Have fun learning the art of comedy!

MONDAYS 6:30–9:30PM

Instructor: Sean Collier

Have you ever wanted to try stand up comedy but weren’t sure how to start? This class is for you! You’ll learn exercises, tools, and techniques for generating ideas, writing jokes, preparing your act, and analyzing and improving your performance. We’ll cover on-stage mechanics and “comedy etiquette.” This class explores the wide variety of styles of Stand-up, extracting lessons that can be incorporated into your act, in a supportive and fun environment. Through this 8 week course that culminates with a class show, you’ll discover and develop your personal comedy voice, while building a foundation for continued growth.

8 weeks
Instructor: Sean Collier
First class: October 14
Class show: December 9
Prerequisites: none

$280 | 18+

WEDNESDAYS 6:30pm – 9:30pm

This class will focus on the fundamentals of sketch writing, including idea generation, brainstorming, comic premises and sketch structure. Whether you’re a beginning writer, a seasoned writer looking to learn a new form, or just want to refocus your writing in an encouraging, collaborative atmosphere, this class is for you. Through class exercises and assignments, students will learn to write comedy sketches from beginning to end. We recommend brining a laptop or tablet to class but a notebook works too!

In the final two weeks of class students will work with a cast of actors to create a performance of staged readings of their best sketches for their class show!

8 weeks
Instructor: Kevin O’Brien
First class: October 16
Class show of staged readings: December 11 

$280  $250 through September 30 | 18+

TUESDAYS 6:30pm – 9:30pm

This eight-week, three-hour class is open to everyone and appropriate for all levels of improv experience. Whether you are completely new to improvisation, or are a seasoned performer who wants to get back to basics, this class is for you. Learning skills through improv games & exercises, our focus is on: “Yes And” (agreement and extension), group mind, give and take, and basic environment and object work in a supportive, playful environment. Improv 101 ends with a class show performance for friends and family!

8 weeks
Beth Geatches
First class: October 15
Class show: December 10

$280  $250 through September 30 | 18+

WEDNESDAYS 6:30pm–9:30PM

This eight-week class focuses on one of the most critical elements of great improv: scenework. Building on the foundations and skills of Improv 101, here we focus on starting scenes with decisive initiations and confident stage presence.  Agreement and group mind will be taken to the next level as well as working on character development and emotional investment. Trusting yourself as well as your scene partner is the first step towards great scene work. Improv 102 concludes with a class performance showcasing the skills of building strong scenes.

8 weeks
Instructor: Sara Kantner
First class: October 16
No class: November 27 (Thanksgiving Break)
Class show: December 11
Prerequisites: Improv 101 or approval of submitted prerequisite exemption form.

$280  $250 through September 30

TUESDAYS 6:30pm–9:30PM

This class addresses one of the most common points of confusion for improv students: how do I find and play “the game of the scene?” By focusing on game and pattern for eight weeks, this class will give you the tools you need to kick up the humor quotient of any short form game or longform set you perform. Improv 103 is also a fantastic class for seasoned improvisers who feel they’re in a slump and want to sharpen up, or performers returning to the craft after some time away.

Instructor: Matt Solter
8 weeks
First class: October 15
No class: November 26 (Thanksgiving Break)
Class show: December 10
Prerequisites: Improv 101 and 102 or approval of submitted prerequisite exception form.

$280  $250 through September 30

MONDAYS 6:30pm–9:30PM

This class focuses on the Harold, the gold standard of long-form improv. The Harold provides improvisors an opportunity to learn and practice all the basic building blocks commonly used in long-form improv: openings, edits, games, group scenes, and callbacks. This class will give you the tools to forge group mind and build a spontaneous and evocative piece of improvised theater.

Instructor: Nick Jaramillo
8 weeks
First class: October 14
Class show: December 9
Prerequisites: Improv 101, 102, 103 (Improv 201 recommended); or approval of submitted prerequisite exception form.

Wednesdays 6:30pm – 9:30pm

This 5-week intensive will teach students JTS Brown: a longform developed by the legendary troupe of the same in the late 1990s, seen on Arcade’s stages with our long-running team Warp Zone. The form relies on a deep well of specific devices that create an improv set that strives to appear “formless”, creating unparalled group collaboration and unique opportunities for exploration of character and game. Liz Labacz, member of Warp Zone, will train students to use the form’s many devices to enhance their scenes and the set in full. Advanced experience with improv is required for these classes so the focus can be on the particulars of the form.

Teacher: Liz Labacz
5 weeks (4 weeks of class + class show)
First class: October 16
Class show: November 13
Prerequisites: Improv 101, 102, 103, 201, and 301; or approval of submitted prerequisite exception form.