Improv Classes

Ready to shake things up? At The Improv School, Seattle’s biggest and boldest improv school, you’ll unlock creativity, confidence, and the superpower of thinking fast on your feet. In this fun, interactive process, you’ll gain self-confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and master the art of teamwork—whether you’re building a scene from scratch or navigating real life.

From day one, you’re on your feet diving into hilarious exercises and skill-packed games, all in a wildly supportive environment led by our experienced (and genuinely awesome) faculty.

We teach the basics of improv—but here’s the secret: it’s not just for performers. These skills will level you up as a collaborator, communicator, problem solver, and even just as a better human. Whether you’re here to conquer stage fright, crush it at work, meet new people, or just HAVE A BLAST, we got you.

Get ready to:

• Tell stories on the fly
• Boost your creativity
• Build confidence
• Meet your new crew
• Become a sharper listener & teammate
• Solve problems like a boss
• And yeah… have ridiculous fun while doing it

Our education program is the most established improv school in the region, with 7 levels of classes, 4 quarters a year, plus specialty workshops like musical improv, physical improv, acting for improvisers, improvised Shakespeare, storytelling, sketch, stand-up, and more, taught by world-class instructors.

Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater

1428 Post Alley
Seattle, WA 98101

The Improv School – Georgetown Studios

650 South Orcas, Suite 101
Seattle WA 98108

Physical Comedy for the Performing Artist: Clown, Actor, Improvisor Sunday, April 6 · 12 – 3pm

Discover your true sense of pleasure and joy in play as we delve into the world of the clown. Together, we will explore the vulnerability and the “stupidity” of our playful spirits, ranging from the ridiculous to the grotesque to the innocent.

This class explores physical comedy from a clown’s point of view, expanding your physical vocabulary and developing your comic sensibilities. Topics may include the technique and use of slapstick, improvisation, partnership, comic timing, and accidents in solo, duo, and group exercises. The exercises are also designed to discover a true sense of pleasure and joy in play. What makes it funny and what makes it repeatable are two questions we will tackle.

Date: April 6
Time: 12 pm – 3 pm
Location: 650 S Orcas St Rm 217 Seattle WA 98108
Maximum Students: 16
Cost: $85 (89.92 with fees)
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 18+
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Hilary Chaplain tours and teaches internationally with her solo show A Life In Her Day, with the ensemble show The Last Rat in Theresienstadt and in variety shows worldwide. She was an original cast member in Bill Irwin’s Largely/New York. Theatre: Broadway and the Delacorte in the Public Theatre production of The Tempest. Film: Forrest Gump, featured role, TV: Law and Order CI. Hilary entertained children in NYC hospitals as “Nurse Nice” of the renowned Big Apple Circus Hospital Clown Program® for 24 years and is a founding member of the New York Goofs, a clown ensemble, since 1996. She currently serves as a Performance Mentor and Teacher for Laughter League
Partner organization: Laughter League
The mission of Laughter League is to spark joy and healing, one playful interaction at a time. Utilizing our talents as a highly-trained and diverse company of performing artists, we create moments of levity and healing, empowering patients and emboldening hope. We bring empathy, authenticity, and therapeutic humor to pediatric hospitals, care facilities, schools, and more, using laughter as an agent of hope and healing for children, families, and seniors through the art of clowning, a variety of arts, and the transformational power of laughter. We have programs at six major pediatric hospitals in the US, including Seattle Children’s Hospital

Improvised Shakespeare Workshop Level II,  Sunday 5/4, 10:30 am – 3 pm

Continue in the world of the Elizabethan theatre with Alan Hawkins in this Shakespeare Workshop Level Two. This workshop will continue where you left off in the first workshop, exploring the techniques and approaches that will help you paint with all the colors of the world’s most recognized playwright. Students will perform in a Student Showcase the next night, Monday, May 5, at the Market Theatre at 7pm 1428 Post Alley 98101.

Improvise scenes, perform monologues and play games based on the exercises in this workshop.

Date: Sunday, 5/4
Time: 10:30 – 3 pm with a half-hour lunch
Location: 5700 6th Ave S Suite 109, Seattle, WA 98108
Maximum Students: 16
Cost: $130.00
Prerequisite: Alan’s previous Shakespeare Workshop
Showcase: Monday, 5/5 at 7 pm at the Market Theatre
Location: 1428 Post Alley Seattle 98101
Teacher Bio: Alan Hawkins Improviser/Teacher/Facilitator
Alan Hawkins is an improviser from Los Angeles and Chicago. He has performed, directed, and taught theater and improv since 2004. Alan graduated from The Second City Conservatory, The Second City Musical Conservatory, The iO West Program, The Chicago ComedySportz Training Center, and The Annoyance Program. He has been fortunate enough to participate in many festivals across the US with the three-man group Extra Shelves and has been a guest player with Grand Theft Improv in London, UK. He was also an instructor and director for the Teen Comedy Festival in Chicago. Alan is an ensemble member of Unexpected Productions, the longest-running Theatersports theater in America. He’s also the author of the book “YOU CAN’T LEARN IMPROV FROM A BOOK.”

NOTE: Please note that this class has a great deal of movement and action. Please dress accordingly and bring a bottle of water.

**Cancellation policy: We are unable to offer refunds.

Improv Date Night, 6/8 4:00pm – 6:00pm