Curriculum Classes
Levels 101: LEARN THE BASICS
Trying improv for the first time, or just getting back into the swing of things? This intro level set of classes are designed to give you the basic tools of improv comedy. Students will learn the value of “yes, and”-ing, listening, agreement, support, and more in a safe, non-judgmental environment. At the end of the 101 session, students will have the opportunity to perform a showcase for invited guests.
Class length: Six 2.5 hour classes
Prerequisite: No experience required
Levels 201: FIND THE FUNNY
This class will take the tools learned in our 101 classes and apply them to comedic long form improv scenes. Students will dive deep into finding the interesting or the “funny” of their scenes by building relationships, identifying patterns, heightening within the scene and exploring group games.
At the end of the 201 session, students will have the opportunity to perform a showcase for invited guests.
Class length: Six 2.5 hour classes
Prerequisite: Must have completed Improv Hawaii Level 101 within 1 year.
Levels 301: THE HAROLD
In this class, students will continue focusing on heightening, patterns, and group games to put together a “Harold” long form improv showcase at the end of the six-week session.
Class length: Six 2.5 hour classes
Prerequisite: Must have completed Improv Hawaii Level 201 within 1 year.
Special Workshops
Beginning Short Form Improv Class
Got a craving for short form improv? You know…like the games you see on the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” This workshop is 100% games! Students will play a variety of short form two-person and group games. The class will explore the different genres of games and go over the underlying concepts that make them successful and fun.
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Characters Workshop
This workshop will give you tools and exercises to develop dynamic new characters. You will explore physicality, voice, emotion and more in a fun and easy environment. Discover what you didn’t know was in your character wheelhouse!
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Forms Workshop: The Pretty Flower
Let’s break down improv into more improv! In this workshop you will learn the Pretty Flower improv form. We will set up a base scene, branch out to explore the character’s quirks for a few moments, and return to find more quirks. Get ready to follow the fun in The Pretty Flower!
Prerequisite: Should be familiar with long form improv comedy. Recommended for students who have completed an Improv Hawaii 201 level or equivalent.
Improvised Rap Workshop
Improv can be scary…and improvised rapping can be even scarier! SO LET’S TRY IT! Finding your flow and spitting out lyrics is like “…the feeling of freedom, of seeing the light. It’s Ben Franklin with a key & a kite. You see it, right?” (psst…that’s a line from Hamilton…the musical)
In this all-level class, students will learn the basics of freestyle rap and how to use it within improvised scenes or in your everyday life. Get out of your head and into your flow!
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Musical Improv Workshop
You’ve seen musicals. You’ve seen improv. You’ve seen musical improv, and now you’d like to try it, right?
Improvisation is a great way to break out of your shell. MUSICAL improv is a great way to break out of your shell with an extra side of jazz hands!
In this two-part workshop, students will learn the basics of musical improv comedy. This class will focus on song structure, on the fly group movement, building want songs, and incorporating songs into scenes. NO MUSICAL TRAINING REQUIRED*. Seriously. This will be a fun, non-judgemental space where you will be able to express your voice the way you want to.
Prerequisite: Some Improv Experience Recommended
Narrative Improv Workshop
Come and learn the world of Narrative Improv! Students will learn the basics of storytelling structures, including following the plot, reincorporation, and finding an ending. They will work on creating deep characters, detailed scene work, and creative edits that tell a more compelling tale. This class will form a foundation for those who want to go on to longer, multi-scene story and thematic improv.
Prerequisite: Completion of a 300-level at Improv Hawaii. This topic is considered an advanced study and is complementary to the Improv Hawaii curriculum. Students should have
Opening and Initiations
This workshop will focus on building fun, detailed openings for long form sets. Players will work on discovering clear ideas and presenting strong, information-filled initiations.
Prerequisite: Must have completed Improv Hawaii Level 201
Rap & Rhyme Workshop
Whether you can spit sick bars or have never tried to rap before, this workshop will be a fun and supportive place to hone your rhyming skills. You’ll practice creating rhymes as well as metaphors, set up and payoff, hooks/choruses, battle rap, narratives, and more. No one expects you to be the greatest rapper of all time (why would you be taking a Zoom workshop if you were?), so come build skill and confidence, goof around, mess up, learn a bunch and have a great time!
Prerequisite: No Experience Needed
Two-person Scenes Workshop
Two-person relationships are the backbone to any improv scene. No edits, no sweeps, just you and your partner having a scene together filled with joy and spontaneity. This class will help you practice for stronger scene initiations, continuing to be in the moment, and learning how to “yes and” to the fullest.
Prerequisite: Some improv knowledge suggested the basics of improv as well as an understanding of “game-based improv” before taking this course.