Summer of Improv

One price for Improv during all of July & August!

$195 for the whole summer

July through August (nine weeks)

The Summer of Improv is a series of one-shot classes that will be held during all of July and August. Learn how to build bigger-than-life characters one session, and in another section, play with group games. Perfect for anyone who has already completed Intro to Improv or above!

Because they are all one-shot classes, you can go on vacation for a couple of weeks and come back without missing a beat!

Summer Drop In (One Session)

Summer of Improv FAQ's

Q: Why ‘Summer of Improv’?
A: People take vacations at different times during the summer – rather than worry about missing a week or two, we will host one-shot classes and jam sessions to learn new improv skills, formats and challenges all summer long!

Q: With a Summer Pass, can I go to any class at any location?
A: Yes! The sessions are interchangeable and you can attend any (or all) of the sessions. 

The schedule is:
 

  • Tuesdays at 7pm – Arlington, VA  
  • Wednesdays at 7pm – Annapolis, MD
  • Thursdays at 7pm – Reston, VA
  • Saturdays at 12pm – Fairfax, VA  
  • And other surprises along the way!

Directions to all locations can be found here.

Q: I can only attend a few sessions this summer, are Drop-Ins rates available?
A: Yes! We’ll be offering $40 drop-ins via Venmo. If you’re going to four or more classes this summer, the Class Pass is the better deal!

Q: I just finished Level 1, can a beginner do these?
A: Yes! These classes are designed to be fun and challenging for improvisers of all levels! Also, if you signed up for Intro in Fairfax or Annapolis, you are also signed up for Class Pass and can go the rest of the summer. 

Q: I’ve done improv elsewhere. Can I jump in on these?
A: Yes! We are a welcoming community! As long as you have a solid understanding of Yes-And, you should be fine! We do mostly Long Form Improv (creating little plays on the spot), but will have some Short Form Improv (Whose Line is it Anyway style games) mixed in here and there during the summer schedule. 

Q: Where can I find directions to the class locations?
A: Click this button:

The Summer of Improv Schedule

Currently Under Construction - schedule topics and teachers are subject to change

Week 3

Tuesday July 14 @ 7pm

Intro to Musical Improv

James F & Michael G

Spontaneously create lyrics and melodies that heighten the emotion and bring down the house. Even if you’ve never sung a note on stage before, this is a fun, low-pressure space to explore your spontaneous musical voice.

Wednesday July 15 @ 7pm

The Art of Analogous Scenes

Dan B

Learn how to create Analogous Scenes effortlessly on the fly. 

Thursday July 16 @ 7pm

Yes And / No And

John S

Yes-anding conflicts within scenes. How to disagree as characters, but simultaneously agree as improvisers to move the scene forward.

Saturday July 18 @ 12pm

It's a Game Changer!

Anne S

Learning and playing with a variety of Group Games, and incorporating classic Short Form games such as Party Quirks into shows.

Saturday July 18 @ 7pm

Falls Church, VA

Falls Church Improv Show

Join us!

222 N. Washington St., Falls Church

Saturday July 18

Annapolis, MD

Annapolis Game Night

Bring your favorite snacks, drinks, and board game, or just bring yourself. Full info with location and time will be sent out to the Annapolis Summer group!

Sunday July 19 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Week 4

Tuesday July 21 @ 7pm

Emotions: Forwards and Backwards

Rick A

Using The Palindrama format along with core emotions to activate strong game-based improv shows.

Wednesday July 22 @ 7pm

Character Development & Emotions

Elaine R

Lets have fun getting out of your body into a new character. We will create on the spot scenes thru Movement, Emotions, One Word Catchphrase and even Gibberish.

Thursday July 23 @ 7pm

Emotional Surfing

Omar W

Find organic emotions within scenes and create improv games with them!

Friday July 24 @ 6pm

Improv Happy Hour

Beer, wine, mocktails and IMPROV at the VFW! Invite new people to come and try out improv! Come watch a troupe or two run a show format! Come hang out for a couple of hours!

Saturday July 25 @ 12pm

Short Form and Sweet Form

Jessica I

Try out new and old short and sweet forms of improv. For people with all levels of improv experience.

Sunday July 25 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Week 5

Tuesday July 28 @ 7pm

Compelling Characters

Mike C

Laying the foundation for strong characters and character interactions withing your improv scenes. 

Wednesday July 29 @ 7pm

Gravid Water

Becky S

A two person scene – one person is improvising and the other is staying completely on script from a play or movie. And magic happens…

Thursday July 30 @ 7pm

A Beginner’s Guide to Roleplaying Improv

Viv K

Roleplaying games and improv comedy share a lot in common and there is a lot of crossover between those two worlds. Learn how improv can be a gateway to roleplaying.

