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Improv 101 — Improv Basics

Thursdays 7-10pm starting May 01, 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

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

Erik Tanouye

tanouye, erik
Erik Tanouye has been improvising and performing in New York since 2001. He has studied with Michael Delaney, Armando Diaz, Kevin Mullaney, Billy Merritt, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and many others. He is currently a member of the UCB house team 1985; he has previously performed in Proceed With Honor, Dillinger, The Shoves, Red Christmas, and The Mosaic NYC. His directing credits include I Eat Pandas and T.J. Monkeys, and he has taught workshops at colleges and high schools up and down the East Coast. Before moving to New York, he improvised with the Dog Day Players at Dartmouth College, where he got a degree in English and creative writing. He also worked for the Telluride Film Festival and has written for and appeared in pilots for Comedy Central and HBO.

Student Feedback

"Erik was a terrific instructor who really fostered a comfortable and supportive environment and was really good with giving smart and articulate suggestions."

"Eric did a fantastic job pushing us to be stronger improvisers. His constructive ideas for improving my craft allowed me to become more confident on stage."