IMPROV TRAINING CENTER
The goal of iO West’s Training Center is to introduce performers to longform improvisation through iO’s signature form, The Harold.
Each level of iO West’s Improv Training program is designed to build upon the previous level of study, including the class performances in Levels 4, 5, 5B, & 6. Level 1 classes are open to all students, no audition is required. To enroll in Levels 2-6, students must have completed the previous level(s) within one year prior to enrollment.
Our current schedule can be viewed HERE.
REGISTRATION:
Please click here to read our policies regarding enrollment.
IMPROV CLASSES: Registration is currently open for all levels.
SESSION 4 : JULY-AUGUST 2009
Session begins 6/29 / Ends 7/23
**PLEASE NOTE: All SATURDAY classes will have their first class on SUNDAY 7/5 INSTEAD OF SAT 7/4 due to Independence Day, and will resume Saturday meeting on 7/11
LEVEL 1 IMPROV
Mon. 7-10 (Begins 6/29) – BRIDGET KLOSS (BB) Sold Out
Tues. 3-6 (Begins 6/30) – DAVE HILL (BB)
Wed 7-10 (Begins 7/1) – BRANDON SORNBERGER (BB) Sold Out
Sun 12-3 (Begins 7/5) – MARION OBERLE (BB)
LEVEL 2
Tues 7-10 (Begins 6/30) – AARON KREBS (BB) Sold Out
Thurs 7-10 (Begins 7/2) – SCOT ROBINSON (S2)
Sat 3-6 (Begins 7/5**) – DEREK MILLER (BB)
LEVEL 3
Mon 7-10 (Begins 6/29) – CRAIG CACKOWSKI (ADT) Sold Out
Wed 7-10 (Begins 7/1) – JIM WOODS (ADT)Sold Out
Sat 3-6 (Begins 7/5**) – SHULIE COWEN (ADT)
LEVEL 4
Tues 7-10 (Begins 6/30) – MIKE BERTRANDO (ADT) Sold Out
Sat 12-3 (Begins 7/5**) – JIM WOODS (ADT)
SHOWS: 7/12, 7/26, 8/9, 8/23 @ 6:30pm
LEVEL 5A
Sat 3-6 (Begins 7/5 **) – BRIDGET KLOSS (MS)
SHOWS: 7/5, 7/19, 8/2, 8/16 @ 6:30pm
LEVEL 5B
Thurs 7-10 (Begins 7/2) – CRAIG CACKOWSKI (ADT) Sold Out
Sun 3-6 (Begins 7/5) – CRAIG CACKOWSKI (ADT)
SHOWS: 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22 @ 9pm
LEVEL 6
Tues 7-10 (Begins 6/30) – IRENE WHITE (S2) Sold Out
Sat 12-3 (Begins 7/5**) – DEREK MILLER (MS)
SHOWS: 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23 @ 7pm
WORKSHOPS:
Screenwriting Workshop
Taught by John Hindman
Wednesdays 7-10pm
Begins 7/1 – Ends 7/22
$200.00
This workshop gives writers the tools you need to write a screenplay and also address some of the common pitfalls, mistakes, and miscalculations that writers make. Many great ideas never make it because the writer didn’t have a grasp on the basics of cinematic story telling and the art of screenwriting. Learn how to tell your story in just four weeks!
One Person Show Workshop
Taught by Molly Prather
6 weeks / Sundays 3-6pm
July 12 – Aug 23*
*(No class 8/16)
$275.00
Got a great idea for a one-person show that’s been stuck in your head? Need some tools to make your vision a reality? Feel like a solo-show is intimidating, overwhelming… nearly impossible? This workshop is for you! You will learn the art and skill of storytelling, develop your voice as a writer, and discover the structure that best fits YOUR show. Whether you’re interested in being the next Spaulding Grey monologist or John Leguizamo style character piece, your show will be unique and awesome! Shows developed in this workshop include Kinga Suto’s The D-Monster recently selected to be a part of the AFI Women’s Directors Workshop and Chris McGowan’s How to Kill a Nice Guy.
Harold 201: Advanced Harold
Taught by Levin O’Connor & Annie Hoff
4 Weeks / Thursdays 7-10pm
July 30 – August 20
$160.00
Do you feel trapped inside the Harold? Bogged down in with the form and not having any fun? Making choices out of obligation and not inspiration? It’s okay, you aren’t alone. We will show you the fundamentals needed to find your own voice inside of the form, help you put the joy and creativity back into your work and most importantly, help you do great work, consistently. This four-week workshop will focus on OPENINGS, THEMES and TRANSITIONS. All the basic tools you need to transcend the form and make the Harold your own, because great shows are way better than crappy ones.
The Art of Mimicry Improv Workshop
Taught by Brian O’Connell
4 Weeks / Sundays 12-3pm
July 12-Aug 2
$160.00
Get better at improv every day all by yourself.
This workshop focuses on developing an individually tailored improv “workout” program that can be done every day to improve your skill level and confidence.
Subjects covered but not limited to:
Speed & Clarity; The 10 Basic Questions of Every Scene; The 3 Basic Scene Types, Instant Character Composition, The G.I. Joe Theory of Improv and, of course, nuclear war!
A mathematical approach to improv for those who hate math!
Advanced Character Workshop
Taught by Dave Hill
3 Weeks / Sundays 11am-3pm
August 9-23
$160.00
Build solid characters in every scene, find new ways to discover & develop your improvised characters in Harolds and longforms. (Open to Alumni & current students in Improv Level 4 and higher, or with instructor permission)
WRITING CLASSES:
Pilot Writing
Taught by Michael McCarthy
Sundays 12-3pm – Begins 7/5
$325.00
Students write, edit, and complete an original script of a half-hour pilot. Class focuses on developing your story, structure, and tools for pitching, marketing, and selling your work. Includes in-class lecture, exercises, industry guest speakers, and out of class assignments. Create your very own TV pilot in just 8 weeks!
Saturday Night Live Portfolio
Taught by Michael McCarthy
Sundays 3-6pm – Begins 7/5
$325.00
Students create a state-of-the-art portfolio for submission to “Saturday Night Live,” including a cold opening, several monologues, a complete Weekend Update, several digital shorts, film and TV parody sketches, commercial parodies, existing character sketches, as well as the more abstract premises of relationship scenes, teaching scenes, and conceptual scenes. Over the course of eight weeks, the student’s portfolio is written and rewritten with an emphasis on better vs. best—with a live performance of the student’s material available. The eighth and final week is completely devoted to the mechanics of marketing.
Talk Show Writing
Taught by Michael McCarthy
Saturdays 12-3pm
Begins 7/11
$325.00
This 8 week workshop includes everything students need to create a talk show oriented writing portfolio: two-liners, topical joke writing, commentary monologues, character monologues, desk pieces, remote segments, audience interaction, and more. Students leave the course with a standard industry talk show portfolio suitable for submission to agents, producers, and network executives.
(BB) = Black Box Studio (Enter on Cosmo St, Upstairs)
(ADT) = Andy Dick Theatre (Enter Cosmo St.)
(S2) = Studio 2 Classroom (Enter Cosmo St.)
(MS) = Mainstage (Enter Hollywood Blvd.)
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR CLASSES
iO West’s internship program allows students to work at the theatre in exchange for improv classes.
If you are interested in an internship, please fill out an application and return to the iO West Office or Box Office.
Applications can also be emailed to james@ioimprov.com .
To download the Internship application Click Here
Internships are only available to currently enrolled students. Please call the Training Center with any additional questions!
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