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Improv 101
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Improv 101
with Chris Cauffman-Cooke

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. An optional nineth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor avaibility and scheduling.
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. All classes must be paid in full before the first class meeting.
Day: SUNDAY
Dates: Jun 1, Jun 8, Jun 15, Jun 29, July 6, Jul 13, Jul 20, Jul 27
** NO CLASS JUNE 22 **
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00pm
Make-Up/Practice Day: TBD
Showcase: TBD
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!
What Others Say:
Improv 101
with Chris Cauffman-Cooke

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. An optional nineth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor avaibility and scheduling.
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. All classes must be paid in full before the first class meeting.
Day: TUESDAY
Dates: Jun 3, 10, 17, 24, Jul 1, 8, 15, 22
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00pm
Make-Up/Practice Day: July 29
Showcase: TBD
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!
Improv 101
with Em Harnett

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. An optional nineth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor avaibility and scheduling.
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. All classes must be paid in full before the first class meeting.
Day: WEDNESDAY
Dates: Jun 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00pm
Make-Up/Practice Day: July 30
Showcase: TBD
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."
Improv 101 INTENSIVE
with Chris Esperance

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.
Day: TUESDAY and THURSDAY
Dates: June 30, July 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23
Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
Make-up/Practice Date: July 28
Showcase Date/Time: TBD
Class 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."