Discover the Best Improv Classes in San Francisco
Improv, short for improvisational theater, is a form of ensemble theater that relies on spontaneity. Improv relies on quick thinking and collaboration to develop a scene. Actors will work off each other to create dialogue, characters, and the setting of the scene. Nothing is prepared beforehand, although some improvisational games may suggest a scenario or basic setting. Different styles of improv developed throughout the years: improv games (short form), improv scenes (long form), and improvised plays (narrative form).
Improv was used as a form of entertainment in ancient Greece. Actors would don masks and perform improvised farces. Street performers later utilized improv to earn money. It was then in the 20th century that improv took a professional turn: improv comedy clubs opened, and improv television shows began to air. Today, improv is considered an essential acting skill, but it’s also done casually thanks to its low barriers to entry.
Why You Should Learn Improv in San Francisco
Improv can help you get over stage fright or your fear of performing and speaking in front of an audience. If you suffer from these issues, improv can be anxiety-inducing. However, it’s been shown that actively engaging in an improv class for at least 20 minutes can reduce anxiety. Your uncertainty intolerance, a measure of how uncomfortable you feel in uncertain situations, will decrease, making you more comfortable with uncertainty.
Improv will also make you more comfortable experiencing failure. The potential to fail when starting improv is high. There’s a chance you won’t know how to continue a scene; you might get stuck on dialogue, you might be unable to develop your character, or you might not know how to develop the scene and be mindful of your physical movements. The great thing about this though is that the more experience you have failing at improv, the more comfortable you’ll get participating in it in the future. Your failed experiences are something you can draw upon in future scenes to ensure that you don’t continue to fail.
In-Person Improv Classes in San Francisco
In-person improv classes are offered in the San Francisco area. In-person classes are taught by professionals who will provide you with in-depth demonstrations and walk you through the fundamentals of improv. Classes are offered for beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level players. Beginner-level classes and classes open to all skill levels can also be taken by those with a casual interest in improv.
You can find new and returning improv classes in the San Francisco area on CourseHorse. There, you’ll learn about the class content, schedule, and any additional fees. Introductory classes have been taught at various schools and theaters as have intermediate and advanced-level classes. Classes focusing on the fundamentals can be found as well as ones that focus on scene work, character development, and improvisational stage blocking.
Virtual Improv Classes
If you can’t attend an in-person improv class or if there are none offered in your area, consider signing up for a virtual improv class on CourseHorse.
Online improv classes can be taken from any interruption-free environment with a stable internet connection, including your home or office. Like in-person classes, virtual classes are taught by a live instructor who can answer your questions and provide you with constructive feedback.
Actor’s Improv Studio’s Online Improv class is open to all skill levels. This class stresses trusting your creative instincts to guide you through your acting. You’ll use improv as a tool to make strong and spontaneous choices. What you learn in this class should help you access your creativity in your personal and professional life.
Tuesday Improv is an online improv class offered by Kissin Improv. This class is ideal for beginners who are interested in one-on-one coaching. Participants will receive private or small group coaching in the fundamentals of improv for 50 minutes before the start of the class. Through this coaching, you’ll become more comfortable and familiar with improv before moving on to improv in a larger class setting.
Private Group Improv Classes in San Francisco
Is your business or organization interested in booking a private group improv class to help improve communication and teamwork? If so, CourseHorse has classes that they can deliver to you.
CourseHorse offers a virtual Team-Building Improv Workshop for groups of up to 40 people. In this class, your group will participate in improv games and exercises that are centered around improving listening, collaborating, and problem-solving. The goal is to take what you’ve learned in this class and transfer it to interactions and collaborations within a work setting.
Smaller groups can take CourseHorse’s Corporate Improv Workshop. This 60-minute class can accommodate up to 20 people. Like the team-building workshop, this class focuses on collaboration and problem-solving among small groups. This class stresses listening to others and learning how to go with the flow.
CourseHorse has a contact form on its website that you can use to reach out about other private improv classes they can offer you. You’ll be able to tell them about your group’s needs and interests to determine what type of improv class would best suit your group. CourseHorse also offers 20-minute demos for the price of $100. A demo will give you a rundown of how a class will go before you commit to it.
CourseHorse can accommodate small and large group sizes depending on the class. A class size limit will be stated on the class page. If you don’t know your group’s size at the time of booking, that’s okay. CourseHorse will let you book a class with the minimum class size, so long as you update your final headcount later. Once your final headcount has been provided, CourseHorse will collect your final payment.
CourseHorse does not charge booking fees and allows free cancellations up to two weeks before your class is scheduled. CourseHorse accommodates several online video platforms. They recommend using Zoom; however, if you provide the meeting details, your class may be taken using Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or WebEx.
