Jump into The PIT this summer... and don't miss out on Ali Farahnakian's last classes until this fall. He'll be in Chicago from mid-June on to do Tony Kushner's new play, "Homebody Kabul," at The Steppenwolf Theatre.
Also, Armando Diaz will only be offering one Instant Brilliance class this session, so that will surely fill up very quickly. He will also be offering two perfomance-based classes, however. Get the lowdown on registration at www.thepit-nyc.com/classes.htm. Read all about it....
Improv 101: Intro to Improvisation - Kurt Braunohler
This class will transform you from a mild-mannered civilian into an improv artiste. Incorporating movement-based exercises, scene work and group exercises, we will explore the primary tenets of improvisation -- making you more confident, trusting and graceful on stage. No shit. The class emphasizes creating a rich environment for your scenes, committing to your decisions and your scene partner and beginning with the body as inspiration. The class will culminate in a performance with your fellow students at the PIT.
6 weeks - $250
Wednesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 21st
Intermediate Improv: Intensive Scenework Skills - Brian Berrebbi
In this class the essential scenework skills necessary for any longform will be imprinted on your brain, made second nature to you. The teaching style is based on simple, practical tools that will make you a better improviser immediately. Nothing abstract, nothing arcane, no bullshit. The de-mystifying approach will allow you to be the improviser you want to be, producing immediate results that will stay with you and prepare you for advanced longforms. Prerequisite: Intro to Improv or equivalent.
6 weeks - $250
Tuesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 20th
Narrative & Story Forms - Armando Diaz
Students will learn the skills and structures to improvise a variety of narrative forms from improvising One Act Plays to playing the original longform, the Evente'. Prerequisite: One longform improv class.
6 weeks - $250
Sundays 12-3pm - Begins May 4th
Harold Camp: Mastering the Harold - Armando Diaz
All longforms are based on the original longform, Harold, created by the late Del Close in Chicago. But it takes more than just knowing the structure to successfully master the Harold. This class will give you new insight into this seminal form, with special emphasis on the Chicago-style Harold. Prerequisite: Two longform improv classes.
6 weeks - $250
Saturdays 12-3pm - Begins May 3rd
Level 5: Improv Maga - Ali Farahnakian
This class will be taught with a martial arts point of view (i.e., It is easier for me to train you to defend against a "NO" or a question than it is for me to train you to say "YES, and..." and ask no questions. This class will focus on why scenes work and don't work, focusing on techniques that will push you to have more funny, interesting scenes. This class will concentrate on process NOT product. Be patient. Class may organically drift towards longform. Maga is Hebrew for battle. Title drawn from KRAV MAGA, Israeli military self-defense. There will be 45 minutes of martial arts to open the classes, so bring your workout gear and be ready to sweat. Prerequisite: Three improv classes.
6 weeks - $250
Tuesdays 7-10pm - Begins Apr 29th
Instant Brilliance - Armando Diaz
This class is designed to turn improvisers into performers. Students will work individual improv muscles and participate in exercises that challenge and build confidence. After this class you should fear nothing. Prerequisite: Harold Camp or equivalent.
6 weeks - $250
Wednesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 7th
Performance Workshop: Level 1 - Armando Diaz
The only way to really get better as a performer is to perform! No matter how many classes you take no class fully replaces the benefits of stage time. Level 1 Performance Workshop will provide students the opportunity to polish their on-stage skills while performing a variety of longform improv in front of an audience. Along with the regular three-hour class, students will perform every other Thursday night in a live show at The PIT. After each performance, the class will receive comprehensive notes by their instructor. Prerequisite: Instant Brilliance or equivalent (UCB Level 3, etc.)
8 weeks - $300
Saturdays 3-6pm - Begins May 3rd (Performance every other Thursday at 7pm)
Sundays 3-6pm - Begins May 4th (Performance every other Thursday at 7pm)
Introductory Sketch Comedy Writing - Ali Farahnakian
"What do I do with my funny ideas, Daddy?"
This class is for anyone who has ever dreamed about writing sketch comedy. The class will help you take your seedling ideas and turn them into mighty oak sketches. Class will focus on the format of professional sketch writing, commercial parodies, one-page sketches (i.e., reveals and blackouts) and two-person sketches. This class is a great start for someone beginning the process of putting together "A packet" for sketch comedy shows. I have taught this class to well over 300 people. I'm ready. Are you?
6 weeks - $300
Wednesdays 7-10pm - Begins April 30th
Advanced Sketch Comedy Writing - Ali Farahnakian
This class is designed for those who are in the process of fine tuning their "Packet" for submission to sketch comedy shows (They start looking in June and July) or those putting together a sketch comedy show of their own. The class will focus on writing six sketches. You will be trained to take high-concept premises and execute them. "Getting to it, Heightening and Tightening, Getting there late and Leaving Early." Soon summer will ask, what were you doing all winter? You must have taken a sketch class with me to be eligible.
6 weeks - $300
Thursdays 7-10pm - Begins May 1st
Do It Yourself - Jen Nails
For those who have ever felt compelled to write and perform solo material, do it! You will explore different techniques in class which will help develop clean, honest characters and full, detailed stories. Emphasis will be placed on gaining confidence and losing inhibitions while on stage alone.