Saturday August 1 @ 12pm

Monoscene Madness!

Lauren M & Jeremy R

Improv where everything takes place in the same location. Create an entire stage play from scratch. 

Sunday August 2 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Week 6

Tuesday August 4 @ 7pm

Make Every Scene Feel Bigger

Sol A

Genre as a playground gives tone, characters, relationships, stakes, worlds, and expectations to play with. We’ll use familiar genres as a playground for stronger choices, clearer scenes, and bigger stories.

Wednesday August 5 @ 7pm

Nerd-Eye Games

Chris M

Completely ‘nerd out’ on Game and learn how to quickly identify the game of the scene and then play it for maximum comedy.

Thursday August 6 @ 7pm

Are They Still Talking?

John S

Active listening techniques for responding in the moment. 

Saturday August 8 @ 12pm

The Art of the Edit

Hunter C

Work on the timing for edits within improv scenes as well as alternate styles of edits. 

Sunday August 9 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Week 7

Tuesday August 11 @ 7pm

Improv Like a Human

Milena R

Slow Down, Feel More, Make it Matter The most memorable improv scenes aren’t the wildest or the most intelligent ones, but the ones that make you feel something. Slow down, tune in, and make scenes that are honest, grounded, and impossible to forget.

Wednesday August 12 @ 7pm

Stay Grounded, Ponyboy...

Dan B

Keep scenes grounded and relatable with these techniques!

Thursday August 13 @ 7pm

TBA

Zach C

Description Coming Soon!

Saturday August 15 @ 12:30pm

The Borealis Supernova

Dan B

Turn any pop song into an entire improv show, then use several of that artist’s greatest hits to dig even deeper.

Sunday August 16 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Week 8

Tuesday August 18 @ 7pm

Magnifying Glass & Shrinking Potion

Charles A

Finding patterns by flipping the script. Take small, normal details in scenes and place them in absurd contexts to heighten them, and vice-versa.

Wednesday August 19 @ 7pm

Until One Day...

Dan B

Storytelling improv formats and techniques!

Thursday August 20 @ 7pm

TBA

Luke D

Description Coming Soon!

Saturday August 22 @ 12:30pm

Fully Committed

Rachel H

Finding developing and committing to characters that you can take into any scene at any time.

Sunday August 23 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Week 9

Tuesday August 25 @ 7pm

True Confessions

Cheryl H

Bringing shockingly true confessions to supercharge your improv scenes. 

Wednesday August 26 @ 7pm

The Borealis Supernova

Dan B

Turn any pop song into an entire improv show, then use several of that artist’s greatest hits to dig even deeper.

Thursday August 27 @ 7pm

Until One Day...

Dan B

Storytelling improv formats and techniques!

Friday August 28 @ 6pm

Improv Happy Hour

Beer, wine, mocktails and IMPROV at the VFW! Invite new people to come and try out improv! Come watch a troupe or two run a show format! Come hang out for a couple of hours!

Saturday August 29 @ 12:30pm

Gravid Water

Dan B

A two person scene – one person is improvising and the other is staying completely on script from a play or movie. And magic happens…

Saturday August 29 @ 7pm

Falls Church, VA

End of Summer Improv Jam

222 N. Washington St., Falls Church

Sunday August 30 @ 12:30pm

The Deconstruction Lab

Dan B

Learn, practice and play with The Deconstruction Format. 

NOTE: This Lab is limited in space and will be via signup each week. We need a minimum of 8 participants and cannot take more than 16. A button to sign-up will be put below each week.  

Earlier this Summer: Week 1

Wednesday July 1 @ 7pm

Yes Yes Yes! And And And!

Dan B

Return to the building blocks of improv and rediscover fundamental improv games with new twists! Great if you’re new to improv or have been doing it for years!

Thursday July 2 @ 7pm

The Ladder - Extreme Edition

Dan B

Learn, or get refreshed, with The Ladder format, a simple but powerful format which can be learned in about five minutes, then learn how to use it to create enormous improv shows with large groups of improvisors!

Saturday July 4

No Session Today

Enjoy the Holiday!

Week 2

Tuesday July 7 @ 7pm

Oops! All Four Squares!

Dan B

Learn and play with the Four Square format along with its multiple variations and iterations. 

Wednesday July 8 @ 7pm

That Escalated Quickly...

Kevin K

Exploring emotional heightening in scenes with big bold characters. 

Thursday July 9 @ 7pm

So You're Probably Wondering How I Got Here...

Scott S

Exploring a wide multitude of initiations and scene starters to get your scenes off to the strongest start possible!

Saturday July 11 @ 12pm

The Seinfeldo

Dan B

Combining The Armando format with the core structure of a highly successful television show from the 90’s to create an instant improvised sitcom.