Arcade Academy
Outside or at home, you can have fun learning the art of comedy!
Arcade Academy is offering two different ways you can learn and practice the art of comedy: attend our weekly, outdoor drop-in classes at the Trust Oasis downtown; or sign up for our on-going, Zoom-based workshops and four-week classes. There is a wide range of educational opportunities for every experience level. As always, our classes are welcoming, accessible, and packed full of insights from some of the most experienced teachers in the city.
Get ready to have fun, meet people, and open yourself up to Pittsburgh’s growing comedy scene!
Basics of Improv: Drop-In Class
Saturdays 12-2PM and Sundays 3-5PM
In this introductory or refresher class, you’ll learn and work on various improv fundamentals (yes -and, agreement, initiation, object work) through fun games and scene work exercises. You’ll find a supportive environment to return to in-person improv. Practice doing improv in masks with social distancing, and enjoy getting out of your house and stepping away from the screen!
Taught by Scott Trampus and Kevin O’Brien
Who’s this class for? Open to anyone with any amount of experience on stage (including no experience!). This class will benefit people looking to have fun and try something new, as well as more experienced players who would benefit from a refresher on the basics.
If you aren’t sure which level to sign up for, please contact our Academy Director Robin Hitchcock at academy@arcadecomedytheater.com!
$35 per class | 18+
Intermediate Scenework: Drop-In Class
Saturdays 12-2PM and Sundays 3-5PM
In this intermediate-level class, enjoy focused improv work to sharpen such skills as creating interesting characters, establishing environment, discovering patterns, and making bolder moves. Classes will include targeted exercises, valuable short form games, and montages of scenes. You’ll find a supportive environment to return to in-person improv. Practice doing improv in masks with social distancing, and enjoy getting out of your house and stepping away from the screen!
Taught by Robin Hitchcock and Matt Solter
Who’s this class for? If you are new to Arcade Academy, it is appropriate to join this level once you have taken eight “Basics of Improv” drop-ins. Or, for existing Arcade Academy students or community members, this level is appropriate for those who have completed 101 and 102 and feel confident in that material, current Arcade Team improvisers, or other experienced improvisers wanting to revisit important improv skills.
If you aren’t sure which level to sign up for, please contact our Academy Director Robin Hitchcock at academy@arcadecomedytheater.com!
$35 per class | 18+
Here’s what you need to know:
Arcade Academy at the Oasis classes are sold as individual, drop-in classes. If you’d like to register for a class, you’ll be taken to our ShowClix registration page where you can choose the date(s) you’d like to attend. It’s a fast & secure way to register for classes online with your credit card. Tuition for outdoor classes follow our new refund policy. Unless specified otherwise, these classes are for adults 18 and older. Tuition for online workshops is non-refundable. Teachers listed may be subject to change at the Arcade’s discretion or as a result of unforeseen scheduling conflicts — while we try to avoid teacher substitution, it does happen from time and time and is not grounds for a refund.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to call us at 412-339-0608 and we’ll get back to you right away!
The Arcade Campus
Accessibility
Arcade is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our patrons, students, and performing artists. Our outdoor facilities are at the Trust Oasis, 133 Seventh St (next door to Proper Brick Oven) are designed for wheelchair access both in our audience and on our stages. We are unable to offer accessible restrooms in our outdoor space. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us at: academy@arcadecomedytheater.com