Improv 101: Intro to Improv Comedy for Teens

Improvisational theater, or improv, is a technique used by famous actors and comedians to create funny and memorable scenes on the spot. In this class, learners will learn from a teacher trained at the famous Second City Theater whose alumni include famous actors and comedians like Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Mike Meyers. Learners will learn the same techniques that these successful performers use on stage, on television, and in movies.

In this class we'll specifically focus on longform improv, where we'll create extended scenes that are like improvised comedy sketches. The class assumes little or no improv experience. Together, we'll learn how to perform improv through a variety of exercises and games, culminating in an improvised show.

Improv is a fun way to learn about theater, allowing students to focus on performance and creativity rather than memorizing lines. It's a great foundation for anyone who has an interest in acting or writing whether it's in comedy or drama. It's also a fun way to gain confidence and to improve public speaking.

Class Schedule
Week 1: Yes, And - We'll learn about the concept of "yes, and" which forms the foundation of all improv. We'll learn how it helps us build funnier scenes and how it encourages teamwork.

Week 2: Base Reality - We'll explore how we create a "base reality" in improv -- the beginning of an improv scene that will allow us to explore fun and wacky things later on.

Week 3: Game of the Scene - In this class we'll learn about "game of the scene," a concept that helps us identify and build on the funny part of an improv scene.

Week 4: Heightening - We'll learn how to heighten the comedy in our scenes by building on the game of the scene.

Week 5: Character - We'll look at how character can be used to create funny and memorably improv scenes. We'll learn how to create characters and how to use them to drive scenes forward.

Week 6: Format - We'll learn about how formats can help improvisors create a show. We'll explore a basic improv format and the techniques to make it work.

Week 7: Rehearsal - We'll rehearse our improv format and prepare for our show. Although improv is made up on the spot, we want to practice the techniques and format that make it possible.

Week 8: Performance - The class will culminate in an entirely improvised show put on by the members of the class!