Take our Basic Improv weekend intensive where you’ll learn the basics of improv in a supportive, compassionate environment. Whether you’re completely new to improv or you’ve dabbled and want to hone your skills, this is the class for you!

Discover the art of quick thinking and on-the-spot creativity in a supportive and friendly environment. This two-day weekend intensive class is at the Sierra 2 Center with a student performance on Sunday evening, June 9th.

Description

During this class, students will learn to:

Revisit and embrace the powers of playfulness and joy in a supportive environment
Work collaboratively with scene partners to establish, contribute to, and sustain a shared reality through the power of “yes, and…”
Frame “failures” or “mistakes” as opportunities rather than avoiding them
Proactively and compassionately support their partners through listening, humility, and compassion
Understand basic story structure and use it as a framework for building improv scenes
Think outside the box, stretch creative thinking “muscles,” and practice thinking quickly on your feet
Collaboratively justify any idea within the reality of an established scene
Commit to ideas with your scene partner(s), even if it seems silly
Convey emotions during a scene and explore spontaneous emotional reactions
Construct basic scenes with others, including adding specific details to scenes
Prepare for our next class level: Intermediate Improv
Prepare for our class showcase
Have fun and be gentle with yourself and others!

When:
Classes take place June 8th and 9th, 2024. Please see the schedule below.

We are happy to accommodate any requests to sit or take additional breaks for those who need them. You are encouraged to take care of yourself and your body’s needs! Students are welcome and encouraged to bring snacks and water and should bring their own lunches. Students may eat lunch and dinner (prior to the showcase on the evening of 6/9) at the Empire Launchpad, go offsite for meals, or join the class for group meals at Cafe Dantorels (2700 24th St, Sacramento, CA 95818) which is a short 2 minute walk from the Empire Launchpad.

Important Details:
Tuition is nonrefundable. You must be at least 18 to register.

Parking and Accessibility:
Sierra 2 has two free parking lots and various on-street parking options. Check out the map >

Our venue is upstairs on floor 2. The building is wheelchair accessible (including the bathrooms and access to the second floor). Please let us know if you require any special accommodations ahead of time and we’ll be happy to help.
COVID Safety Requirements:
All students must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination (either vaccination card or digital record) on the first day of class at the door or via email.

About the Instructor

Jessilee Windhaus is a proud Sacramento local and a firm believer in the power of applied improvisation. With a background in both short form and long form comedy, she is a 20-year improv veteran who has trained with Upright Citizen’s Brigade and The Groundlings and performed in cities all across the country.