I've trained and graduated from other improv. companies, but am curious about UCB. Can anyone recommend a level 1 instructor? Like most improv. centers, I'm sure I'd need to start at level 1 in the program regardless of my background. And that's fine with me. Would love to hear why you like the instructor, too, if you're up for sharing? Thanks!
UCB Level One Instructor Recommendation?
- Thread starter Life Art
- Start date
Ari Voukydis was my Level 1 teacher. That class was a blast, one of the best improv classes I've taken, and a lot of that came from Ari's enthusiasm and encouragement. I could tell that he really loves improv, was genuinely psyched for the class, and he never phoned it in or faked through it or was too harsh or too easy on us.
Back when I was signing up for Level 1, a performer suggested I go with Ari or Betsy Stover, and now I've got the privilege of performing with both of them. Crazy, huh?
PS: Looking at the list of who's currently teaching Level 1, everyone is good, but I'd also recommend Jeff Hiller. He lights up any room he's in, will make it a fun three hours and I've found him to be really spot-on about notes in a positive way.
Back when I was signing up for Level 1, a performer suggested I go with Ari or Betsy Stover, and now I've got the privilege of performing with both of them. Crazy, huh?
PS: Looking at the list of who's currently teaching Level 1, everyone is good, but I'd also recommend Jeff Hiller. He lights up any room he's in, will make it a fun three hours and I've found him to be really spot-on about notes in a positive way.
Betsy Stover was my level 1 teacher and she was terrific. So terrific, I never took level 1 again, and so I can't offer any opinions on anybody else.
One warning: don't register for the UCB Level 1 class taught by Alan Starzinski. He is not an authorized UCB teacher. It is a scam. He will pocket your money and not show up to teach the class. Worse yet, if you email him to ask for notes, his reply will include a lot of criticism about your hair style.
One warning: don't register for the UCB Level 1 class taught by Alan Starzinski. He is not an authorized UCB teacher. It is a scam. He will pocket your money and not show up to teach the class. Worse yet, if you email him to ask for notes, his reply will include a lot of criticism about your hair style.
This is bullshit many people have taken my UCB level 1 class and loved it. Joe Wengert, Neil Casey, and Will Hines have taken the class just ask them about it. If they say anything like, "I never took that class.", "Alan is no longer allowed at UCB." or "Stay away from him he isn't well." They are doing a bit. They loved the class. Will Hines once told me that the class changed his life forever. So, I'd think about taking my class if I was you. You can register in person at Pizza Suprema on the corner of 31st St. and 8th ave. Just leave a note and semi-nude picture with the cashier.
I was in the same boat you were in when I took my level 101 at UCB, I opted to take an intensive, which is an entire 8 week class compressed into two 3 hour sessions a day for 4 days. I feel I made the right choice as all of my classmates were serious about improv and most of them had had prior improv training. One had even been on a team at the Groundlings. The next intensive is coming up on February 9.
You should do level two as a regular one day a week class as I'm pretty sure you don't have a strong background in the Harold. I would not have gotten much out of learning the Harold at lightning speed.
You should do level two as a regular one day a week class as I'm pretty sure you don't have a strong background in the Harold. I would not have gotten much out of learning the Harold at lightning speed.
Lennon was mine and I loved her class so much I took her for level 3 also. It seems a lot of people I know that took level 1 with her sought out her for other classes, that's got to say something-- but I suspect that is also true of other teachers. I've not heard anyone complain about their level 1 teacher so I'd think they're all good.
I saw a level one show of Ari's class and it was a blast. Of the people I see teaching level ones now I'll also mention that Anthony Atamanuik is a genius. I've had him as coach and he just blows your mind, man.
Ben Rodgers I've had at a practice (UCB run one) and he was really good. I can't imagine anyone on the list being anything other than great. Just different flavors of great. Can I fit "great" into another sentence? Great!
I saw a level one show of Ari's class and it was a blast. Of the people I see teaching level ones now I'll also mention that Anthony Atamanuik is a genius. I've had him as coach and he just blows your mind, man.
