Saturdays at 10-11:30am during the school year
For HVC students only
Happier Valley Comedy Theater
1 MILL VALLEY RD, HADLEY, MA
1st Saturday of the Month
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2nd Saturday of the Month
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3rd Saturday of the Month
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4th Saturday of the month
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more opportunities to play
"get your reps" classes
For HVC students, "Get Your Reps" offers flexible improv practice to bring more joy and ease to your Saturday mornings! Whether you're in Improv 1 or you've been improvising for years, a vital part of your growth as an improviser is getting in those "10,000 hours until mastery" to get concepts learned in class into muscle memory. That's what "Get Your Reps" is all about: REPETITION to give you lots of time on your feet improvising... and maybe add a few more tricks to your improv toolbox. "Get Your Reps" is a choose-your-own improv adventure in joy and ease! When you get to class, you can request any level-appropriate games, exercises, and/or skills, so you take part in designing that morning's class. Class size is limited to give you plenty of reps. Check out the class descriptions and FAQs below for more details.
Get Your Reps: Joy & Ease
improv 1-4 students
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Designed with students in the Joy & Ease of Improv levels 1-4 in mind, this casual monthly jam is your chance to mingle with students from other classes and practice exercises and games. The content of each class depends on the teacher and the desires of the students who show up that day. It's improvised improv on the first Saturday of every month! Sign up and show up to choose your own improv adventure and get your reps!
Facilitated by a rotating lineup of HVC teachers and TAs. Next meeting: May 3rd, 10:00-11:30AM Prerequisite: Currently in or completed Improv 1 at HVC |
get your Reps: Advanced Improv
advanced improv students
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Advanced students, join us on th third Saturday of the month for practice and play! Open to students who have completed Improv 4, this advanced jam is all about getting your scenework reps. The content of each class depends on the teacher and the desires of the students who show up that day. You can expect lots of scenes, maybe some games or format practice, and a fun group of advanced students to play with!
Facilitated by a rotating lineup of HVC teachers and TAs. CANCELED: April 19th, 10:00-11:30AM, with Fabienne Boisson Next meeting: May 17th, 10:00-11:30AM, with Hillary Bucs Prerequisite: Completion Improv 4 at HVC |
Get your reps: Musical Improv
musical improv students
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The only way to get more skilled is to practice, and this monthly Musical Improv jam is a rare opportunity to play around with an accompanist - the fabulous Josh Hornick! On fourth Saturday of every month brings you a chance to explore your skills outside the structures of a traditional musical improv class or workshop. Sing a lot of songs, take a lot of risks, and grow your musical improv comfort and skill!
Facilitated by Josh Hornick Next meeting: April 26th, 10:00-11:30AM Prerequisite: Intro to Musical Improv at HVC |
"get Your reps" FAQ
questions about who can Participate
do I need to have ALREADY taken AN improv class at happier valley comedy to take "get your reps"?
Yes. "Get Your Reps" is a program exclusively for current and past HVC improv students. At a minimum, you must be currently taking or have completed Improv 1 (or the One-Day Intensive) at Happier Valley Comedy to participate in Get Your Reps: Joy & Ease. Advanced Improv Reps require completion of Improv 4, and Musical Improv Reps requires completion of Intro to Musical Improv. More info about the BIPOC Playtime pre-requisites here.
i haven't taken level 1 AT HVC, But I have other improv experience. Can I participate in "Get Your Reps"?
As much as we love saying yes, we're not making exceptions to the prerequisites for this program. Get Your Reps classes are exclusively for previous students who are familiar with our specific approach to improvisation to provide opportunities to get practice with the skills introduced during the regular weekly classes. If you want to be sure not to miss the next session of Improv 1, sign up for the Improv 1 Notification List on this page! Everyone on this list gets an email notification about a week before registration opens for the next session. Thank you for your patience! When we do get to play together, it surely will be wonderful and worth the wait.
If you've taken an improv workshop for BIPOC students, you can attend the BIPOC Play Time on second Saturdays. More info here.
If you've taken an improv workshop for BIPOC students, you can attend the BIPOC Play Time on second Saturdays. More info here.
I'm a previous hvc student, so Can I sign up for Get Your Reps?
Yes! There is at least one monthly Reps you are eligible for depending on where left off. Check the prerequisites for each class before you register, and email us if you're unsure.
questions about Registration
Do i have to register for each individual class?
Yes! Each meeting requires registration. The cost for each Reps is $26. BIPOC Improv Play Time is free as part of our Equity Pricing initiative, but registration is required.
questions about the content of classes
what exactly happens in a "get your reps" class?
The overall goal for each class is to get you up on your feet and in action as much as possible. There are no shortcuts in improv. It's all about getting repetition, which is the focus of this program. The actual content of each class depends on the teacher, the desires of the students who show up that day, and the way the wind is blowing. As opposed to having a lesson plan with a particular focus, "Get Your Reps" teachers follow the needs of the students and the moment. You might do some warm-ups, then short scenes, then longer scenes. Or you might do some warm-ups and then a bunch of short form games. Though we don't know ahead of time what the content of each "Get Your Reps" will be, one thing we do know for sure: You will be getting your reps.
will reps classes really make me a stronger performer?
Yes. Based on our observations, students of all levels gained significant skills by practicing regularly. Whether you attend "Get Your Reps" or organize your own improv practice, there is no doubt that getting reps will make you a more skilled improviser.
what have previous Reps students said about Get Your Reps?
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"[Get Your Reps classes] give you the opportunity to practice improv with classmates and meet new friends, keeping skills sharp, and having a blast!"
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questions about who i'll meet at get Your Reps classes
how do i know who is teaching each class?
Monthly Reps classes are facilitated by a rotating cast of HVC teachers and TAs. Musical Reps are facilitated by Josh Hornick.
will I know everyone in class?
Probably not, but that's the beauty of the program. Though you may be pretty infatuated and comfortable with your last class group, these casual monthly classes give you an opportunity to get infatuated and comfortable with a whole new group of people.
i want to play with my old classmates. how can we stay together?
Saturday reps are a great time to reunite with former or current classmates to get in extra play time! We encourage you to organize a get-together of your improv pals. Any way you slice it, lots of fun ahead!
what if i'm scared everyone else is going to be better than me?
Tip your jaunty cap to your inner critic who is raising that fear-based belief - which is not a fact! - and then swipe left on that message of unhelpful judgment. You've got this, pal. As long as you meet the prerequisites, you should be in good shape. Yes, there may be students there who have more improv experience than you - that's a good thing! Their experience is going to make you a more skilled improviser. It's fun and easeful to play with skilled improvisers! And guess what? Chances are, someone else in your class is intimidated by your mad improv skillz. Mixed skills programs are excellent learning opportunities.
Small but Important Fine Print:
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must attend at least 6 of the 8 classes to graduate to the next level.
*Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;)
*Our classes may involve physical activity and we could be on our feet for at least an hour; however, we're able to accommodate for all physical abilities. Please let email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must attend at least 6 of the 8 classes to graduate to the next level.
*Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;)
*Our classes may involve physical activity and we could be on our feet for at least an hour; however, we're able to accommodate for all physical abilities. Please let email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
