In this narrative improv workshop, students will dive directly into scene work and learn by doing. Discover techniques to tell unforgettable stories from moment one of an improvised play. Define and rehearse what it means to “make strong choices”, organically establish the scene’s “platform”, and deepen the narrative beat.

A class dedicated to improvised narrative scene work (comedic and dramatic). This workshop is meant for intermediate and advanced students who have and understand the foundations of improvisation. Explore the differences between drama and comedy. Learn how to bring joy to drama and heart to comedy. Deepen the emotional resonance of comedic work and turn dramatic work into joyful comedic truth.

Saying "yes and" is a key part of improvisation. "Yes" to the reality that your scene partner offered. "And" to add information. This workshop is all about unpacking the deeper meaning of “yes and”. Holding strictly to “always say yes” can lead to a scene, a character, a situation, that is problematic or simply not something you wish to explore. In this class, students will learn techniques to maintain their agency in the "Yes And" world of improvisation. It isn’t about “staying comfortable” - it’s about having the agency to explore the stories that light you up and to dive into the discomfort that comes with growth.

This workshop is for improvisational performers looking to strengthen their acting skills. Apply acting techniques to improvisational scene work, deepen emotional range and engage the imagination. In this workshop, participants learn tools to deliver exposition (the who, what, & where) organically and with ease.

Learn to give your scripted work new life with the tools of improvisation! This workshop is for experienced actors who want to understand how improvisation applies to and strengthens scripted work. Explore how to make a script come to life off the page, understand what it means to make strong choices, and take direction from a director of any skill level to create a dynamic performance. Uncover a scene’s purpose in the larger story and know how to execute your character’s job in narrative beat!

A series of 4 workshops, each focusing on one of the “4 W’s” of improvised scene work: Who, What, Where, & Why.

Character & Relationship
Working the WHO in Who, What, Where, & Why
The foundation of an improv scene answers three questions: Who are these characters? What are they doing? And where are they? We often call that the platform. This workshop dives into the WHO of that platform, which includes names, emotion, status, titles, and more. Students in this workshop will gain tools to create dynamic characters and engaging relationships. We will learn how committing to character and exploring the relationship allows us to keep discovering and move the story forward.

Improvised Environments
Working the WHERE in Who, What, Where, & Why
In every scene we improvise, we have an opportunity to create an environment that helps us tell the story with depth and specificity. Good storytellers relish in creating spaces that inspire performers and stick with an audience long after the curtain falls. In narrative improv, we can use reincorporation and transformation of the environment to enrich our storytelling even further. In this class students will learn how to activate the imagination and engage the environment - for themselves, their ensemble, and the audience! We will explore tools to artfully endow the space within reach. We will abandon awkward phrases like "thank you for coming to the <insert location here> with me" and "I'm so glad you invited me to the <insert location here>". And we will replace them with more inspired and organic reactions to the improv coach in our mind whispering "Label the Where!" This class focuses on specifics, spacework, atmosphere, using emotion, and giving our creative mind time to create!

Spacework in Improv
Working the WHAT (& where!) in Who, What, Where, & Why
The foundation of an improv scene answers three questions: Who are these characters? What are they doing? And where are they? We often call that the platform. This workshop dives into the WHAT and the WHERE of that platform, which includes improvised props, character clothing, and environment spacework. Students will learn the nuts and bolts of good space work, take home exercises for space work, and how to deepen their work by awakening the senses and emotionally connecting to their environment.

Deepen the Beat
Working the WHY in Who, What, Where, & Why
In this workshop we will learn techniques to tell unforgettable stories, make your audience care, and get to the "WHY" of your story. Plan on emotional vulnerability, deepening your scene work, and exploring the emotional truth of your character. We will look at "what is a narrative beat" and practice tools that keep us from repeating beats and staying "surface level". Will it get dramatic? Maybe, but it also might just get funnier, sweeter, darker… whatever the feeling is, it will deepen!

Improvised sci-fi coming at you with a special focus on The Doctor. Doctor who? Exactly.

In this class, we’ll jump into scene work using iconic Doctor Who characters and relationship dynamics. We’ll uncover commonly used tropes, motifs, and plot devices and learn techniques to discover the story by deeping the relationships without getting lost in a DW mystery plot. Disclaimer: Madi is by no means a Doctor Who expert. (Sadly, this class will not include a DW trivia hour.) BUT, Madi’s passion for Who is great, and their knowledge of narrative improv is even greater! So jump in your TARDIS, grab your sonic screwdrivers, keep an eye out for Daleks, Angels, and Cybermen, and join us for a night of nerdy improv!

One of the most magical moments in improv is that "mind-meld" moment when scene partners appear to have telepathy. It's a thrilling experience for the performers and for the audience! This is Improv Magic. But how do we allow those moments to happen? This workshop is about learning how to make your scene partner look good. We will unpack that note: "make your scene partner look good." And we’ll rehearse tools to hone your telepathic improv skills, stay present, and become that generous scene partner you can't wait to be on stage with.

This workshop is for performers who want to be better at working with the offers of a technical improviser in narrative improv. And for technical improvisers who want to strengthen their storytelling technique from the booth. We will look at the ways in which a tech makes offers and how improvisers can create dynamic theatre by "yes anding" the tech and being in sync with the lights and sound of a show.

Quick note: This class does not cover the nuts and bolts of a light / sound board or of OBS, but focuses more on the creative collaboration of performer and technical improviser.