Improv Classes

Bring your improvised scenes to life and experience what it means to fully inhabit the characters you create. Learn to embrace the imaginary circumstances in which we improvise.
This workshop is designed to give improvisers space to practice simple techniques that help bring a deeper authenticity to scenes. Bringing acting skills to improv builds the connection between characters and forms a stronger bond with the audience. We will do this by looking closely at moments; how we pursue action and allow reaction. Bringing more reality to these helps create more compelling stories.
As well as techniques from other master acting teachers, this class focuses on pursuing objectives that result in emotional responses, as well as internal and external actions. Emphasis is placed on slowing down, listening, and allowing offers to land before responding honestly – moment-to-moment improv. Practicing these techniques can bring richness and reality to improvised scene work.

Dates: May 16, 23, 30 and June 6
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Location: Unexpected Productions Improv School, Georgetown Studios, 650 South Orcas, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98108 https://goo.gl/CMCRQp
Maximum Students: 14
Cost: $150
Prerequisite: Improv 200 or equivalent or by teacher approval
Ages: 18+

Instructor:
Cynthia Lair began her life as an actress with a B.A. in theater. From there she became an acting apprentice at the Actors Theater of Louisville, followed by professional roles in regional theaters. After moving to NYC she continued her training with Uta Hagen and her performing with on-stage roles and on-camera roles in numerous national commercials. Some of her favorite theater roles, The Kathy & Mo Show, The Glass Menagerie, and Hard Times came after moving to Seattle. Her theater work combined with improv training has led to much fun in improvised plays such as Four Hearts, Shakespeare Unexpected, Atomic Sci Fi, A Shadow in the Doorway, and Austen Unbound. Cynthia has been an ensemble member and teacher at Unexpected Productions since 2015.

Improv Date night is an entertaining improv workshop and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon as a couple!

Learn to play fun improv games together with other couples. Come to Unexpected Productions’ Market Theatre in the heart of romantic Pike Place Market for a two-and-a-half-hour fun-filled improv workshop. Then enjoy a discounted pizza with our excellent culinary neighbor, The Alibi Room.
Learn to play fun improv games together with other couples. The fundamental concept of improv is the practice of being present and available to your scene partner, using the rule that if your scene partner looks good you do too. This exercise in listening, creativity, and spontaneity is not only an art form but also an adventure in teamwork, communication, and hilarity. Two and a half hours of laughs and learning with your significant other for a Saturday to remember. All for just $50 for each person. Each couple will receive a pass for free to come to a show of their choice in the future at Unexpected Productions. The fundamental concept of improv is the practice of being present and available to your scene partner, using the rule that if your scene partner looks good you do too. This exercise in listening, creativity, and spontaneity is not only an art form but also an adventure in teamwork, communication, and hilarity. Two and a half hours of laughs and learning with your significant other for a Saturday to remember. All for just $50 for each person.

Date: 5/18
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: 1428 Post Alley 98101 The Market Theatre
Maximum Students: 10 couples
Cost: $100 per couple
Prerequisite: All levels welcome
Teacher Bio: Sara McMahon Improviser/Teacher/Facilitator

Sara Carmer McMahon is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC, and a company member and teacher at Unexpected Productions, Seattle. As an applied improv facilitator, she specializes in teaching listening skills, playfulness, empathy, connectedness, and overcoming the fear of failure. Most recently, she has created and illustrated The Playdate Deck, a 65-card deck of Two-Person improv-based games designed to increase connection, playfulness, and relationship resilience.
Improv is a collaborative art form. It’s all about saying Yes, and… to your partner and making them look good. By investing your time together in this workshop, you will find pathways to deepen your bond and foster an environment of openness, listening, playfulness, creativity, and relationship resilience,” Sara McMahon.

NOTE: Please note that this class has a great deal of movement and action. Please dress accordingly and bring a bottle of water. Allow time for traffic and parking. The Market is a busy place!

Take an introduction to the foundations of Hip-Hop class to expand your improv skill set. Learn how to incorporate rhythm and poetry into your improv scenes with ease.

