WHY IMPROV?
“Improv has allowed my children to grow comfortable and confident on stage and learn to listen to the other actors. They laugh and enjoy themselves completely. Jordan’s infectious laughter and kind nature allow the children to feel the freedom to take risks during games while learning not to shut others down. Aaron has taught my older child how to dig deeper into an improv scene and think quickly on her feet. I recommend Playgrounded improv for all ages and skills, my children look forward to it all week!”
IMPROV IS THE ART OF CREATING THEATER ON THE SPOT.
Working together, players learn how to discover scenes and characters that have never existed before, and will never exist again. In our classes, we teach and practice the skills that help players do this successfully every time they perform.
All improv, no matter what form it takes, revolves around the central idea of “Yes, and…” At Playgrounded, we believe this means embracing others’ ideas and activating them—we’re here to play. Our classes use theater games and focused acting exercises to hone each player’s ownership of this core belief. We explore a variety of skills including active listening, hard support, honest emotional response, and intelligent engagement that empower our students to become well-rounded players who carry a solid theoretical understanding of improv, a well-stocked tool belt of theatrical skills, and ownership of their individuality.
IMPROV IS A TEAM SPORT, JUST LIKE BASKETBALL OR SOCCER. (NO ATHLETIC TALENT NEEDED.)
In class, players drill improv skills so that they become second nature. This allows them to bond with their peers while they learn to develop their unique comedic voices. Unlike standup, which relies heavily on making jokes to get laughs, improv’s comedy stems from the relationship between players in a scene. Improv teams don’t have stars; rather they succeed as a collective. Good improvisers are excellent actors who make their scene partners look great!
PLAYGROUNDED BELIEVES THAT KIDS ARE AWESOME.
We applaud bravery and risk-taking, promote generosity, and are devoted to creating kind, safe environments where everyone feels comfortable to discover and share what makes them amazing. In our classes, the things that make us different are the things that help us succeed.
We hope you’ll join us to check out what makes improv one of the fastest-growing art forms in America, performed in theaters all across the country like UCB, The PIT, The Magnet, iO, Second City, The Annoyance, ComedySportz, and The Groundlings; seen on television on shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway?; and used in corporate workshops for companies like Google, PepsiCo, and MetLife.