IMPROV CLASSES
LEARN IMPROV WITH RICHMOND'S LONGEST RUNNING IMPROV THEATER
SAYING
"YES, AND..."
TO THE WORLD AROUND US.
Laughter is one of the most important tools in our toolkit.
It's time to get out of your head and bring laughter into every aspect of your life! Our introductory through advanced workshops emphasize basic improvisational skills by exploring spontaneity, staying in the moment, teamwork, risk-taking, storytelling, creating characters, and other fun stuff in a relaxed and supportive environment. And we offer specialty classes in other areas, such as sketch comedy, standup and more. Scroll below to see what is currently being offered!
We're the oldest improv training facility in Central Virginia, teaching skills to students and businesses since 1996. And our professional CSz Richmond facilitators connect with the worldwide CSz network of training centers, in 30 cities internationally and growing. From kids to business professionals, come play with us and see why everybody's talking about CSz Richmond!
FALL 2021 IMPROV CLASSES
IMPROV CLASSES FOR ADULTS
FREE IN-PERSON IMPROV SAMPLER CLASS!
Want to try this whole "improv" thing but are afraid of committing to an entire 8-week class? Then come try it out for FREE!! We're offering a free 2-hour Improv Basics class for the commitment-phobic. Come play with us and a bunch of other people just as curious as you. You still need to register so we know you're coming, but otherwise it's totally no strings attached. Yes, AND!
Ages 18 and up, please!
LOCATION: CSz Richmond Theater
Thursday, September 9th, 2021
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
For Adults 18 years and older
REGISTRATION
COMING
SOON!
IMPROV 101
For Adults - FALL 2021
In Improv 101, we will learn the basics of improv comedy, focusing on agreement, safety, active listening, commitment, and being present in the moment. The lessons taught in this course improve presentation skills and public speaking, social skills and conflict management, and, of course, on-stage decision-making and humor, so whether your goal is to give the best speech at your sister’s wedding or to get on stage as a Major League ComedySportz player, we can help. You’ll learn practical ways to build teamwork and trust, all while making people laugh and having a lot of fun! If you’ve never done improv before, or you’d like to revisit the fundamentals of short-form (game-based) improv in an inclusive, safe, and fun environment, this class is for you. The class ends in a showcase for friends and family.
Rachel has been a Major League performer with CSzRVA since 2005. She has worked the last 9 years teaching improv to all ages in the D.C. area, and performing across the country. Rachel is our Access Coordinator, producing our sensory friendly matches & teaching improv to those on the Autism spectrum.
LOCATION: CSz Richmond Theater
Thursdays Sept. 25 - Nov. 11, 2020
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Showcase: Nov. 18, 7:30 PM
For Adults 18 years and older • No pre-requisite
8 Weeks • $180
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
IMPROV 101 for LGBTQIA+
For Adults - FALL 2021
In Improv 101, we will learn the basics of improv comedy, focusing on agreement, safety, active listening, commitment, and being present in the moment. The lessons taught in this course improve presentation skills and public speaking, social skills and conflict management, and, of course, on-stage decision-making and humor, so whether your goal is to give the best speech at your sister’s wedding or to get on stage as a Major League ComedySportz player, we can help. You’ll learn practical ways to build teamwork and trust, all while making people laugh and having a lot of fun! If you’ve never done improv before, or you’d like to revisit the fundamentals of short-form (game-based) improv in an inclusive, safe, and fun environment, this class is for you. The class ends in a showcase for friends and family.
This course is designed specifically for members of the Rainbow Coalition, in order to provide a comfortable and supportive space for queer performers to explore improv skills.
Not sure if this class is the right fit for you? Please reach out to our Education Director, Theresa Burke, at theresa.burke@cszrva.com, and they will help you sign up for the course that best fits your needs.
Theresa Burke is a Major League player who joined ComedySportz Buffalo in 2009, and transferred to CSz Richmond in 2016. They also hold a Master's Degree in Special Education, and bring a lens for differentiation, adaptation, and inclusion into the improv performance space. They currently serve as the Education Director for CSZ Richmond, and have led improv workshops around the country, including in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia.
