Improv Classes

In this fun and exciting interactive process, you will gain self-confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and learn the type of teamwork necessary to create something original and brilliant from scratch. Right from the start, our students are on their feet exploring hilarious exercises and skill-driven games in an incredibly supportive and fun environment under the guidance of our caring and experienced faculty,

Unexpected Productions’ teachers instruct the basics of improv, which are not only useful to improvisers, but to anybody wanting to work with others, as a member of a team, as an effective communicator, as a good listener, or simply as a friend!

All 100-600 classes are for ages 18+. Get ready to:

• Discover the joy of spontaneous storytelling
• Conquer fears
• Improve your job skills
• Spark creativity
• Meet people/make new friends
• Become a better listener
• Be a better problem solver
• HAVE A BLAST

Our celebrated education program is the most established improv school in the region. We host classes online. We offer 6 levels of classes with 4 quarters a year. We also offer specialty improv classes, storytelling, sketch and stand-up comedy classes from renowned teachers from around the globe.

Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater

1428 Post Alley
Seattle, WA 98101

The Improv School – Georgetown Studios

650 South Orcas, Suite 101
Seattle WA 98108

Stage-Worthy Personal Stories with Kent Whipple Starting 1/4

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, which showcases the power of real stories told by masterful storytellers.

This workshop is suitable for novice storytellers or for enhancing the skills of a seasoned performer. Attendance at the first session is mandatory, as it sets the agenda for the entire class. Please ensure you are vaccinated and bring proof of vaccination to show your instructor at your first 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: Eight (8) Saturdays. 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm,

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: 285.00 ($297.13 including fees)

Prerequisite: None

Ages: 18+

Acting for Improvisers with Cynthia Lair  starting 1/5

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: Jan 5, 12, 19 and 26

Time:11:30am – 2pm

Location: Unexpected Productions Improv School, Georgetown Studios, 650 South Orcas, Rm 217 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.

Fundamentals of Improvised Hip Hop with Dre Anderson starting 1/7

Take an introduction to the foundations of Hip-Hop class to expand your improv skill set. Learn how to incorporate rhythm and poetry into your improv scenes with ease.

Improv games serve as gateways to the Five Pillars of Hip-Hop, teaching students how to create entirely improvised hip-hop songs. By combining fundamentals of improv with free-styling, beat-boxing, and crowd techniques, students gain a deeper understanding of hip-hop and how to use these elements to enhance scene work and have fun on stage.

Dates: 6 Tuesdays

Time: 7-9:30 pm

Location: 650 S Orcas Suite 101, Seattle 98108

Maximum Students: 14

Cost: $275

Prerequisite: Improv 100 or equivalent or by teacher approval

Ages: 18+

Instructor: Dre Anderson

Unexpected Productions’ ensemble member, Dre Anderson is excited to teach Fundamentals of Improvised Hip Hop at the Improv School. With over a decade of experience collaborating with Seattle artists, Dre enjoys sharing his love for freestyle and technique to help others unlock their potential. As co-director of An Improvised Hip Hopera and performer at Unexpected Productions, Dre combines improvisation with hip-hop to create original songs, characters, and stories. When not on the Unexpected Productions’ stage you’ll see Dre working in the community as a teaching artist for Seattle Theatre Group and Seattle Children’s Theater and operating cameras for Pacific Northwest Theatre Associates.

When not on the Unexpected Productions’ stage you’ll see Dre working in the community as a teaching artist for Seattle Theatre Group and Seattle Children’s Theater and operating cameras for Pacific Northwest Theatre Associates.

NOTE: Please note that this class has a great deal of movement and action. Please dress accordingly and bring a bottle of water.

**Cancellation policy: If you must cancel before the first class, we offer credit only towards a future class. We are unable to offer refunds. You must cancel 72 hours before the first class. If you cancel after the first class, we will not offer credit toward a future class. Again, we are unable to offer refunds.

Why Improv for Teens? In Youthprov, students learn the fundamentals of good improvisation through games and exercises. The games are fun and entertaining but they are also a creative process that encourages support, active listening being present, and intelligent risk-taking on and off the stage.
We help teens build self-confidence, public speaking ability, and cooperation all while having a blast! Our classes boost our student’s confidence, curiosity, and creativity.

Improv teaches us to accept mistakes as gifts and communicate thoughts and ideas more effectively. AND, LIKE WE MENTIONED… IT’S FUN!

The focus is on creating ensemble work in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Students have a blast, make friends and gain incredible life skills.

Students take classes to:
• Improve listening skills
• Improve their public presentation skills
• Gain amazing teaming skills
• Overcome shyness
• Build confidence
• Improve communication skills
• Think on their feet
• Take intelligent risks
• Come out of their shell
• Have a safe place to take risks