Improv Classes San
Francisco Bay Area
Pan Theater offers beginning,
intermediate and FREE Intro to
Improv classes. Our improv acting
classes are convenient to San Francisco, the East Bay (including
Oakland and Berkeley), San Jose and the entire Bay Area. Our San
Francisco improv performing troupes include former Pan Theater students.
We actively encourage our students to audition to join our
performing troupes. Our class space is three blocks only three
blocks from BART.
Join our email list to be
informed of our next audition, our class schedules, Pan Theater shows, and
related info. Enter your email address in the box below and
click submit.
Intro to Improv:
Next Session: March 22nd
20 spots/ Full
The Bay Area's Favorite-FREE IMPROV CLASS
Try improv in the Pan Theater style- FREE-No
Strings/No Catch/No Cash!
Intro to Improv
Intro to Improv: San
Francisco's Bay Area Favorite FREE Improv Acting Class.
Intro to Improv is a fun,
fast and no-cost way to try improv without signing up for an
ongoing class. The class is designed to provide an introduction
to the Pan Theater improv style. It is a useful class to take
before taking our Improv Basics class or as a brush up for
auditioning for one of our performing troupes.
Improv Basics I and II- Improv
Acting Classes
s
Next Session Starts:
June 3rd and June 6th
No Prior Experience
Necessary
-
Click here for complete class description and registration
information
-
The class
for those new to improv acting and ready to learn the basics
-
A good
review for those who took an improv or acting class a few years ago
-
Provides a
solid introduction to basic improv concepts
-
Try both
short form improv games and improv scene work
-
Fun, safe
and supportive environment
-
Learn to
appreciate both acting and improv more
-
Get
free tickets to our current shows (on a space available basis)
Our class for those looking to
explore improv theater or further their current training. This
is a basic course that covers basic improv skills, short
form games and provides opportunities to focus on improvised
scene work with feedback. This class is designed for both
beginning improvisers and those that have taken prior improv or
acting classes. This class is recommended for those
interested in auditioning for Pan Theater's training troupes. Many people repeat the class to further their
understanding of the basics or to review and deepend their understanding
of the basics.
Pan Theater Troupes
and Performing
Program
For those focused on performing (and
that want to perform) we recommend auditioning for our Improv Training
Troupes. Our troupe program is by audition only. Prior improv experience
isn't required but most of those accepted into our Level I Troupe have
the equivalent of Improv Basics. Auditions for Pan Theater's ongoing
troupes are limited to those that have gone through our Troupe Training
program for at least two levels.
Register for the next audition:
Register
for Audition
Training Troupe Auditions:
2nd Quarter
Sunday May 4th
Tuesday, May 6th
3rd Quarter
Sunday, August 17th
Tuesday, August 19th
4th Quarter
Saturday, November 8th
Monday, November 10th
Audition Format:
Those auditioning warm-up, play
freeze, performer one minute scenes and longer open scenes. We are
looking for ability to work in a group, take direction and an
understanding of the basics of improv. For a review of basic improv
concepts and ideas skim any of our improv articles such as
Rules of Improv Part I,
Rules of Improv Part II
or How to be a Better
Improviser. Skimming Truth in Comedy by Del Close and Charna
Halpern and Impro by Keith Johnstone can also help.
Pan Theater Training Troupe
Level I
Register for Audition
This troupe provides a review of
basic improv concepts and games and culminates in a performance of group
and two person improv games. Our current Level I troupes will perform on
May 3th at 7:10pm and 9:10pm .
Pan Theater Training Troupe
Level II
Our level two troupe focuses on two
person scenes and refining scene work. This level culminates in short
form sets focusing on two person games, and on open scene work. The set
may also include simple long form work. The repetition exercise will be
introduced and practiced at this level.
Pan Theater Training Troupe
Level
III
Our level three troupe focuses on
simple long form techniques including edits, basic games, and finding
emergent themes and narratives. This level will include more extensive
work in the repetition exercise from Meisner Technique. This troupe
focuses on the Montage and exploring a theme. The troupe concludes with
a main stage long from set. Those that successfully complete Level III
are eligible to audition for our ongoing troupes at the next audition
date.
Pan Theater Training Troupe Level IV
Our level four troupe focuses on
more advanced long form work and includes weekly work in the repetition
exercise and may explore other exercises from Meisner technique. The
troupe will work on the Harold and Improvised Play long form formats. The troupe concludes
with a main stage long form set. Those that successfully complete Level
IV are invited to audition for our ongoing troupes at the next audition
date. Troupes at this level are also eligible for late night performance
slots on scheduled show nights.
Thoughts on Pan Theater's Classes
Meisner
Technique
A scripted acting technique
that helps create more truthful and real acting and improv. This
class is offered during the day. Meisner technique helps move
beyond contrived acting to truthful in the moment actions. The
technique gives improvisers the ability to fully utilize the
moment and help overcome stage fright by enhancing focus.
Meisner training is offered twice per year at Pan Theater.
Corporate Training, Private Shows, Fundraising, Casting
Pan Theater performers and
teachers are ready!
General Info on Pan Theater
Classes:
Pan Theater classes are
convenient to the entire Bay Area. Our class space is a twenty
minute BART ride from San Francisco. We are located near Lake
Merritt. Parking is easy and the our class space is a short ride
from the freeway for those driving. Students typically come from
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Concord and the entire Bay
Area.
We focus on improv acting and
improvised theater. We help people develop improv comedy and
acting skills. We do our best to provide audition and
performance opportunities for dedicated students. Be sure to see
our Dramedy and Comma show while registered in a class. It is
free to current students.
Join our email list to
receive Pan Theater class, show and audition updates. List
members also get free intro to improv classes, and free
articles on improv theater, and free and discounted show
ticket offers.
