CLASSES FAQs:

IS THERE AN AUDITION FOR IMPROV CLASSES?

iO West does not hold auditions for its training programs. Anyone is welcome to enroll in our Improv and/or Writing classes.

WHAT IF I’M NOT AN ACTOR? ARE IMPROV CLASSES STILL FOR ME?

While improvisation is an acting discipline, and iO West teaches improvisation as a performance art, it is not necessary to be an experienced actor or performer to enroll. Basic knowledge of acting technique is helpful, but not required.

CAN I PLACE INTO A HIGHER LEVEL IF I HAVE IMPROV EXPERIENCE?

Typically, every incoming student starts at Level 1, regardless of prior experience. Due to the unique curriculum, vocabulary and philosophy of the skills we teach, it is essential for all students to have a common foundation to their work. Some exceptions are made for students who are uniquely qualified for advanced placement, based on prior training and experience, but no students will be placed beyond Level 2. If you wish to inquire about advanced placement, please email a current acting resume and training history to LAclasses@ioimprov.com

CAN I BE “CUT” FROM THE PROGRAM?

There are no “cuts” as a part of iO training. At the end of each level, students are assessed by their current instructor and given a recommendation to advance or repeat. Students may repeat a level as many times as they wish. Tuition for repeated levels is 1/2 price. iO West does however reserve the right to remove a student from class at our discretion if we feel they are destructive to the learning process in any way.

HOW DO THE LEVELS & SESSIONS WORK?

Each class level consists of 7 weeks. Students meet once a week for 7 consecutive weeks. At the end of the level, each student is evaluated by his/her instructor and recommended to advance or repeat the level.
WHAT IS THE ATTENDANCE POLICY?
Students are required to attend five out of their seven classes on their chosen day & time. Absences may increase the likelihood of a recommendation to repeat the level.

WHAT DO I DO IF I MISS A CLASS?

Students are allowed to make up class in another section at the same level, for Levels 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6. If the class is full, a teacher may ask you to audit to ensure that the enrolled students get a proper amount of stage time.

Please note that make-up classes are not permitted in Levels 3 and 7 due to the small class-size and need for consistency in the group.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ALLOWED TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

At the beginning of the session, students will receive a copy of the criteria for passing the level from their teacher.
All students will be notified via email following Week 5 of classes to find out if they are cleared to register for the next level, or if there are specific things the teacher needs to see accomplished in the last two weeks before advancement is granted.

Policies

Tuition

iO West accepts Visa, Mastercard, Cash, and Check. Online registration is available for all classes using PayPal. There is a $10 service charge if you use PayPal.

Tuition for most classes may be paid in full upon registration, or, if paying on a payment plan, first half payment upon registration and second half payment at the BEGINNING OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF CLASSES. (NOTE: PayPal registration only accepts FULL payments and an additional service charge applies.)

(Please note: Payment plans can only be made with credit card (no cash or check). Payment plans made with a credit card will automatically have the second payment charged at the midpoint of the class session.)
Most electives, workshop and intensives require payment in full upon registration.

Refunds

iO West has a strict NO REFUNDS policy. Once payment has been made and a student is registered for a class, no refunds will be given under any circumstance. All sales are final. If you discover that you cannot take the class you have paid for, before it begins, you can roll over the tuition to a future session.

If you notify us anytime before your second class that you cannot take said class, you’ll receive a full credit towards a future enrollment.

If you drop a class before the fourth week of classes, you will receive half a credit towards a future class.
If you have attended the fourth week of classes or beyond, you will receive no credit.

A class credit is good for one year from when the class was purchased.

Attendance

You are expected to be at class every week. If you miss more than two classes at your scheduled time, you may not be allowed to advance. You must have permission to leave class early or it will be counted as an absence.

Students may make up missed classes by attending the same level class at any other time it is offered, except in Levels 3 and 7 where no make-ups are allowed.

Attendance requirements for electives & workshops vary according to the class and are set by the instructor.

Late Policy: If you’re more than 15 minutes late to your class, it will be counted as an absence. After 15 minutes, you can come to the class and audit, but you’ll will not be able to participate in that class.

SHOW VIEWING REQUIREMENTS

Requirements:
Level 1 students are required to see three of the following shows over the course of the session.

Tuesday – 8:30pm – & Triggerfinger
Tuesday – 9:30pm – The Cartel & Trophy Wife
Tuesday – 10:30pm – USS Rock and Roll & Waterloo
Wednesday – 8:30pm – Tatanka & Spirit Cat
Wednesday – 9:30 – Local 132 & Bandit
Wednesday – 10:30 – King Ten
Thursday – 8:30pm – Elevator & Hill/Jones, or, Joel Murray And Friends
Thursday – 10pm – Quartet & The Reckoning
Friday – 9pm – Opening Night
Saturday – 9pm – The Armando Show

Level 2 students are required to see three shows over the course of the session: two Harold shows and one other show.

