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.

Day: SUNDAY

Dates: Jan 5, Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: March 2, 2025

ShowCase:  Sunday March 9. Block 1 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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

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.

Day: MONDAY

Dates: Jan 6, Jan 13, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24, Mar 3

NO CLASS MONDAY JAN 20

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: March 3

ShowCase: SATURDAY March 7. Block 2 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

 Emily Harnett (they/them) is thrilled to be teaching at PHIT. Emily is a life long actor, writer, comedian and professional laugher. They earned their BFA in Acting from Point Park University. Emily previously studied at Emerson College’s Comedic Arts program. They currently write for their sketch channel which is launching in the next few months and perform stand ups around Philly. They are passionate about teaching through play, exploration and acceptance.

What Others Say:

"A fantastic class where we were able to be creative but also learn how to do so in the best way!"

"Emily is wonderful!! They are so talented and have a great ability to teach. They have helped me become a better improviser and actor!"

"Em is really great at creating an inclusive environment."

"Em was great. You feel as good when they tell you what you need to improve upon as you do when they tell you how you're killing it."

"Em has a way of explaining things so they’re easy to follow. And Em didn’t hold back, if the scene didn’t work, they let you know why, and how to make it better which was so refreshing."

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.

Day:  TUESDAY

Dates: Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, Feb 25

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: March 4 2025

ShowCase: Saturday March 8th. Block 2 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

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."

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.

Day:  WEDNESDAY

Dates: Jan 8, Jan 15, Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: March 5 2025

ShowCase: Saturday March 8th. Block 2 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Devin is an actor and deviser based in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of the University of the Arts / Pig Iron Devised Performance Program. Devin grew up in Alaska, studied Physics at Notre Dame, built data centers in Des Moines, and somehow wound up at clown school.

What Others Say:

"Devin is a great teacher! He made class comfortable, fun, and challenging!"

"Devin brings so much richness and intention into his curriculum...I most valued his ability to meet people of different skill levels where they're at with appropriately challenging insights and guidance."

"Devin will challenge you in class, and give you the focus to improve. He knows that being funny and being not funny are both on the path to improving."

"Made class a lot of fun AND I've been learning a lot! I appreciate his direct feedback!"

"Devin is the best. Practices great safety tools/fences, and really encourages us to explore our own ideas and be ourselves."

"Devin was high energy, which is great for Monday evenings! His pointers/critiques are delivered in a sweet way that leaves everybody eager to improve without any demotivation."

"Take the class. It is going to become the day you will look forward to the most every week and will only enrich this unique life of yours."

"He made the class fun by the constant encouragement to have fun, play and keep it positive. He delivered feedback in a helpful manner."

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.

Day:  THURSDAY

Dates:  Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 6, Feb 13, Feb 20, Feb 27

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: March 6 2025

ShowCase: Sunday March 9th. Block 1. 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Jasmine is an artist, educator, and arts manager who has been improvising since 2014. She has trained and performed at Empire Comedy, Reno Improv, Washington Improv Theater, and now PHIT. She is also member of Roll Play: An Improvised Adventure, Off the Record: The Improvised Music Documentary, and the Improv Double Feature at CSz Philadelphia.  Outside of performing, Jasmine is the Managing Director of Pig Iron Theatre Company, a producer of experimental work that also runs a training program in devised theatre.

What others say:

"Jasmine was great at this, she listened carefully to everyone and it felt very personal"

"I'd recommend ANYONE take a course with Jasmine or any of the other talented folks at PHIT. I had been looking for something different and found Improv 101 to be a refreshing break from the norm. The course offers a space for spontaneity and play in a supportive environment. Amazing experience!"

"Jasmine was totally engaged with the class. The email, “key takeaways” sent to us, after each lesson was extremely helpful in integrating that classes lessons."

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 two hours each meeting.

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: TUESDAY and THURSDAY

Dates: Feb 4, Feb 6, Feb 11, Feb 13, Feb 18, Feb 20, Feb 25, Feb 27

Time: 7 PM - 9 PM

Make-up/Practice Date: March 4

Showcase Date/Time: Saturday March 8th. Block 1 10:30 AM -12:30PM

Class 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 has experience as an improv teacher at a number of institutions including Drexel University, the Franklin Institute, and the Philly Improv Theater. He is the president of the Philadelphia Improv Social Club and a Co-founder of SideQuest Theater. 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. "