ALLIGATOR IMPROV AND SELF EXPRESSION

Who this class is for: Any level of long-form improviser who wants to take their long-form skills to the next level.
Students have ideally at least taken an introductory class and a long-form class of some kind (Like the 101 Longform class at the Improv Embassy). We recommend you warm up with some jams if it's been a while since you've played. Contact Alligator Improv on Facebook or email lana.lodge@gmail.com if you have questions about whether this class is right for you.
Who this class is not for: It is not for absolute beginners or people new to improv.

Over the course of six weeks, you will:

• Learn and practice long-form formats like the Armando, the Deconstruction, and the Harold
• Learn about "the game of the scene", and try some premise-based improv
• Learn and practice finding organic characters and games in your scenes in the moment and heightening them, and finding organic edits and group games (Chicago style improv)
• Learn to find justifications: This will allow you to 1) explain and "yes-and" whatever new information comes up in your scenes and 2) help you get and stay strange by coming up with strange justifications for strange behavior in character
• Learn and practice the principles of good Group Mind 1) Share focus and initiative 2) Listen, pay attention to, and stay connected to: yourself, your teammates, and the present moment 3) Surender, trust the process and your team, and make something unexpected
• Let the themes of a show build naturally, lean into them, and make it look like you planned the whole thing all along!

More on the more advanced topics here and whether this class is for you: Terms and concepts will be defined as they are brought up and used. The instructor will not assume everyone knows and remembers them. Many of these lessons are on advanced topics and take years to master, but anyone can learn and practice them, even beginners. Mixing levels of longform-experienced players is intentional for the subject matter. Taking care of those less experienced than us makes us better team players, and better teachers and students, and getting to play with more advanced players inspires us, sets a good example, and elevates our scenes. If you haven't done a Harold before, don't be intimidated, we'll introduce it early on and you'll get familiar with it over the 6 weeks. If you're familiar with all of these formats and concepts, you will still get a lot out of the class.

** Jams: There will be a two-hour Harold jam at the Bronson Center 30 minutes after the end of the first class. This will help you get more reps of the format in a more casual setting. At the very least there will be a regular jam held October 19th (also 30m after class) and a Harold jam 26th that you will have free access to. If attendance is good these will both continue bi-weekly, giving you two extra hours of practice every week after class at no extra charge.

There will be a performance opportunity for the class in the first week of December (time and location TBD)