Philly Improv Theater

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 are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

 A minimum of 8 students is required to run this class.

Day:  WEDNESDAY

Dates: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28. Feb 4, 11, 18, 25

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

Make-Up/Practice Day: Wed March 4

ShowCase: Weekend of March 7-8

Room: TBD

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

About the Instructor:

Alyse James is a classically trained clown who creates from an insistent sense of curiosity and existential pondering, inspired by a deep desire to merge otherworldly cosmic clown etherealities with our everyday human failures. Their collaborative theater making and community engagement inform their socially conscious art practice. As a performer, they have worked with Pig Iron Theater Company, Theater Unspeakable, the Tank Theater, and FringeArts. Their work spans clown, devised theater, original songs, plays, poetry, and improvisational comedy—often incorporating elements of the surreal and absurd. Through vivid imagery, discomfort, and vulnerability, Alyse invites audiences into layered worlds that challenge, provoke, and ask rather than answer.

What Others Say:

"I never thought I could tell a whole joke just by walking into the room and staring at people. Alyse gave feedback that helped us find the laugh, and shared different strategies for polishing our acts. The group felt like a bonded troop by the end. I could have stayed playing for hours! I can’t wait to do this again!"

"I loved learning from Alyse! As a teacher, they are so present, kind, and clear. They created a supportive, relaxed, and fun learning environment and offered constructive feedback. I can’t wait to attend another one of their workshops!"