6 weeks - $300
Tuesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 6th (no class on 5/13 or 6/17. Class will end on 6/24)
See you at The PIT!
Also, Armando Diaz will only be offering one Instant Brilliance class this session, so that will surely fill up very quickly. He will also be offering two perfomance-based classes, however. Get the lowdown on registration at www.thepit-nyc.com/classes.htm. Read all about it....
Improv 101: Intro to Improvisation - Kurt Braunohler
This class will transform you from a mild-mannered civilian into an improv artiste. Incorporating movement-based exercises, scene work and group exercises, we will explore the primary tenets of improvisation -- making you more confident, trusting and graceful on stage. No shit. The class emphasizes creating a rich environment for your scenes, committing to your decisions and your scene partner and beginning with the body as inspiration. The class will culminate in a performance with your fellow students at the PIT.
6 weeks - $250
Wednesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 21st
Intermediate Improv: Intensive Scenework Skills - Brian Berrebbi
In this class the essential scenework skills necessary for any longform will be imprinted on your brain, made second nature to you. The teaching style is based on simple, practical tools that will make you a better improviser immediately. Nothing abstract, nothing arcane, no bullshit. The de-mystifying approach will allow you to be the improviser you want to be, producing immediate results that will stay with you and prepare you for advanced longforms. Prerequisite: Intro to Improv or equivalent.
6 weeks - $250
Tuesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 20th
Narrative & Story Forms - Armando Diaz
Students will learn the skills and structures to improvise a variety of narrative forms from improvising One Act Plays to playing the original longform, the Evente'. Prerequisite: One longform improv class.
6 weeks - $250
Sundays 12-3pm - Begins May 4th
Harold Camp: Mastering the Harold - Armando Diaz
All longforms are based on the original longform, Harold, created by the late Del Close in Chicago. But it takes more than just knowing the structure to successfully master the Harold. This class will give you new insight into this seminal form, with special emphasis on the Chicago-style Harold. Prerequisite: Two longform improv classes.
6 weeks - $250
Saturdays 12-3pm - Begins May 3rd
Level 5: Improv Maga - Ali Farahnakian
This class will be taught with a martial arts point of view (i.e., It is easier for me to train you to defend against a "NO" or a question than it is for me to train you to say "YES, and..." and ask no questions. This class will focus on why scenes work and don't work, focusing on techniques that will push you to have more funny, interesting scenes. This class will concentrate on process NOT product. Be patient. Class may organically drift towards longform. Maga is Hebrew for battle. Title drawn from KRAV MAGA, Israeli military self-defense. There will be 45 minutes of martial arts to open the classes, so bring your workout gear and be ready to sweat. Prerequisite: Three improv classes.
6 weeks - $250
Tuesdays 7-10pm - Begins Apr 29th
Instant Brilliance - Armando Diaz
This class is designed to turn improvisers into performers. Students will work individual improv muscles and participate in exercises that challenge and build confidence. After this class you should fear nothing. Prerequisite: Harold Camp or equivalent.
6 weeks - $250
Wednesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 7th
Performance Workshop: Level 1 - Armando Diaz
The only way to really get better as a performer is to perform! No matter how many classes you take no class fully replaces the benefits of stage time. Level 1 Performance Workshop will provide students the opportunity to polish their on-stage skills while performing a variety of longform improv in front of an audience. Along with the regular three-hour class, students will perform every other Thursday night in a live show at The PIT. After each performance, the class will receive comprehensive notes by their instructor. Prerequisite: Instant Brilliance or equivalent (UCB Level 3, etc.)
8 weeks - $300
Saturdays 3-6pm - Begins May 3rd (Performance every other Thursday at 7pm)
Sundays 3-6pm - Begins May 4th (Performance every other Thursday at 7pm)
Introductory Sketch Comedy Writing - Ali Farahnakian
"What do I do with my funny ideas, Daddy?"
This class is for anyone who has ever dreamed about writing sketch comedy. The class will help you take your seedling ideas and turn them into mighty oak sketches. Class will focus on the format of professional sketch writing, commercial parodies, one-page sketches (i.e., reveals and blackouts) and two-person sketches. This class is a great start for someone beginning the process of putting together "A packet" for sketch comedy shows. I have taught this class to well over 300 people. I'm ready. Are you?
6 weeks - $300
Wednesdays 7-10pm - Begins April 30th
Advanced Sketch Comedy Writing - Ali Farahnakian
This class is designed for those who are in the process of fine tuning their "Packet" for submission to sketch comedy shows (They start looking in June and July) or those putting together a sketch comedy show of their own. The class will focus on writing six sketches. You will be trained to take high-concept premises and execute them. "Getting to it, Heightening and Tightening, Getting there late and Leaving Early." Soon summer will ask, what were you doing all winter? You must have taken a sketch class with me to be eligible.
6 weeks - $300
Thursdays 7-10pm - Begins May 1st
Do It Yourself - Jen Nails
For those who have ever felt compelled to write and perform solo material, do it! You will explore different techniques in class which will help develop clean, honest characters and full, detailed stories. Emphasis will be placed on gaining confidence and losing inhibitions while on stage alone.
6 weeks - $300
Tuesdays 7-10pm - Begins May 6th (no class on 5/13 or 6/17. Class will end on 6/24)
See you at The PIT!
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