Friday Drop-In:
Scenework

Instructor: Ashley Ward

This ongoing class will focus on many of the fundamentals of great scenework such as relationships, strong choices and heightening. We will work on building scenes one line at a time, as well as exercises that help with callbacks and second beats. The goal of the class is to get you out of your head and into the scene and keep you playing, not scripting. Let's have fun!

Fridays (ongoing)

7-10pm

Location: Simple Studios (134 W. 29th Street, 2nd fl)

Prerequisite: Improv Level 1 or equivalent experience

$20 per person per class (cash only) (Since this is an ongoing class, there is no online registration. Simply show up!)

ASHLEY WARD holds a BFA from Webster University in Musical Theater and was trained in improv all over the city including The PIT, UCB, the Magnet and the Second City Training Program. She's a member of the PIT's ECNY award winning improv group Big Black Car, musical improv giant Baby Wants Candy and the Striking Viking Story Pirates, as well as several other groups including Best New Artist, Cragg and Ward and Poopy Poopy Fart Fart. She's been in numerous sketch shows, short films, web series and plays and hopes to continue doing all of the above.

Saturday Drop-In:
The Workout

Instructor: Pete LePage

This ongoing class is open to ALL improvisers. Each week students will examine and practice different longform fundamentals with improvisers of other backgrounds and levels. From the simplest games to the most advanced exercises, this Saturday class is more fun than a day at the zoo!

Saturdays (ongoing)

3-6pm

Location: Simple Studios (134 W. 29th Street, 2nd fl)

Prerequisite: Improv Level 1 or equivalent experience

$20 per person per class (cash only) (Since this is an ongoing class, there is no online registration. Simply show up!)

PETE LEPAGE has been doing Stand-up, Sketch, and Improv in New York City since 1999 - Performing at Comic Strip Live, Stand-up New York, Gotham, Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade and The PIT. He has worked with Colin Quinn, Billy Merrit and performed with Jack McBrayer. He is currently a head writer and founding member of the Nefarious Popes sketch troupe, ensemble member of the PIT house team Mrs. Estherhouse, and co-host of the acclaimed show Comic Book Club and Pulp Secret webcast. In 2006 Pete was voted the ensemble member of the year at the PIT.

+++ SUNDAY'S LONG and
SHORT FORM CLASSES ALTERNATE +++

Sunday Drop-In:
Short Form Improv

Instructor: Justin Zell

Each class explores the pure fun that is Short Form Improv (a.k.a. Improv Games). Whether you're an improv veteran looking to enrich your improv knowledge or a beginner looking to test the waters, this is the class for you. Each class instructor Justin Zell teaches different short form improv games and treats everyone to a little friendly competition. Much like those on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," students will increase their spontaneity and earn points along the way.

Sundays - 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month (ongoing)

3-6pm

Location: Simple Studios (134 W. 29th Street, 2nd fl)

Prerequisite: Improv Level 1 or equivalent experience

$20 per person per class (cash only) (Since this is an ongoing class, there is no online registration. Simply show up!)

JUSTIN ZELL is a graduate of the Rod Serling School of Fine Arts and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts from SUNY New Paltz. He has studied with many improv teachers from The PIT, UCB, The Magnet and The Second City. Justin has coached several independent improv groups (both short and long form) since 2008. He currently performs weekly on the PIT house team The Wilhelm and has also been seen performing improv with Bandolero, The Doppel Gang, Insert Funny Name Here, Mission Improv-able, and Dicks and Janes. Justin is also the co-host of an improv podcast entitled "Improvised New York" with his teammate, Elizabeth Quinn.

Sunday Drop-In:
Long Form Improv

Instructor: BRETT WEAN

What do we all associate most with Sundays? That’s right...brunch! Wait. Did you say brunch? The correct answer is IMPROV! In this fun, super-delicious class, tailor-made for a (perhaps post-Brunch) Sunday afternoon, we’ll be whipping up a fluffy omelette of scenework, character-building exercises, and longform structure...all designed to aid you in making your scenes heartier and more satisfying. We’ll be pancaking together skills such as listening, Yes-And-ing, heightening, status, and taking care of yourself as well as your scene partner. Everything you need to make the mimosa out of your scenes...no reservation required.

Sundays - 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month (ongoing)

3-6pm

Location: Simple Studios (134 W. 29th Street, 2nd fl)

Prerequisite: Improv Level 1 or equivalent experience

$20 per person per class (cash only) (Since this is an ongoing class, there is no online registration. Simply show up!)

BRETT WEAN is a writer and actor who has performed improv at various New York theaters and is happy to call The PIT his home. Growing up outside Philadelphia, Brett attended The Haverford School (all-male), where he learned to wear a jacket and tie whilst experiencing puberty. He later studied film and acting at Vassar College, which was formerly an all-female school but still manages a pretty sweet ratio -- Hello! Brett has been a member of several PIT house teams, most recently of which is the long-running group The Baldwins. He has studied commercial acting with casting directors Brooke Thomas and Mary Egan of House Productions, and has since done commercial work for VH-1 and Mars. Until recently, Brett worked in the glamorous world of book publishing, and has written pieces for Time Out New York, as well as a syndicated career-related humor column called The Worker Bee (I know, I know.) He has performed in the Del Close Marathon, greatly enjoys coaching improv (he is on the Official PIT Approved Coaches List), and is fascinated, just fascinated, by the comic strip Cathy, which annoys his wife greatly.