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 18+. 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 online. We offer 6 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

Advanced Storytelling Workshop: Practical and Esoteric, Starting Sept. 16

“When you write a memory, it isn’t in the past anyway. It’s alive right now.” ― Natalie Goldberg

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 Sept 16, 2023

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+

Sketch Comedy Writing Through Improvisation with Joe Guppy, Starting Sept. 23

Discover the art of writing comedy through engaging improv games, instructed by the Emmy-award-winning comedy writer Joe Guppy. This course teaches fundamental improv techniques and how to create a comedic foundation. Students will gather around a writer’s table of support and encouragement, where they’ll learn to rewrite with a focus on story structure. Additionally, we’ll examine scenes from popular TV shows like Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, and Almost Live. This course is ideal for aspiring and experienced improv performers, actors, comedy and screenwriters, and playwrights. The class concludes with a writer’s showcase.

Skills offered in class: Fundamentals of comedy writing, basic scene improvisation, story structure, rewriting, and how to create a comedy premise.

Date: 8 Saturday 9/23 – 11/11

Time: 10:00 – 1:00

Location: Unexpected Productions Georgetown Studio, 650 South Orcas St, Seattle 98108 The last class will include a showcase performance in the last hour of class.

Maximum Students: 12

Cost: $300.00

Prerequisite: None

Age: 18+

Teacher Bio: Joe Guppy, M.A., won 8 Emmys and a Writers Guild award for comedy writing and performing. He’s a former head writer/cast member for the Seattle comedy show Almost Live, which ran for 15 seasons on KING-TV5, with two runs on Comedy Central. Joe is a founding member of Seattle TheatreSports and has written television scripts in Los Angeles for directors John Landis (Blues Brothers, Animal House) and Blake Edwards (Pink Panther). He’s taught fiction and scriptwriting at Seattle University and is an experienced group leader.

Fundamentals of Improvised Hip Hop Sept.  16 – 10/21

Improv Date Night Worksh0p 11/11/23 3:00pm-5:30pm

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

Date: 11/11

Time: 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Location: Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101 https://goo.gl/maps/2Um6WUNx8L42

Maximum Students: 10 couples

Cost: $100 per couple

Prerequisite: All levels welcome

Teacher Bio: Sara McMahon Improviser/Teacher/Facilitator

For the last 15 years, Sara has been performing and teaching around the Seattle area. She has facilitated workshops for elementary, middle, and high schools, tech companies, company retreats, parent-child improv nights, and even mock trial teams. She tailors each workshop to the needs of the attendees, maximizing fun and connection. She believes that empathy is at the heart of both great improv and great relationships.

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 parking and traffic. The Market is a busy place!

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

Improvisation as Superfood with Joe Guppy, M.A. 11/30 7:00 pm -9:30 pm 

Superfoods—such as blueberries and dark chocolate—are fun to eat and good for you. Improvisation games are fun to play and excellent for your mental and physical health.Joe will lead a variety improv exercises—from group warm-ups to basic scene work—each followed by an exploration of their mental and physical health benefits. For example, poor mental health often brings isolation. Improvisation invites fun encounters and lively interactions with others. Poor physical health often equates with a sedentary life. Improvisation encourages physical movement and healthy breathing. Joe will also give info on current brain science to illustrate how improv challenges our minds to explore new connections.

(While this workshop deals in part with the topic of mental and physical wellness, it is not group therapy and no health claims are made. The workshop is intended to be fun and educational.)

Skills offered in class: How to lead the brain to form energizing new neural pathways. How to support others through listening and responding affirmatively. How to “fail” gracefully and avoid negative mental loops.

Date: 11/30

Time: 7-9:30pm

Location: Unexpected Productions School of Improv, 650 S Orcas St, Suite 101, Seattle, WA, 98108

Maximum Students: 15

Prerequisite: None

Teacher Bio: Joe Guppy, M.A., is an original founding member of Unexpected Productions’ Theatresports , a founder of the Seattle improv group, The Off the Wall Players, and former head writer/ performer for KING-TV’s comedy show Almost Live, where he won eight northwest Emmy awards. He’s worked in Los Angeles as a television writer/performer and been a Seattle-area psychotherapist and group leader. He’s taught many workshops on improvisation, meditation, and mental wellness.

Why Improv for Teens? In Youthprov, students learn the fundamentals of good improvisation through games and exercises. The games are fun and entertaining but they are also a creative process that encourages support, active listening being present, and intelligent risk-taking on and off the stage.
We help teens build self-confidence, public speaking ability, and cooperation all while having a blast! Our classes boost our student’s confidence, curiosity, and creativity.

Improv teaches us to accept mistakes as gifts and communicate thoughts and ideas more effectively. AND, LIKE WE MENTIONED… IT’S FUN!

The focus is on creating ensemble work in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Students have a blast, make friends and gain incredible life skills.

Students take classes to:
• Improve listening skills
• Improve their public presentation skills
• Gain amazing teaming skills
• Overcome shyness
• Build confidence
• Improve communication skills
• Think on their feet
• Take intelligent risks
• Come out of their shell
• Have a safe place to take risks