IMPROV COMEDY WORKSHOPS

“Leave Your Known Realm” with Liz Allen
Saturday, March 8th, 12pm to 3pm.  Cost: $55

Often improvisers get stuck in a scene, both when they feel it’s going well or poorly. If feel a transformation upon them — an impulse — it’s often resisted. Too risky to go far afield under any circumstance. This workshop covers the idea that despite how wonderful or rocky things seem they are going, trust the fruitfulness of leaving your known realm when a transformation beckons.

“Mine Those Feelings” with Liz Allen
Saturday, March 22nd, 12pm to 3pm.  Cost: $55

Often improvisers get stuck in a scene, both when they feel it’s going well or poorly. If feel a transformation upon them — an impulse — it’s often resisted. Too risky to go far afield under any circumstance. This workshop covers the idea that despite how wonderful or rocky things seem they are going, trust the fruitfulness of leaving your known realm when a transformation beckons.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Liz Allen has performed, coached, and directed improv for the past 32 years. In that span, she  performed with iO Chicago Theater’s house team “Frank Booth”, taking the first-ever long-form to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1995. At iO Chicago, Liz has taught Levels 1 through Advanced Harold, was Training Center Director for 3 years, and won the “Del Close Coach of the Year Award” three years in a row, and it was then renamed the “Liz Allen Excellence in Teaching Award.”

“2PROV” with Norm Holly
Sunday, March 9th, 12pm to 3pm.  Cost: $55

In this workshop, you will learn how to sustain and develop a two person scene from a simple 3 minute scene into a full 30 minute piece. Norm will also be providing heavily individualized notes.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Norm’s artistic experience includes 25 years as Artistic Director and Conservatory Head at The Second City in Chicago, where he was also a Resident Company and Touring Company Director and Harold Ramis Film School faculty member.

Norm is part of the Columbia College Comedy Studies faculty, the former Asst.Chairman of the Columbia College Theater Dept., and a founding member and Artistic Advisor of The Home Theater.

“Supple Spines” with Susan Messing
Sunday, March 16th, 12pm to 3pm.  Cost: $55

You’re playing the same person time and time again and feeling in a rut? Let’s stretch your character choices through organic physicality and put yourself back in the drivers seat. Major fun times for all levels.

“What Connects Us” with Susan Messing
Sunday, March 23rd, 12pm to 3pm.  Cost: $55

There is no worse feeling than having everyone before a show saying ‘got your back’ only to feel alone in a group of people. Instead of hoping for ‘group mind,’ this workshop gives you immediate tools to connect with those around you, so that you ultimately become an integral part of something magic. All levels.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Susan has been doing improv stuffs for almost 40 years. She is an alumna of the iO Theater, Second City’s Mainstage, a founding member of Chicago’s infamous Annoyance Theatre, and an  Artistic Advisor of The HOME Theater.

Susan created and has taught her unique curriculum at the iO, The iO West in Hollywood, The Annoyance, The Second City, and around the country.
Susan has also taught at Loyola University, DePaul University, The School at Steppenwolf, and is currently facilitating at The University of Chicago.
READ FULL BIO.