Sketch Lab 101 — $175.00

This class will focus on taking your funny ideas, goofy characters and crazy “what ifs?” and turning them into sketches that are entertaining, thought provoking and funny. Through a series of exercises, demonstrations and weekly homework assignments that Tom Booker developed during the seven years that he taught sketch writing at The Second City Training Center, you will emerge from this class with a knowledge of the different types of sketches used most often in sketch writing, the ability to get your point of view across to the world in a unique and humorous way, and a portfolio of your work. No previous writing experience is necessary. Students only need to possess a willingness to learn.

This class is limited to 10 students.

We're sorry but our Sketch Lab 101 class is now FULL. If you would like to be put on the Wait List in case a space opens up, please send an email to TomBooker@TheInstitutionTheater.com

Improv 101: Self-Expression & Empowerment — $79.00

The first step in learning to improvise is self-expression; you’re a creative person with lots of ideas that need to come out. Through acting exercises and improv games played in a safe and fun environment, you’ll learn to spontaneously create great improvised scenes and characters with strong points of view. Whether your goal is to use improv as a tool for acting or a way to enhance your life, you will walk away with a sense of freedom and empowerment that only this art form can bring.

The Tuesday Improv 101 class is now FULL. But there are still a few spaces available in the Sunday Improv 101 class and the newly added Saturday Improv 101 class that will meet on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm beginning on Saturday, January 14th.

Sketch Lab 201 — $175.00

This class will build on the lessons learned in Sketch Lab 101 as we delve into the world of writing satire, using music in our sketches, writing for short films and messing with the perceived and expected form of sketch writing. Students will be given weekly homework assignments as well as in class writing assignments and rewriting assignments throughout this course. Students are required to take Sketch Lab 101 before being allowed to enroll in Sketch Lab 201.

This class is limited to 10 students.

Improv 201: Scene Dynamics and Forms — $160.00

All improv scenes are about the dynamics between its characters. You’ll learn how the simplest moves can develop into the richest of stories with fun and complex relationships. This class will explore emotional range, stage picture and build upon the character development of Improv 101 to deliver you into the most awesome scenes you can imagine.

Improv 301: Group Think and Play — $160.00

Step into advanced scene work and the beginnings of longform. The class will break every convention and create some new ones along the way. Learn how easy group scenes can be, to edit in a way that is less polite and more helpful, and to assess the energy in the room more quickly and how to participate in it – more importantly how to play in it. Milk the fun in each and every moment on stage and off.

Improv 401: Structure and Form — $160.00

Learn to listen to the rhythms of scenes to develop new structures that have never been played. Along the way, the class will touch upon familiar forms such as the Harold, monoscenes, and storyboard before going completely freeform where students will be guided in pushing the boundaries. Learn about how stage isn't just the 7 inches of wood that we're standing on, but anywhere that the performance takes you.

Master Class: Improv Clubhouse — $120.00

In this class the majority of the time will be spent with the actors working together as an ensemble while exploring existing long form formats as well as experimenting with new ideas and impulses which will be encouraged and experimented with as the class attempts to push both the form and the actor to new heights. Some classes may focus on one area or aspect of the actor or performance. Other classes may be used by the instructor as a general diagnostic class where the instructor will help each actor work through any performance problems or issues that may be occurring. Each class will be unique to allow the freedom to structure the class to the needs of the actors, and the ensemble.