What past students say about our improv classes:
Robert Shepard, Age: 38, Occupation: Lawyer (Training Troupe Alumni)
David
David is the perfect director in that he is able to precisely walk the fine line of continually challenging you to challenge yourself, to push harder, to do more, to take risks, without ever making you feel unworthy, not good enough, or dumb. If you want to show up, go through the motions and give a 50% effort, David is not the director for you. If however, you want to expand your skills, go to unknown places, and become a better improver, then David is simply the best.
Theresa
Theresa is an amazing director who first introduced me to improv. She is so dang supportive and full of energy that it is impossible not to have a wonderful time in her classes. She can tell you that everything you do is totally awesome and really mean it. Theresa has a gift of seeing the best of what you do and ignoring the rest. The positive reinforcement of the good aspects is a great teaching technique without ever making you feel like you’re not good enough.
Pan Theater Testimonial
Pan Theater is totally awesome. I had no experience in any kind of performance arts, happen to come to a show one night and saw a lot of people having a really good time. I have been in a troupe for the last 9 months now and can’t imagine not doing improv. My favorite thing about Pan Theater is that it is not at all pretentious; they work with whatever talent and abilities you have and find a way of making you better without ever putting you down. Their philosophy is not to create an individual superstar, but to really work collaboratively to create amazing scenes that could not happen individually.
I’d really recommend it for anyone who wants to have more fun in their life. I haven’t had a session yet in nine months where I haven’t laughed out loud. Even after a terrible day of work and stress, I can come and forget the worries and just play. When I am at Pan I feel like I am 8 years old, in the best sense. Pan Theater has taught me how to work better in groups, not an easy skill to teach a lawyer. I continue to learn more each week, and my entire fellow troupe members are fun people fast becoming friends.
Robert Shepard
From Ian Campbell-
Mia's energy and enthusiasm remind me to have fun, and to let my growth as an actor
naturally happen.
David's teaching style is a precise and sublime guide into the practical
and mystical sides of improvisational theater.
"Taking classes and performing at Pan has served me in more ways than I can count. I feel physically fit, mentally strong, and highly aware of my moral instincts."
Ian
From Betsy Aaron (Training Troupe Alumni)
David Alger's instruction and direction at Pan Theater is masterful. Having dabbled in improv in the past but not really getting it, I decided on a whim to try one more time with a class at Pan. David has a way of explaining improv and moving students and troupe members through the process that's metaphorical of life, showing how it's full of nuance and meaning. David makes learning improv a joy, and what I have learned has helped me far beyond the work I do in this performance art; I bring what I learn in my day to day life, and it has made my life brighter, more manageable and more fun. David creates a safe place to take risks and fail, to practice life, something we so rarely get to do. I'm grateful for all David and Pan have taught me!
Betsy Aaron
From Conor Allen (Awkward Face Troupe Member and Training Troupe Alumni):
Pan Theater is an exciting place to both study and perform improv. Classes are infused
with a dynamic spirit rooted in the fundamentals of relationship based scene work
and improvisation. The emphasis at Pan is on the student, with ample opportunities
to perform in shows and in monthly jams with other troupe members of all levels.
From the beginning, students at Pan will feel like they are a vital part of an improv
community that is as unique as the individuals who walk through its doors. Whether
you are looking to gain a greater understanding of theater and improv in general,
or a looking to be a part of a dynamic ensemble, Pan is the place to go.
Conor
From Lauren Schaefer (guest performer-
While working at Pan I learned and got to experience what professionalism in improv looked like. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and also really hardworking and focused. I learned as much at Pan in my short time there, than I learned in years of practice with other troupes. My time was well spent with Pan.
While at Pan I was able to highlight the skills I already possessed and improve them, as well as, find the skills I needed more work on and improve on those to become a balanced improviser. I also got to dabble in improv styles that I had never worked with before which was wonderful.
At Pan, I felt so comfortable and felt like I was able to experiment and stretch myself as a performer in ways I had not been able to before. After working at Pan I feel more comfortable performing in both Dramatic and Comedic Improvisational styles.
Thanks!!
Lauren Schaefer
David Davidson Berkeley, CA age 33
Pan Theater is a Great Place to open your Wings, Learn to Fly and Craft your Improv Skills. I've seen some world class performances here in the fleeting moments of "rehearsal" and in the tightly knit Awkward Faces performances. In rehearsal David's direction is relentlessly revealing. A performer is lucky to have such intense attention to detail, and surgical honesty from so serious a director, once... maybe twice... in one's life time. He is an Amazing Director with an eye for the subtleties of what is epic. He helps lead the Troupe into their finer moments with messages that will provide solace to listeners of stories who are all ages. The directors who accompany him are encouraging in their laughter and gentle direction! I will always value the lessons I have learned and continue to learn at Pan.
Pan Theater has shown me things I would not have seen otherwise. Become a better performer AND a better person! Pan Theater is.... Fun! I knew I had found my Never land, and experienced my Home Coming... when Deitrich did head stands as we confessed our silliness and shared secrets over slices of watermelon! For a moment there each person was who they really are! And at Pan this kind of lightening strikes more than once!
David Davidson Berkeley
David's improv class is fabulous! He reviews the basics differently each day so we
can continue to anchor them -
Rosalie Valerio,
Instructor, Western Career College
"I loved the Basic Improv class with David. I felt comfortable and free to play, and have since discovered that I also got a very good foundation in improv. It has helped my acting immensely."
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I thought David's improv class was amazing I had so much fun and I recommend it for any actor it helps a lot in the future. David is a fun and great teacher and the class is GREAT!
A+ from Amy Roiland, Actor member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild)
Note: Amy is a working LA actor these days...
The Pan Theater Beginner Improv class was a lucky find for me. I had been away from theater altogether for about 18 years and was really itching to get back into it but was a bit scared of getting in over my head too fast.
The Pan Theater was an emotionally safe place for me to get back into the swing of
things -
Chris
Ralph Thomas
(Improv Basics Graduate, Training Troupe Alumni, Awkward Face Member,
Pan Coach)
Taking Beginning Improv at Pan Theater was one of the most playful fun
things I've done in my adult life. David creates a wonderful safe learning environment
that makes it easy to learn. I was always surprised when the time was up because
the class went by so fast.
I ask many of my coaching clients to take an Improv class because it helps them become more spontaneous, less judgmental and more open for personal growth.
Ralph Thomas, Personal Life Coach (links to external site)
At Pan “yes, and” is a way of approaching life."
Improv Classes -
Pan Theater | 2135 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 | ph: 415 724-
