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Improv 101 — Improv Basics

Mondays 7-10pm starting Mar 17, 2008
Cost: $325

Students will learn the fundamentals of long-form improvisation. Core concepts covered include using character agreement to make your scenes succeed, developing character, character status, object and environment work, “playing at the top of your intelligence,” and heightening (finding ways to make your scenes get funnier from start to finish).

This course also introduces the specific vocabulary of the UCB Training Center.

This course meets for 8 sessions that are each 3 hours long. At the end of the course, students will take part in a class performance at the UCB Theatre. Graduation is also contingent upon students seeing at least two improvised shows at the UCB Theater before the end of the course.

Class Size: 16 Students

Improv 101 - Improv Basics

A great introduction to long form improvisation: learn to create great scenes through agreement, support, playing to the top of your intelligence, object and environment work, and strong clear character choices.

Maximum class size is 16.

Zach Woods

woods, zach
Zach Woods is a regular performer and director at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Trained in improvisation at the UCB Theater, he has also studied at the Atlantic Theater Company. Zach has been featured in numerous improv and sketch shows at the UCB and is a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company. He has appeared on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and has been featured in a number of national commercials. A popular improv coach/director in New York, Zach has also conducted workshops at Columbia University, Duke University, New York University, and Lincoln Center. He currently performs every Friday night with UCB team The Stepfathers.

Student Feedback

"Zach excels at maintaining a relaxed, fun environment while keeping the day's lesson fresh in the minds of the students. He has a gift for teaching improv and helping students new to improv in avoiding bad habits."

"Zach was the perfect teacher, patient and encouraging, but able to clearly identify what we needed work on. From da one, the entire class had fun and most importantly felt comfortable."

"Zach was an amazing person to learn from. He has so many ideas that push you to think beyond the customary, drab cliches. He made us all very comfrotable and set a great, professional tone right from the start."

"Zach's feedback was always helpful and he doesn't move on until the recipient fully understands the point he is making. He is supportive and encouraging."

"Zach created a comfortable environment for learning improv. He was also very knowledgeable regarding improv and always willing to answer our questions even outside of classtime."