Comedy Combustion - a 5 week course in physical comedy, clown and movement-based physical storytelling. You'll explore and practice the same building blocks and techniques used by master movers and clowns like Buster Keaton, Rowan Atkinson to inspire their own creations. The class will culminate with a completed solo or duo routine that we will workshop in class and provide feedback to create something that is performance ready.

Prerequisites: None! All are welcome

Day: Tuesdays

Dates: 5/30 , 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Class Location: Second Stage (NOTE: class will be on Mainstage on 5/30)

Graduation PREP date and time: 7/25 6:30 - 9:15

Graduation Showcase Date and time : 7/30 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Theater Location: 2030 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

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!

Day: Tuesdays

Dates: 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20,6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25

NO CLASS JULY 4

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Missed Class Date: Sunday 7/23 2pm - 4pm

Graduation Show Date/Time: Saturday 7/30 11:30am Block

Class Location: Room A (this is an accessible location)

Theater Location: 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Instructor: Tenara Calem

About the Instructor:

Tenara is a theater maker and educator with a strong background and interest in improvisation. She is currently earning her Masters of Fine Arts in Devised Performance from the University of the Arts/Pig Iron Theatre Company. Tenara teaches Improv 101 and 201.

What others say:

"Tenara is the best mix of silly and serious, and she's super dedicated to the work she does both on her own that directly relates to the work she does with us, and the work she does with us. I really appreciate her thorough knowledge and her critiques that always made me want to do better and take action the next time around."

"Tenara was great! She really set the stage for the class and exhibited great enthusiasm for all activities, drills, etc. She did a great job pointing out what worked in scenes/games and what needed to be improved upon in a way that felt productive and supportive."

"Tenara is so intelligent and patient. A great teacher!"

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 six weeks in summer session.

Prerequisites: None!

Day: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

Dates: 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21,6/28, 7/5

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Missed Class Date: 7/12 12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. 

Graduation Show Date/Time: Saturday 7/29 2:30 - 4:00pm Block

CLASS LOCATION: Second Stage (this is an acessible space)

Theater Location: 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Instructor: Tara Gadomski

About the Instructor:

Tara Gadomski (she/her) is an actor, filmmaker, improvisor, BBC radio producer and Sundance Knight Fellow. She teaches Acting and Improv classes at PHIT and hosts the Daytime Practice Group. She is also a teaching artist with The Unscripted Project in Philadelphia public schools. Tara trained in London and worked with the Fluxx Impro company, performing full-length improvised plays around Europe. Her favorite scripted acting credits include Orange is the New Black (Netflix); The BLACKLIST (NBC); Recent Tragic Events (T.I.C. Theatre) and Lost Pirates (Edinburgh Fringe Festival.) Member of SAG-AFTRA; AEA and British Equity. Tara is a dual US-Hungarian citizen, and speaks Hungarian and Portuguese.

What others say:

"Tara is a rockstar"

"I feel respected in Miss Tara's class"

"Tara is just, like, really cool."

Intermediate- Advanced Improv: Story, Games, 3rd beats: You are well on your way to performing a HAROLD.

You will begin to learn pattern games and different ways to pull an idea or premise, create 3 beat stories, and learn a few ways to initiate and play group games. You can expect to receive more specific and individualized notes and side coaching with a short range goal of performing a HAROLD. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: PHIT level 201

Day: Wednesday

Dates: 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19

Missed Class Date: 7/24 7:00 pm

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Graduation Show Date/Time: Sunday 7/30 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Block

Class Location: Main Stage (this is an accessible space)

Theater Location: 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Instructor: Nick Elmer

About the Instructor:

 Nick has performed improv comedy in Philadelphia for nine years and can currently be seen with The N-Crowd, No Diggity, Breeders, and the indie team Sizzler Hour. Besides teaching at PHIT and The Lab, he has years of experience coaching and directing improv projects including the newest PHIT Harold team Main Dog! More than anything, he is excited to help new improvisors find what they are great at and fall in love with the art form of improv comedy!

What others say:

"Nick was fantastic and a ton of fun!"

"Nick is great. He is relaxed, and he explains concepts and exercises in an easily digestible way. His astute feedback was instrumental in helping me tweak my short comings while trying to grasp the information throughout the last 8 weeks. What I also really appreciate is that Nick used feedback to praise our work in class (and in the showcase!), which is a HUGE confidence booster when you're in the hotspot. "

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!

