Improv Resource Center - Forums
Clown for the Improviser
Instructor: Eric Davis
This class focuses on ways to be the joke instead of telling the joke. It offers a deeply personal approach, letting people laugh at who you are and celebrating your personal ridiculousness. We will focus on the pleasure of the performer, connecting with the audience, and finding your unique stupidity.
January 5-January 26 (4 weeks)
Wednesdays, 7-10pm
$200
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
SNL Audition: Characters and Impersonations
Instructor: Ali Farahnakian
An SNL audition consists of three characters and three impersonations, plain and simple. This class will help you develop and master at least one of each. Students will come prepared with original characters and impersonations already in mind (not necessarily developed, but thought-out). For characters, we will work on in-depth backgrounds and histories, ultimately putting together something that works in 45 seconds. For the impersonations, we will find the celebrities that you are best suited for by your natural vocal range and similar look. Students will also improvise with each other as the characters and the people they are impersonating. The class will culminate in a show where each member of the class will put together a 5 minute piece to be performed live.
January 6-February 10 (6 weeks)
Thursdays, 7-10pm
$400
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Do It Yourself
Instructor: Jen Nails
For those who have ever felt compelled to write and perform solo material, do it! You will explore different techniques for developing clean, honest characters and full, detailed stories. Emphasis will be placed on gaining confidence while on stage alone as well as on writing freely, without editing yourself. We will work toward structuring your material into a solid 6–8 minute piece. The class will culminate in a performance of your work at the PIT.
January 11-March 1 (8 weeks)
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm
$360
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Do It Yourself 2/3
Instructor: Jen Nails
For those who have completed DIY at the PIT, or for anyone who has put up a solo show for the first time and would like to bring things to the next level, this course is for you! As a class, we'll work on editing and shaping your piece and creating a flow. We will identify all of the most important bits in your writing and save those, and help you to let go of the rest. Be prepared to work on, think about and consider your fellow classmates' material nearly as much as your own as part of this "director collective." Students will perform an excerpt of their pieces in a class show at the end of the session, and are also guaranteed one 30-minute slot at the PIT at a later date to perform their full show. *Students who have taken DIY2 or DIY3 before are welcome to register to continue workshopping their piece.
January 12-March 2 (8 weeks)
Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm
$360
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
How To Pitch and Sell TV Shows
Instructor: James Murray
You’ve got a killer idea for a TV show, but how do get your foot in the door, pitch it to production companies and networks, and sell the show? In this 6-week class, students will learn all the fundamentals of how to pitch and sell TV shows. To date, five students have sold their ideas and pitched them to networks as a result of the class! Topics covered include: getting your hands on the latest network intel; what production companies and networks are currently buying; creating a sellable idea that multiple networks will want; writing a compelling treatment; shooting a great sizzle tape; and perfecting the pitch itself. Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into TV or a producer looking to sharpen your pitch skills, this class will help with all aspects of the pitch process, from development to sale. Students will refine their ideas in class, and practice pitching every week.
January 20-February 24 (6 weeks)
Thursdays, 7-10pm
$360
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Voiceover Tricks and Techniques
Instructor: Ed Lewis (Arcieri and Associates)
Are you interested in Voice Overs but don't know where to start? You aren't alone. Voice Overs are a hard nut to crack. Ed Lewis, a Voice Over agent at Arcieri and Associates, will use his no-nonsense style to take all of the guess work out of this often confusing world. In the class, you will work on extensive commercial copy, and learn the skills and tricks to make Voice Overs work for you. Ed comes from an acting background and will teach you how to apply your acting skills to make comercial copy stand out. Each student will receive an mp3 of their work in class along with Ed's feedback once the session ends.
January 31-March 7 (6 weeks)
Mondays, 7:30-9:30pm
$300
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Instructor: Eric Davis
This class focuses on ways to be the joke instead of telling the joke. It offers a deeply personal approach, letting people laugh at who you are and celebrating your personal ridiculousness. We will focus on the pleasure of the performer, connecting with the audience, and finding your unique stupidity.
January 5-January 26 (4 weeks)
Wednesdays, 7-10pm
$200
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
SNL Audition: Characters and Impersonations
Instructor: Ali Farahnakian
An SNL audition consists of three characters and three impersonations, plain and simple. This class will help you develop and master at least one of each. Students will come prepared with original characters and impersonations already in mind (not necessarily developed, but thought-out). For characters, we will work on in-depth backgrounds and histories, ultimately putting together something that works in 45 seconds. For the impersonations, we will find the celebrities that you are best suited for by your natural vocal range and similar look. Students will also improvise with each other as the characters and the people they are impersonating. The class will culminate in a show where each member of the class will put together a 5 minute piece to be performed live.
January 6-February 10 (6 weeks)
Thursdays, 7-10pm
$400
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Do It Yourself
Instructor: Jen Nails
For those who have ever felt compelled to write and perform solo material, do it! You will explore different techniques for developing clean, honest characters and full, detailed stories. Emphasis will be placed on gaining confidence while on stage alone as well as on writing freely, without editing yourself. We will work toward structuring your material into a solid 6–8 minute piece. The class will culminate in a performance of your work at the PIT.
January 11-March 1 (8 weeks)
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm
$360
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Do It Yourself 2/3
Instructor: Jen Nails
For those who have completed DIY at the PIT, or for anyone who has put up a solo show for the first time and would like to bring things to the next level, this course is for you! As a class, we'll work on editing and shaping your piece and creating a flow. We will identify all of the most important bits in your writing and save those, and help you to let go of the rest. Be prepared to work on, think about and consider your fellow classmates' material nearly as much as your own as part of this "director collective." Students will perform an excerpt of their pieces in a class show at the end of the session, and are also guaranteed one 30-minute slot at the PIT at a later date to perform their full show. *Students who have taken DIY2 or DIY3 before are welcome to register to continue workshopping their piece.
January 12-March 2 (8 weeks)
Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm
$360
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
How To Pitch and Sell TV Shows
Instructor: James Murray
You’ve got a killer idea for a TV show, but how do get your foot in the door, pitch it to production companies and networks, and sell the show? In this 6-week class, students will learn all the fundamentals of how to pitch and sell TV shows. To date, five students have sold their ideas and pitched them to networks as a result of the class! Topics covered include: getting your hands on the latest network intel; what production companies and networks are currently buying; creating a sellable idea that multiple networks will want; writing a compelling treatment; shooting a great sizzle tape; and perfecting the pitch itself. Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into TV or a producer looking to sharpen your pitch skills, this class will help with all aspects of the pitch process, from development to sale. Students will refine their ideas in class, and practice pitching every week.
January 20-February 24 (6 weeks)
Thursdays, 7-10pm
$360
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.
Voiceover Tricks and Techniques
Instructor: Ed Lewis (Arcieri and Associates)
Are you interested in Voice Overs but don't know where to start? You aren't alone. Voice Overs are a hard nut to crack. Ed Lewis, a Voice Over agent at Arcieri and Associates, will use his no-nonsense style to take all of the guess work out of this often confusing world. In the class, you will work on extensive commercial copy, and learn the skills and tricks to make Voice Overs work for you. Ed comes from an acting background and will teach you how to apply your acting skills to make comercial copy stand out. Each student will receive an mp3 of their work in class along with Ed's feedback once the session ends.
January 31-March 7 (6 weeks)
Mondays, 7:30-9:30pm
$300
***For more information, please visit www.thepit-nyc.com or call (212) 563-7488.