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

Improv Date Night Worksh0p 11/11/23 3:00pm-5:30pm

Date Night is an entertaining improv workshop and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon as a couple! Come to Unexpected Productions’ Market Theatre in the heart of romantic Pike Place Market for a two-and-a-half-hour fun-filled improv workshop. Then enjoy a discounted pizza with our excellent culinary neighbor, The Alibi Room.

Learn to play fun improv games together with other couples. The fundamental concept of improv is the practice of being present and available to your scene partner, using the rule that if your scene partner looks good you do too. This exercise in listening, creativity, and spontaneity is not only an art form but also an adventure in teamwork, communication, and hilarity. Two and a half hours of laughs and learning with your significant other for a Saturday to remember. All for just $50 for each person. Each couple will receive a pass for free to come to a show of their choice in the future at Unexpected Productions.

Date: 11/11

Time: 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Location: Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101 https://goo.gl/maps/2Um6WUNx8L42

Maximum Students: 10 couples

Cost: $100 per couple

Prerequisite: All levels welcome

Teacher Bio: Sara McMahon Improviser/Teacher/Facilitator

For the last 15 years, Sara has been performing and teaching around the Seattle area. She has facilitated workshops for elementary, middle, and high schools, tech companies, company retreats, parent-child improv nights, and even mock trial teams. She tailors each workshop to the needs of the attendees, maximizing fun and connection. She believes that empathy is at the heart of both great improv and great relationships.

Improv is a collaborative art form. It’s all about saying Yes, and… to your partner and making them look good. By investing your time together in this workshop, you will find pathways to deepen your bond and foster an environment of openness, listening, playfulness, creativity, and relationship resilience,” Sara McMahon.

NOTE: Please note that this class has a great deal of movement and action. Please dress accordingly and bring a bottle of water. Allow time for parking and traffic. The Market is a busy place!

**Cancellation policy: We are unable to offer refunds.

Improvisation as Superfood with Joe Guppy, M.A. 11/30 7:00 pm -9:30 pm 

Superfoods—such as blueberries and dark chocolate—are fun to eat and good for you. Improvisation games are fun to play and excellent for your mental and physical health.Joe will lead a variety improv exercises—from group warm-ups to basic scene work—each followed by an exploration of their mental and physical health benefits. For example, poor mental health often brings isolation. Improvisation invites fun encounters and lively interactions with others. Poor physical health often equates with a sedentary life. Improvisation encourages physical movement and healthy breathing. Joe will also give info on current brain science to illustrate how improv challenges our minds to explore new connections.

(While this workshop deals in part with the topic of mental and physical wellness, it is not group therapy and no health claims are made. The workshop is intended to be fun and educational.)

Skills offered in class: How to lead the brain to form energizing new neural pathways. How to support others through listening and responding affirmatively. How to “fail” gracefully and avoid negative mental loops.

Date: 11/30

Time: 7-9:30pm

Location: Unexpected Productions School of Improv, 650 S Orcas St, Suite 101, Seattle, WA, 98108

Maximum Students: 15

Prerequisite: None

Teacher Bio: Joe Guppy, M.A., is an original founding member of Unexpected Productions’ Theatresports , a founder of the Seattle improv group, The Off the Wall Players, and former head writer/ performer for KING-TV’s comedy show Almost Live, where he won eight northwest Emmy awards. He’s worked in Los Angeles as a television writer/performer and been a Seattle-area psychotherapist and group leader. He’s taught many workshops on improvisation, meditation, and mental wellness.

Fundamentals of Improvised Hip Hop  Winter 1/6/24 – 2/10/24

Creating Stage-worthy Stories – Narrative Storytelling Winter   1/6-2/10

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 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 Over the Rainbow Storytelling.

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