Musicality in Motion

Advanced Musical Improv

In musical improv, we often sacrifice musical elements in favor of being funny or fast. In this workshop, you’ll elevate your songcraft by diving into core songwriting techniques that help create more emotional, grounded, and thought-provoking songs on the spot. You’ll also build skills to communicate more naturally with an accompanist by crafting melodies that are both unique and musically clear. If you're aiming for a standing ovation with your next 11 o'clock number, this is the workshop for you! 

Meets once a week for four weeks for two hours.

There is no showcase performance with this course.

Prerequisites:Musical improv level 2 or equivalent experience or permission from the Instructor.

Adults 18+

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

Day: SUNDAY

Dates: Jun 29, Jul 6, 13, 20

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00pm

Make-Up/Practice Day: TBD

Showcase:  None

Room: 1976

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

About the Instructor:

Dan (he/him) is a seasoned pianist with 20 years of experience, known for his dynamic range and musical versatility. He has spent several years performing in various cover bands, tribute acts, piano bars, and jazz ensembles, honing his skills across diverse musical genres. Recently, Dan has been an integral part of Philadelphia's musical improv scene, accompanying the premier team Thank You Places, The Good Kids, the improvised musical documentary Off the Record, and for various musical improv classes and indie teams. He is eager to play his part in further expanding the musical improv scene in Philadelphia!

What Others Say:

"Dan is an incredible pianist and we were so lucky to have him, esp since we're all learning and he's so effortlessly able to adapt the backing music to help support."

"Dan is amazing."

"Dan is so skilled and easily adapts to anything we dish at him and has such great instincts when playing."

Intro to Improv:  Your HAROLD training starts here!

In this FOUR WEEK INTENSIVE you will start learning basic improv and performance skills, practicing concepts like making your partner look good, “Yes, and..”, creating mimed objects and environments, establishing relationships, and holding on to an emotional point of view. Finally you start to apply these skills to make up short scenes with a partner.

Meets twice a week for four weeks, two hours each meeting. An optional fifth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor availability and scheduling.

Prerequisites: None! Students must be able to commit to attend twice a week for four weeks to meet the requirements of the full 101 curriculum. Attendace at the last class is required to participate in the showcase.

Adults 18+

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: MONDAY and WEDNESDAY

Dates: June 30, July 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23

Time: 7 PM - 9 PM

Make-up/Practice Date: July 28

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Chris Esperance is a comedian, writer, improviser based in Philadelphia, PA. Chris co-hosted the Mad Ethnic Comedy festival which included a variety of improv, podcast and stand-up acts from the tri-state area. He has improvised on Harold, House teams including Metropolis and Dunk Tank and several Indie teams in his years as a performer. Chris was accepted to Magnet Theater’s REMIX sketch diversity showcase and wrote/performed in PIT’s NYC Sketchfest. He has trained at the Philadelphia Improv Theater (PHIT) and the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB-NY) and writes for the sketch comedy team Pagliacci (@pagliaccicomedy) with the Boogiemanja sketch comedy collective.

What Others Say:

"Seriously thank you so much for the last 8 weeks it was truly life changing and opened up a door which was slowly closing in my life. For that I am forever grateful."

"You set such a great tone for the class that made it easy to experiment and let our guards down and try new things. I had a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again."

"I plan on staying with this, and will register for the next 201 class given in the Fall. You have set a very high bar for instructors though. Thanks again for EVERYTHING."

PHIT Pop-Up: Edits & Beats

This 3-week pop-up clinic zeroes in on when to cut, how to cut, and why it matters. You’ll sharpen your instincts around heightening, transitions, and internal timing — and leave with simple, repeatable tools you can use in any format. Lots of reps, low stress, high impact.

Class meets once a week for three weeks.

Preferred: Completion of a Level 101 improv course (any training center).

Adults 18+

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

A minimum of 8 students is required for this course to run.

