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: April 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, May 1, 6, 8

Time: 7 PM - 9 PM

Make-up/Practice Date: May 13

Showcase Date/Time: Sunday May 18th Block 2 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Class Room: 1976

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

About the Instructor:

Diego is an improviser and sketch comedian PROUDLY hailing from Wilmington, Delaware and is absolutely ecstatic to be coming on board to teach at PHIT, after having graduated from the program! As an instructor, Diego has an energetic and focused energy, with a big emphasis on exploring YOUR creativity and helping to activate your funny bone. On the weekends, you can find Diego performing with teams at various spots around Philly, and at home playing some tabletop RPGs, and would be happy to nerd out about them with anyone who feels so inclined.

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

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:

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 mimed objects and environment, clear character relationships, strong points of view, and close ensemble work. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

An optional ninth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor availability and scheduling.

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

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

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:

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: MONDAY

Dates: Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Jul 7, 14, 21

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: July 28

Showcase:  TBD

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

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. 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!

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 mimed objects and environment, clear character relationships, strong points of view, and close ensemble work. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

An optional ninth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor availability and scheduling.

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

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:

Michael “Dola” Amendola (he/they) is a Philadelphia & NYC-based performer-creator, and educator with a strong interest in the personal, creative and social impact of “play.” He has performed in over 60 productions across the US including 600 shows with the Off-Broadway comedy hit, Drunk Shakespeare, and 100+ performances as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the ASC. He earned his BFA in Acting from Texas State University and is pursuing an MFA in Devised Performance at the Pig Iron School. He has also studied clown extensively with many world-renowned teachers. In addition to teaching at PHIT, Dola has led workshops in devising, clown, improv and character creation for Circadium School for Contemporary Circus, Austin Shakespeare, Cannonball Festival, and the American Shakespeare Center.

What Others Say:

"This was the most beneficial workshop I've been to in years. I was able to reconnect my mind and body to acting. I have immediate lessons to bring back to my students."

"Oh god. Dola is a brilliant firecracker's worth of expression and depth. His style of teaching gives me courage and curiosity and freedom to explore and learn. I loved this class!!!"

"Dola really invited the students to be their best selves, creating an environment of play and discovery. He had excellent notes for the performers, truly insightful. It is evident that his eye is really tuned in to what is being created and is present to what is actually going on."

“Dola is an excellent teacher - the way he commands the room, and how excited he is by it. It’s great to see someone who is so passionate about something and then so good at it!”

Pretty Flower: Tangents, Truth, and Theatricality

You’ve done the Harold. You know your edits, tag runs, and callbacks. Now you’re ready to take your scenework deeper.

In this 8-week advanced class, you’ll explore Pretty Flower (also known as the Spokane), a dynamic long-form that blends grounded scenework with fast, inspired tangents. Starting from a central “source scene,” the form blossoms outward through tag runs that reveal backstory, alternate realities, or parallel characters—always returning to the original scene with more texture and insight.

You’ll sharpen your listening, heighten your emotional and thematic connections, and learn to build a world that’s rich, layered, and full of surprises. Each week includes targeted exercises, reps in the format, and individual feedback, culminating in a showcase performance.

Ideal for advanced improvisers who want a form that’s structured but flexible, character-rich, and wildly creative.

Meets once a week for eight weeks.

An optional ninth week may be offered as a bonus practice or makeup session, subject to instructor availability and scheduling.

Prerequisites: Completion of Improv 401 at PHIT or equivalent long-form training, or permission from the Education Director.

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:

 Jasmine is an artist, educator, and arts manager who has been improvising since 2014. She has been teaching at PHIT since 2023 and has also trained and performed at Empire Comedy, Reno Improv, Washington Improv Theater, and SideQuest Theater. You may have seen her in Roll Play, Off the Record, Objection!, Todorov’s Dirty Laundry, or a viral TikTok she is vaguely mortified by. Outside of performing, Jasmine is the Managing Director of Pig Iron Theatre Company, an OBIE Award-winning 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!

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:

Kelly is the current Director of Education and Corporate training at Philly Improv Theater. She is a Philadelphia based theater artist, improviser, and professional leadership coach. Kelly is an alumna of Philadelphia ComedySportz where, in addition to performing and teaching, she served as Co-Artistic Director, and Minor League Coach. Independent Improv and acting workshop credits include Marywood University, The University of The Arts, C.W. Post Long Island University, improv based corporate training workshops for Comcast, Seer Interactive, UPenn, Villanova, Drexel Univ, and dozens more. Kelly was a founding member of the long form improv company ‘LunchLady Doris’ where she performed for over 12 years; Co-creator of, and Cecily in, ‘Cecily and Gwendolyn’s Fantastical’ recipient of the League of Cincinnati Theaters’ ‘Outstanding Improv Award’ as well as numerous ‘Best Of’ nominations and critical acclaim across the country. Kelly directed and performed in Timeprov – an Improvised Doctor Who parody, 13 Skirts, an all-women’s sketch comedy team, Choosical The improvised Musical, and numerous other one-off projects. Kelly was co-founder of Tapestry Theater and producer of the first Philadelphia based all-women’s comedy festival “Funny Fest” for four consecutive years. Additional Philadelphia theater credits include Swim Pony Performing Arts, Pig Iron Theater, Lantern Theater, Philadelphia Shakespeare, Brat Productions et al.  What Kelly wants most right now is six weeks in a fancy resort, a lovely meal, and good company. And snacks. And maybe a nap?

What Others Say:

“You can tell that Kelly Jennings is passionate about her craft; it showed throughout the workshop. She is a great instructor.”

“Kelly is so deeply knowledgeable, while staying intellectually accessible to all. She kept the pace moving and class flew with her at the helm. Her years of both performing and teaching really benefit us tremendously.”      

“Kelly was a lot of fun to work with.  She really knew what she was doing, and I definitely walked out of the session having learned something new.”

"Kelly Jennings is a dynamic facilitator with a great sense of humor. Her approach makes people feel at ease, enabling them to take risks and reap the rewards of their bravery."

"Kelly is an artistic educator and trainer of the highest integrity. Kelly's enthusiasm for her work is engaging and compelling. She combines her energetic demeanor with a detail-oriented and methodical approach, so that her students feel well-guided toward clearly-defined objectives. Add to this Kelly's talent and passion for creativity, imagination, and the magic of interactive collaborative discovery, and you have a teacher who inspires and motivates through fun and laughter, and who also consistently delivers on learning outcomes."