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Improv 101
in IMPROV CLASSES
Improv 101
with Kirsten LaCerda
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: Saturday Dec 6th Block 3: 2PM - 3PM
Room: Smith
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Kirsten LaCerda's love for improv comedy began at a young age. Performing since 2004, she won "Best Improviser" at the Virginia Thespian Society Conference in 2008. She has taken improv classes with Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and legends like Tim Meadows. Since relocating to Philly, Kirsten has performed on multiple PHIT teams, including Thank You, Places, the improvised musical, which continues to perform every 4th Friday at Tavern on Camac. She strongly encourages you to purchase her children's books, The Poo-Poo Party or Taco Steve: The Quest for the Elder Taco, which can be found and loved on Amazon.
Improv 101
with Jonah Godfrey
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. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.
Day: SUNDAYS
Dates: Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Make-Up/Practice Day: Sun March 1
ShowCase: Weekend of March 7-8
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Improv 101
with Kassidy Carlese
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. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.
A minimum of 8 students is required for this course to run.
Day: MONDAY
Dates: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00pm
Make-Up/Practice Day: Mon March 2
ShowCase: Weekend of March 7 and 8
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Kassidy is a Philly native with a love for theatre. This is Kassidy’s first semester working with PHIT and will be teaching a 101 class! She graduated from Messiah University with a B.A in Theatre which allowed her to study in Ireland at the Gaiety School of Acting. She has worked with Philly Young Playwrights, Azuka Theatre, and Yes! And…? Collaborative Arts. She is also in a improv group called Improvabilitee and is excited to be at PHIT.
Improv 101
with Tyler Catanella
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: Tuesdays
Dates: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24
Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
Make-Up/Practice Day: Tues March 3
ShowCase: Weekend of March 7-8
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, 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. "
Improv 101
with Alyse James
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 to run this class.
Day: WEDNESDAY
Dates: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28. Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00pm
Make-Up/Practice Day: Wed March 4
ShowCase: Weekend of March 7-8
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Alyse James is a classically trained clown who creates from an insistent sense of curiosity and existential pondering, inspired by a deep desire to merge otherworldly cosmic clown etherealities with our everyday human failures. Their collaborative theater making and community engagement inform their socially conscious art practice. As a performer, they have worked with Pig Iron Theater Company, Theater Unspeakable, the Tank Theater, and FringeArts. Their work spans clown, devised theater, original songs, plays, poetry, and improvisational comedy—often incorporating elements of the surreal and absurd. Through vivid imagery, discomfort, and vulnerability, Alyse invites audiences into layered worlds that challenge, provoke, and ask rather than answer.
What Others Say:
"I never thought I could tell a whole joke just by walking into the room and staring at people. Alyse gave feedback that helped us find the laugh, and shared different strategies for polishing our acts. The group felt like a bonded troop by the end. I could have stayed playing for hours! I can’t wait to do this again!"
"I loved learning from Alyse! As a teacher, they are so present, kind, and clear. They created a supportive, relaxed, and fun learning environment and offered constructive feedback. I can’t wait to attend another one of their workshops!"
Improv 101
with Dom Arp
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. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.
A minimum of 8 students is required to run this class
Day: THURSDAYS
Dates: an 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00pm
Make-Up/Practice Day: Thurs March 5
ShowCase: Weekend of March 7-8
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Dominick “Dom” Arp (he/him) has been an improviser in the Philly community for over 10 years. He is currently performing with Roll Play, Show and Tell Live, and KDM. Currently he is also the president of the Philadelphia Improv Social Club. Having additionally trained in public speaking, theater, & business administration, he is passionate about the power of combining theory, theatrics, and policy in order to grow the Philly improv community.
What Others Say:
"Dom always had an upbeat generous attitude"
"Dom is great! He has the perfect balance of theory and practice. I feel like I learn so much while also having a ton of fun."
"Dom has an incredible approach and exudes positivity while giving clear feedback!"
"Dom gave great, specific feedback and created a warm and supportive environment. "
Improv 101 INTENSIVE
with Chris Cauffman-Cooke
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. All courses must be paid in full before the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.
A minimum of 8 students is required to run this class
Day: TUESDAY and THURSDAY
Dates: Feb 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
Make-up/Practice Date: Thur March 5
Showcase Date/Time: Weekend of March 7-8
Class Room: TBD
Theater Location:Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Christopher Cauffman Cooke is a Philadelphia actor, singer, musician, and clown currently pursuing his MFA in Devised Theatre at The Pig Iron School. Dedicated to the discovery, play, and joy inherent in live performance, he has explored improv as a medium for many years.Looking forward to seeing you in class!