Ben Rodgers I've had at a practice (UCB run one) and he was really good. I can't imagine anyone on the list being anything other than great. Just different flavors of great. Can I fit "great" into another sentence? Great!
I had Betsy Stover for 101 and it was such a blast. What a relaxed environment. If you have no time restraints, then it's great to ask for opinions, but my major decision always came down to what days and times I had open. I have never been dissapointed.
I have to agree with Lefty about Anthony Atamanuik. I only had him twice as a coach, but I learned an unbelievable amount in those 6 hours about how to approach improv. A lot of "Ah-hah!" moments. I could only imagine what 8 weeks would do. As an intro to the form, I would have to think he would give you an unbelievable base of knowledge that you will constantly refer to throughout your career. I hope he gets to teach some advanced courses in the future. I also had the pleasure of watching him do a one man Harold after he wandered into our Hines class to ask a question, but Will just said: "and now Anthony will perform a one man Harold for you." And he did, without hesitation, to the suggestion of Strawberry.
I think we can all agree that we are happy Will Hines is on hiatus, because he is just way too creepy.
I have to agree with Lefty about Anthony Atamanuik. I only had him twice as a coach, but I learned an unbelievable amount in those 6 hours about how to approach improv. A lot of "Ah-hah!" moments. I could only imagine what 8 weeks would do. As an intro to the form, I would have to think he would give you an unbelievable base of knowledge that you will constantly refer to throughout your career. I hope he gets to teach some advanced courses in the future. I also had the pleasure of watching him do a one man Harold after he wandered into our Hines class to ask a question, but Will just said: "and now Anthony will perform a one man Harold for you." And he did, without hesitation, to the suggestion of Strawberry.
I think we can all agree that we are happy Will Hines is on hiatus, because he is just way too creepy.
I would say it depends on type of experience you are looking to have. Do you want a fun class where the instructor says "ok that was a great scene" after every scene (great for people who are petrified of improv in the beginning) or are you looking for a more honest instructor who is more focused on breaking bad habits early? Given your apparent experience I am assuming you would be looking more for the 2nd, I had Erik Tanouye and found him to be exactly that. He was not afraid to call people out and his suggestions for improvement were spot on and phrased very intelligently and insightfully.
Ari Voukydis was my level one teacher and he was fantastic. He really made my class feel good about improv, but he also would really tell us what worked and didn't work about our scenes. Aside from some special classes, Ari seems to mostly teach 101. I say get him while you can. He's a great way to start.
But if a Dave Bluvband 101 opens up, go for it.
But if a Dave Bluvband 101 opens up, go for it.
My level 1 instructor was Bobby Moynihan right before he left for SNL. He was out of town for 3 of or 8 classes which gave me a chance to have a total of 4 different level 1 instructors. My favorite was Silvija Ozols, her notes always came across and very thoughtful and very sincere. The supportive, slightly understated, and generally brilliant comedy you see from her on stage translates right over into the classroom.
All in all, every one of the instructors is first class, you can't really go wrong.
All in all, every one of the instructors is first class, you can't really go wrong.
Of the people listed right now as teaching Level One, I think the only one that has been a teacher or coach for me is Jeff Hiller, and I can not recommend him highly enough.
But all of them are excellent improvisors. I've heard great things about Ari as a teacher, and both Silvija Ozols and Erik Tanouye are among my all-time favorite improvisors.
But all of them are excellent improvisors. I've heard great things about Ari as a teacher, and both Silvija Ozols and Erik Tanouye are among my all-time favorite improvisors.
I don't think of any of the teachers up there as bad (and if anyone did, I doubt they'd say so in public).
Your best bet is to check out their shows. Better to learn from someone you think of as an amazing improviser than from someone you don't. If someone blows you away on stage, sign up for their class and find out how they do it.
Your best bet is to check out their shows. Better to learn from someone you think of as an amazing improviser than from someone you don't. If someone blows you away on stage, sign up for their class and find out how they do it.
