berkeleyimprov.com

improv acting classes at the Berkeley/Oakland YWCA

 
 

 

 

 

"THE BEST! ... Alex is a phenomenal instructor..." -Andrew K., Yelp

Play fun theater games that unleash your imagination, confidence, and spontaneity. Amaze yourself as you create characters, stories, and scenes on the spot. Build skills while having fun. Enjoy a supportive environment that promotes cooperation and positive thinking. Discover how improv can feel natural and effortless. Classes are open to all levels, and especially tailored for beginners. Many students take their very first improv class with us.



2009 Summer Schedule

(Series I and II are interchangeable. Either provides an introduction for beginners).



 

Improv! Acting:

Series I:

Five Thursdays: June 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 2009

8:15pm-9:45pm

No experience required. All levels welcome.


 

Improv! Acting:

Series II:

Five Thursdays: July 16, 24, 31, August 6, 13, 2009

8:15pm-9:45pm

No experience required. All levels welcome.



 

Class location:

YWCA (across the street from UC Berkeley)

2600 Bancroft Way

Berkeley, CA 94704

(directions)

 

There are 3 ways to register:

YWCA phone 510-848-6370

YWCA Online Registration

In Person at the YWCA (directions)
 

Fees vary according to your Student and YWCA membership status:

If you'd like to sign up for a 5-week Series and have...

Fee

Student ID and YWCA Membership

$35 for 5 classes

Student ID (No YWCA membership)

$43 for 5 classes

YWCA Membership (No Student ID)

$40 for 5 classes

No Student ID, No YWCA Membership

$48 for 5 classes

Or,

 

If you'd like to drop in: $12 for 1 class

Enrollment is limited; if class sells out then consider signing up for a future Series.

 

Year-round Class Offerings.

Class is in session about 40 weeks per year, loosely following the academic calendar. During Fall/Winter/Spring, we usually offer 3 classes in parallel (2 intro and 1 performance track). During summer months, we usually offer a single weekly class.

Fall/Winter:

Series  I: Mid Sept to Late Oct: 2 Intro Classes (all levels welcome), 1 Performance Class

Series II: Late Oct to Mid Dec: 2 Intro Classes (all levels welcome), 1 Performance Class

Winter/Spring:
Series  I: Late Jan to Early March: 2 Intro Classes (all levels welcome), 1 Performance Class
Series II: Late Mar to Early May: 2 Intro Classes (all levels welcome), 1 Performance Class
Summer:
Series  I: Early June to Early July: 1 Intro Class (all levels welcome)
Series II: Mid July to Mid August: 1 Intro Class (all levels welcome)

Specific dates and times are published here about 2 months before classes start. Series I and II are interchangeable, neither is required for the other.

 

Our intro classes ("Improv for Fun") welcome drop-ins as space permits, while the performance track ("Improv for Performance") requires full Series enrollment. During summer months, intro classes are titled "Improv! Acting".

 

Related links:

Berkeley Improv on Yelp.

Berkeley Improv Facebook Group.

 

Further reading:

Books: Impro (K. Johnstone). Free Play (S. Nachmanovitch)

Online:Wikipedia describes a few useful improv concepts in a tiny nutshell.

 

Questions? Send an email.
 

 

Why take improv class?

 

What students say:
Overcome shyness

Unwind after a busy day
Be playful

Laugh out loud
Meet fun, friendly people

Overcome writer's block
Helps with public speaking
It feels like a fun party
Creative expression

Explore other sides of myself

Learn to think on my feet
Become more confident
Live in the moment

Try something new

 

 

 

Who takes improv class?

 

People from many walks of life. Recent classes have included UC undergrads, grad students, professors, high school students, MBAs, writers, engineers, dancers, web designers, activists, programmers, musicians, teachers, entrepreneurs, and artists. Our Berkeley classes attract students from around the East Bay and Greater San Francisco Bay Area, including Oakland, Richmond, Concord, San Francisco, Hayward, Fremont, San Jose, Sonoma, Stockton.

 

 

 

What does it cost?

 

About $8 per class when you sign up for a 5-class Series. We offer reasonable rates to encourage broad community participation.

 

 

About the instructor:

 

Alex Lerman studied at Bay Area Theatresports, and has performed improv for nine years.