Digital Team Building Improv for Business
Digital Workshop
A 60 minute digital experience to bond your team as they work from home!
All Classes
Remote Womxn’s Stand Up Workshop, 8/12 – SOLD OUT!
Wednesday 8/12 – Wednesday 9/16
Instructor: Christi Chiello
This course is designed to give womxn the opportunity to securely develop their comedy chops in a safe, engaging & supportive environment. Classes will serve as a laboratory for creating original stand-up material while discovering your truth and voice. Students will learn how to translate their ideas into a crafted act through proper joke structure, writing & editing techniques, all while developing a commitment to their own, unique sense of humor! Students are encouraged to experiment outside their comfort zone and take risks by being specific, vulnerable and having a strong point of view. This class is NOT anti-male nor should it be used to surpass months of open mics. But it will give you the tools you need to both build confidence in the choices you make & in your creative ideas both on and off the stage. 1/2 hour private writing session with each student included. *2 seats in this class will be reserved for Access Scholarship students. Please follow this link for an application: https://thepit-nyc.com/scholarships/
Remote Joy of Improv, 8/12 – SOLD OUT!
Wednesday 8/12 – Wednesday 9/2
Instructor: Kihresha Redmond
No pressure Improv. Dip your toe into the joyous pool of improv- 0% fear, 100% fun. This is the perfect place for absolute beginners to get acquainted with the art of longform improvisation. Every week you will play in a safe and positive class environment with group exercises and scenework. It’s the perfect spoonful of improv, come have a taste! Please note that there is no graduation show for this class.
Remote Classes Added
Online Joy of sketch | August 12 | Matt Prigge
Wednesday 8/12 – Wednesday 9/2
Instructor: Matt Prigge
Discover the fun of sketch comedy writing in this 4 week starter remote class! Perfect for beginners who are looking to put their sketch ideas to the page for the first time. Learn the basics of pitching, outlining, drafting and revision. Collaborate with other new writers and laugh in a low-pressure writer's room facilitated by PIT Teacher Matt Prigge.
Remote Stand-Up Drop-In, 8/14
Friday 8/14 3:00 pm
Instructor: Chris Griggs
First timers and those new to stand-up welcome! Wanna write your first joke or work on those jokes you have? In this drop-in, we focus on joke structure, editing, and polishing. Laughter is healing and let’s make this time productive as well.
Remote Intro to Stand Up Class, 8/16 – SOLD OUT! *Auditor seats available*
Sunday 8/16 – Sunday 9/20
Instructor: Chris Griggs
First timers and those just starting out to stand-up welcome! In this class, we will work on the fundamentals of stand-up and developing a 3 minute set. This will all culminate into a live-stream class show for that your friends and family can enjoy!
Remote Intro to Public Speaking, 8/17
Monday 8/17 – Monday 9/21
Instructor: Sunny Atwal
There is an art to public speaking that can bring out new versions of the self that most people can't begin to imagine. Whether you are terrified, interested, or love stage time, this public speaking class will push you to new limits and build new levels of confidence in your everyday conversations or your next big public speech. We will focus on how to keep audience attention with introductions, delivery, and purpose.
Remote Intro to Self-Producing Seminar, 8/17
Monday 8/17 7:00 pm
Instructors: Will Purpura, Matt Prigge
Want to start producing your own work, but don't know where to start? Intro to Self-Producing is a series of free workshops facilitated by members of the PIT Artistic Staff that will help you clarify your goals, get organized, and get a plan. Each session is a self-contained workshop meant to help address particular producing challenges and goals, sign up for as many or as few as you like.
Remote Auditioning for a SNL-Type Show Seminar, 8/17
Monday 8/17 7:00 pm
Instructor: Ali Reza Farahnakian
Enjoy a Q&A about what is needed to audition for SNL, what the audition is like, and how to prepare so you’re not scrambling when you get your shot.
Remote From Actor to Director, 8/18
Tuesday 8/18 7:00 pm
Instructor: Joe Whelski
For actors who want to become directors, Joe takes you through the skills needed to tell your stage or cinema story and communicate your ideas clearly to your actors. You will learn the techniques that allow your actors both the structure and artistic freedom they need to create dynamic performances. You’ll also leave with a PDF packet containing all the notes, links and resources we go over in the workshop.
Remote Remote Level 3 Improv, 8/18
Tuesday 8/18 – Thursday 9/10
Instructor: Chris Griggs
In level 3 you will continue to focus on strong listening and reacting without interrupting your scene partner. Making sure “the beginning of your sentence doesn’t get in the way of the middle of theirs”. You will reinforce saying “Yes, and...!” Until you have to say “no thank you”. Work on the first-second and third beats of two person scenes as well as continuing to focus on editing by following your foot connected to your gut and heart to edit scenes at the height. Learn how to “heighten and tighten” a scene organically glued in reality to create “win-win” fun scenes to play to entertain yourself and others while “treating your partner like a genius”.
Remote Polishing Your Jokes, 8/19
Wednesday 8/19 6:00 pm
Instructor: Will Purpura
New to stand-up and/or looking to work on those jokes you have? In this drop-in, we focus on joke structure, editing, and polishing. Laughter is healing and let’s make this time productive as well.
Remote Premier Pro Drop In, 8/20
Thursday 8/20 6:00 pm
Instructor: Tom Kalnas
Video editing beginners! Tired of watching youtube clips? Want to know more about Premiere Pro? Take this class by producer Tom Kalnas.
