Improv Classes

In this fun and exciting interactive process, you will gain self-confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and learn the type of teamwork necessary to create something original and brilliant from scratch. Right from the start, our students are on their feet exploring hilarious exercises and skill-driven games in an incredibly supportive and fun environment under the guidance of our caring and experienced faculty,

Unexpected Productions’ teachers instruct the basics of improv, which are not only useful to improvisers, but to anybody wanting to work with others, as a member of a team, as an effective communicator, as a good listener, or simply as a friend!

All 100-600 classes are for ages 17+. Get ready to:

• Discover the joy of spontaneous storytelling
• Conquer fears
• Improve your job skills
• Spark creativity
• Meet people/make new friends
• Become a better listener
• Be a better problem solver
• HAVE A BLAST

Our celebrated education program is the most established improv school in the region. We host classes in two locations in downtown Seattle and in Redmond. We offer 7 levels of classes with 4 quarters a year. We also offer specialty improv classes, storytelling, sketch and stand-up comedy classes from renowned teachers from around the globe.

Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater

1428 Post Alley
Seattle, WA 98101

The Improv School – Georgetown Studios

650 South Orcas, Suite 101
Seattle WA 98108

Redmond Community Center at Marymoor

6505 176th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052

Redmond Senior Center

8703 160th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052

Creating Stage-Worthy Personal Stories Workshop with Kent Whipple

Learn to tell a “Moth-type” story or any story on stage, work and with friends. Get comfortable on stage. This intensive workshop explores the art of oral storytelling including story creation, enhancement, and presentation. Learn simple practical story guidelines and step-by-step tools, to create incredible honest stories from your life experience. Learn how to share stories that are genuine, generous, and vulnerable in a fun creative space. We use the writing tools from Natalie Goldberg’s book, Writing Down the Bones, narrative improv games, the use of sense memory and unique storytelling techniques to create a “stage-worthy” story. This workshop is perfect for novice storytellers, or a chance to add to the skillset of a seasoned performer. Come share your story.

Comedy Class w/Emmett Montgomery: Stand-up, Storytelling & Other Weirdness…

Somewhat beloved comedian and storyteller, and Seattle comedy legend, Emmett Montgomery (who was on TV once) will help students develop five to ten minutes of “something funny.” Emphasis will be placed on stand-up and storytelling techniques and also explore techniques like character development, as well as, other types of sharing through performance and discussion. The class will culminate with a showcase at the end of the course.

Storytelling with Margot Leitman

April 27, 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Learn how to use your untapped humanity and embarrassing moments in a way that can reach a wide audience. Each student should leave class with a basic concept of how to make painful, strange or even mundane experiences from their life funny. The students learn to dig inside their own lives to find humorous, relatable material, which unifies an audience making them laugh at their own experiences through the student’s performance.  Instructor, Moth Grandslam winner and best-selling author of “Long Story Short, the Only Storytelling Guide You’ll Ever Need”  Leitman will work with each student honing their stories to work better on stage. Students will leave class with a strong direction of how to structure a story for the stage, office, first date or wherever they choose to put it to use. Additional focus will be on getting through the fear of being judged for our honesty. In the past, many students have left saying, “I can’t believe I told a room full of strangers about that and I can’t believe they all laughed!”

Sketch Comedy Writing Through Improvisation with Joe Guppy

July 20 – August 24  , 10:00AM – 1:00PM

Learn to write comedy with fun and energizing improv games, as taught by Emmy-award-winning comedy writer, Joe Guppy. Students will learn basic improv skills, and how to build a comedy premise. We will gather around a supportive and encouraging writer’s table to rewrite using story structure, and study scenes from Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, and comedy films. Perfect for aspiring or experienced improvisers, actors, comedy writers, screenwriters, playwrights. The class culminates with a writers’ showcase at Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater (performance optional).

In Youthprov, you will learn the fundamentals of good improvisation through games and exercises. Explore the basics of storytelling and spontaneous scene creation through strong characters, listening, narrative, self-confidence, spontaneity, and basic stage skills. The focus will be on creating ensemble work in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Student will have a blast, make friends and gain incredible life skills.

Improvisers will:

• • Study the fundamentals of improvisation.
  • Develop strong ensemble and character skills.
  • Develop stage presence.
  • Build patience, self-confidence, good communication skills, and a respect for other performers and their creativity.