Students must see TWO of the following Harold shows:
Tuesday – 8:30pm – Cloudkicker & Triggerfinger
Tuesday – 9:30pm – The Cartel & Trophy Wife
Tuesday – 10:30pm – USS Rock and Roll & Waterloo
Wednesday – 8:30pm – Tatanka & Spirit Cat
Wednesday – 9:30 – Local 132 & Bandit
Wednesday – 10:30 – King Ten

Students must see ONE of the following shows:
Thursday – 8:30pm – Elevator & Hill/Jones, or, Joel Murray And Friends
Thursday – 10pm – Quartet & The Reckoning
Friday – 9pm – Opening Night
Saturday – 9pm – The Armando Show

Level 3 students are required to see three shows over the course of the session.

Level 3 students must see at least ONE Harold Show (see below) and TWO shows that your teacher will assign you personally to best fit your needs.

iO West Harold Shows:
Tuesday – 8:30pm – Cloudkicker & Triggerfinger
Tuesday – 9:30pm – The Cartel & Trophy Wife
Tuesday – 10:30pm – USS Rock and Roll & Waterloo
Wednesday – 8:30pm – Tatanka & Spirit Cat
Wednesday – 9:30 Local 132 & Bandit
Wednesday – 10:30 – King Ten

Level 4 students are required to see three shows over the course of the session: two Harold shows and one other show.

Students must see TWO of the following Harold shows:
Tuesday – 8:30pm – Cloudkicker & Triggerfinger
Tuesday – 9:30pm – The Cartel & Trophy Wife
Tuesday – 10:30pm – USS Rock and Roll & Waterloo
Wednesday – 8:30pm – Tatanka & Spirit Cat
Wednesday – 9:30 Local 132 & Bandit
Wednesday – 10:30 – King Ten

Level 5 students are required to see SIX of the following Harold shows over the course of the session.
Tuesday – 8:30pm – Cloudkicker & Triggerfinger
Tuesday – 9:30pm – The Cartel & Trophy Wife
Tuesday – 10:30pm – USS Rock and Roll & Waterloo
Wednesday – 8:30pm – Tatanka & Spirit Cat
Wednesday – 9:30 Local 132 & Bandit
Wednesday – 10:30 – King Ten
and
Friday – 7pm – 10pm — DCT Harolds

Level 6 students are required to see SIX of the following Harold shows over the course of the session.
Tuesday – 8:30pm – Cloudkicker & Triggerfinger
Tuesday – 9:30pm – The Cartel & Trophy Wife
Tuesday – 10:30pm – USS Rock and Roll & Waterloo
Wednesday – 8:30pm – Tatanka & Spirit Cat
Wednesday – 9:30 Local 132 & Bandit
Wednesday – 10:30 – King Ten
Friday – 7pm – 10pm — DCT Harolds

Level 7 students are required to see any six shows over the course of the session.

When you arrive at the theater to see a show, you must check in at the box office so they can record your attendance.

If you will have a problem meeting the requirement due to your particular circumstances, please consult your teacher to figure out how you can meet the show viewing criteria for the class. Students who are under 21 need to consult their teacher to determine which DCT shows they should see.

Student ID Cards

Students get into the following shows for free with their IDs:
All Sunday Night shows
Monday The Cherry After School Special
All Harolds on Tuesday & Wednesday (8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm)
Thursday the 8:30pm and 10pm shows
Friday 9pm Opening Night
Saturday 9pm Armando
All DCT and Loft shows

All other shows are $5 (even $10 shows)

Class Shows

Levels 5, 6 & 7 have four performances each as a part of their class, and students are required to perform in 3 out of their 4 class shows

Internships / Work Study

iO West’s internship program allows students to work at the theatre in exchange for improv classes.

To apply for an internship position, please fill out an application and return to the iO West Office or Box Office. Applications can also be faxed to (323)962-7542 or emailed to james@ioimprov.com .

To download the Internship application Click Here

Internships are only available to currently enrolled students.

Please call the Training Center with any additional questions!

Registration

Class days & times are filled on a first come, first served basis. Space in classes is limited, and iO West cannot guarantee a place in class if you do not register on time.

Please note, iO reserves the right to change instructors when necessary. Specific instructors are not guaranteed.

Level 1 Improv Registration

Registration for Level 1 Improv classes is ongoing. Students may register for Level 1 classes as soon as the schedule is posted.

All Other Class Registration:

Registration for other courses is available as soon as the class is posted. Registration is accepted via phone, in person, or online.

Prior to the start of each class session, there is a registration day where students can enroll in person, on-line or by phone.

Level Advancement / Placement

Improv Training Program

The Improv program consists of 7 levels.  To enroll in a Level 1 class, no audition is necessary.

Advancement is not automatic. Each student is individually evaluated by their instructor and given a recommendation to advance or repeat the level, based on the passing criteria that all students receive the first day of class. If a student repeats a level, tuition is half-price.

All students will receive an email following Week 5 with feedback on your work in class and information about advancement.

Advanced Forms Classes
The prerequisite for any of our Advanced Forms Classes is graduation from Level 7.

Writing Program

Enrollment in the Writing 1 classes is open. Advancement in the Writing Program is based on attendance and teacher recommendation.

Michael McCarthy’s Writing Classes

Enrollment in all of Michael McCarthy’s specialty writing classes is open (Talk Show Writing, Saturday Night Live Portfolio, Sitcom Spec Writing, and Pilot Writing).

Electives / Workshops

Many electives and workshops have special enrollment criteria. For more information about a workshop or elective, contact the Training Center.