Improv 101: Foundations

New to improv? This is where you begin.      

Improv 101 introduces the core skills that make scenes work: listening, agreement (“Yes, And”), supporting your partner, making clear choices, and recognizing patterns as they emerge.

Each week, you’ll learn specific tools and practice them through structured exercises, games, and guided scene work. You’ll receive supportive, practical coaching designed to help you grow — not just “get laughs.”

You don’t need to be funny or have experience, and you won’t be asked to perform alone. You just need a willingness to participate and try.

By the end of 8 weeks, students are able to:

• Stay present instead of planning ahead
• Build scenes about their partner, not offstage plots
• Recognize and heighten simple patterns
• Create clear, playable characters
• Support their scene partner in a way that strengthens the whole scene

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). Each level builds on the last.

Progression & Feedback:PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Adults 18+. 

No prerequisite.

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: WEDNESDAY

Dates: March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6

Time: 7PM - 9PM

Optional Showcase Prep/ Make-Up Date: May 13

ShowCase: May 16

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Improv 301: Group Play + Patterns

This is where ensemble focus becomes the skill.

Improv 301 shifts from strong two-person scenes to full-ensemble work. Building on the character and relationship skills from 201, you’ll strengthen your ability to recognize patterns as they emerge, support them as a team, and heighten them into clear, satisfying group play. If 301 feels like a shift from 2-person scenes, that’s intentional — this level asks students to lean into group awareness by supporting ideas that aren’t yours and helping the group stay focused.

You’ll practice group scenes, group games, and the mechanics that make them work: spotting patterns, clarifying the chaos, making strong next moves together, and sustaining focus across multiple beats. Coaching becomes more performance-specific at this level as we refine timing, specificity, pacing, and how you support both your scene partners and the ensemble as a whole.

By the end of the course, students are able to:

• Recognize and articulate the central pattern of a scene
• Support and heighten ideas with clarity
• Maintain ensemble awareness across edits and beats
• Make deliberate, confident next moves
• Recover when a scene loses focus

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 301 is the third step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). This level prepares students for advanced longform structure work in 401.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Prerequisite: PHIT Improv 201 (or equivalent experience), or permission from the Education Director. Students with prior training from other programs are welcome; the instructor and Education Director may recommend moving into a different level when appropriate and feasible, so students have the support and fundamentals they need to succeed.

Adults 18+

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Policies: 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: WEDNESDAY

Dates: March 18, 25, April 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6

Time: 7PM - 9PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: May 13 

ShowCase: May 16

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Improv 301: Group Play + Patterns

This is where ensemble focus becomes the skill.

Improv 301 shifts from strong two-person scenes to full-ensemble work. Building on the character and relationship skills from 201, you’ll strengthen your ability to recognize patterns as they emerge, support them as a team, and heighten them into clear, satisfying group play. If 301 feels like a shift from 2-person scenes, that’s intentional — this level asks students to lean into group awareness by supporting ideas that aren’t yours and helping the group stay focused.

You’ll practice group scenes, group games, and the mechanics that make them work: spotting patterns, clarifying the chaos, making strong next moves together, and sustaining focus across multiple beats. Coaching becomes more performance-specific at this level as we refine timing, specificity, pacing, and how you support both your scene partners and the ensemble as a whole.

By the end of the course, students are able to:

• Recognize and articulate the central pattern of a scene
• Support and heighten ideas with clarity
• Maintain ensemble awareness across edits and beats
• Make deliberate, confident next moves
• Recover when a scene loses focus

All 8-week classes conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 301 is the third step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). This level prepares students for advanced longform structure work in 401.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Prerequisite: PHIT Improv 201 (or equivalent experience), or permission from the Education Director. Students with prior training from other programs are welcome; the instructor and Education Director may recommend moving into a different level when appropriate and feasible, so students have the support and fundamentals they need to succeed.

Adults 18+

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Policies: 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: THURSDAY

Dates: March 19, 26, April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7

Time: 7PM - 9PM

Optional Showcase Prep/ Make-Up Date: May 14 

ShowCase: May 16

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 Intensive: Fast Track

(4 Weeks, Meets Twice a Week | 8 Class Meetings Total)

This Intensive covers the full Improv 101 curriculum in a condensed format. You’ll learn the same foundational skills that make scenes work: listening, agreement (“Yes, And”), supporting your partner, making clear choices, and recognizing patterns as they emerge.

With two meetings each week, you’ll get frequent reps, consistent coaching, and the momentum that comes from working close together in a short period of time. This format is best for students who prefer a focused, fast-paced schedule and can commit to attending both weekly meetings.

You don’t need to be funny or have experience, and you won’t be asked to perform alone. You just need a willingness to participate and try.

By the end of the course, students are able to:

• Stay present instead of planning ahead
• Build scenes about their partner, not offstage plots
• Recognize and heighten simple patterns
• Create clear, playable characters
• Support their scene partner in a way that strengthens the whole scene

All Improv 101 sections conclude with an optional showcase performance — a celebratory opportunity to share your work with friends and family.

Optional Showcase Prep Session (Tentative): Reserved for a make-up class if needed. If not, it becomes an optional showcase run-through (practice in a supportive room, review logistics, final notes, and a chance to meet other PHIT students).

Improv 101 is the first step in PHIT’s structured progression (101–401). Each level builds on the last.

Progression & Feedback: PHIT follows a structured level system (101–401). Placement and advancement are based on demonstrated skill development, not just attendance. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and guidance to help students choose the level that best supports their growth — so students can build strong fundamentals before moving on.

Adults 18+

No prerequisite.

Attendance: Because this course moves quickly, consistent attendance is important. Students should plan to attend both weekly meetings whenever possible. Participation in the showcase requires attendance at the final class.

Class size: Most sections run with 10–12 students. Enrollment is capped at 14 to support coaching, reps, and stage time.

Policies: 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 & THURSDAY

Dates: April 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, May 5, 7   

Time: 7PM - 9PM

Optional Showcase Prep / Make-Up Date: May 12

ShowCase: May 16

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor

Carly Otte (she/her) is an actor and improviser with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from Point Park University. She has been studying and performing improv for over a decade, training primarily with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. Select screen credits include recurring appearances on the improv comedy series 'Impractical Jokers' (truTV) and a lead role in the upcoming mockumentary 'The Conspiracists'. She is also an experienced teacher, choreographer, and coach, passionate about musical improv and thrilled to be joining the PHIT teaching team.