Day: THURSDAYS

Dates: 6//1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Missed Class Date: 7/27  at 7pm

Graduation Show Date/Time: 7/29 1:00pm - 2:30 block

Class Location: Room A (this an acessible space)

Theater Location: 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Instructor:  Emily Harnett

About the Instructor:

Emily Harnett (they/them) is thrilled to be teaching this 101 class. Emily is a life long actor, writer, comedian and professional laugher. They earned their BFA in Acting from Point Park University. Emily previous studied at Emerson College’s Comedic Arts program. They currently write for their sketch channel which is launching in the next few month and perform stand up around Philly. They are passionate about teaching through play, exploration and acceptance.

Intermediate Improv:Scene work

You continue to practice the skills learned in 101 as you progress toward performing HAROLD. Learn how to listen for, and heighten ideas, create 2nd beats, and use simple edits while continuing to create and  build objects, environment, clear character relationships, strong points of view, and close ensemble work. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: PHIT Improv 101 or permission from the Education Director.

Day: Thursday

Thursdays Dates: 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Missed Class Date: 7/27  7:00pm

Graduation Show Date/Time: Sunday 7/30 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Block

Class Location: Mainstage (this is an accessible space)

Instructor: David Allison

About the Instructor:

Dave Allison is a Philadelphia-based Educator and Performer. He holds his BFA in Acting from Arcadia University. Outside of his undergrad he has studied at Second City Training Center in Chicago and the Pig Iron School in Philly, and has an extensive background in Martial Arts. Dave is currently teaching students from Kindergarten through Adulthood with Walnut Street Theatre, ASAP Drama, Rooted Tree Productions, Wolf Performing Arts Center—and now Improv at PHIT!

Intermediate- Advanced Improv: Story, Games, 3rd beats: You are well on your way to performing a HAROLD.

You will begin to learn pattern games and different ways to pull an idea or premise, create 3 beat stories, and learn a few ways to initiate and play group games. You can expect to receive more specific and individualized notes and side coaching with a short range goal of performing a HAROLD. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: PHIT Level 201

Day: Fridays

Dates: 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Missed Class Date: 7/28 6:30 p.m.

Graduation Show Date/Time: Saturday 7/29 1:00pm - 2:30pm Block

Class Location: A (this is an acessible space)

Instructor: Dom Arp

About the Instructor:

Dominick "Dom" Arp has been doing improv for the last 10 years and has done a smorgasbord of performing with a focus on narrative and digital improv. Beyond teaching at PHIT, he is currently a performer with Show & Tell Live, Roll Play, & KDM. He is also the producer of Be Kind: A Rewind Show & 3-2-1. Additionally, he is the president of the Philly Improv Book Club, as well as a member of the PHIT Programming Committee. Having trained in both public speaking & theater, he is passionate about the power of combining theory, meaningful direction, and play in order to grow the Philly improv community into something special. 

What others say:

"I would say sign up with Dom Arp"

"Dom has an ease about him that helps his feedback stay with you as you're developing as an improviser. You feel like he's invested in your success, but you don't feel pressured to be a different person or performer than you are."

"Dom is amazing! His feedback is detailed and he isn't afraid to tell you the truth. Dom will help you improve on whatever it is you tell him you want to work on. He is a great listener and communicator. He is passionate about theory, which is a nerdy plus for me!"

Intermediate Improv: Scene work:

You continue to practice the skills learned in 101 as you progress toward performing HAROLD. Learn how to listen for, and heighten ideas, create 2nd beats, and use simple edits while continuing to create and  build objects, environment, clear character relationships, strong points of view, and close ensemble work. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: PHIT Improv 101 or permission from the Education Director.

Day: Saturday Afternoon

Dates: 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22

Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Missed Class Date: Sunday 7/16 1:30pm

Graduation Show Date/Time: 7/29 11:00am - 12:30 pm Block

Class Location: Room A (this is an accessible space)

Theater Location: The Adrienne Theater. 2030 Sansom Street.

Instructor: Johnny Di Sciascio

About the Instructor:

 Johnny has been performing and teaching Improv since literal middle school. He then went on to have a rare, yet super cool experience of being able to study Improv on a collegiate level while also studying Acting and Theater in New York City. He now resides in Philly and gets to regularly perform with the coolest Musical Improv team in town: "Thank You Places". He also can be seen regularly performing original musical parodies as a rotating cast member of the "Bob and Barbara's" Thursday Night Show and also with "Brittany Lynn's Philly Drag Mafia". In addition to writing and performing, he LOVES to travel the world as far and as often as he can! 

What others say:

"Johnny is a really good instructor: he is knowledgeable and he is fun and makes each class interesting and unique! He provides you with just enough structure to successfully master each exercise. He is also very welcoming with all the students."

"Johnny is so nice and respectful. He makes you feel great."