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Improv 501 — Advanced Harold Workshop

Mondays 7-10pm starting May 19, 2008
Prerequisites: Completion of Improv 401
Cost: $325

Each master class course offered at this level is instructor-driven. Students will get to study the Harold and related performance pieces at an advanced level and will receive in-depth personal feedback about their own performance and progress as improvisers.

This course will meet for three hours a week for eight weeks. Students will perform in two class performances at the UCB Theatre – once halfway through the course and once at the end. 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.

You must get permission to register for this class, even if you have taken a 500 level class before. Please see instructions below.

Advanced Harold Workshop with Charlie Todd

This class will focus on using advanced techniques to make form-wide moves that give each Harold it's own unique life. Students will learn to let the Harold structure be their guide to awesomeness, rather than an obligation. There will also be a scenework focus, stressing careful listening and a strict attention to reality in order to play satisfying games. Admission to 501 is granted on review of previous class performance. If you interested in taking this class please EMAIL classes@ucbt.net. Even if you have received permission to register for previous 501's, you still need to email. Please do not register/pay for this class without consent of the Training Center Manager.

Charlie Todd

todd, charlie
Charlie Todd has been performing, directing, and writing comedy at the UCB Theatre since 2001. He has studied improv under UCB founders Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, among others.

He is the founder of Improv Everywhere, a New York prank collective that has been profiled by The New York Times, SPIN Magazine, Rolling Stone (Hot List), and both This American Life's radio and television programs. In 2007, Charlie executive produced and starred in a pilot for NBC based on Improv Everywhere.

Charlie has created many shows at the UCBT including PAID PROGRAMMING, FOUND ON CRAIGSLIST, and THE MP3 EXPERIMENT (all of which were Time Out New York critic's picks). He has been a part of many long running UCBT shows including RETRACED, MANDATORY LAME-ASS STAFF MEETING, THE REAL REAL WORLD, and CAGEMATCH NYC, for which he created the ridiculous wrestling league UCBW. He has made appearances on LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, BEST WEEK EVER and VH1's 40 GREATEST PRANKS.

Charlie is a member of the UCBT House Team Reuben Williams. He has taught and performed at many festivals including the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and The Comedy Festival in Vegas. He was recently named one of the "10 Funniest People You've Never Heard Of" by New York Magazine.

Student Feedback

"Charlie was a fantastic teacher who really relayed the keys to learning intelligent, funny improvisational scenes."

"Charlie Todd was an amazing teacher. His friendly, yet professional manner put me immediately at ease and I learned a lot from his informative and encouraging teaching style."

"Charlie was fantastic, creating a focused & professional environment while maintaining the fun."

"Charlie is attentive and insightful. His comments were always spot on and helped me to understand concepts in new and different ways."

"Charlie was great. He was supportive, yet objective about our scenes. I'd take another class with him."