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Let's take the next step in your improv journey with a variety of rotating teachers and classes that allow you to learn different approaches and play in new styles and forms. There are three branches of Advanced Improv Classes : |
Short form |
long form |
electives |
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Only a few Advanced Improv classes are held each session.
short form ADVANCED IMPROV CLASSES
Short form 1: Introduction to short form games
Short Form 1 is the first stop in the short form improv comedy track in our program. This class is an introductory survey class where you'll start to learn the basics of how to approach and play short form improv games. In addition to learning about 30 games, we'll cover some general tips and tricks for each type of game. Prepare to laugh and make some new friends too!
PREREQUISITE: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
PREREQUISITE: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
Short Form 2: Deep dive into the games
You know a bunch of short form games and now you really want to learn how to play them skillfully! We’ll explore some core short form games and expand what short form is capable of. At its core, short form is just a scene with a clear game right up front. This approach allows us to find our characters, relationships, and patterns much quicker than normal. We'll explore just how deep we can dive into a short scene and really push the boundaries of what this simpler, audience-friendly format can do.
What's the mindset for performing short form?
How can you maintain honest scenework in gibberish?
How can a large arsenal of short form games benefit your longform scenework?
How can we perform these games artfully?
Let's dive deep to help you learn the in's and out's, tips, and tricks of short form comedy.
PREREQUISITES: Short Form 1 or permission from HVC leadership
What's the mindset for performing short form?
How can you maintain honest scenework in gibberish?
How can a large arsenal of short form games benefit your longform scenework?
How can we perform these games artfully?
Let's dive deep to help you learn the in's and out's, tips, and tricks of short form comedy.
PREREQUISITES: Short Form 1 or permission from HVC leadership
short form 3: performing short form
You've got a good arsenal of short form games, you feel pretty solid about playing them, and now you want to take it to the next level: performing a short form show in front of real live people. Short Form 3 is where you want to be! Rather than just practicing games one at a time in the classroom, Short Form 3 teaches you how to approach short form from a performance mindset, including honing specific improv skills, learning performance tips, creating a line up of games for a show, emceeing shows, introducing games, involving audience participants onstage, and playing with as much joy and ease as possible. You will perform one in-class show for your class and one showcase show at a Friday Community Comedy Night, including running the short form improv jam for audience members. Hey kids, wanna put on a show???
PREREQUISITE: Short Form 2 or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITE: Short Form 2 or permission from HVC leadership
long form advanced improv classes
long form scenework
You've learned the basics of improvising with Joy & Ease; now it's time to take your scenes to the next level! In this first Long Form Advanced class, we'll learn some key concepts and tools that propel you into fun, successful scenes, including characters and physicality, environment and object work, truthful emotions, and committing to your own moves. Not only is Long Form Scenework the first step for new Advanced Improv students to build their skills before learning improv structures, it's also a great class for more experienced students to retake in order to bolster and polish their own performance.
PREREQUISITE: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
PREREQUISITE: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
ensemble: armando
Learn what it takes to be part of a team with this Long Form Advanced class. This Ensemble class will focus on the Armando format, where scenes are inspired by storytelling-style monologues. We'll sharpen your skills in listening, leading, supporting, and taking risks. We'll practice putting scenes together with a focus on the timing and execution of edits and making moves that benefit the current scene and the show as a whole. This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITE: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITE: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
ensemble: living room
Learn what it takes to be part of a team with this Long Form Advanced class. This Ensemble class will focus on the Living Room format, where scenes are inspired by a truthful onstage conversation between the performers. We'll sharpen your skills in listening, leading, supporting, and taking risks. We'll practice putting scenes together with a focus on the timing and execution of edits and making moves that benefit the current scene and the show as a whole. This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITE: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITE: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
shrink: Exploring character and scenework
Created by The Ha-Ha's before Happier Valley Comedy existed, Shrink: Where Freud Meets Funny is a unique format based loosely on the TV show In Treatment. This Long Form structure serves as an excellent conduit for exploring the creation and maintenance of characters and practicing foundational skills like emotional point of view, holding onto your anchor, and following the joy and ease. And best of all, you get to learn and play the very fun Shrink structure! This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITE: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITE: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
Monoscene
One scene, in one place, in real time. In this Long Form Advanced class, we will explore the Monoscene format, which asks you to sharpen your skills in paying attention, staying in the present, and being of service to the show. We'll spend time learning both two-person Monoscenes and group Monosenes. Get ready to flex your listening muscles and build group mind because we're essentially writing plays on the spot! This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Location, Location, Location is an HVC original format that follows six characters in three two-person scenes that all take place in the same location, followed by a series of fast scenes further exploring the world those characters occupy. This Long Form Advanced class will help you push yourself to dive into your character's emotional point of view, develop strong relationships with your scene partners, and trust yourself to hold the stage for an 8-10 minute long two-person scene. This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
