“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 continues to use the basic principles of improvisation to focus on scene work and long-form improvisation. In addition to developing storytelling skills through new long-form structures, students will learn more advanced techniques for improv scene-work, how to expand their character range, and how to increase their confidence and playfulness as performers and as an ensemble. Prerequisite: Improv I or similar experience.
Long form is a style of improvisation that can spin from a single suggestion from the audience. Long form improvisation relies more heavily on acting skills and ensemble memory. Some examples of long form improvisation include The Montage, Time Dash, Monoscene, and The Harold. Students will learn new forms and practice initiating and ending scenes, support moves, and callbacks and connections, as they learn to create a long form improv set as an ensemble.
Goals: Students will continue to practice the basic rules of improvisation as they apply to a long form improv set. Students will learn new forms and learn how to do longform improv sets as an ensemble by doing practice scenes, exploring characters, locations and group games.
Improv: Drop in Classes
Join us for an Online Improv Drop In Class! Our improv class is a perfect way for the actor who wishes to hone her or his skills to brush up on the techniques or explore new ones! Or join us for an evening of fun with friends!