Stage Presence & Movement for Improvisers

with Tyler Catanella

What the audience sees is just as powerful as what they hear. This three-week clinic explores how stage pictures, movement, and physical choices shape the story you’re telling. You’ll develop tools for creating focus, revealing character, and supporting your ensemble through strong visual choices.

No prior dance, movement, or physical theater training is required. All physical abilities are welcome.

Class meets once a week for three weeks. There is no showcase offered with this course.

Age 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 to run this class.

PREREQUISITE:  Acting 1 or Improv 101 from PHIT, or equivalent training with another center.

Day: TUESDAY

Dates:  Oct 7, 14, 21

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

Make-up / Practice Day: N/A

Class Location: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Tyler Leif Catanella is a teaching artist, performer, deviser and musician. Before moving to Philadelphia to pursue an MFA in Devised Performance with Pig Iron Theatre Company, Tyler lived in Boston where he taught Acting, Devising, Dance Composition & Improvisation at Emerson College for 5 years as an Adjunct Faculty in the Performing Arts Department.  Tyler was the co-founder and artistic director of ParadiseMoves, a non-profit performance company with a mission to share stories through movement that inspire conversation, and make movement improvisation accessible to all regardless of physical ability or experience. Tyler fosters way too many cats, listens to too much Missy Elliott, and is thrilled to be teaching at PHIT!

What Others Say:

"Tyler was so open and encouraging - he created an environment where I, and believe we all, felt supported, connected, and free to try out skills and really learn."

"

Tyler was completely himself, and in being so authentic showed us that we could do the same thing. And he cared deeply for our humanity, which in turn meant we did the same for one another. "

Fearless Opening Numbers

with Carly Otte and Dan Perlman

In musical improv, the first song sets the stage for the whole show. This three-week clinic will give you the tools to create opening numbers that grab attention and carry energy into the rest of the performance. Each week you’ll focus on a different element: building harmonies and song structure, shaping stage pictures and movement, and finally blending everything into fully realized ensemble numbers. Perfect for improvisers with some musical background who want to sharpen their skills and kick off every show with confidence.

Class meets once a week for three weeks. There is no showcase offered with this course.

Age 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 9 students is required to run this class.

PREREQUISITE: Music 1 and Level 101 improv from PHIT /equivilant traning with another training center. Ability to carry a tune (shower singing counts!)

Day: THURSDAY

Dates:  Oct 9, 16, 23

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

Make-up / Practice Day: N/A

Class Location: TBD

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

About the Instructors:

Carly Otte (she/her) is an actor and improviser with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from Point Park University. She has been studying and performing improv for over a decade, training primarily with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. Select screen credits include recurring appearances on the improv comedy series 'Impractical Jokers' (truTV) and a lead role in the upcoming mockumentary 'The Conspiracists'. She is also an experienced teacher, choreographer, and coach, passionate about musical improv and thrilled to be joining the PHIT teaching team.

Dan Perlman (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:

What Others Say:

“I loved Carly’s advice! Very specific and pointed critiques… would absolutely take a class with her!” 

“Carly’s feedback was very positive, specific, and empowering… She has a lovely easy-going personality, and I imagine she would be a favorite with students.” 

"She has this wonderfully calming energy that instantly takes the stress out of the process, while still giving me the confidence to dive into the material fully prepared. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and always brings in fresh perspectives and choices I never would have thought of on my own, which makes the work feel creative and exciting." 

"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.

 A minimum of 8 students is required to run this class

Day: TUESDAY and THURSDAY

Dates: Oct 28, 30, Nov 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20

Time: 7 PM - 9 PM

Make-up/Practice Date: Tues Dec 2

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Diego is an improviser and sketch comedian PROUDLY hailing from Wilmington, Delaware and is absolutely ecstatic to be coming on board to teach at PHIT, after having graduated from the program! As an instructor, Diego has an energetic and focused energy, with a big emphasis on exploring YOUR creativity and helping to activate your funny bone.On the weekends, you can find Diego performing with teams at various spots around Philly, and at home playing some tabletop RPGs, and would be happy to nerd out about them with anyone who feels so inclined.

What Others Say:

"Diego is an absolute joy and an excellent educator. He knows when to be supportive and also when to push students to find the better “funny.” "

"Diego is a FANTASTIC instructor"

"Diego cuts through the noise to really get across the main idea each class. And he does it through different ways so it’s easy to understand. The energy Diego brings to the entire room is the reason we all are excited each class."

"Diego was honestly an amazing teacher. Very engaging, gives accurate and wonderful feedback"

"He also just has a good energy and encouraged us to do our best as well as give really good constructive feedback along the way. 10/10 teacher "