iO WEST TRAINING CENTER
The goal of iO West’s improv training program is to teach you how to improvise, whether its on stage or on camera, understanding all of the mechanics of listening and building off of other people’s ideas to create absolutely anything.
iO West also offers sketch and TV writing classes, as well as a wide range of other comedy-related electives. All available classes are listed below.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR LEVEL 1 NOW.
IMPROV TRAINING CENTER:
(7 weeks, classes are 3 1/2 hours)
To enroll in any given level, students must have passed the previous level within one year prior to enrollment.
Teen Improv Workshop (5 days, 3 hour classes) – $250
iO West’s Teens classes introduce the fundamental skills of improvisational comedy, the hilarious art form that sparked the success of comedians like Tina Fey, Jason Sudeikis, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler and many more! Classes will focus on teamwork, characters, storytelling, and truthful comedy through imaginative games and scene work. Through their study of improv, students will learn valuable skills that are not only must-haves for television, film, and commercials but for performing, comedy, and life. All classes culminate in a final performance where they will have the chance to show off their improv chops on the iO West Mainstage!
Monday through Friday, from 1pm – 4pm. Class shows on Saturdays. Take one or both weeks!
Begins 06/24/13 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM – DCT – Tiffani Mills
Summer Intensive – Levels 1 through 5 (5 weeks) – $1400
Level 1 classes are open to all students – no audition is required.
5 weeks – Begins 07/15/13 – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM – DCT
Week 1- 07/15 – 07/18 – Dave Hill
Week 2 – 07/ 22 – 07/25 – Katie Nahnsen
Week 3 – 07/29 – 08/01 – Annie O’Connor
Week 4 – 08/05, 08/07, 08/08, 08/09 – Eric Hunicutt
Week 5 – 08/12 – 08/15 – TBA
CLASS SHOWS: TBA
Level 1 Intensive – (8 days) $350
Level 1 classes are open to all students – no audition is required.
8 days – Begins 07/15/13 – 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM – L – TBA
CLASS SHOWS: TBA
Level 1: Introduction to Improv (7 weeks) – $350
Mondays – Begins 06/10/13 – 3:00 PM – L – James Mastraieni
Tuesdays – Begins 06/11/13 – 7:00 PM – DCT – Katie Nahnsen
Wednesdays – Begins 06/12/13 – 7:00 PM -S2 – Brian O’Connell
Thursdays – Begins 06/13/13 – 7:00 PM – L – Paul Vaillancourt
Saturdays – Begins 06/15/13 – 11:30 AM – L – Sean Cowhig
Sundays – Begins 06/16/13 – 11:30 AM – L – Kevin Flemming
Level 1 classes are open to all students – no audition is required.
Level 2: Character & Game (7 weeks) – $350
Mondays – Begins 06/10/13 – 7:00 PM – L – Katie Nahnsen
Tuesdays – Begins 06/11/13 – 7:00 PM – L – Aaron Krebs
Saturdays – Begins 06/15/13 – 3:00 PM – L – Shulie Cowen
Sundays – Begins06/16/13 – 3:00 PM – DCT – Marion Oberle
Level 3: You (7 weeks) – $350
Mondays – Begins 06/10/13 – 7:00 PM – S2 – Kevin Flemming
Tuesdays – Begins 06/11/13 – 7:00 PM – S2 – Marion Austin Oberle
Wednesdays – Begins 06/12/13 – 3:00 PM – L – James Mastraieni
Sundays – Begins 06/16/13 – 11:30 AM – DCT – Mike Coen
Level 4: Advanced Scene Work (7 weeks) – $350
Mondays – Begins 06/10/13 – 7:00 PM – DCT – Craig Cackowski
Wednesdays – Begins 06/12/13 – 7:00 PM – L – Craig Cackowski
Saturdays – Begins 06/15/13 – 3:00 PM – DCT – Brian James O’Connell
Level 5: Harold (7 weeks) – $350
Thursdays – Begins 06/13/13 – 7:00 PM – DCT – Molly Erdman
Saturdays – Begins 06/15/13 – 11:30 AM – DCT – Bridget Kloss
CLASS SHOWS: 7/14 @ 8:00pm in the Loft,7/28 – Sundays @ 6:30pm in the Loft
Level 6: Advanced Harold (7 weeks) – $350
Wednesdays – Begins 06/12/13 – 7:00 PM – DCT – Dave Hill
Sundays – Begins 06/16/13 – 3:00 PM – L – George McAuliffe
CLASS SHOWS – 7/7 – Sunday 6:30 in the Loft, 7/14 – Sundays @6:30 PM in the Loft 7/28 – Sunday @6:30 in the DCT
Level 7: Graduate Level – Creating Your Own Show (7 weeks) – $350
Thursdays – Begins 06/13/13 – 7:00 PM - DCT – Katie Nahnsen
CLASS SHOWS: 6/30, 7/7, 7/14 Sundays @ 6:30pm in the DCT and 7/28 – Sunday @6:00 PM in the Mainstage
WORKSHOP:
TAKING THE HINT – $20
Saturday – Begins 05/25/13 – 3PM-5PM – MS – Neil Garguilo
Listening is a skill that every improviser must use but often performers are listening for the wrong thing. In this workshop Dr. God member Neil Garguilo shows you the difference between what your partner’s characters is saying and what your partner is really looking for. Find the meaning behind your partner’s words to get on the same page. This workshop is great for improvisers of all skill levels.