harold
The Harold is the source of just about all the long form improv structures you know and love. Created in 1967, it's largely credited with creating Long Form improvisation as we know it today. This class introduces you to the basic elements of the Harold: Openings, Group Games, and Scenic Beats. We'll dive right into the format and put together all of the skills you've learned over your years of improv classes, including recognizing and playing the patterns, establishing group mind, creating scenic initiations based on a source, heightening each others' ideas, and the beauty of controlled chaos. This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITES: Any Ensemble class or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Any Ensemble class or permission from HVC leadership
Exploring long form structures
What else is out there in the wild world of Long Form improvisation? This class provides a playful introduction to some popular Long Form structures. Depending on your teacher, formats might include La Ronde, Evente, YEAST, Living Room, Spokane, The Fourth Wall, Armando, and Interview. Exploring Long Form Structures is great for expanding your repertoire of formats while gaining practice and comfort performing them. This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITES: Any Ensemble class or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Any Ensemble class or permission from HVC leadership
follow the show
In this Long Form Advanced class, we'll practice paying super close attention to discover the show happening already and to follow it one small step at a time. Let go of working so hard to make stuff up; instead, practice how we can follow the show where it's going already, including noticing how the characters and relationships develop, the pace of the show, the editing style, and even what structure the show wants to be. Let's explore an easeful (though not always easy!) method of improvising. Follow the Show is a challenging class designed for players who feel like they have enough brain space to add on the skills of viewing the show through an overhead eye, reading global scene and show themes, and tapping into their intuitions in a grander scale. Ready to take it to the next level? This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITES: Any Ensemble class or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Any Ensemble class or permission from HVC leadership
form your Form: A performance-based class
Let's create our very own, completely original structure! We'll brainstorm, collaborate, and practice our new format, leading up to a showcase in the middle of the session. Then we'll head back to the classroom to work on notes, tweak the structure, and get in more practice. The class will end with a second showcase, where we'll give our creation another spin. Both showcases take place at Community Comedy Nights.
PREREQUISITES: Harold, Exploring Long Form Structures, Follow The Show, or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Harold, Exploring Long Form Structures, Follow The Show, or permission from HVC leadership
ELEctive advanced improv classes
intro to musical improv
Are you an improviser who wants to expand your skills into the exciting world of musical improv? Are you a confident singer who wants to learn how to make up songs on the spot? Are you terrified by the idea of improvised singing on stage? If any of the above are you, join us for Intro to Musical Improv! We'll explore musical improv from the ground up in a fun and positive environment where every student feels safe taking risks and trying something new. No matter what your previous musical experience is, you can do musical improv!
PREREQUISITE: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
PREREQUISITE: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
advanced musical improv
You've been introduced to the basics of musical improv, and now you want more, more, more musical improv magic! In Advanced Musical Improv, students will build on basic musical improv skills, extending into longer form musical theater scenework. We'll explore the connection between emotion and music, learn more advanced song structures, and start working with the building blocks of Broadway-style narrative musicals. As the Bard might have said if he'd been a musical improviser, "If music be the food of happiness, play on!"
PREREQUISITES: Intro to Musical Improv or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Intro to Musical Improv or permission from HVC leadership
Character 1: Building Characters
Who do you want to be? In this class, students will learn to develop, play with, and maintain different character types in scenes. We’ll work to create characters who display pathos, tenderness, realism, and humor, rather than coming off simply as caricatures. We’ll start from a base of physical characteristics, gait, voice, personal observation, emotion, props, thoughts, and more. We’ll create a supportive atmosphere where students can reach beyond their perceived limits (and then rest when necessary), developing their skills, courage and repertoire over the course of the session.
PREREQUISITES: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
PREREQUISITES: The Joy & Ease of Improv 4
Character 2: being Characters
Let's take those character-building skills to the next level! In this class, we'll build characters and put them in relationships and scenes to see how these characters move and feel on their feet over time. Being Characters will begin by briefly revisiting avenues into character building (voice, physicality, accents, age, gender, and more). Then we'll launch into in depth character development opportunities in scenework. What does it feel like to live in these characters' shoes? How do characters evolve together over time? We'll investigate the different ways that characters can inform, drive, support, or enhance a scene including status, point of view, need/drive, and more. This class is an opportunity to synthesize your skills of committing to the moment, serving the scene, being a good stage partner, and bringing characters into your work and play! There will be opportunities for extended monologues, two-person scenes, and larger group scenes. Students will challenge and cheer each other to help create a safe and supportive atmosphere. Expect to be tired and happy! This class includes an informal showcase for friends and family on the last day of class.
