Workshops
We have some exciting workshops being offered this year.
Love the One You’re With
Taught by Justin Peters and Kelly Buttermore. Conflict and emotional distance can work their way into one’s play over time until they become dominant choices. But what if instead of choosing conflict, we choose love instead? Making a conscious decision to appreciate and collaborate with your scene partner can take your scene work in unexpected and wonderful directions. In this workshop, the renowned touring improvisers Kelly Buttermore and Justin Peters will introduce techniques for finding meaningful connections with your scene partner, and explore the virtues of playing from a standpoint of total agreement. When you choose to embrace your scene partners rather than resist them, the possibilities for your scene work are truly limitless.
Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., $25
Pirate, Robot, Ninja
Taught by Billy Merritt.
Master improviser and co-author of Robot, Pirate Ninja: An Improv Fable, Billy Merrit will teach you how to crash into scenes like a pirate, analyze game like a robot, and adapt to any situation like a ninja. Get a copy of Billy’s book Robot Pirate Ninja signed by Billy Merritt when you sign up for this workshop!
Saturday, September 10, 12:30-2:30 p.m., $45
Truthful Scene Work For Long-Form
Taught by Michael Delaney.
This workshop will focus on simple, truthful scene-work, callbacks and connections. Michael Delaney is a master long-form improvisor (The Swarm, The Stepfathers, Gravid Water, ASSSCAT) who has taught improv and sketch comedy writing at theaters all over the world. Head Teacher at UCB Theater in sketch and improv from 1999- 2008. Columbia University sketch writing Adjunct Professor from 2003- 2009. Acting: The Other Guys, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the Mr. Show Tour, Late Night with Seth Meyer, You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush on Broadway. Michael has directed countless sketch comedy and improvised shows, and currently teaches comedy writing at Montclair State University.
Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., $25
Forget What You Know
Taught by Chuy Zárate.
Feel like your scenework is stagnating? Do you find yourself resting on what you know works in front of an audience for self-gratification? Do you get too far into your head when you are trying to build a simple scene? Too many times improvisers feel the need to be clever or witty on stage. Do you get stuck in a whirlwind of bits that really serve no purpose in a scene? It might be time to forget what you know and remember that there are simple building blocks to scene work. There is no better way to get out of your head and back into the scene than remembering the basics. We will wipe the slate clean. To be successful at the long scene, you need to be proficient in the short scene. By the end of this workshop, you should have a strong instinct for creating quick relationships and lasting scene premises. You will look at scene starts as the most important aspect of every scene. Your relationship establishing “muscle memory” will hopefully take over and guide you to satisfying and creative scenes. Imps with 2 plus years of experience will be more comfortable in this class.
Saturday, September 10, 3-5 p.m., $25
It’s All in How You Say It
– Context Outweighs Content –
Take a workshop where WHAT you say counts less than HOW you say it. Emotions drive scenes and allow audiences to relate to our characters. If you want to get to the fun part of the scene faster, connect with your scene partners and the audience quicker and create memorable moments on stage, this is the workshop for you. We’ll explore how emotion, physicality, tempo and musical underscoring can all impact a scene and dialogue in different ways. After this session, you will be having more fun with HOW you say it too!
Saturday, September 10, 3-5 p.m., $25
Free Drop In Class
Try Improv, then watch the pros
Space is limited, please register to ensure you are included.
Learn the basics of improv. This class is open to all levels including beginners. A drop in includes: warm ups and exercises in a circle, group activities, improv scenes with challenges and finally Warm Fuzzies – go around the room and say something you liked that someone else said or did.
Before class: wear clothing you can bend and move around in and that covers you securely. Come in comfortable shoes. Avoid heavy colognes and perfumes.