Neil is one of the founding members of Dr. God and a working actor/writer based out of Los Angeles. He has studied at Pace University, The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, iO West, Second City and more.
In addition to the hundreds of stage shows in which he has performed, Neil has appeared on the VH1 sketch comedy series Stevie TV, G4’s Attack of the Show, CBS’s The Bold & the Beautiful and in dozens of commercials. He currently plays the role of Principal Cox on MTV’s Awkward.
Neil is the faculty improv teacher at both the Art of Acting Studio and The Edgemar Center.
Please email neil.garguilo@gmail.com to reserve your spot!
WORKSHOPS:
Quality vs. Quantity : 2 Day Scene Work Intensive – $100 if enrolled before 6/22 ($125 after 6/22)
This two-day workshop focuses on simplifying and strengthening fundamentals in improv scene work in order to build better quality scenes. Often, scenes are cluttered by too much exposition, not enough listening, and hindered by overlooked information. In these situations, we tend to overbuild, complicate, and overwhelm with guesswork, pulling from a place of panic. By paying closer attention to the basic ingredients in each scene, we better understand what information is available for our use throughout the duration – better nutrition means better stamina and more rewarding practice.
This workshop is ideal for newer improvisers feeling overwhelmed as well as experienced improvisers wanting a review of essential skills. Class size is very limited to ensure personalized feedback and attention.
_Must have completed Level 1 Improv training at iO West or iO Chicago (or equivalent training with instructor’s approval.) _
Saturday & Sunday – 06/29 & 06/30 – 6:00 PM – S2 – Eric Hunicutt
WRITING CLASSES:
Storytelling Writing (4 weeks) – $200
Wednesdays – Begins 07/03/13 – 3:00 PM – S2 – Margot Leitman
Solo Performance (7 weeks) – $300
Wednesdays – Begins 06/12/13 – 7:00 PM – WR – Andrea Kittelson
Stand Up Workshop (7 weeks) – $300
Thursday – Begins 06/13/13 – 7:00 PM – WR – Joe Canale
Class will include a showcase performance of students material the last week of class on the IO main stage
This class is focused on writing stand up comedy. Students will study the many different styles of stand up to better understand their own style (storytelling, observational, rant, one liners, topical, etc). Most of the class will be spent writing with emphasis on the skills necessary in all good comedy writing. Assignments will stress point of view, exploring and heightening an idea, storytelling and economy of language. Students will also be encouraged to try out their material at the open mic show that follows class each week. By the end of the session each student will have a 5-10 minute set (at least) that they can feel confident in.
Alternative Comedy Writing (7 weeks) – $350
Sundays – Begins 06/16/13 – 11:30 AM – WR – Mark Vannier
Comedy Writer’s Room (7 weeks) – $350
Sundays – Begins 06/16/13 – 3:00 PM – WR – Ed Lee
Tuesdays – Begins 07/02/13 – 6:30 PM – WR – Ed Lee
REGISTRATION FOR THIS TERM WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY, May 24th, STARTING AT 11:00 AM (in person) – 12:00 PM (on-line) – 2:00 PM (by phone). CLASSES FILL UP QUICKLY SO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CLASS YOU WANT!
Descriptions of these classes are on our WEBSITE
Any questions please e-mail LAclasses@ioimprov.com
FYI – We also offer payment plans, if you need to split up your payments. If interested, please e-mail LAclasses@ioimprov.com
(L) = The Loft (Enter on Cosmo St.)
(DCT) = Del Close Theatre (Enter Cosmo St.)
(S2) = Studio 2 Classroom (Enter Cosmo St.)
(WR) = Writers’ Room (Enter Cosmo St.)
(MS) = Mainstage (Enter Hollywood Blvd.)
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR CLASSES
iO West’s internship program allows students to work at the theatre in exchange for improv classes.
Internships are only available to currently enrolled students.
Please do not submit if you’re not enrolled in classes.
If you are interested in an internship, please fill out an application and return to the iO West Office or Box Office.
Applications can also be emailed to james@ioimprov.com .
To download the internship application Click Here
Future Registration Starting Dates
Session 3, 2013 – April 5th
Session 4, 2013 – May 24th
Session 5, 2013 – July 19th
Session 6, 2013 – September 6th
Please call the Training Center with any additional questions! 323-962-7560.