Improv 301: Group Play + Patterns

This is where ensemble focus becomes the skill.

Improv 301 shifts from strong two-person scenes to full-ensemble work. Building on the character and relationship skills from 201, you’ll strengthen your ability to recognize patterns as they emerge, support them as a team, and heighten them into clear, satisfying group play. If 301 feels like a shift from 2-person scenes, that’s intentional — this level asks students to lean into group awareness by supporting ideas that aren’t yours and helping the group stay focused.

You’ll practice group scenes, group games, and the mechanics that make them work: spotting patterns, clarifying the chaos, making strong next moves together, and sustaining focus across multiple beats. Coaching becomes more performance-specific at this level as we refine timing, specificity, pacing, and how you support both your scene partners and the ensemble as a whole.

By the end of the course, students are able to:

• Recognize and articulate the central pattern of a scene
• Support and heighten ideas with clarity
• Maintain ensemble awareness across edits and beats
• Make deliberate, confident next moves
• Recover when a scene loses focus

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 301 is the third step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). This level prepares students for advanced longform structure work in 401.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Prerequisite: PHIT Improv 201 (or equivalent experience), or permission from the Education Director. Students with prior training from other programs are welcome; the instructor and Education Director may recommend moving into a different level when appropriate and feasible, so students have the support and fundamentals they need to succeed.

Adults 18+

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Policies: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: WEDNESDAY

Dates: March 18, 25, April 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6

Time: 7PM - 9PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: May 13 

ShowCase: May 16

Room: Smith

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

Arantxa Chavez is a theater artist, improviser, and clown from Lima, Peru. She started practicing Improv in 2012 and has not stopped since. Having recently graduated from Pig Iron’s Devised Performance MFA program, Arantxa delights in using improv as a mode for creation, having fun with friends, and reinforcing her collaborative skills. She has many years of performance experience with her old troupe, Unsupervised Improv, and has taught Improv all over Colorado Springs including the Millibo Art Theatre. Locally, she teaches Improv to young students through The Unscripted Project and now here, at PHIT! Keep an eye out for more classes and more art!

What Others Say:

“Aranxta inspires confidence while offering clear, constructive feedback.”

“Aranxta explains concepts thoroughly while keeping the class relaxed and welcoming.”

“Encouraging questions and creating a supportive environment made it easy to take risks and try new things.”

Instant Characterization! 3 week clinic

A focused 3-week clinic for performers who want to make stronger, more immediate character choices.

Led by seasoned performer Michael “Dola” Amendola, this class explores how physicality, voice, and emotional point of view can help you create characters that feel specific, distinct, and fun to play. Students will practice building characters quickly from simple choices, using established information to deepen characterization, and creating contrast that supports stronger scenes, relationships, and world-building.

Expect lots of reps, clear coaching, and a supportive room to experiment, commit, and expand your range.

Open to students of all experience levels, from beginner through advanced. This clinic meets once a week for three weeks. No showcase performance with this class.

Prerequisite: NONE

Adults 18+

Policies: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Class size: Limited to 10 participants to support coaching, reps, and individual attention.

Day: WEDNESDAY

Dates: May 13, 20, 27

Time: 7PM - 9PM

Make-Up Date (only if needed): N/A

ShowCase: No showcase offered with this course

Room: TBD

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

Michael “Dola” Amendola (he/they) is a Philadelphia & NYC-based performer-creator, and educator with a strong interest in the personal, creative and social impact of “play.” He has performed in over 60 productions across the US including 600 shows with the Off-Broadway comedy hit, Drunk Shakespeare, and 100+ performances as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the ASC. He earned his BFA in Acting from Texas State University and is pursuing an MFA in Devised Performance at the Pig Iron School. He has also studied clown extensively with many world-renowned teachers. In addition to teaching at PHIT, Dola has led workshops in devising, clown, improv and character creation for Circadium School for Contemporary Circus, Austin Shakespeare, Cannonball Festival, and the American Shakespeare Center.

