”

After participating in IMPACT’s pilot program, Johanna Harrington, Chief Legal Officer at Atlas, said Steppenwolf’s training “lets you think about how you want to work together as a team or as a communicator or as a leader in a way that’s impactful… you can then help your company, your team, etc. grow in a way that you never thought you could.” 

“Where [IMPACT] really helped was giving me that confidence to speak up… getting comfortable being in uncomfortable situations and in spaces, especially where you don’t really feel like you belong,” adds Andee Harris, CEO at Challenger. “There’s a lot of different training out there, but for me, this was the one that really stuck.” 

“It is a fantastic opportunity to take a break and a reprieve from the day-to-day, rise-and-grind nature of what we do… while still being able to work on tangible skills that you can utilize in your everyday practice,” comments Christopher M. Parker, Senior Associate at Winston & Strawn. “I would recommend the program.” 

To hear the full testimonials, click here. For additional information or to book your training, visit steppenwolf.org/IMPACT or e-mail [email protected].

Sponsor Information:

United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from lead sponsors Allstate Insurance Company, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Caroline and Keating Crown, Good Chaos, Joyce Foundation, Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Ron and Paula Mallicoat, Northern Trust, Anne and Don Phillips, John Hart and Carol Prins, Robert Rivkin and Cindy Moelis, Shubert Foundation, Inc, Walder Foundation, and Zell Family Foundation. Steppenwolf also acknowledges generous support from premier sponsors Anonymous, ArentFox Schiff, Andrew and Amy Bluhm, Michael and Cathy Brennan, Ann and Richard Carr, Chicago Community Trust, Steven and Nancy Crown,  CRC Group, Rich and Margery Feitler, Julius Frankel Foundation, FROST CHICAGO, Goldman Sachs, Shmaila Tahir and Asheesh Goel, Bob and Amy Greenebaum, Kirkland & Ellis, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Christopher and Eileen Murphy, The Orlebeke Foundation, PNC, Polk Bros. Foundation, Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker, Sacks Family Foundation, Smart Family Foundation of Illinois, Gary Sinise Foundation, Elliot A. Stultz, and Vinci Restaurant. Steppenwolf also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

About Steppenwolf Theatre Company: 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premiere Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions — from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays — have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company’s artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown —Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf’s Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

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• Audrey Francis, Chicago, IMPACT, Johanna Harrington, Steppenwolf Theatre, Training

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