Other Classes to take besides Improv

[C_Mack]

AHHH DONT SMITE ME!

All I am saying is......if one we're looking to expand their skills in Improv, what other classes around Austin could I take ( Acting/Singing/Scripted Comedy). For me, I would definitely like to take some acting classes. Does anyone have some good suggestions other than perhaps ACC?

Craig McG

[happywaffle]

Perfectly normal question.

Within the AIC family, I definitely recommend taking sketch classes (and maybe even Brently's stand-up class on 10/10 at the Institution).

I've never taken acting classes myself, but plenty of imps have; I know Ali Meier, Michael Jastroch, and David Lee Hess are all taking a Meisner class at the moment, but I'm not sure where. The State Theater is a good place to start.

[thedward]

I've took a voice class at the State Theatre that i really got a lot out of. It helped me to be louder without hurting myself, and to be comfortable with my voice in general. It was mostly lots of breathing exercises.

I'll definitely take some acting classes at some point.

I've wanted to take a dance class for ages, but haven't got around to it yet. I think that could be really great for exploring different aspects of physicality and rhythm.

Also on my todo list:

• Singing Classes
• Music Lessons
• More Exercise (it's embarrassing how easily I get winded on stage)
• Creative Writing Classes
• More Travel

[Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell]

anything and everything. improvisors should be sponges for knowledge.

[Spots]

Regarding "all-purpose" acting classes:

there's hardly any distinction between an acting class and an improv class.

I will exclude specific acting classes that stress techniques or specific skillsets. "We focus on the Yojimbo technique where we will yell at a dinner plate for hours to get to a higher place." Or you know, acting classes that teach you onscreen techniques or how to create beats or how to learn this or that specific thing. A good example would be Tom Booker's commercial audition class. Very awesome skill to learn. So I highly recommend acting classes with a specific focus to your pursuits.

But if you take a general all-purpose "acting" class I've found there's no true distinction from improv. You'll mostly likely be doing exercises similar to improv, voice exercises, maybe some scene work. But they all spiral down into whatever your teacher's "thing" is. For instance I had an acting teacher at UT who was obsessed with how you entered a space. He would stop scenes again and again, arbitrarily telling you to find the invisible doorknob. "Nope it's not there. Not there either. Nope."

So stick to acting classes WHERE YOU KNOW what the specific focus will be. Ask your friend who's taking an acting class what they think and what kind of skills they're working on.


Take a playwriting or screenwriting class! Because selfishly I want the world of writers to be filled with improvisers!