What others Say:

"Dola is the best!"

“Dola was incredibly engaged and helped us see how improv skills apply both on stage and in everyday life.”

"This was the most beneficial workshop I've been to in years. I was able to reconnect my mind and body to acting. I have immediate lessons to bring back to my students."

"Oh god. Dola is a brilliant firecracker's worth of expression and depth. His style of teaching gives me courage and curiosity and freedom to explore and learn. I loved this class!!!"

"Dola really invited the students to be their best selves, creating an environment of play and discovery. He had excellent notes for the performers, truly insightful. It is evident that his eye is really tuned in to what is being created and is present to what is actually going on."

“Dola is an excellent teacher - the way he commands the room, and how excited he is by it. It’s great to see someone who is so passionate about something and then so good at it!”

Advanced Monoscene: with Awkward Family Dinner

The Monoscene is one of long-form improv’s most satisfying challenges: one location, no scene breaks, and a full show built through character, relationship, patience, and ensemble trust.

In this workshop, members of Awkward Family Dinner — Mark Stetson, Slaney Rose Jordan, Phil Casale, and Cristina Perdomo — will guide students through the skills that make a Monoscene feel grounded, active, and alive. Students will work on making clear character choices, developing strong relationships across the ensemble, sharing focus, and allowing the story to move forward without rushing or forcing the plot.

Awkward Family Dinner has performed its signature Monoscene-based show at The Peoples Improv Theater in NYC for 11 years. Its members are veteran improv teachers with credits including The PIT, Magnet Theater, Business Improv, and the Montclair Film Festival Training Center.

This workshop is ideal for improvisers with some long-form experience who want to strengthen their patience, character work, ensemble awareness, and relationship-driven storytelling.

Recommended experience: Completion of Improv 201 or higher, or equivalent long-form training/performance experience.

Adults 18+

Policies: All sales are final. No refunds, credits, exchanges, or transfers. Please check your schedule carefully before registering. Promotional codes do not apply to workshops or clinics.

Day: SUNDAY

Date: May 17

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Room: 1976

Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia

Intro to Improv Workshop (90 minutes)

Curious about improv but not ready to commit to an 8-week class yet? This 90-minute Intro Workshop is a beginner-friendly way to try it out.

You’ll learn a few foundational improv tools (including Yes, And), practice listening and responding in the moment, and try some guided scene work—no experience needed. This is a supportive, low-pressure workshop designed for first-timers and returning students who want a refresher.

PHIT is a training center, which means we focus on real skill-building—while keeping the room warm, welcoming, and fun.

Tuition / credit: A $30 non-refundable fee reserves your spot. You’re welcome to take an Intro Workshop with no obligation to register for a full class.

If you later enroll in a Level 101 class, you can take $30 off with a promo code. That code is included in your workshop reminder email (sent before the workshop begins). When you register for 101, you’ll need to enter the code during checkout (it does not apply automatically).

Promo code notes: One code per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotional discounts.

Adults 18+

Policies: All sales are final. No refunds, credits, exchanges, or transfers. Please check your schedule carefully before registering.

Day: TUESDAY

Date: May 19

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Room: TBD

Improv 101: Foundations

New to improv? This is where you begin.      

Improv 101 introduces the core skills that make scenes work: listening, agreement (“Yes, And”), supporting your partner, making clear choices, and recognizing patterns as they emerge.

Each week, you’ll learn specific tools and practice them through structured exercises, games, and guided scene work. You’ll receive supportive, practical coaching designed to help you grow — not just “get laughs.”

You don’t need to be funny or have experience, and you won’t be asked to perform alone. You just need a willingness to participate and try.

By the end of 8 weeks, students are able to:

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). Each level builds on the last.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Adults 18+. 

No prerequisite.

