YoungLiars Summer Training Fest
Eight hot summer days! Over thirty hours of intense physical training in three disciplines. Please join us for the best week of the year!
YoungLiars are pleased to announce the 8th annual Summer Training Festival in 2026. The Festival is a eight-day event featuring three separate physical training styles taught by three different St. Louis theatre artists - Suzuki Method, taught by Chuck Harper; Red Nose Clown, taught by Jef Awada; and Yoga, taught by Maggie Conroy.
Classes are offered on a nightly basis throughout the week. No prior experience is necessary for any festival class. All registered participants are welcome to attend any individual class, and are encouraged to attend them all. Space is limited and registration is first-come-first-serve. All classes will be held at Webster University spaces at Old Orchard.
Suzuki Method - The Suzuki Method is a physical training system for performers that draws from traditional Japanese and Greek theatre, martial arts, and other disciplines. Focus is on expressive presence, physical clarity and breath control. The technique also brings attention to the voice and its connection to the physical body. Come prepared to sweat and laugh, and to develop your stage presence and physical power.
Red Nose Clown - (Re)Invigorate your life on stage! Experience the thrilling possibility of working with a ferocious sense of play, total vulnerability, and profound presence—all at the same time. Succeeding with a red nose requires utter openness and, perhaps more directly than any other territory of performance, clown works the immediate muscles necessary for the performer to survive and thrive on stage. This workshop will challenge you, push you, and give you a new measure for what it means to be present on stage. And, we will laugh a lot…hopefully.
Yoga - Each night begins with a yoga flow aimed at getting you out of your head and into your body. No yoga experience required, and modifications are offered and encouraged! You can expect a balanced blend of held postures and vinyasa-like flows to prepare your body and mind for the demands of the night ahead. Bring a yoga mat and small blanket or pillow to sit on; straps and blocks are provided.
Questions? Email Maggie@youngliarstheatre.org.
