- Monday Matinee
- Every Monday 4pm-6pm PDT, Will Hines "hosts" 3-4 improv groups from WGIS and elsewhere. Always ends with the HOW WAS YOUR WEEK crew doing a set! More shows on the shows page.
- 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)
The Harold
SIX WEEKS plus show. We learn the classic improv structure The Harold, with an emphasis on initiating scenes that have games. We go over: first beats, second beats, group scenes and third beat connections. Class show: A Harold.
Starting Mon Jul 5 10am for 7 weeks
7 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.
Starting Mon Jul 5 11am for 6 weeks
0 of 8 signed up
La Ronde
The La Ronde is a fundamental form which is a) satisfying and fun to perform and b) well suited to doing improv via video chat. What could possibly be better? Learning the La Ronde will help train you to choose characters that are unique yet flexible, as well as hone your edits to a razor's edge. PLUS, everything FEELS because the title is in French!
Starting Mon Jul 5 5pm for 6 weeks
7 of 8 signed up
Improv Deep Dive
Sold Out! - We focus on different improv strengths each week. By the end you'll have a great toolbox of improv skills. Some topics are: listening, being present, having fun and more! Learn from one of the best improvisers in the country!
Starting Tue Jul 6 11am for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Initiations!
Sold Out! - This is a five week class on starting scenes strongly. It goes over much more than initiations. Subjects include: pulling premise, starting with agreement, emotional choices, philosophizing and second beats! Sarah Claspell is a master teacher and performer from UCB doing this special class at WGIS!
Starting Tue Jul 6 11am for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Emotional Heightening (Game)
Sold Out! - NO CLASS JULY 13. 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 Jul 6 4pm for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Better Scenes
Sold Out! - Intermediate or higher experience level. These are the fundamentals through an advanced view: find a game, ground it, heighten it. Sounds simple -- and it can be -- but we will dive into advanced notes and techniques for making your scenes funnier and more relatable.
Starting Tue Jul 6 5pm for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Better Scenes
Sold Out! - Intermediate or higher experience level. These are the fundamentals through an advanced view: find a game, ground it, heighten it. Sounds simple -- and it can be -- but we will dive into advanced notes and techniques for making your scenes funnier and more relatable.
Starting Wed Jul 7 11am for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Better Scenes
Sold Out! - Intermediate or higher experience level. These are the fundamentals through an advanced view: find a game, ground it, heighten it. Sounds simple -- and it can be -- but we will dive into advanced notes and techniques for making your scenes funnier and more relatable.
Starting Wed Jul 7 5pm for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Simplifying Game
Sold Out! - 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 Thu Jul 8 11am for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
Alex Berg 2-Person Scene Workshop
Sold Out! - 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 Jul 8 5pm for 1 week
8 of 8 signed up
Will Hines 2-Person Scene Workshop
Sold Out! - PAY WHAT YOU CAN. (Anything from zero to $40 is fine). 2 person scenes. We will go over how to make your 2-person scenes stronger! We'll probably focus on ACCEPTING OFFERS and BEING THE FOOL. But no promises.
Starting Fri Jul 9 10am for 1 week
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."
Starting Sat Jul 10 11am for 6 weeks
6 of 8 signed up
Monoscene
Sold Out! - 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 Sun Jul 11 5pm for 6 weeks
8 of 8 signed up
The Slacker
'The Slacker' is a format where improvisers only use tag-outs to transition to new scenes. Great for improvisers who want to work on comedic timing, quickly identifying 'the game of the scene', world building, heightening, and fully exploring the notion of "if this is true, what else is true".
Starting Mon Jul 12 1pm for 6 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.