Day: Mondays

Dates: August 11, 18, 25

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Make-up Date: None

Showcase: None

Room: Brown Martin

Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

PHIT Pop-Up: Status & Relationships

This 3-week pop-up clinic dives into the dynamics that drive every great scene. You’ll explore how power, vulnerability, and emotional point of view shape interactions — and walk away with clear tools to initiate and deepen relationship-based scenes, no matter what style or form you’re playing.

Class meets once a week for three weeks.

Preferred: Completion of a Level 101 improv course (any training center).

Adults 18+

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

All classes must be paid in full before the first class meeting.

A minimum of 8 students is required for this course to run.

Day: Wednesdays

Dates: August 13, 20, 27

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Make-up Date: None

Showcase: None

Room: Brown Martin

Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Take an Intro to Improv Workshop!

Join this 90-minute improv workshop to get a taste of the fun awaiting you in our 8-week Level 101 improv class!

You'll dive into key improv concepts like Yes And, spontaneity, and creative collaboration, and even try your hand at improvised scene work.

These workshops are perfect for anyone, regardless of experience level, age, or background. Whether you're looking to explore improv, boost public speaking confidence, or just have fun and meet new people, these workshops are for you.

A $30 non-refundable fee reserves your spot. You may join an intro workshop without committing to register for a full class.

We're so sure you'll love it, though, that we'll offer you a promo code that you apply when you sign up for a full class, essentially giving you a FREE WORKSHOP!

** Students will be given a promo code to use when registering for a full 101 improv class. Please check your reminder emails. **

Intro to Improv Workshop fee (and promo codes) cannot be combined or used in addition to other promotional discounts. One code per customer.

Adults 18+

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. No refunds. No credits.  No Exchanges. Not transferable. Please check your schedule carefully before registering.

Day: TUESDAY

Date: Sept 9

Time: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Room:  TBD

About the Instructor:

What Others Say:

Take an Intro to Improv Workshop!

Join this 90-minute improv workshop to get a taste of the fun awaiting you in our 8-week Level 101 improv class!

You'll dive into key improv concepts like Yes And, spontaneity, and creative collaboration, and even try your hand at improvised scene work.

These workshops are perfect for anyone, regardless of experience level, age, or background. Whether you're looking to explore improv, boost public speaking confidence, or just have fun and meet new people, these workshops are for you.

A $30 non-refundable fee reserves your spot. You may join an intro workshop without committing to register for a full class.

We're so sure you'll love it, though, that we'll offer you a promo code that you apply when you sign up for a full class, essentially giving you a FREE WORKSHOP!

** Students will be given a promo code to use when registering for a full 101 improv class. Please check your reminder emails. **

Intro to Improv fees (and promo codes) cannot be combined or used in addition to other promotional discounts. One code per customer.

Adults 18+

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. No refunds. No credits.  No Exchanges. Not transferable. Please check your schedule carefully before registering.

Day: MONDAY

Date: SEPT 15

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Room: TBD

About the Instructor:

What Others Say:

Introduction to Acting: In this class, you will explore basic acting skills fundamental to performance. Some concepts to be examined are action, objectives, tactics, and simple script analysis. This class will conclude with a twenty minute presentation of monologues or scenes at the discretion of the instructor. Independent viewing of live theatrical performances in the Philadelphia region, with in class discussion will be required.

Meets once a week in person for 8 weeks.

Adults 18+

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

A minimum of 8 students is required for this course to run.

Prerequisites: None!

Day: Mondays

Dates: Sep 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Make-up/Practice day: Monday Dec 1

Graduation Show Date/Time:  TBD

Class Location: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

What others Say:

Intro to Improv:  Your HAROLD training starts here!

You will start learning basic improv and performance skills, practicing concepts like making your partner look good, “Yes, and..”, creating mimed objects and environments, establishing relationships, and holding on to an emotional point of view. Finally you start to apply these skills to make up short scenes with a partner. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: None!

Adults 18+

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

 A minimum of 8 students is required for this course to run.

Day: MONDAY

Dates: Sep 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00pm

Make-Up/Practice Day:  Mon Dec 1

ShowCase: TBD

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

What Others Say: