The Classes

beginning improv

This is a gentle and super fun introduction to the world of improv. We focus on games and exercises designed to get us out of our judging minds and into a state of flow, and start exploring scenework while learning the basic elements that make improv work.

You can be an absolute beginner, you can even be scared and learn quickly that you don’t need to be. You don't have to consider yourself “naturally” quick, funny or outgoing to do improv, all you need to do is show up and surprise yourself by watching your confidence grow.

next steps

Here we start cementing the principles you learned in the beginning series: listening, saying yes to things, dropping your agenda and staying in the moment, and so on. We start exploring the physicality of improv and what goes into creating characters.

We also go deeper into what makes for a promising scene start and why some scenes flow and others are more challenging to navigate.

All while still being playful and growing trust and connection with the rest of the class.

scenework I-III

Now we focus on scenes, what makes them work, what makes them better. We grow more of an editing eye and also delve deeper into character work: becoming other people with their own points of view and behaviors as well as physicalities.

There are not specific lesson plans for these scenework classes as they shift and evolve depending on the participants, what they’d like to work on and what the instructor thinks would be fitting.

Longform improv may be explored, a deep dive into character, or even acting for improv.

Improv might not be what you think it is.

The most common misconceptions about improv are that you have to think fast, be clever and be a total extrovert. Not true! What actually makes improv work is listening, accepting one another’s offers and learning when to let go of your agenda. Our classes communicate why these simple, learnable skills can lead to magic.

“Wow, and thank you. I was hoping for and expecting fun. But not that much!” — Shyama B.

“Laura creates a rich “safe” environment where the foundational skills of improv can be learned while everyone in class is having a blast playing together. — Sheridith M.

“What a great class! I wish I had signed up years ago but I was too chicken! [Laura] creates a very safe and comfortable container to learn improv. After [my classes] I noticed areas of my life in which I had previously felt nerves when being in front of a group had shifted due to the exercises we had done in Laura’s class. That was an unexpected benefit I was excited to receive. If you are on the fence...DO IT! You won’t regret it! — Janine B.

“She builds upon the fundamentals and really teaches us the ins and outs of improv. I am being challenged while also having the best time of my life.” — Kate P.

“I really have enjoyed getting to know all of you as well as getting to know myself more through improv!! Priceless. Can’t wait to start again.” — Andy B.