Initiating Scenes & Plotless Improv (2023-3)

Take away the pressure of having to think up the entire premise of your scene BEFORE you initiate. That’s not improv. That’s invention. Improv is about cooperation and discovery. Learn from 30-year improv veteran and pioneer Rich Talarico who co-created shows like Dasariski, Trio, and the Close Quarters form. Rich also performed The Harold for 10 years at iO (Improv Olympic) and co-created five original sketch revues as a resident member of Second City, Chicago.   Abandon the flamethrower method of starting a scene. Learn the two-sticks rubbing together method to light the fire of scene and character discovery. With a focus on group mind, small thankless moves, and cooperation & discovery, you’ll learn to create and sustain strong, smart, funny scenes. Walk the plotless path. “We don’t serve plot, plot serves us.” Meditations and group mind exercises will help you realize that –everything that happens in improv is either an obstacle or an opportunity. The choice is yours. Jump and the net will appear. — More at richtalarico.com  Open to all experience levels This is a 4-week class Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately Fridays 6:30-9:30 pm starting May 12th (Class will be held May 12 & 19 and June 2 & 9) at Third Coast Comedy Club.

Musical Improv 1, Saturdays @ 12pm (2023-3)

This class is designed to raise the student’s comfort level while performing improvised songs. Emphasis is on phrasing, song structure, heightened emotional commitment, background support, and song styles.Pre-requisite: Third Coast Improv Level 4 All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Saturdays 12:00-3:00 p.m. starting May 13th (Session 3 runs from May 12 – July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club.

Improv Level 6, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm (2023-3)

Part workshop, part performance, this class serves as the culmination of your training. Time spent in class will be spent developing and rehearsing a fully improvised show. This class features three performances in front of friends, family, and strangers. ​ All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Tuesdays @ 6:30-9:30 pm starting May 16th (Session 3 runs from May 12 – July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club. ***Showcases: Sundays, July 16-30 @ 6 PM***

Improv Level 5, Wednesdays @ 6:30pm (2023-3)

Long form improvisation is a series of improvised scenes that prioritizes teamwork, emotional honesty, and patience. Unlike short form improv, which employs multiple fast & funny games, long form improv often focuses on creating a series of thematically-related scenes or an improvised play. Here you will learn to weave a single suggestion into a spontaneous one-of-a-kind piece of theatre. Students will study numerous essential long form structures and techniques, creating authentic and hilarious characters and storylines. All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Wednesdays @ 6:30-9:30 pm starting May 17th (Session 3 runs from May 12 – July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club.

Improv Level 4, Wednesdays @ 6:30pm (2023-3)

Once the basics have been introduced we’ll want to move into group play as it’s part of what makes improvisation so electric. Give and take, balance, tempo, repetition, the discovery and constant unfurling of the moment—the stuff that might very well take you out of your comfort zone (which is OK). All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Wednesdays @ 6:30-9:30pm starting May 17th (Session 3 runs from May 12 – July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club.

Improv Level 3, Thursdays @ 3:15pm (2023-3)

Students will explore the world of short-form improv: well-defined games that provide a structure within which to improvise. Scenic, narrative, time-based, guessing, the list goes on. Short-form builds on the fundamentals learned and helps in honing specific skills. Always a crowd-pleaser, this level will include a showcase. All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Thursdays @ 3:15-6:15 pm starting May 18th (Session 3 runs from May 12-July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club. ***Showcase: Sunday, July 23rd @ 8 PM***

Improv Level 3, Mondays @ 6:30pm (2023-3)

Students will explore the world of short-form improv: well-defined games that provide a structure within which to improvise. Scenic, narrative, time-based, guessing, the list goes on. Short-form builds on the fundamentals learned and helps in honing specific skills. Always a crowd-pleaser, this level will include a showcase. All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Mondays @ 6:30-9:30 pm starting May 15th (Session 3 runs from May 12-July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club. ***Showcase: Sunday, July 23rd @ 8 PM***

Improv Level 3, Sundays @ 12pm (2023-3)

Students will explore the world of short-form improv: well-defined games that provide a structure within which to improvise. Scenic, narrative, time-based, guessing, the list goes on. Short-form builds on the fundamentals learned and helps in honing specific skills. Always a crowd-pleaser, this level will include a showcase. All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Sundays @ 12:00-3:00 pm starting May 14th (Session 3 runs from May 12-July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club. ***Showcase: Sunday, July 23rd @ 8 PM***

Improv Level 2, Fridays @ 3pm (2023-3)

Deep dive into character work, scene mechanics, and in particular, acting. Grounded, well-acted scene work provides the context for finding, exploring, and heightening patterns. All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Fridays @ 3:00-6:00 pm starting May 12th (Session 3 runs from May 12-July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club.

Improv Level 2, Saturdays @ 12pm (2023-3)

Deep dive into character work, scene mechanics, and in particular, acting. Grounded, well-acted scene work provides the context for finding, exploring, and heightening patterns. All classes are 3 hours long and each level lasts 8 weeks. Students receive free admission to most improv shows at the theater all session long. Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the level. Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately. Saturdays @ 12:00-3:00 pm starting May 13th (Session 3 runs from May 12-July 18 with no classes May 26-30 and June 28-July 4) at Third Coast Comedy Club.