Discover the Best Improv Classes in Seattle
Improvisational acting, or improv, is a popular form of spontaneous theater. Improv dates to ancient Greece when actors would put on improvised comedic performances. These performances required the actors to make up the dialogue as they went through the scene. Spontaneity, therefore, became the core of improv. Actors (also known as players) engaging in improv must create the scene as they go through it, relying on their ability to think on their feet and collaborate with their scene partner(s).
Improv has evolved substantially since ancient times. Street performers in the past would improvise scenes as a means of earning money. Eventually, improv became more formalized and professional. Improvisational comedy became popular in the 20th century, leading to the opening of improvisational comedy clubs and the filming of improv television shows. Today, improv is a valuable skill for actors, making improv an important component of drama curriculums.
Improv games and exercises are common among practicing actors. Improv may be short, long, or narrative form. You can find out more about these three improv forms online or by taking an improv class.
Why You Should Learn Improv in Seattle
Learning improv can teach you how to handle stage fright and nerves that you might face when speaking in front of an audience. Improv requires you to think on your feet to act in front of a live audience. This can be nerve-wracking, but the more experience you gain with improv, the more accustomed you’ll be to acting and speaking in front of others. The experience you gain doing improv can also be useful in making you comfortable speaking publicly for other events.
Improv will also teach you how to handle failure. Because improv is spontaneous, there’s always a chance that you’ll freeze or find yourself unable to continue a scene. Failure is a part of learning improv and should not be feared. Practicing will teach you to become comfortable dealing with failure. If you understand where you went wrong with a scene, you can use that to improve and adjust for future scenes.
Taking an improv class or attending an improv show in Seattle is a great way to meet new people. Classes and shows will give you the chance to meet others interested in improv and acting. It’ll also give you a way to connect with your community.
In-Person Improv Classes in Seattle
There are in-person improv classes taught at comedy clubs, schools, and theaters in and around Seattle that you can sign up for through CourseHorse. In-person classes are taught by professionals that will provide you with in-depth demonstrations and feedback on your work. They’re also available to answer any questions you have.
You don’t need to be a professional to take an in-person improv class. Classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. There are also classes offered to all skill levels. Introductory classes will teach you the basic foundations of improv while more advanced classes may focus on improving your scene work or improving a narrative-form scene.
CSz Seattle, an improv comedy club in Fremont, offers several improv classes for participants of various experience levels. Their Improv Jam is a drop-in workshop that welcomes anyone with an interest in working on their improv skills. Beginners can learn how to create a scene and develop characters, while advanced participants can work on improving their scene work.
CSz Seattle also offers a series of foundational improv comedy classes. In their class, Improv Comedy 101, you’ll spend nine weeks learning the basics of improvisational comedy. This includes working through any fears you have about performing and enjoying the moment. At the end of the course, your class will put on a showcase for friends and family.
Improv 201 is the intermediate-level class that follows the beginner course. This class picks up where Improv Comedy 101 leaves off. You’ll learn about scene work and how to develop characters. This class can be followed up with Improv Comedy 301, CSz Seattle’s advanced improv class. Participants in Improv Comedy 301 will learn more advanced scene work techniques and participate in challenging improv games.
Virtual Improv Classes
If you can’t attend an improv class in Seattle but would still like to learn from a professional, sign up for a virtual improv class. Virtual classes are taught by live instructors through an online video platform, like Zoom. You and other participants will receive detailed instructions and in-depth demonstrations from your instructor.
Like in-person classes, virtual improv classes are offered at a variety of skill levels. Classes are taught by clubs, schools, and theaters across the country, so you’ll also learn a variety of techniques from professionals with varied experiences.
Online Improv is a class offered by Actor’s Improv Studio. The instructor of this class will encourage you to trust your creative instincts and make strong spontaneous choices through your improv work. If you’re looking to access your creativity in your professional or everyday life, this class can teach you the tools to do so.
Kissin Improv offers improv coaching and instruction through their class, Tuesday Improv. After you’ve signed up for the class, the instructor will reach out to you to learn about your improv background. You’ll then receive 50 minutes of improv coaching before your class.
Private Group Improv Classes in Seattle
Are you looking for a fun team-building activity for your business or organization? CourseHorse offers private group improv classes that can help your team improve their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
CourseHorse offers a team-building improv workshop and a corporate improv workshop. Both classes are aimed at improving your group’s listening skills and ability to problem-solve together through improv games and exercises. These workshops are also intended to be stress-free and provide your team with a form of entertainment.
You can contact CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn more about the private improv classes they can deliver to you. You can discuss the group sizes each class accommodates, as well as the improv games that your group will be participating in. CourseHorse also offers other team-building classes that might interest you, which you can ask about.
CourseHorse does not charge booking fees and allows free cancellation up to two weeks beforehand. If you need to reschedule your class less than 48 hours before it is scheduled, you will be charged a $150 rescheduling fee. Zoom is the preferred online video platform for taking a CourseHorse class. If your team would prefer to use Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or WebEx, CourseHorse asks that you provide them with the meeting details.
