Improv Classes San
Francisco Bay Area
Pan Theater offers beginning,
intermediate and 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.
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Level A: Improv Basics I
Class and Practice Pictures
Improv Basics is a fun introduction
to the basics of improvisational theater. This class provides a fun and
exciting entry to the main ideas and concepts of improvisational
theater. This is the foundation course for our other classes and
for our performing troupe training. Students that successfully complete this
class join our troupe training program Level I with a performance or
non-performance option. Next classes start September
Intro to Improv Class
Intro to Improv is a fun,
fast way to try improv without signing up for an
ongoing class. Classes offered October 11th and 25th.
Improv Jam
A chance to watch, or try long
form improv in a relaxed low key format. Groups of performers
are created on the spot and explore an audience suggested theme
in twenty to thirty minute sets. Jams are $10 to watch, perform
or both. Jams are held on the second Friday of every month.
Doors are open up to half an hour before the show closing-
arrive early, late or somewhere in between. Those interested in
performing should arrive early enough to watch two or three sets
first.
Pan Theater Troupe Training Program
Class and Practice Pictures
For those wishing to continue their
improv training we offer our Troupe Training Program (TTP). Our troupe program is by audition
or successfully completing Improv Basics. 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 three levels. If you did not pass Improv Basics, or
haven't trained at Pan Theater recently (six months) the Troupe Training
Program is by audition.
Each level of the training program
is ten weeks long and includes at least two performance opportunities.
The program can also be taken on a non-performance track.
Register for the next audition:
Register
for Audition
Training Troupe Auditions:
Fall Auditions: September 8th: 8:30pm
/ 2 spots open
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
Auditions:
September 8th
This troupe provides a review of
basic improv concepts and group performance games and culminates in a performance.
This level is designed to begin to build group unity and refine the
basics of improv. Admission to this level is by audition or receiving a
pass from Improv Basics.
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.
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. The repetition exercise will be introduced and practiced at this
level.
Pan Theater Training Troupe Level IV:
Alumni Page
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 if they desire more performance
opportunities.
Thoughts on Pan Theater's Classes
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.