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Event
IMPROV 101-Core Techniques- The Joy of Failure
Beginning in January 2015, The Playground Theater will be rolling out some new classes
Our Mission is to create an environment where learning is encouraged through exploration and discovery. We aim to effectively teach the core techniques of improv in a supportive guided environment.
Our first class is Improv 101 - Core Techniques: The Joy of Failure
In this class we will establish the building blocks for what it takes to create engaging work in the art of collective storytelling. Here's what we'll be covering.
Week 1: Failure as a Tool
The first week will focus on embracing failure as a tool for development. A popular saying among gymnasts, skateboarders, etc. is "if you're not falling, you're not learning." The most important trait on stage is confidence, and the only way to have confidence is to be unafraid to fail. In the first week's exercises, the failure is the fun.
Week 2: Trust in Yourself, Trust in Each Other
The second week will focus on building trust. One of the best things you can do as a scene partner is be trustworthy and foster a safe environment, so everyone feels comfortable to take risks and make big choices.
Week 3: Honesty and Bravery
One of the most powerful, and terrifying, things to do on stage is simply to be yourself. This week's exercises will focus on being yourself on stage.
Week 4: The Joy of Failure
The final week puts everything together into scene work. The class will warm up with familiar exercises from the first three weeks, then work on two-person scenes that emphasize honesty, trust, and willingness to take risks and fail.
The class will be held on the 4 Sundays in January from 12-2pm. The cost for this class is $50.*
The class will be collectively taught by Harrison George, Zack Mast, and Gary Pascal.
Harrison George is an improviser, writer and coach in Chicago. He performs regularly at various theaters, including iO, CIC, and The Playground. His team, Yes Diggity, has been around for over 2 years and loves continuing to play and see shows at The Playground. He is the current coach of The Playground team Ghost Car, and is coaching the independent team Law Dog. He is excited to be a part of this new education program at The Playground and can't wait to get started!
Zack Mast started doing improv in 2011, and since then he has failed a ton. There's been some success, too, thoughhe plays at The Playground with Duckling, at CIC with High Horse, and with an independent team called Law Dog. He sees this class as an opportunity to share his joy of improv theory and explore all the messy, fun, idiotic ways you can take this stuff too seriously.
Gary Pascal is an actor, improviser, and writer from Calgary, Alberta. He improvises with the independent teams RLM and J.K. Onassis and the Electric Ounce, and at The Playground Theater with the team Shadow Cat. He can also be seen performing with the sketch duo Ray BradGary, recently named one of TimeOut Chicago's "ones to watch," and is currently a member of the Second City Training Center's HouseCo team Next. He is a graduate of the iO Theater improv program, the Second City Conservatory and Music Improv programs, and the MerlinWorks Institute for Improvisation.
The director of education at the Playground is Kevin Reader.
*Please note that this is an introductory rate for a beta version of this class. We will continue to challenge our curriculum and develop this class.
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LocationThe Playground Theater (View)
3209 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
United States
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