Masks are not required at HVC, but they are always welcome. Click here for our COVID policy!
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play with confidence
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You can feel more confident and comfortable onstage!
Whether you are a regular performer looking to improve your stage presence or a newer student trying to get more comfortable before you step in front of an audience, this is a chance to practice skills that will serve you at all stages of your improv journey.
In this workshop you’ll be encouraged to become more aware of your presentation onstage, and to learn to project confidence and poise as an actor. Once you can recognize the ways fear can manifest for improvisers - rocking back and forth, speaking quietly, gluing yourself to the back wall - you can develop tools to help counteract these habits. You’ll discover how to confidently enter or start a scene, play with partners, and maintain your improv equilibrium onstage even when something unexpected happens (which of course it will!).
You’ll also work on being conscious of your visual and spatial relationship to your playing partners, and to imagine how the scene looks from an audience’s perspective. You’ll learn to use the power of the stage picture as another tool in your improviser’s toolbox!
You’ll also work on breathing techniques, voice and articulation exercises, and projecting your voice to the very back row so every audience member can enjoy the performance!
Whether you are a regular performer looking to improve your stage presence or a newer student trying to get more comfortable before you step in front of an audience, this is a chance to practice skills that will serve you at all stages of your improv journey.
In this workshop you’ll be encouraged to become more aware of your presentation onstage, and to learn to project confidence and poise as an actor. Once you can recognize the ways fear can manifest for improvisers - rocking back and forth, speaking quietly, gluing yourself to the back wall - you can develop tools to help counteract these habits. You’ll discover how to confidently enter or start a scene, play with partners, and maintain your improv equilibrium onstage even when something unexpected happens (which of course it will!).
You’ll also work on being conscious of your visual and spatial relationship to your playing partners, and to imagine how the scene looks from an audience’s perspective. You’ll learn to use the power of the stage picture as another tool in your improviser’s toolbox!
You’ll also work on breathing techniques, voice and articulation exercises, and projecting your voice to the very back row so every audience member can enjoy the performance!
This class meets the following 8 Mondays 5-7pm:
Nov 11
Nov 18
Nov 25
Dec 2
Dec 9
Dec 16
[No Class Dec 23]
[No Class Dec 30]
Jan 6
Jan 13
Possible make-up date if HVC needs to cancel class: Jan 20
Nov 11
Nov 18
Nov 25
Dec 2
Dec 9
Dec 16
[No Class Dec 23]
[No Class Dec 30]
Jan 6
Jan 13
Possible make-up date if HVC needs to cancel class: Jan 20
About Your Teacher:
Julie Waggoner has taught Character classes, Short Form Improv classes, and Get Your Reps workshops with Happier Valley since 2018. She was a standup comic for 10 years, a member of The Villa Jidiots improv troupe for another 10, and a guest player with The Ha-Ha’s for 5 years. She has acted with Pauline Productions, the 24-Hour Theater Project, and Northampton Playwrights Lab. She is currently a member of the HVC troupe Not In Charge, and the indie troupe One Night Only.
Julie Waggoner has taught Character classes, Short Form Improv classes, and Get Your Reps workshops with Happier Valley since 2018. She was a standup comic for 10 years, a member of The Villa Jidiots improv troupe for another 10, and a guest player with The Ha-Ha’s for 5 years. She has acted with Pauline Productions, the 24-Hour Theater Project, and Northampton Playwrights Lab. She is currently a member of the HVC troupe Not In Charge, and the indie troupe One Night Only.
*Happier Valley Comedy rents land that was stolen from Indigenous people, including the Pocumtuc and Nipmuc tribes. A land acknowledgement is not appropriate or adequate to address this injustice that continues to harm people today. Therefore, we have instituted an ongoing process of contributing to the preservation of the lands and cultures of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples. All class fees contain an additional $3 to benefit The Nolumbeka Project, a local nonprofit whose mission is dedicated to these goals.
Learn more about The Nolumbeka Project, including their upcoming events.
Learn more about our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Learn more about The Nolumbeka Project, including their upcoming events.
Learn more about our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
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.
