Acting 2: Ensemble Creation (Text + Improv)

You won’t just rehearse scenes—you’ll generate and shape material together into a performance piece. In this ensemble-based performance class, you’ll combine a short piece of source text and improvisation to create a unique original piece. You might start from a few lines of dialogue, a prompt, or another simple text source, then use improv to generate fresh material and shape what you discover into a repeatable performance structure—grounded, alive, and specific to your ensemble. This is a collaborative process course: you’ll rehearse, refine, and build toward a final showing.

Prerequisite: Some prior experience recommended (Improv 201+, Acting 1, or equivalent). If you’re newer but have performance experience elsewhere, you’re welcome.

Attendance: Because this is an ensemble creation process, consistent attendance is essential. Students should plan to attend all sessions whenever possible. Missing classes may limit participation in the final showing, and attendance at the final class is required to participate.

Adults 18+

Capacity is limited to 12 students to support ensemble work and individual attention.

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full by the first class.

Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: SUNDAY

Dates: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 10 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice

Graduation Show Date/Time: SPRING PHEST Sat May 16th 7PM

Class Location: TBD

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center. 62 N. 2nd Street 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! Outside Improv, see her next in 5 Stagehands Fall Out of a Closet (the goose crisis) during this year’s Fringe Festival, and keep an eye out for more classes and more art!