Improv Classes

Unleash your inner storyteller and captivate your audience, whether it’s in a professional setting, among friends and family, or on stage. Gain confidence and bring your stories to life. Share your unique narrative and make a lasting impression.

Learn the power of personal storytelling and the art of vulnerability in this fun 8-week class. Develop relatable, engaging, and entertaining personal stories from your life experiences. The workshop explores the art of oral storytelling, including story creation, enhancement, and presentation. You’ll learn simple, practical story guidelines and step-by-step tools to create honest and incredible stories.

Kent Whipple, founder of the storytelling program at Unexpected Productions Improv School, is the instructor. He teaches intro and advanced classes, is the narrative coach for the improv ensemble, and hosts Inside Story, a storytelling show. He was also featured on the PBS show, Stories from the Stage, showcasing the power of real stories told by masterful storytellers.

This workshop is suitable for novice storytellers, or to enhance the skills of a seasoned performer. Attendance at the first session is mandatory, as it sets the agenda for the entire class.

Skills taught in class include successful storytelling techniques, identifying story arcs, creating story stakes, identifying story-worthy material, and gaining audience trust. The objective is to create a stage-worthy story to be presented in front of a live audience.

Dates: 9/20-11/8. 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm skipping Labor Day weekend

NOTE: Attendance at the first session of your course is mandatory as it sets the agenda for the entire quarter. If you think you will have to miss the first class, please consider registering for the next time the class is offered.

Location: Market Theatre 1428 Post Alley Seattle 98101
Maximum Students: 12
Cost: $285
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 18+

This four-session course is designed to give improvisers space to practice simple acting techniques that help develop authenticity in improvised scenes and games. Bringing these skills to improv also builds connection between characters and helps form more compelling stories for the audience. We will practice staying present, look closely at moving from moment-to-moment, and make sure our actions allow space for reaction. Becoming aware of how we use our mind, our body, and our heart while improvising is essential. These skills are a must for improvisers who want to reach for more meaningful characters and stories.

Dates: 4 Tuesdays November 25, December 2, 9 and 16

Time: 7-9:30pm

Location: Unexpected Productions Improv School, Georgetown Studios, 650 South Orcas, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98108 https://goo.gl/CMCRQp

Maximum Students: 14

Cost: $150

Prerequisite: Improv 200 or equivalent or by teacher approval

Ages: 18+

Instructor:

Cynthia Lair began her life as an actress with a B.A. in theater. From there she became an acting apprentice at the Actors Theater of Louisville, followed by professional roles in regional theaters. After moving to NYC she continued her training with Uta Hagen and her performing with on-stage roles and on-camera roles in numerous national commercials. Some of her favorite theater roles, The Kathy & Mo Show, The Glass Menagerie, and Hard Times came after moving to Seattle. Her theater work combined with improv training has led to much fun in improvised plays such as Four Hearts, Shakespeare Unexpected, Atomic Sci Fi, A Shadow in the Doorway, and Austen Unbound. Cynthia has been an ensemble member and teacher at Unexpected Productions since 2015.