LOCATION: CSz Richmond Theater
Wednesdays Oct. 13 - Dec. 8 2020
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(no class 11/24)
Showcase: Dec. 15, 7:30 PM
For Adults 18 years and older • No pre-requisite
8 Weeks • $180
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
BIPOC IMPROV 101 - ONLINE
For Adults - Fall 2021
In Improv 101, we will learn the basics of improv comedy, focusing on agreement, safety, active listening, commitment, and being present in the moment. The lessons taught in this course improve presentation skills and public speaking, social skills and conflict management, and, of course, on-stage decision-making and humor, so whether your goal is to give the best speech at your sister’s wedding or to get on stage as a Major League ComedySportz player, we can help. You’ll learn practical ways to build teamwork and trust, all while making people laugh and having a lot of fun! If you’ve never done improv before, or you’d like to revisit the fundamentals of short-form (game-based) improv in an inclusive, safe, and fun environment, this class is for you. The class ends in a showcase for friends and family.
This course is designed specifically for students that self-identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color, in order to provide a comfortable and supportive space for BIPOC performers to explore improv skills.
Not sure if this class is the right fit for you? Please reach out to our Education Director, Theresa Burke, at theresa.burke@cszrva.com, and they will help you sign up for the course that best fits your needs.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
Shannon Stott is a nationally acclaimed improvisor based in Austin, TX who happily remains a part of CSz Richmond in this crazy virtual world! She has been performing and teaching Improv and its benefits to theater students since 2001, getting her start with ComedySportz Richmond.
Shannon has taught nationally as well as Internationally and currently runs a YouTube channel sharing Improv lessons to enrich improviser's journeys. Shannon has seen improv change lives on and off the stage and strives to teach improv so that it continues to do so.
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
Wednesdays Sept. 22 - Oct. 27, 2021
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EASTERN TIME
Online Showcase TBD by class participants
For BIPOC Adults 18 years and older • Minimum enrollment 5 students; maximum 16 • No pre-requisite
6 Weeks • $115
(full & partial scholarships available)
FREE ONLINE BIPOC IMPROV SAMPLER CLASS!
Want to try this whole "improv" thing but are afraid of committing to the entire 6-week class? Feeling "zoomed-out" but still intrigued by the concept of online improv? Then come try it out for FREE!! We're offering a free Improv Basics sampler class for the commitment-phobic. Come play with us and a bunch of other people just as curious as you. You still need to register so we know you're coming, but otherwise it's totally no strings attached. Yes, AND! This sampler class is designed specifically for students that self-identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color, in order to provide a comfortable and supportive space for BIPOC performers to explore improv skills. Ages 18 and up, please!
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
Wednesday, Sept. 8th, 2021 EDT
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For Adults 18 years and older
REGISTRATION
COMING
SOON!
Why is CSz Richmond offering classes specifically for those in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities?
Comedy has historically been and continues to be dominated by cis white men. Too many aspiring comedians have gone unseen because they didn’t see their faces, bodies and experiences reflected on stage, and this needs to change. AT CSz Richmond, we want our theater and stage to accurately reflect the community we serve, and having more BIPOC voices and perspectives will only improve our community and comedy. This class is just one step in our ongoing efforts to create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable space. Outside of this class, we will also offer scholarships for all of our other classes, and we’d love to see you in them!!
Proud to support the efforts of the Black Improv Alliance in speaking out against racism and amplifying underrepresented voices within the improv community nationwide.
Our High School League and Middle School League teams meet and play all year long! Find out more HERE!
Our popular SUMMER CAMPS are are now online and accepting registrations for Summer 2021! We're still providing virtual camps, so be sure to check out our offerings of CAMP COMEDYSPORTZ and our SKETCH COMEDY CAMP!
CLICK HERE to find out more!
Our school age programs are designed to teach kids cooperation, collaboration, kindness, and creativity through the basic elements of storytelling, characters and interactive play. Our popular summer COMEDY CAMPS are when we offer the most classes for school aged kids.
And throughout the year, we offer weekly Middle and High School League® ComedySportz® programs. Find out more about our CSz School Leagues HERE!
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT US?
Quotes and testimonials from actual CSz Richmond Improv students
" 'Yes, And' opens up a whole
new world of endless
opportunity and possibilities!!"
"It's just really amazing to see someone come out of their shell and blossom before your very eyes."
"Taking a Comedysportz class is like going to funny boot camp except without the guns and uniforms."
"Improv training made me more confident with giving presentations to large groups of people."
"You support each other. You learn to share focus, which means you have each other's backs."
"It makes me feel better about myself, and it makes me feel more confident in a new situation."
