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Improv 101
in IMPROV CLASSES
Improv 101
with Tyler Catanella
Improv 101: Start Here
You’ll learn the fundamentals of improv and performance in a beginner-friendly, warm, coached environment: making your partner look good, “Yes, and,” creating clear environments and objects, establishing relationships, and playing with a strong emotional point of view. You’ll get lots of guided reps, build confidence on your feet, and start creating short two-person scenes that feel grounded and fun. Meets once a week for eight weeks.
Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s core training path.
Prerequisites: None.
Adults 18+
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: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3
Time: 1 PM - 3 PM
Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 10 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice.
ShowCase: Sat May 16
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 Kassidy Carlese
Improv 101: Start Here
You’ll learn the fundamentals of improv and performance in a beginner-friendly, warm, coached environment: making your partner look good, “Yes, and,” creating clear environments and objects, establishing relationships, and playing with a strong emotional point of view. You’ll get lots of guided reps, build confidence on your feet, and start creating short two-person scenes that feel grounded and fun. Meets once a week for eight weeks.
Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s core training path.
Prerequisites: None.
Adults 18+
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: March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27. May 4
Time: 7 PM - 9PM
Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 11 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice.
ShowCase: Sat May 16
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 season 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 Jonah Godfrey
Improv 101: Start Here
You’ll learn the fundamentals of improv and performance in a beginner-friendly, warm, coached environment: making your partner look good, “Yes, and,” creating clear environments and objects, establishing relationships, and playing with a strong emotional point of view. You’ll get lots of guided reps, build confidence on your feet, and start creating short two-person scenes that feel grounded and fun. Meets once a week for eight weeks.
Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s core training path.
Prerequisites: None.
Adults 18+
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: TUESDAY
Dates: March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5
Time: 7PM - 9PM
Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 12 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice.
ShowCase: May 16
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Jonah (he/him) is a theater director, musician, and educator. A graduate of Pig Iron's MFA in Devised Performance, his Philadelphia collaborations include Pig Iron, Sarah Sanford and Alex Tatarsky, and Nichole Canuso Dance Company. His original musical odyssey, 'The Bad Pirate Rock Show' (created and performed alongside a handful of other PHIT teachers!) was featured in Cannonball Festival the past two Fringe seasons. When he's not making theater, he teaches kindergarteners how sing and bang drums and be kind to each other at Play On, Philly!
Improv 101
with Kirsten LaCerda
Improv 101: Start Here
You’ll learn the fundamentals of improv and performance in a beginner-friendly, warm, coached environment: making your partner look good, “Yes, and,” creating clear environments and objects, establishing relationships, and playing with a strong emotional point of view. You’ll get lots of guided reps, build confidence on your feet, and start creating short two-person scenes that feel grounded and fun. Meets once a week for eight weeks.
Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s core training path.
Prerequisites: None.
Adults 18+
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: WEDNESDAY
Dates: March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6
Time: 7PM - 9PM
Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 13 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice.
ShowCase: May 16
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor:
Improv 101 INTENSIVE
with Carly Otte
Improv 101 Intensive: Fast Track
(4 Weeks, Meets Twice a Week)
This Intensive covers the same Improv 101 curriculum in a condensed format. You’ll learn the fundamentals of improv and performance in a beginner-friendly, warm, coached environment: making your partner look good, “Yes, and,” creating clear environments and objects, establishing relationships, and playing with a strong emotional point of view. With two meetings each week, you’ll get lots of reps and build momentum fast—then start creating short two-person scenes that feel grounded and fun. Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s core training path. Meets twice a week for four weeks (8 class meetings total).
Prerequisites: None.
Adults 18+
Attendance: Because this course moves quickly, consistent attendance is essential. Students should plan to attend both weekly meetings whenever possible. Attendance at the final class is required to participate in the showcase.
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: TUESDAY & THURSDAY
Dates: April 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, May 5, 7
Time: 7PM - 9PM
Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 12 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice.
ShowCase: May 16
Room: TBD
Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
About the Instructor
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.