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 9/21

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, 9/21- 11/9. 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+

Teacher Bio:

Kent is a masterful storyteller and teacher. He is the founder of the storytelling program at Unexpected Productions Improv School, Seattle, WA, where he serves as a narrative coach for the ensemble and teacher of intro and advanced storytelling classes; he has inspired countless students to find their unique voices and craft compelling stories. He is also the story coach for Ignite Seattle. Kent’s achievements include winning the first Moth StorySLAM he attended, being the Moth GrandSLAM winner in March 2023, and being named Best of Bawdy Storyteller for 2019 by an audience vote and a featured teller three times on the Risk podcast. In March of 2022, he was featured on the PBS show, Stories from the Stage, which illustrates the power of real stories told by masterful storytellers and is produced by WORLD Channel in collaboration with GBH. Kent is an accomplished educator and consultant with extensive experience teaching the art of storytelling to diverse audiences, including medical school students, corporate teams, and communication professionals. With a proven track record of success, he has worked with reputable organizations such as the University of Washington Medical School, Yelp, Microsoft, and WE Communications, earning accolades for his innovative teaching methods and insightful guidance. Whether delivering workshops or one-on-one coaching, Kent is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses harness the power of storytelling to achieve their goals. As the Seattle Producer for the Story Collider, he produces four shows annually, and he has taught workshops for the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the University of Idaho – Boise.

Kent is a thought leader in the art of storytelling and has appeared on various podcasts Pre-Accident Investigations Podcast and KUOW.

He holds a B.A. in Arts Administration from the College of Santa Fe. He has mentored with Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones; studied with Larry Rosen, The Moth; Kevin Allison, Risk! Podcast; Margot Leitman, author of Long Story Short: The Only Storytelling Guide You Will Ever Need; Matthews Dicks, author of Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling; and Joan Logghe – Poet Laureate of New Mexico.

He is an active member of the storytelling community in the PNW and has performed at events such as The Moth, Story Collider, Fresh Ground Stories, the Intersections Festival, Bawdy Storytelling, Bad Date Storytelling, and Under the Rainbow Storytelling.

Improvised Shakespeare Workshop Level 1, with Alan Hawkins, Sunday, September 22

Discover the world of the Elizabethan theatre even if you have never seen or read a single play by William Shakespeare. This workshop will explore the techniques and approaches that will help you paint with all of the colors of the world’s most recognized playwright. Students will improvise scenes, perform monologues and play games based around the exercises in this workshop.
Date: Sunday 9/22
Time: 10:30 – 3pm with a half hour lunch
Location: 5700 6th Ave S Suite 109 Seattle 98108
Maximum Students: 16
Cost: $130.00
Prerequisite: Improv 100
Teacher Bio: Alan Hawkins Improviser/Teacher/Facilitator
Alan Hawkins is an improviser from Los Angeles and Chicago. He has been performing, directing, and teaching theater and improv since 2004. Alan is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory, The Second City Musical Conservatory, The iO West Program, The Chicago Comedysportz Training Center, and The Annoyance program. He has been fortunate enough to participate in many festivals across the US with the three-man group Extra Shelves and has been a guest player with Grand Theft Improv in London, UK. He was also an instructor and director for the Teen Comedy Festival in Chicago. Alan is an ensemble member of Unexpected Productions, the longest-running Theatersports theater in America. He’s also the author of the book “YOU CAN’T LEARN IMPROV FROM A BOOK.”

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