- Harvest Festival
- We are doing an eight hour online festival on October 23! Apply now to be part of this! We want improv nerdy stuff! And dumb bit shows!
- Discord Server
- We have a server on the Discord chat service. To join, click here.
- Facebook Group
- We also have a Facebook group, you can see that here.
- Twitch Channel
- We also broacast class shows and other performances on our Twitch channel, see that here.
All Class Dates and Times are California Time (PDT)
Classes Taking Requests
Requests due end of Monday October 25
- Sunday November 7: The Glen
11am $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Jason Perez
5 classes, 1 show - Sunday November 7: Fundamentals: Say Yes, Be A Person
5pm $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Michelle Gilliam
5 classes, 1 show - Tuesday November 9: Create A Character
11am $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Michelle Gilliam
5 classes, 1 show - Tuesday November 9: Fundamentals: Welcome to Improv!
5pm $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Alex Berg
5 classes - Wednesday November 10: Monoscene
11am $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Julie Brister
5 classes, 1 show - Wednesday November 10: Improvised Sci-Fi (Advanced)
11am $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Will Hines
5 classes, 1 show - Wednesday November 10: Improvised Sci-Fi (Advanced)
5pm $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Will Hines
5 classes, 1 show - Wednesday November 10: Simplifying Game
5pm $250 USD (USD), Instructor: Sarah Claspell
5 classes, 1 show
(All times PDT - California time)
Alex Berg 2-Person Scene Workshop
PAY WHAT YOU CAN. Anything from zero to $40USD is fine. Description: A weekly workshop where Alex Berg works with students on 2-person scenes.
Starting Thu Oct 21 5pm (PDT) for 1 week
6 of 8 signed up
Write A Sketch
Sold Out! - We meet, pitch ideas, and write a sketch. You don't have to have an idea when we start. We'll cover: techniques for thinking of an idea, the "reveal" of the joke, the beats, and the button. Learn to appreciate your first drafts, flaws and all.
Starting Fri Oct 22 10am (PDT) for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
Heightening Through Support (Advanced)
Sold Out! - Walk-ons and tag-outs. We'll cover: joining team fool, knowing who you are, sharing focus on zoom, letting new games take over, history/philosophy/emotion. Must have at least two years of long-form experience to take this!
Starting Sun Oct 24 12pm (PDT) for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
Two Person Scenes With Notes
PAY WHAT YOU CAN. (Anything from zero to $40 is fine). 2 person scenes. Michelle will go over how to make your 2-person scenes stronger!
Starting Mon Oct 25 10am (PDT) for 1 week
0 of 8 signed up
Boost Your Improv Confidence
Sold Out! - Some of us feel we're shy improvisors, have trouble getting our ideas out clearly, are too polite, or just generally freeze up when we try to get that great idea from the opening into our scenes. Let's work on breaking through the nerves and bringing your best, confident self to your improv!
Starting Tue Oct 26 11am (PDT) for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
Communicating My Idea
Often times a scene doesn’t really take off because the improvisers aren’t on the same page. In this workshop we’ll work not only on clear idea communication, but also on support moves that then supports the agreed upon idea.
Starting Tue Oct 26 5pm (PDT) for 1 week
4 of 8 signed up
Online Improv Sampler
If you want to sample what improv is like or a veteran who has been resistant to online improv…try it in this "pay what you want" workshop. Two hours of simple reps and exercises to give you an idea of what an online improv class / improv show is like. Fun, easy and illuminating. Taught by Jason Perez, Artistic Director of the Edinburgh International Improv Festival, Co-Director of the Glasgow Improv Theatre, and one time child star in a Corey Feldman/Adam West horror film.
Starting Tue Oct 26 5pm (PDT) for 1 week
0 of 8 signed up
Accept Offers (Advanced)
Sold Out! - There is one game that exists in every long-form scene and that is the game of ACCEPTING OFFERS. We'll be strict about it and make sure you're getting all you can out of the most fundamental skill in improv: saying yes. Must have at least two years of improv experience to enroll.
Starting Wed Oct 27 10am (PDT) for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
Introduction to Macroscene
Sold Out! - Learn the basics of the Macroscene, which is basically a monoscene that shifts location as it goes. Sarah studied and performed this for years at UCB NY. This workshop will go over the basic form and give you some tips for doing it well.
Starting Thu Oct 28 11am (PDT) for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
Alex Berg 2-Person Scene Workshop
PAY WHAT YOU CAN. Anything from zero to $40USD is fine. Description: A weekly workshop where Alex Berg works with students on 2-person scenes.
Starting Thu Oct 28 5pm (PDT) for 1 week
7 of 8 signed up
Inanimate Object Improv
Sold Out! - Scenes where you play inanimate objects the whole time. Two bookends have a conversation. The teapot talks to the coffee maker. Learn how you make inhuman things human, and use that to make your "regular" scenes more lively! All experience levels welcome.
Starting Thu Oct 28 5pm (PDT) for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
No Jerks Allowed
Sold Out! - Team Ownership and support are vital in order to have a successful show. We will work on serving the team, the scene, and the game through supportive moves and learning when to stand down. If you want to serve yourself, go to a spa, in this class, No Jerks are allowed. NO SHOW FRIDAY NOV 26th
Starting Fri Oct 29 11am (PDT) for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
The Glen
A new form inspired by the PLAY Glengarry Glen Ross. We will be focusing on aspects of The Doc, scene painting, monoscene, and strong character play... Or as Stephen Sharp once said "...The Glen is taking mushrooms with Van Gogh with a paintball gun." As seen in the weekly WGIS show The Good Leads! MUST HAVE two years of long form improv experience or experience doing the Monoscene.