PREREQUISITES: Character 1 or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Character 1 or permission from HVC leadership
acting for improvisers
If you're an improviser looking for a huge boost in your stage confidence, focus, and presence, don't miss this opportunity! Using a variety of actor training techniques and exercises, including the Alexander Technique, this class will explore character creation, movement, and voice to add depth and variety to your improv stage presence. Participants will learn to use these techniques to heighten their scenework and put the lessons into action by applying them to structures like Shrink and Scripted/Unscripted.
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
ACTING FOR IMPROVISERS 2
In Acting For Improvisers 2, students will continue using acting and movement exercises to expand and explore their expressive capacities as improvisers. In addition, students will have a chance to develop skills in character and motivation work through some practice with scripted scenes such as simple A/B dialogues, as well as a short scene from a play. And just like before, these lessons will be applied to improv scenework and more Long Form structures.
PREREQUISITES: Acting For Improvisers or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Acting For Improvisers or permission from HVC leadership
the spotlight
The Spotlight offers a group dissection of scenework with a major focus on personal improvement. Based on critical feedback from both the instructor and your peers, we'll tailor exercises and challenges to specifically target your personal habits, ruts, and weaknesses. The whole class will actively participate in giving each student multiple opportunities to actively work on their personal challenge. Again, this class will include direct, critical feedback from both the teacher and your peers - leave your ego at the door. It's your turn in the spotlight!
PREREQUISITES: At least 3 Advanced Improv classes or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: At least 3 Advanced Improv classes or permission from HVC leadership
foundations
Now that you're an advanced improv student, would you like an opportunity to get back to basics? In this class, we'll revisit foundational improvisation skills from your Joy & Ease of Improv days, now from a new perspective as a higher level improviser. Discovering, playing, and sticking to the emotional point of view. Incorporating environment and object work. Honing the superpower of silence in your scenework. Tuning into the musicality of editing. Playing the show one small step at a time. Focusing on two-person scenework. Sharpening the skills of agreement and acceptance. Being most of service to your scene partners, the scene, and the show. The Foundations class is your opportunity to practice all of these improvyummy skills alongside other players working at your level. Are you totally jazzed right now? Then this class is for you.
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Long Form Scenework or permission from HVC leadership
short/long form
You've got a solid handle on both Short Form and Long Form - now are you ready to color outside the lines? Curious about the place where they meet? This class explores the intersection of Short and Long Form improvisation through key exercises, games, and specific structures. From a scenework perspective, HVC approaches Short Form as just good scenes with a gimmick. This class expands on that idea with games like Pan Right Pan Left, Bus Stop, Copy Cat, 10 Scenes About, and Scenes on a Theme. Plus, we'll explore the Short/Long Form structures created by The Ha-Ha's: The Buckingham and Bubble 'n Squeak. We'll also learn and practice freeform Short Form shows. This class includes an optional showcase performance at a Community Comedy Night.
PREREQUISITES: Short Form 2 AND any Ensemble class, or permission from HVC leadership
PREREQUISITES: Short Form 2 AND any Ensemble class, or permission from HVC leadership
private coaching sessions
$100/hr
Do you have a group together and you'd like to get a private coaching session? Do you have a specific skill or form that you'd like to work on with a group of your choosing? Do you have a cool idea for a class that you'd like to take with your friends? Here's your opportunity for Pam Victor, Scott Braidman, or Maddy Benjamin to give you exactly what you're looking for. We'll work with you to customize everything for your group. Set up a one-time coaching session or schedule a series of meetings to build a class-like structure. Tell us what you want, and we'll say YES! (probably)
Do you have a group together and you'd like to get a private coaching session? Do you have a specific skill or form that you'd like to work on with a group of your choosing? Do you have a cool idea for a class that you'd like to take with your friends? Here's your opportunity for Pam Victor, Scott Braidman, or Maddy Benjamin to give you exactly what you're looking for. We'll work with you to customize everything for your group. Set up a one-time coaching session or schedule a series of meetings to build a class-like structure. Tell us what you want, and we'll say YES! (probably)
