Have fun learning the art of comedy!

This eight-week class addresses one of the most common hurdles for improv students: how do I find and play the game of the scene? The concept of “game” can sometimes feel intangible so this class focuses on identifying and naming games and patterns within your scenework. IMPROV 103: Game and Pattern will give you the tools you need to kick up any short form game or long form set you perform. Because this class is an optional component of our core improv curriculum, it also serves as a great refresher for any improvisers looking to get back in the classroom or revisit skills in their comedy toolkit. You’ll leave this class with tried-and-true formulas to guarantee laughs and push your improv comedy to the next level.

This eight-week course focuses on one of the most critical elements of great improv comedy, which is scenework. Learning to trust yourself, as well as your scene partner, is the first step. Building on the skills learned in IMPROV 101: Foundations, you'll cover techniques on starting scenes with decisive initiations and confident stage presence. Concepts like "agreement" and "group mind" will be pushed to the next level as you explore character development and emotional investment within games and scenes. IMPROV 102: Scenework concludes with a class show where you'll get the chance to show off your newfound skills in building strong comedic scenes.

An improv duo: just you and your partner on stage with no limit to the success you'll discover together! This eight-week comedy course is an opportunity to advance your one-on-one interplay, whether you're an existing comedy pair looking to advance your skills or a brand new duo looking to get started improvising together. IMPROV DUOS will let students discover their duo's distinct personality by learning various long form improv structures tailored for two players. This advanced improv comedy course culminates in a class show on the Arcade stage! *NOTE: All duos looking to take the IMPROV DUOS course must register individually; you will be asked the name of your IMPROV DUOS partner upon registration.

Whether you're a beginner looking to explore improv comedy for the first time, an adventurer looking for new skills to acquire, or someone just looking to get out of their own head, this class is for you! In this six-week class, you'll learn new skills through improvisational comedy games and exercises. Alongside your fellow classmates, you’ll focus on agreement and extension or “Yes, And”, as well as "group mind", and basic environment and object work, all while in a supportive and playful environment. IMPROV 101: Foundations culminates with a class show performed on the Arcade stage!

Have you ever wanted to try writing sketch comedy but weren't sure how to start? Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned writer looking to learn a new form, or a creative looking to refocus your technique in an encouraging, collaborative atmosphere, this class is for you. SKETCH 101 focuses on the fundamentals of sketch comedy writing, including idea generation, brainstorming, comic premises and sketch structure. On the last night of class, students can invite family and friends to an open rehearsal and observe a sketch comedy director stage your material with a cast of local actors and comedians. We recommend you bring a notebook or laptop for in-class exercises and writing assignments.

This eight-week comedy course will introduce advanced long form improv students to "JTS Brown," an improv structure developed by the legendary comedy troupe of the same name in the late 1990's. The captivating comedy show structure relies on a deep well of specific "devices" that create an improv form that appears formless. This challenging and abstract form yeilds unparalleled group collaboration and unique creative opportunities for exploration of character and game. IMPROV 302: JTS Brown culminates in a class show where you'll get the chance to amaze an audience with your newfound skills.

Have you ever wanted to try stand-up comedy but weren't sure where to start? This class is for you! You'll learn exercises, tools, and techniques for generating ideas and writing jokes. This class explores a wide variety of stand-up comedy styles and you'll extract lessons that can be incorporated into your act, all in a supportive and fun classroom environment. As you prepare your act and learn how to analyze and improve your performance, you'll cover on-stage mechanics and comedy community etiquette. After discovering and developing your personal comedy voice, this eight-week course culminates in a class show on the Arcade stage!

This eight-week advanced comedy course is a brand new offering from Arcade Academy! ACCENTS AND DIALECTS (Europe) is part of a series of accent and dialect technique classes featruing voices from the all over the world. Improv comedy students and sketch comedy actors will learn the fundamentals of voice and speech from three European regions: France, Germany, and Russia. Students will have the opportunity to work on both scripted and improvised scenes and monologues that highlight these unique vocal performance styles. ACCENTS + DIALECTS (Europe) culminates in a class show filled with long form improv, short form improv, and scripted comedy, all with a European twist.

Embracing improvisation is not just enjoyable but crucial for ongoing personal and professional growth. It promotes creativity, resilience, and satisfaction in the workplace and is essential for navigating complex challenges with innovation and enthusiasm. Unlike our regular six-week IMPROV 101: Foundations class, which meets three hours a week and culminates in a class show for family and friends, this five-week course is a streamlined two-hour weekly session that applies the foundations of improvisation directly to the workplace rather than the stage. Improv for Professionals enriches the essential skills vital for success in dynamic environments, such as Public Speaking, Flexibility, Handling Conflict, Taking Risks, Listening, Communicating, Creative Thinking and Collaboration. This course is for individual registration only. Groups or organizations with six or more participants can customize scheduling, session days, and duration to align with their corporate calendars, fostering team cohesion and maximizing learning outcomes through our Private Workshops and Events. Find out more about scheduling your own private workshop via https://www.arcadecomedytheater.com/hire/ Individuals employed by a non-profit organization receive an additional discount on registration. Email the Arcade Academy Director (academy@arcadecomedytheater.com) for your Non-Profit Promo Code before registration to get your discount.

Producing Comedy is a two-week introductory class designed for anyone curious about what goes into creating and running live comedy shows. Through a mix of theory, discussion, and hands-on practical skills, students will explore the fundamentals of producing stand-up, sketch, or improv comedy entertainment. This will include show development, logistical planning, communication and collaboration skills, and other best practices for creating a strong audience and performer experience. Whether you are interested in launching your own project in the future or simply want to better understand the behind-the-scenes work that makes live comedy happen, this class is a supportive entry point. This class is also an intended pathway toward future intermediate producer training at Arcade Academy.