The Art of Improv for Teens! Sketch Comedy With Boundless Reach - One Day Tryout
Unleash your inner comedian or Drama Queen with this fun intro to Acting and Improv in skits and sketches to develop creativity, confidence, sorytelling... but mostly to laugh with other teens! (One-day introduction to my ongoing class)
Gordon Woolvett, ACTRA / UBCP / WGC
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(310)
Popular
Rising Star
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Beginner - Advanced Level
I have three rules for this class, designed to inherently encourage success and team work: 1) Embrace the ridiculous. 2) There are no bad ideas. 3) Accept your partner's ideas. We'll start with a couple of warm up games (it helps if you have room to move; however, if you are differently abled, movement isn't necessary) followed by a group acting game. Then we move on to specific improv kills with exercises aimed at some of the basic concepts: listening, offering, accepting and advancing vs exploring, with silly characters in unusual settings. If class numbers allow, we'll break into teams and compete in hilariously fun skit challenges (improv competition). With fewer students we will undertake the challenges together as a group. This class introduces your learner to my teaching style and to my ongoing weekly class "Theatre For Kids Improv and Acting" You will get a taste of developing scenes together in fun and rewarding ways, while thinking on your feet and performing live! I hope to see you or your learner in class!
Learning Goals
Because of my three basic rules, the following are encouraged and promoted for all students regardless of experience level:
Students learn to:
-Practice and value the importance of teamwork.
-Build confidence in their own ideas
-Play interesting and ridiculous characters
-Develop tools to “think outside the box” and generate new ideas in the moment
-Learn how to shape and direct stories and narratives through miniature plots to ultimate resolutions
-Be introduced to concepts I teach in my longer term and ongoing acting & improv classes
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I make best efforts to avoid politics and religion or more "gruesome" subjects (horror and crime), but sooner or later a student will cast him or herself in the role of a religious leader or famous politician, or set a scene in a church or the Whitehouse etc., or pretend to be a serial killer or an investigator following up on the discovery of a body.... This is fictional drama and comedy. It is make-believe and it is important to the process to let their imaginations open up. We want them to explore their ideas unrestricted, as long as their ideas do not denigrate others or make another learner uncomfortable. I give all the students the option to chat me privately if they are uncomfortable with an idea so they can voice a concern without drawing attention to themself. Also, while I maintain a safe zone of inclusivity for all faiths and ideologies: hate speech, prejudice or cyber bullying will not be allowed and parents will be notified.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
5.0
310reviews
Popular
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been a professional actor in film and television for many years. I've travelled to exotic shoot locations, won awards, was a lead on five different television series. But none of that is what makes me a good drama teacher. What do I think makes a good drama teacher? Marvel. I never cease to marvel how much the techniques I learned in theatre school as a kid still help me to this day. I never cease to marvel when a student "gets it" and comes up with a new idea and is overcome with joy and pride simultaneously. This is the "magic" you hear actors and filmmakers talk about all the time. And I am ever humbled by it. As our youth spend more time in front of the computer, I strive to give them a chance to experience that magic, spark their imagination, and build their confidence by showing them first hand that they have great ideas. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$18
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
2-4 learners per class
