The 1987 Carl Reiner masterpiece, Summer School, featured a motley gang of misfit students, a high school gym coach forced to teach an English class and, if memory serves, a shocking twist ending (spoiler alert: the school was dead the whole time).
The only difference between our Summer Workshop Series and the movie Summer School is that our motley gang of misfits are there by choice and the closest thing we have to a gym teacher on staff is actually a web developer.
Austin, check out these amazing improv classes from Dave Buckman (Second City, Boom! Chicago), Todd Schanbacher (iO Chicago) and Karen Graci (iO West).
“From Moment One,” 1:00PM-4:00PM, Saturday, July 28th
$30, 14 student cap
REGISTER HERE
Feel overwhelmed in scenes? Thinking too much? Doubting your instincts as a performer? This workshop specifically focuses on how natural, honest choices from the very first moment in scenes lead to solid scene work. Students learn how to build their confidence by tapping into the power of immediate physical, emotional, and vocal choices, and discover ways to create these organic starting points. This workshop challenges students to trust their instincts, all the while balancing character development, scenic relationships and game.
Musical Improv, 1:00PM-4:00PM, Sunday, July 29th
$45 for participation/$20 for audit only, 12 participation spots and 10 audit spots
REGISTER HERE
Register here to Audit
You doing musical improv. If these words make you fear that you’ll look like a complete douchebag onstage, then this workshop is for you. Learn to apply your existing improv skills in song and strengthen your vocal technique in this workshop. We will explore lyrics, rhyming (and effective alternatives to rhyming), song structure, and how to convincingly get into songs from an improvised scene. The goal of the workshop is to not only expand your skills, but expand your confidence as well. Plus it’s gonna be a lot of fun. Taught by veteran Chicago and Los Angeles-based improviser Karen Graci, a Baby Wants Candy alum.
KAREN GRACI
A proud native of Buffalo, NY, Karen performed for Chicago’s The Second City for more than three years. While touring the US and abroad with The Second City National Touring Company, Karen was grateful to perform in The Second City’s first-ever USO Tour, entertaining American troops in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. She was also a resident cast member in The Best of Second City at The Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas for over a year. Karen co-wrote and starred in the sold-out run of Camp Hot, a three-woman sketch show featured at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater and the Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival. Her one woman show, Her Potential, was a 2007 and 2008 Del Close Award nominee for Best Scripted Show at iO West. A veteran of ComedySportz Chicago and Baby Wants Candy at iO Chicago, Karen now performs regularly at iO West with King Ten. Karen is an instructor at iO West and also taught at Second City Las Vegas and Second City Los Angeles. Karen coached the iO West Main Stage Harold Team, Local 132, and is the current coach of Main Stage team Bandit.
Advanced Study w/ Dave Buckman
Supplemental practice for advance students or graduates
REGISTER FOR SESSION I, Fridays 6-8pm (Starts July 6th)
REGISTER FOR SESSION II, Fridays 6-8 (Starts August 3rd)
You may have noticed, kind improviser, there are a significant number of improvisers in town these days. Many experienced upper level of performers don’t have opportunities to take workshops or get notes any more. This may be you. You are in a rut and haven’t felt like you have had a “good show” in months.
This class is specifically designed for experienced improvisers, graduates of Austin’s Improv Training Centers and Improv instructors. Take an honest and supportive look at your own scene work, get some good feedback and receive notes that are fair and honest, try out some new exercises and leave you feeling re-energized, focused and proud of your scene work.
You’ll see a leap in your performance abilities and tour confidence that first month; Step up your game. Hone your craft. Play with people with different levels and backgrounds with the common goal of getting better and doing something you love.
“Coach’em Up” w/ Todd Schanbacher
REGISTER FOR BOTH SESSIONS HERE
or just first session Sunday, June 24th: 10:30 – 12:30PM Part I
Second Class Sunday June 15th.
This two part workshop is geared towards both experienced improvisers wanting to start coaching and experienced coaches alike. The first session covers coaching fundamentals, with the second session covering advanced coaching techniques that build off of the first workshop.
Todd Schanbacher is a Coldtowne faculty member who has coached/directed Stool Pigeon, Midnight Society, and Murphy at Coldtowne. Previous to his move to Austin in 2009, he spent 9 years in the Chicago improv community performing and coaching at the I.O. and Playground Theaters. This workshop will be heavy on the sports analogies.