Classes
Every class is built for beginners. You don’t need to be funny, quick, or outgoing. You just need to show up and say yes.
Free Intro Night
Every Wednesday, 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Free. Limited to 12 people, so RSVP to hold your spot. Walk-ins are welcome if there’s room.
An hour of improv games with no commitment and no pressure. Come alone or bring a friend. You’ll play, laugh, and discover what improv is all about (hint: it’s not stand-up, and nobody has to tell jokes). Along the way, you’ll practice listening, thinking on your feet, and getting comfortable making mistakes. But mostly, you’ll just have a good time.
IMPROV 101
Learn improv. Build scenes. Take the stage.
Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, 8 weeks. Founding price: $195. Goes to $225 after the founding class.
The fundamentals of improv, start to finish. Eight weeks broken down into six weeks of learning, one rehearsal week, and a Saturday showcase for an audience of your invited friends and family. This is the first step if you’ve always wanted to try performing.
What you'll learn
- The fundamentals of improv, including “Yes, And”
- Creating characters and building scenes from scratch
- Making bold choices and trusting your instincts
- Supporting your scene partners and working as an ensemble
- Turning everything you’ve learned into a live improv show
IMPROV FOR LIFE
Learn improv. Build confidence. Take it into the world.
Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, 6 weeks. Founding price: $175. Goes to $200 after the founding class.
Improv skills pointed at real life. Listening, confidence, thinking on your feet, and recovering when things go sideways, at work, at home, or anywhere else. There’s no show. You will never have to perform for strangers.
What you'll learn
- Staying adaptable when things don’t go according to plan
- Listening better and communicating more effectively
- Building confidence without needing all the answers
- Embracing mistakes instead of fearing them
- Using humor, curiosity, and play to connect with others
Best if you're thinking...
FAQ
Do I have to be funny?
Nope. Improv isn’t about jokes. It’s about listening and reacting honestly. The funny shows up on its own, usually when nobody’s trying.
Is this stand-up comedy?
No. Stand-up is one person with prepared material. Improv is a group making things up together, on the spot. Nobody’s alone up there.
Im nervous. Is that a problem?
That’s the most common feeling in the room on night one. Everybody starts at the same place, and the games are built to ease you in.
What actually happens at a Free Intro Night?
A quick welcome, then about 45 minutes of improv games. No prep, no homework, no pressure.
Will I have to perform in front of an audience?
Only if you pick Improv 101, which ends with a show for your invited friends and family. Improv for Life has no show at all.
Can I bring a friend?
Please do. Just have them RSVP too, since spots are limited.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in.
What if I miss a week?
Life happens. Let Connor know you’ll be out, and we’ll work out a make-up with you. One note for Improv 101: if you miss more than two classes, you’ll join the next group’s show instead, so you’re ready when you hit the stage.
What's the refund policy?
If a class isn’t for you, email us before your third class begins and you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked. Think of us as the pre-2018 REI of improv programs, minus the kayaks. And if we ever have to cancel a course, everyone gets a full refund.
Where do I park and how do I get in?
Free parking is close by: the Wells Fargo lot, street parking, and nearby garages. Check posted signs for time limits. The Center for the Arts has two entrances, one on Main Street and one on Cotton Alley. Classes are on the second floor, and there’s an elevator.