About the Foundation ...
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Board Members
Caleb Chung
Michael Hurwicz
Gail Matthias
Pat Musick
Gary Schwartz
Phillip Spolin
Advisory Board
Valerie Harper
Paul Sills
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Intuitive Learning Systems presents theater opportunities that are
an integral part of each participant's learning experience, where everyone has a
chance to play and learn, regardless of skill.
We offer the opportunity to learn and experience a variety of intuitive skills,
a means to develop teamwork, fair play and total involvement, and a source of fun and enjoyment through play.
Our Foundation seeks support for
the ongoing work of teaching and exploring the Spolin philosophy. Over the next three years,
Intuitive Learning Systems plans to develop a school in the Snoqualmie Valley of Washington State to provide a
forum for the ongoing teaching of the Spolin Games.
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What We Intend to Do ...
Goals for 2003
- Develop the North Bend Theater Games Center and Young Actors Company:
An intimate theater and workshop space in downtown North Bend, Washington offering workshops
and productions with students and professional players
- Provide Spolin Games Weekend Retreats for teachers and players:
- February, 2003, Issaquah, WA (completed)
- June, 2003, Mt. Vernon, NY (enrolling now)
- Autumn 2003 (TBA)
- 2004 Spolin Theater Games World Conference: A week long symposium with practitioners
from around the world using Spolin's games in theater, social work and psychology
- The Spolin Players' Improv Journal: A quarterly newsletter
detailing Intuitive Learning Systems efforts to promote Spolin Games
- Producing and sponsoring the Spolin Players Evening of Theater Games:
- Seattle/North Bend - www.spolin.com/NWplayers.html (running currently)
- Los Angeles - www.spolin.com/LAplayers.html (coming soon)
- Raleigh Durham, NC - www.trianglespolinplayers.org (running currently)
- New York City (coming soon)
Long term plans
Our goal is to expand our offerings by:
- Developing new teaching tools including: a DVD multimedia library of all
230 Spolin Theater Games successfully coached and with expert commentary; Audio programs and interviews
of notable teachers and players; and, provide Web based access between offsite workshops
and master coaches.
- Mentoring instructors to lead additional seminars and workshops through
our Sidecoach Mentoring Program. This program is a year-long internship at our Northwest Theater Games
Center where students will play in master workshops and hone their skills by sidecoaching in our Young
Actors Program.
- Providing an online forum for connecting Theater Games coaches and players
worldwide through our Web site.
- Building a training and resource center to accomplish these goals. This
will be a full time school with a Director and staff of three teachers and workshop coordinators. A
portion of all donations will be diverted into an Endowment Fund to work towards sustaining the school.
Ultimately, this facility will house a 200 seat theater, workshop spaces, library, and offices for
Intuitive Learning Systems.
About the Founder ...
Gary Schwartz began his association with his mentor and teacher, Viola Spolin, in 1977. Gary
has conducted many lecture demonstrations of the Spolin Games techniques to various groups and companies across
the US and Canada. He is the co-founder and director of 'The LA Spolin Players', a group of established
actors (including Dan Castelanetta, the voice of Homer Simpson) performing Improv in Los Angeles since 1988. Winners of
the 1989 DramaLoque Award for best ensemble, The LA Times called the show "brilliant and exhilarating". LA Magazine gave
the show 4 1/2 stars. He now directs 'The Spolin Players Northwest,' a second incarnation of the successful LA
production. They perform regularly in Seattle. Click here for more info.
Gary has pursued an acting career, highlighted by his performance in the award winning film, 'Quest for Fire'.
Gary has also co-starred with Ben Vareen
on Hallmark Properties' Emmy Winning 'Zoobilee Zoo'. He is also half of the comedy team, 'Schwartz & Chung', who performed in
LA and around the US appearing on TV numerous times.
As the Director of Intuitive Learning Systems, Gary Schwartz is dedicated to promoting and preserving the work of his mentor,
Viola Spolin.
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