Joyce Piven, co-founder of the renowned Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston and mother of actor Jeremy Piven, has passed away at the age of 94. She was a passionate theatre educator who dedicated her life to fostering creativity and artistic growth in young actors.
Joyce Piven , co-founder of the renowned Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston and mother of actor Jeremy Piven , has passed away at the age of 94. Jeremy Piven announced his mother's death on Instagram on Sunday. Joyce Piven 's journey in the world of theatre began in the early 1950s while she was an undergraduate at the University of Chicago .
Although the university lacked a dedicated theatre department at the time, a vibrant theatre scene thrived, spearheaded by Paul Sills, a student who later became the inaugural director of The Second City. As detailed in a 1992 Chicago Reader article by Jack Helbig, Joyce Piven and her future husband, Byrne Piven, joined the Playwrights Theatre Club, a group based in Old Town led by Sills and director David Shepherd. This short-lived but impactful group, which ran from 1953 for a couple of years, staged an impressive 25 productions. Helbig recounted how Joyce and Byrne, along with other members, were deeply involved in building the theatre, performing in shows, and even residing there illegally, sleeping in the former restaurant booth spaces.Following their time in Chicago, the Pivens moved to New York City, where they pursued careers in teaching acting and joined a touring production of 'Camelot'. In the bustling city, they welcomed two children, Shira, now 63, and Jeremy, now 59. The couple eventually returned to Chicago, establishing the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston in 1971. Located at 927 Noyes St., just west of the Northwestern University quads, this workshop gained prominence as a training ground for young actors, boasting alumni such as Joan and John Cusack, Aidan Quinn, Aimee Garcia, and Jeremy Piven himself. The school is renowned for the Piven Training Technique, a set of exercises and theatre games designed to foster creativity, voice development, collaboration, and ensemble work. The technique draws inspiration from the work of theatre teacher Viola Spolin, Paul Sills' mother, and the collaborations between Byrne and Joyce Piven and Sills himself.Jeremy Piven, known for his iconic role as Ari Gold in HBO's 'Entourage,' described his mother as a dedicated teacher who took immense joy in the progress of her students. He emphasized her teachings on respecting performance space, upholding the integrity of the work, and recognizing the privilege of being involved in it. He wrote, 'She affected so many lives. She taught acting not so that you could be a professional, but so that you could learn more about yourself.' Byrne Piven passed away in 2002 at the age of 72. Their daughter, Shira Piven, works as a theatre and television director
Joyce Piven Piven Theatre Workshop Jeremy Piven Theatre Acting Evanston Chicago Viola Spolin Paul Sills
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