“Thank you for freeing me from invention onstage in favour of discovery, for challenging me to avoid going to a place of comfort (since that’s where discovery ends), and for showing me that simplicity is sometimes the most satisfying thing for a performer and an audience.” –Tara Sampson, actor
Improv I: Basics
This class introduces students to the fundamentals of improvisation. Through exercises and games, students will learn the basic skills of improv and have fun developing their spontaneity, playfulness, imagination, and confidence. Improv is an essential skill for any actor, and it’s a useful one for life, as well. No experience necessary.
Improv I: Basics
The Barrow Group offers a wide variety of improv activities, for the beginner to the professional. Our Level 1 class is designed for those new at improv, and the skills taught are those necessary to be successful in this mode of expression. Being comfortable onstage, knowing yourself as a performer, thinking on your feet – this are all things that will be addressed in our Basic Improv class. You’ll learn to play a variety of improv games, similar to the popular show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”. Improv will stimulate your imagination and ability to act on cue. Working with your classmates, you’ll develop rapports and be able to trust them to help you out of a bind if needed. Our improv activities train you to be an innovative and refreshing actor.
Improv II: Intro to Long Form
This class introduces students to the basic principles and most popular structures of long-form improvisation, including The Montage, Time Dash, Monoscene, and The Harold. In addition to developing storytelling skills through these long-form structures, students will learn more advanced techniques for improv scene-work, expand their character range, and increase their confidence and playfulness as performers. Pre-requisite: Improv I or similar experience.
Our second improv class focuses on scene work and long form improv. Long form is a style of improvisation that bases its entertainment on very few and possibly a single ask for from the audience. Because it involves the audience less, long form relies more heavily on acting skills and ensemble memory, that can entertain for an entire 45 minute set. Some examples of the long form are The Montage, Time Dash, Monoscene, and The Harold. The Harold is simply a series of scenes that are connected by a common theme. For instance, ‘rag’ could be a set up for the theme ‘cleaning’. The scenes in a Harold are almost all open scenes. When a series of open scenes are being played it important that all the players understand how to signal a scene change. This can be done by dimming, but no blacking out the lights. When the lights dim it is a signal that a scene has ended, and players should be up to start a new scene immediately. Players that are coming on to start a new scene enter down-stage to the players that are doing the scene. Players that are joining the scene arrive from upstage the players doing the scene. In ending a Harold, hopefully the scenes will organically start to flow together with recurring characters, such that one story is dominating all the scenes and new scenes are in support of the singular story.
Improv: Drop in Classes
Join us for an Online Improv Drop In Class! For the actor who wishes to hone her or his skills, our improv class is a perfect way to brush up on the techniques or explore new ones! Or join us for an evening of fun with friends!