Improv games serve as gateways to the Five Pillars of Hip-Hop, teaching students how to create entirely improvised hip-hop songs. By combining fundamentals of improv with free-styling, beat-boxing, and crowd techniques, students gain a deeper understanding of hip-hop and how to use these elements to enhance scene work and have fun on stage.

Dates: 6 Saturdays
Time: 4-6:30 pm
Location: 650 S Orcas Suite 101, Seattle 98108
Maximum Students: 14
Cost: $275
Prerequisite: Improv 100 or equivalent or by teacher approval
Ages: 18+
Instructor: Dre Anderson
Unexpected Productions’ ensemble member, Dre Anderson is excited to teach Fundamentals of Improvised Hip Hop at the Improv School. With over a decade of experience collaborating with Seattle artists, Dre enjoys sharing his love for freestyle and technique to help others unlock their potential. As co-director of An Improvised Hip Hopera and performer at Unexpected Productions, Dre combines improvisation with hip-hop to create original songs, characters, and stories. When not on the Unexpected Productions’ stage you’ll see Dre working in the community as a teaching artist for Seattle Theatre Group and Seattle Children’s Theater and operating cameras for Pacific Northwest Theatre Associates.
When not on the Unexpected Productions’ stage you’ll see Dre working in the community as a teaching artist for Seattle Theatre Group and Seattle Children’s Theater and operating cameras for Pacific Northwest Theatre Associates.

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

This class is designed for those who have completed the Unexpected Productions Creative Storytelling course and are ready for advanced-level story exploration and creation. Our aim is to help you broaden your story repertoire, establish a stronger connection with your audience, and improve your performance skills. During the course, we will cover topics such as narrative development, audience rapport, themes, and your personal storytelling journey. We’ll explore how to create stories by delving into your personal histories and memories, including those you may be hesitant to share. Each class will focus on two concepts: one practical (sensory work and presentation) and one more abstract (vulnerability, empathy, and listening). With a maximum class size of 12, all students will have the opportunity to share their work and receive feedback. Participation is mandatory, and we are excited to assist you in enhancing your storytelling abilities on a deeper and more meaningful level.

Dates: 6 Saturdays. 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, starting July 13, 2024
NOTE: Attendance at the first session of your course is mandatory as it sets the agenda for the entire quarter. If you think you will have to miss the first class, please consider registering for the next time the class is offered.
Location: Market Theatre 1428 Post Alley Seattle 98101
Maximum Students: 12
Cost: $250
Prerequisite: Must have taken Unexpected Productions Creating Stage-Worthy Stories class or have approval by the instructor.
Ages: 18+

Teacher Bio:
Kent is a masterful storyteller and teacher. He is the founder of the storytelling program at Unexpected Productions Improv School, Seattle, WA, where he serves as a narrative coach for the ensemble and teacher of intro and advanced storytelling classes; he has inspired countless students to find their unique voices and craft compelling stories. He is also the story coach for Ignite Seattle. Kent’s achievements include winning the first Moth StorySLAM he attended, being the Moth GrandSLAM winner in March 2023, and being named Best of Bawdy Storyteller for 2019 by an audience vote and a featured teller three times on the Risk podcast. In March of 2022, he was featured on the PBS show, Stories from the Stage, which illustrates the power of real stories told by masterful storytellers and is produced by WORLD Channel in collaboration with GBH. Kent is an accomplished educator and consultant with extensive experience teaching the art of storytelling to diverse audiences, including medical school students, corporate teams, and communication professionals. With a proven track record of success, he has worked with reputable organizations such as the University of Washington Medical School, Yelp, Microsoft, and WE Communications, earning accolades for his innovative teaching methods and insightful guidance. Whether delivering workshops or one-on-one coaching, Kent is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses harness the power of storytelling to achieve their goals. As the Senior Producer for the Story Collider, he produces four shows annually, and he has taught workshops for the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the University of Idaho – Boise.

Kent is a thought leader in the art of storytelling and has appeared on various podcasts Pre-Accident Investigations Podcast and KUOW.