Improv 101 Intensive: Fast-Track Fundamentals (4 Weeks)

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!

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: 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: 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!