Where to take IMPROV classes?

[ytaimaishu]

Hey guys I'm new here. I've gone through 2 levels at the Upright Citizen's Brigade here in Los Angeles. It's not much, but I'm having a great time with it. I'm here to ask, where is the best place to train at? There are so many...i.O. West, Second City, UCB, Groundlings...I've also noticed a lot of famous alumni seem to go to multiple schools...how does that work? Did they really go to 3 schools?

Let's say I wanted to take this seriously, which I'm kind of leaning that way. What's the best way to go about this? Just finish UCB then move to another school, or take multiple schools at once? Move to Chicago, New York? I will do whatever it takes. I'm so new, you guys have some experience...I was wondering your take on the best way to approach becoming a more serious improviser. I'm also interested in sketch...

Are there some schools that are better for improv, and others better for sketch? Just looking for a place w/ opportunities. Thanks for your time, I look forward to hearing from you.

Ryan

 

[dontbreakthestr]

Take EVERY class you can afford to take, in the amount of time you have to take it. No matter what you know, you will never know it all! lol

My favorite quote in the world is "As long as you think you are green, you will continue to grow. The minute you think you're ripe, you'll begin to get rotten!" I wish I knew who said it but it was something my grandmother told me over 35 years ago!
I'm too humble because I know there are so many people out there that are able to do what I do better, so why turn away a chance to learn something new about something you love from someone willing to teach it!

 

[high violet]

If you aren't sure yet exactly where you want to focus your creative talents, I would check out as many different theatres as you can. A 101 class at IO or Basic at Groundlings can only help.

If you've already decided your focus you can make a more efficient choice of where to study. If you want to be a writer and a funny, smart alecky guy who can make people laugh being himself and sharing his funny perspective, I'd 100% stick with UCB. If you love BBQs and weed, even better.

If you want to be a performer and an actor and learn how to kill huge theater audiences (and write for yourself), check out the Groundlings. Later on in their program there is a lot of political stuff going on but in the class room (which is where you'll be your first 2-3 years there) their training is phenomenal. You may not be as encouraged to be or rewarded for the smart alecky, fun version of yourself but you will leave the school with a strong understanding of sketch "acting" and "performing". If you want to re-invent comedy and piss off your parents, you might find Groundlings too broad or safe but you can always go out and be edgy and shocking and rebellious using the great skills they give you.

IO is a great middle ground/place for both performers and writers to co-habituate and an even better place for drinkers. It's basically a bar with a hallway that leads to a stage. The only thing that really keeps me from completely loving IO is the location, the loud techno/club music that you can hear dominating over the mainstage shows, and the low hit-to-miss ratio for their dozens of mainstage shows. If you catch a veteran team/group, it's awesome. If you end up there on a night where students have been given a slot, you might walk away and never come back. But they are very open to new performers and people of all skill levels and lack a lot of the elite hipness of UCB and elite fanciness of Groundlings,

I hope this sprawling post helps.