307 W. 26th Street New York, NY 10001 (212) 366-9176

Join Our Mailing List
Switch to LA Site

Improv 301 — Harold Structure

Saturdays 3:30-6:30pm starting Jul 19, 2008
Prerequisites: Completion of Improv 201
Cost: $325

This course introduces students to the long form improvisation structure known as “The Harold,” developed by Del Close.

In the first four weeks, students will study “Group Games”, scenes that involve multiple performers. Instruction will focus on teaching students a number of different ways to approach performing these group scenes. They will also study a variety of “Openings”, which are stylized methods of using an audience’s suggestion to generate enough content to support a half hour long improvised performance piece.

In the second four weeks of the course, students will put all of the techniques learned in Improvisation 101, 201, and the first four weeks of 301 into action by putting together fully formed Harolds.

This course meets for three hours a week for eight sessions. 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: 14 Students

No Class August 9th & August 30th.

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."