Improv Classes

Big City Improv offers a variety of on-going classes in short-form improvisation. Short-form improv is basically a series of 3-4 minute games based on audience suggestions. Games may include singing, gibberish, timed-games, games with a secret or games using audience volunteers.  

Intro to Comedy Improv - Taught by Rebecca Poretsky
A five-week class for the improv-curious, improv-rusty or anyone else who feels as though a weekly evening of play would do him or her some serious good.  Whether you are a seasoned performer, or have never been on stage in your life, this class will offer a supportive environment and structure which aims to leave you with the fundamental skills needed to create enjoyable and entertaining improv.  The class will cover the basic “rules” and philosophies of improv comedy and will introduce the novice player to a number of games and exercises, focusing on the “short-form” improv comedy structure which Big City Improv regularly performs.  You’ll learn tools and tactics which can help you be more confident and spontaneous in your life.  You’ll learn an art form that embraces the bizarre and the imperfect.  You’ll learn how to create strong characters without costumes and believable settings where others just see a blank stage.  Most importantly, we will have a lot of fun! Classes will meet once weekly for 5 weeks, from 3:00-6:00 pm, Saturday afternoons (May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24 and May 31) at the Shelton Theater near Union Square in San Francisco. Cost is $150. For any questions or to register, email Rebecca at rporetsky@yahoo.com

Intermediate Comedy Improv - Taught by Rebecca Poretsky
Pre-requisite: Intro to Improv with Big City Improv, or comparable completion of an introductory class elsewhere. This class will delve deeper into refining scene work, narrative skills, and character development. We will also continue to work on saying “yes”, honing space-object work skills and increasing awareness of stage blocking. We will focus on taking your improv abilities to the next level in addressing both your individual needs as budding improvisors, as well as pursuing a sense of group cohesion. This 5 week class will meet Monday nights from 7-10 pm (April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26) at the Off-Market Theater, San Francisco. Cost is $175.For any questions or to register, email Rebecca at rporetsky@yahoo.com

About Rebecca Poretsky:
Rebecca, a member of BCI since 2004, previously improvised with her college group, the SIKOS (Smith Improv Komedy Organization of Smith.)  She has performed and/or taught with both the Bread and Puppet Theater and the San Francisco Mime Troupe and encourages everyone to participate in theater that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  She strongly believes that everyone could benefit from learning improv skills, especially people who spend most of their days wearing neckties or who get impatient with waitresses.  She is a seasoned teacher in various settings and can not wait to teach improv to her students, who will surely be inordinately talented, kind and funny.