Remote Let’s Get Physical, 8/20
Thursday 8/20 – Thursday 10/8
Instructor: Kihresha Redmond
Some of the best characters and scene work are created through physicality. That’s why in this class we are going to explore how to use movement and specificity of the body to create richer scenes and characters. This class is great for people looking to add more to their improv toolbox.
Remote Film School In A Night, 8/20
Thursday 8/20 7:00 pm
Instructor: Joe Whelski
Learn all the steps from A to Z of creating, directing and producing your own film! Award winning NYC Director Joe Whelski has written, directed and produced local and national commercials, web series, and short and feature films— and his latest commercial features legendary comedian John Cleese. In this jam packed, one night workshop, Joe will teach you every phase of creating your own film. From Script to Screen, he will break down the entire filmmaking process: Conceiving film worthy ideas, script formatting, storyboarding, the importance of insurance and liability, location scouting, casting, assembling your crew, knowing your camera, light and sound options, directing your actors for the camera, editing, and post-production workflow, sound design, mixing, and film scoring, marketing your film, applying for film festivals and distribution. All students will receive class notes in the form of a PDF, so you’ll leave this workshop with a master blueprint on how to create your own independent film or video!
Remote Joy of Improv, 8/20
Thursday 8/20 – Thursday 9/10
Instructor: Sunny Atwal
No pressure Improv. Dip your toe into the joyous pool of improv- 0% fear, 100% fun. This is the perfect place for absolute beginners to get acquainted with the art of longform improvisation. Every week you will play in a safe and positive class environment with group exercises and scenework. It’s the perfect spoonful of improv, come have a taste! Please note that there is no graduation show for this class.
Remote Intro to Self-Producing Seminar, 8/24
Monday 8/24 7:00 pm
Instructors: Stephen Stout, Emily Asaro
Want to start producing your own work, but don't know where to start? Intro to Self-Producing is a series of free workshops facilitated by members of the PIT Artistic Staff that will help you clarify your goals, get organized, and get a plan. Each session is a self-contained workshop meant to help address particular producing challenges and goals, sign up for as many or as few as you like.
Remote Writing a SNL-Style Sketch Packet, 8/24
Monday 8/24 7:00 pm
Instructor: Ali Reza Farahnakian
Learn what an SNL packet looks like and what they may be looking for. A commercial Parody is the assignment for the class in the SNL format. Under 3 pages in the format.
Remote Connect to Your Co-Workers, 8/24
Monday 8/24 – Monday 9/14
Instructor: Mandy Schmieder
Learn how to connect to those faces in those squares on your computer screen! This class will take the principles of improv and gear them towards your work, and more specifically, Zoom-life. This class is great for beginners who want to be more comfortable in front of the camera. We'll focus on presentation, team-building, and getting the most out of your virtual meetings. Learn how to create a supportive and collaborative environment and have fun doing it! Length of class may vary based on amount of students enrolled. Up to teacher's discretion.
Remote Write Your Own Screenplay, 8/25
Tuesday 8/25 7:00 pm
Instructor: Joe Whelski
Have a great idea for a screenplay but don’t know where to start? In this course, I take you through every step needed to start on the journey of writing your own screenplay. We’ll get specific on: Genre, audience, where the movie can live, how it can be marketed, is it an indie or Hollywood film, best screenplay databases for Hollywood scripts, key industry books for best practices, looking at software options, script formatting rules, looking at a writing schedule that is productive and works for your schedule, the credits of a screenplay and what they can mean from a compensation standpoint, and more. You get the links, resources, and knowledge so you can dive in right away!
Remote Script Analysis for Actors, 8/27
Thursday 8/27 7:00 pm
Instructor: Joe Whelski
Utilizing over 20 plus years of professional acting experience on stage, TV, film, and new media—and over 16 years of directing and producing, Joe will share his master checklist that guides him through breaking down acting roles, in a succinct and efficient manner. This method is also ideal for TV and film auditions, where you have to break down the script and self-tape within a tight turnaround time.
Remote Live Producer Boot Camp, 8/27
Thursday 8/27 – Thursday 9/10
Instructor: Tom Kalnas
Put your project on its feet! Learn tips and tricks necessary for your production to succeed and flourish online. Hosted by Socially Distant Improv live producer Tom Kalnas.
Remote Acting for Camera, 8/30
Sunday 8/30 – Sunday 9/20
Instructor: Patrick McCartney
Taught by veteran improviser and actor @thepatrickmac this class will help you learn how to act for the camera. This class will have monologues and scenes. Comedy and drama.
Remote Intro to Self-Producing Seminar, 8/31
Monday 8/31 7:00 pm
Instructors: Stephen Stout, Matt Prigge
Want to start producing your own work, but don't know where to start? Intro to Self-Producing is a series of free workshops facilitated by members of the PIT Artistic Staff that will help you clarify your goals, get organized, and get a plan. Each session is a self-contained workshop meant to help address particular producing challenges and goals, sign up for as many or as few as you like.
Online Level 1 Improv: Introduction To Improv, 9/1
Tuesday 9/1 – Thursday 9/24
Instructor: Dana Shulman
In this class you will use scene work and group exercises to explore the joy of improvisation, be more confident, trusting and graceful on stage. Learn “Yes, and…!” until you have to say “No, thank you”. Focus on positive choices to initiate scenes, real-life and character monologues grounded in TRUTH! The PIT’s Intro to Improv class creates a rich and nurturing environment that will benefit your physical, emotional and mental health. A final, remote, graduation performance at the PIT for friends, family, and others.” Spread the Word!