Starting Sun Nov 7 11am (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Sketch Writing
A new WGIS sketch writing class for advanced sketch students and brand new students alike. If you’re an experienced writer, come hone your craft. Learn new sketch technique, new styles, new formats. If you’re brand new, come learn how to take your fun idea and turn it into a stageable, shootable, performable sketch. Great for improv students who want to transition into writing. Whatever your background- the focus will be on writing in your voice. Take the stuff that YOU find funny and turn it into a great script. This is an active writing class. You’ll leave with at least two complete sketches by the end of the five weeks!
Starting Sun Nov 7 5pm (PDT) for 5 weeks
2 of 8 signed up
Fundamentals: Say Yes, Be A Person
Michelle Gilliam teaches the basics of long-form improv: saying yes, making active choices, playing to the top of your intelligence and being a real person while you do it! This is great for new -- even brand-new -- improvisers!
Starting Sun Nov 7 5pm (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Create A Character
Grow stronger as a performer by building a singular character you could perform in a sketch or in a show on its own! Michelle uses improv and empathy to find a character that YOU can play. The showcase is each student doing a solo piece with their character! Tough and fun -- this class will open you up as a performer and expand your range.
Starting Tue Nov 9 11am (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Emotional Heightening (Game)
In this six week course, learn how to use emotional choices to find and play the game of the scene. Using emotion makes your scenes more grounded, more relatable, and less likely to sputter out after a few clever moves. Focusing on the emotional reality of the scene also helps isolate premise from monologues, something else we'll be working on. This class focuses on fundamentals, but if you haven't done ANY improv before it might not be for you. NO CLASS MAY 31.
Starting Tue Nov 9 11am (PDT) for 6 weeks
2 of 8 signed up
Six Degrees of Separation
This two-session workshop will teach an improv form inspired by the 1990 play (and 1993 film) Six Degrees of Separation ˆby John Guare. As in the play, the form begins with a pair of characters telling a story directly to the audience. The story provides the form's "spine" from which we will cut back and forth to the action being described. (In this way it is similar to a Spokane/Pretty Flower but with more of a narrative aspect.) I think the direct address and rapid pace will work especially well on Zoom!
Starting Tue Nov 9 3pm (PDT) for 2 weeks
1 of 8 signed up
Fundamentals: Welcome to Improv!
Learn the basics of improv from saying yes, playing to the top of your intelligence, reacting honestly and taking inspiration from real life. Lotsa stuff. Fun, inspiring, eye-opening stuff. Great for beginners or even those who have never done it before.
Starting Tue Nov 9 5pm (PDT) for 5 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Monoscene
A monoscene is one long scene. The monoscene emphasizes grounded play, point of view, having relationships and histories with character as well as having good unusual things. Class show: a monoscene. Open to anyone with a year or more of long-form experience.
Starting Wed Nov 10 11am (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Improvised Sci-Fi (Advanced)
Robots, tech, evil governments, drugs and love: these will be our stories. You don't need to be an expert in any particular sci-fi but you should be a fan of the general vibe. Advanced improvisers who can handle complicated who-what-wheres a must. Four years of long-form experience recommended. 5 weeks and a show.
Starting Wed Nov 10 11am (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Improvised Sci-Fi (Advanced)
Robots, tech, evil governments, drugs and love: these will be our stories. You don't need to be an expert in any particular sci-fi but you should be a fan of the general vibe. Advanced improvisers who can handle complicated who-what-wheres a must. Four years of long-form experience recommended. 5 weeks and a show.
Starting Wed Nov 10 5pm (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Simplifying Game
Game of the scene puts you in your head? This class will get you out of your head permanently. Learn how to play game of the scene with simple approaches from an incredible teacher.
Starting Wed Nov 10 5pm (PDT) for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Better Scenes
Intermediate or higher experience level. Fundamentals through an advanced view: say yes, find a fool, heighten. Sounds simple -- and it can be -- but we will dive into advanced notes and techniques for making your scenes funnier and more relatable. FIVE WEEKS AND NO SHOW. SKIP 11/25
Starting Thu Nov 11 11am (PDT) for 5 weeks
3 of 8 signed up
What's Your Deal? - Individual Focus
A course that focuses on you. What is your deal, improv wise? Sarah helps you find your strengths, devises exercises for your weakness (including a series of "worst case scenario" improv challenges), and advice on getting yourself out there in scenes. FIVE WEEKS, NO SHOW, SKIP 11/25
Starting Thu Nov 11 11am (PDT) for 5 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
Better Scenes
Intermediate or higher experience level. Fundamentals through an advanced view: say yes, find a fool, heighten. Sounds simple -- and it can be -- but we will dive into advanced notes and techniques for making your scenes funnier and more relatable. FIVE WEEKS AND NO SHOW. SKIP 11/25.
Starting Thu Nov 11 5pm (PDT) for 5 weeks
2 of 8 signed up
Buy the Book
If the workshops are sold out, you could buy "How to Be the Greatest Improviser on Earth" written by Will Hines, the founder of this school. Print and digital versions on Amazon.