Level 1: Intro to Improv
This class incorporates movement-based exercises, scene work and group exercises to explore the primary tenets of improvisation — making you more confident, trusting and graceful on stage. The class emphasizes creating a rich environment for your scenes, committing to your decisions and your scene partner and beginning with the body as inspiration.
Level 2: Scene work
The best scenes you see or do have you trying to describe them to people who weren't there and failing. There's something ineffable about them, where the humor comes not from any particular line, but from the scene itself. You've probably already done a few that made you feel that way. This class is going to help you create those scenes more regularly. Learn and practice techniques for starting scenes, for enriching them, for finding yourself when you feel lost, and creating characters that are completely unique, not because they're so far from the ordinary, but because they're so honestly yours.
Level 3: Intro to Longform
Students will take the basics of improv and work to shape them into deeper and richer scenes. With a focus on listening beyond the surface of interactions, students will be encouraged to examine themselves as performers and improvisors and learn to implement that into the work. They will also be introduced to basic principles of the Harold and other simple longforms.
Level 4: Advanced Longform
From scene work to piece work, this class you will teach you to harness your scene skills and allow them to become second nature. You will also be introduced to several forms including Harold, La Ronde, and Deconstruction. You will also be introduced to terms and skills that will allow you to examine your piece work as closely as you can examine your scene work.
Level 1: Intro to Sketch Writing
This is an intro level sketch class, pure and simple, geared towards the student who has never written before, or even a writer who wants a refresher in the basics. Working off the idea that anyone can start writing sketch comedy, you'll learn the formulas that will let you start writing sketch now. You will not need to have pre-existing work to take this class — it will involve practical assignments in individual and team writing. By the end of class, you'll not only have a truckload of sketches, you'll also be prepared to strike out and write great sketch on your own.
Level 2: Intermediate Sketch Writing
This class will examine sketch forms ranging from traditional forms such as game show sketches, talk show sketches, parodies and character sketches; to the offbeat and absurd sketch forms more typical of Python, The State or Kids In The Hall, as well as a short video scripts. The class will focus on writing, rewriting and group critique.
Level 3: Advanced Sketch Writing/Writing for SNL
The class will focus on commercial parodies, one-page sketches and two-person sketches. You will be shown what an SNL-type sketch should look like and how to take your ideas and flush them out into sketches in a very nurturing environment.