We daily host student groups from around the world for shows & workshops at our Times Square NYC theater and touring schools, community centers and family events. NYC DOE VENDORS
We start every session with our THREE #1s
- OUR #1 RULE: HAVE FUN But NEVER at Another’s Expense!
- IMPROV #1 RULE: YES! AND…YES = Accept everyone for who they are (how they talk, where they come from, how they dress, etc)AND = Bring your best work to the table with words and actions in support of your teamUnless actually under threat of physical, mental or emotional harm (NEVER say yes to that!) NO is the lazy or insecure choice.
- #1 SKILL IN COMEDY: LISTENINGListen with your eyes. Listen with the willingness to change!
THEN? We simply play…
To survive any improv comedy game, that’s all you need to know for now.
We start with basic ice breakers and warm up games. Next up, techinque building games. Finally we always include a mini master class on performance games.
A typical 2 hour workshop is enough for a school group to head back and start a club, with a few teams.
We also send teachers to schools for shows, workshops, residencies and professional development programming.
Contact us today for a free consultation, dates and rates:
WHY IMPROV COMEDY?
For a few, playing improv games is the goal. Its a ton of fun. They have zero alterior motives.
For future artists, Improv is a must. From comics to actors, novelists to playwrites to poets, and even painters and other fine art, Improv helps you develop your creative mind and the self confidence to present your work. We pull back the layers and break the elements of creative writing and performance to it’s basic elements.
For everyone else?
Improv is a must. In fact, I say thise that fear it or don’t understand it, NEED it the most.
We use improv in the corporate world to train team building, leadership, sales and customer service. It’s a powerful tool for getting all students excited about ELA, and other academics. It’s fun.
Often times, our students, those in residencies and after school programs, have higher attendance rates simply because they have a fun hour or two in their daily future.
We deconstruct Language Arts. In addition to theater, Improv is creative writing. Improv is self regulation. Improv is community. Improv is listening and focus. Improv is literacy.
We get students excited about language arts and being part of the community.
Imagine a music program that starts with rock and roll instead of Bach. Maybe we teach hip hop – country music if thats what’s hot in your community.
We can teach BACH music theory thru Elvis, Beatles, or even Beyonce. Same notes. Same chords. Same rhythms. A student that gets excited about the art form will seek out the classics.
I remember HATING Shakespeare and a lot of other classic, because the honors English program was so removed from the story and characters. But as an actor I discovered how amazing all stories are. I later rediscover Steinbeck, Great Expectation, Grapes of Wrath etc etc etc.
Improv teaches about characters, settings and plot. WHO WHERE WHAT. When yiur students go back to studying literature and dramatic writing, they will have a new appreciation for the work, and more so, the process of creating a work of fiction.
The original improv 4 Kids 