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: SUNDAY

Dates: May 31, June 7, 14,21,28, July 5,12,19

Time: 1 PM - 3PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: July 26

ShowCase: Saturday Augsut 1 2026

Room: Brown-Martin

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

What Others Say

Improv 201: Characters + Relationships

This is where your work deepens.

Improv 201 builds on the foundation of Improv 101 and focuses on creating emotionally grounded characters in relationship. You’ll work on being visibly affected by your scene partner and environment, staying present, and identifying the behavioral patterns that give a scene momentum and depth.

Coaching becomes more specific at this level. You’ll be asked to make adjustments in the moment — try it again, refine it, and strengthen it. You’ll also begin practicing simple edits and heightening, learning how to support strong scenes and help great moments land.

By the end of the course, students are able to:

• Create distinct, emotionally grounded characters
• Sustain clear relationships through behavior
• Recognize and build on emerging patterns
• Adjust based on coaching in real time
• Support edits and heightening within a scene

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 201 is the second step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). Each level builds on the last.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Prerequisite: PHIT Improv 101 (or equivalent experience), or permission from the Education Director. Students with prior training from other programs are welcome; the instructor and Education Director may recommend moving into a different level when appropriate and feasible, so students have the support and fundamentals they need to succeed.

Adults 18+

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Policies: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: SUNDAY

Dates: May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 19

Time: 1 PM - 3 PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: Juy 26

Showcase: Aug 1

Room: Brown-Martin

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

What others Say:

Improv 101: Foundations

New to improv? This is where you begin.      

Improv 101 introduces the core skills that make scenes work: listening, agreement (“Yes, And”), supporting your partner, making clear choices, and recognizing patterns as they emerge.

Each week, you’ll learn specific tools and practice them through structured exercises, games, and guided scene work. You’ll receive supportive, practical coaching designed to help you grow — not just “get laughs.”

You don’t need to be funny or have experience, and you won’t be asked to perform alone. You just need a willingness to participate and try.

By the end of 8 weeks, students are able to:

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). Each level builds on the last.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Adults 18+. 

No prerequisite.

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: MONDAY

Dates: June 1, 8*, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20

* MONDAY JUNE 8 class will meet at Pig Iron Studios *

Time: 7 PM - 9PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: July 27

ShowCase: Saturday Aug 1 2026

Room: Brown-Martin

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

What Others Say

Improv 301: Group Play + Patterns

This is where ensemble focus becomes the skill.

Improv 301 shifts from strong two-person scenes to full-ensemble work. Building on the character and relationship skills from 201, you’ll strengthen your ability to recognize patterns as they emerge, support them as a team, and heighten them into clear, satisfying group play. If 301 feels like a shift from 2-person scenes, that’s intentional — this level asks students to lean into group awareness by supporting ideas that aren’t yours and helping the group stay focused.

You’ll practice group scenes, group games, and the mechanics that make them work: spotting patterns, clarifying the chaos, making strong next moves together, and sustaining focus across multiple beats. Coaching becomes more performance-specific at this level as we refine timing, specificity, pacing, and how you support both your scene partners and the ensemble as a whole.

By the end of the course, students are able to:

• Recognize and articulate the central pattern of a scene
• Support and heighten ideas with clarity
• Maintain ensemble awareness across edits and beats
• Make deliberate, confident next moves
• Recover when a scene loses focus

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 301 is the third step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). This level prepares students for advanced longform structure work in 401.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Prerequisite: PHIT Improv 201 (or equivalent experience), or permission from the Education Director. Students with prior training from other programs are welcome; the instructor and Education Director may recommend moving into a different level when appropriate and feasible, so students have the support and fundamentals they need to succeed.

Adults 18+

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Policies: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: MONDAY

Dates: June 1, 8*, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20

* MONDAY JUNE 8 class will meet at Pig Iron Studios *

Time: 7 PM - 9 PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: July 27

ShowCase: Saturday Augsut 1 2026

Room: Smith

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

What Others Say: