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 FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS. PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: Sundays

Dates: 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25,

Time: 1:00-3:00 PM

Make-up/Snow Date: 3/3/2024

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: Brown-Martin (all classrooms are accessible spaces)

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

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:

“She knows her stuff. It’s a blast; just take it!”

"Tenara's class makes it impossible for me to hate Mondays!"

"Tenara is whip-smart."

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 FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS.  PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: MONDAYS

Dates: 1/8, 1/15,1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26

Time: 7:00am -9:00pm

Make-up/Snow Date: 3/4/2024

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: Brown-Martin (this is an acessible space)

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 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."

Musical Improv 101:

Ready to level up your comedy game? Join our Musical Improv 101 class and delve into the exhilarating world of spontaneous song creation and hilarious scenes. Over eight weeks, you'll learn some of the art of creating songs and lyrics on the fly, adding musical pizzazz to your characters and scenes, and delving into the wacky world of musical theater genres and quirks. Each class is a lively two-hour mix of exercises, games, and scene work that'll have you harmonizing and laughing like a comedy pro!

Class meets once a week for eight weeks.

Age 18+

Please note: ALL SALES FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS. PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

PREREQUISITE: Level 101 improv. Ability to carry a tune (shower singing counts!)

Day: MONDAY

Dates: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26

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

Make-up / Snow Day: 3/4/2024

Class Location: 1976 Room - 2nd floor (this is an accessible space)

Showcase Date & Time:  TBD

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 North 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

Paul Hazen (he/him) began improvising music as a jazz saxophonist in high school and went on to earn his Bachelor’s of Music degree from Temple University. A lifelong musical theater fan, Paul has also played and conducted in many pit orchestras over the years and is one of the founding members of The Good Kids musical improv team. Paul is an ensemble member of the musical team Thank You, Places where he combines his love of comedy, theater, and making up songs. In addition to performing, Paul is also an amateur cocktail enthusiast known for making his own syrups and super juices and wearing an obnoxious hipster bartender’s apron at both appropriate and inappropriate occasions. And although he loves musical improv with his whole heart, Paul’s favorite and most important role will always be husband and father.

Musical Accompanist: Dan Perlman

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 FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS.  PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: TUESDAY

Dates: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Make-up/Snow Date: 3/5/2024

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: Brown-Martin (this is an acessible space)

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.

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.

Adults 18+

Please note ALL SALES FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS.  PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: Tuesday

Dates: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Make-Up/Snow Day/Time: 3/5/2024

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: Smith (this is an accessible space)

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

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:

"Dom was excellent! He knew how to help out each student individually and how to make us play better as a group"

"This was an incredible experience and I'm so glad I got to have you as my instructor :) "

"Great"

Advanced Improv- Full Harold Structure

You have accomplished quite a bit to this point. Each previous level has built upon and deepened your individual improv abilities: creating environments, creating characters, recognizing patterns, and creating 3 beat stories. In 401 you put all the parts together to learn the Harold structure. Starting with Openings, 1st,2nd and 3rd beats, group games, exploring and creating  memorable and powerful themes on which to build a solid framework and foundation for HAROLD. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: PHIT level 301 or permission of the Education Director

Adults 18+

Please note ALL SALES FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS.  PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: TUESDAY

Dates: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27

MAKE-Up/SNOW DATE: 3/5/2024

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Showcase Date/Time:  TBD

Class Room: 1976 (this is an accessible space)

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

About the Instructor:

Emma has been performing and studying improv for over a decade. She was a member of the PHIT House Teams Metropolis and Hooch and the long-running indie teams HOTLINE and Expo. She also directed the Harold team Whiplash. Emma has performed at festivals and theaters across the east coast, including UCB’s Del Close Marathon, Baltimore Improv Festival, the New York Improv Festival and SteelStacks. She also ran the improv showcase Saturdays With Morrie and has worked extensively as a coach for indie teams.

What Others Say:

"Emma was awesome!"

"great; very enthusiastic and kind"

"Emma was fantastic and I feel like I won the lottery having her as my first improv 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 eight weeks.

Prerequisites: None!

Adults 18+

Please note ALL SALES FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS.  PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: Wednesdays

Dates: 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Make-up/Snow Date: 3/6/2024

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: Brown-Martin  (this is an accessible location)

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

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 101 at PHIT!

What others say:

“What we find most impressive about Dave is his ability to unlock his students' imagination.” - Jennifer O’Rourke & Darren Slaughter, Co-Executive Directors of Rooted Tree Productions

Intermediate Improv: Scene work

You continue to build on 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.

Adults 18+

Please note ALL SALES FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO CREDITS.  PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Day: Wednesdays

Dates: 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Make-Up/Snow Day: 3/6/2024

Showcase Date/Time: TBD

Class Room: Smith (this is an acessible space)

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

About the Instructor:

Francesca (she/her) is thrilled to be back teaching Improv at PHIT again! She studied Theatre at Florida State University, where she fell in love with improv, sketch comedy, and comedy writing. Francesca has had two original shows produced, and has worked theaters around Philly and the country! Currently, she is helping lead the PHIT Queer Practice Group and performing in Teacher’s Lounge at PHIT Harold Nights. In Francesca’s class, you can expect energy, excitement, patience, and zero judgment.

What others say:

"She was the absolute best! I think she made 101 what it was!! We had so much fun as a class that we wanted to all take 201 together! Francesca was a huge reason for that."

"Francesca is so supportive and made our classroom a safe space to play and learn. She’s the best hype woman and had great notes for us that we could learn from without feeling discouraged "

"Francesca is amazing! Everyone should get the opportunity to take her class. "