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So You Finished Your First Improv Class…
Congratulations! You’ve finished your first level of improv classes. You have 8 weeks of training under your belt, a new group of improv companions, and a rocking show that you did for friends, family, and strangers. So, now what? Here are 5 things you can do after you’ve finished your first improv class: 1. Take […]
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10 Tips for Surviving Your First Improv Class
So you finally decided to sign up for your first improv class? That’s awesome, congratulations. Over the years I’ve taken a number of classes; some of have been incredible, others not so much. Here are a 10 tips I’ve learned on how to make the most out of your maiden voyage into classes on improvisation. […]
Read MoreMagnet Improv Level 6 Class Notes
Instructor: Armando DiazDate Taken: July 2011 The final class of the Magnet Improv Conservatory is a Team Performance Workshop. You get 6-weeks of classes and then 8-weeks of shows with the same team. The team-specific nature of the class didn’t lend itself to taking too many general improv notes, but there were a few gems […]
Read MoreMagnet Improv Level 5 Class Notes
Instructor: Armando DiazDate Taken: October 2010 Level 5 at the Magnet focuses on creating an improv revue—four shows that your team does together. I went back to my normal heavy note-taking ways for this class, but can you blame me? It was Armando Diaz teaching! To learn more about the Magnet training program, go here. Class […]
Read MoreMagnet Improv Level 4 Class Notes
Instructor: Alex MarinoDate Taken: May 2010 With Level 4, I continued my focus on experiential learning and just trying to incorporate what I heard as opposed to logically thinking about. Â Our particular class was about the Evente, which lends itself to creating better improvisers for any form. I also learned more from the 4 performances […]
Read MoreMagnet Improv Level 3 Class Notes
Instructor: Peter McNierneyDate Taken: March 2010 As I continued further into the Magnet program, I decided to try to learn more experientially (rather than logically), so I took fewer notes and focused on how I was feeling in scenes—what worked / what didn’t.  Still there were some notes that were too good to not write […]
Read MoreMagnet Improv Level 2 Class Notes
Instructor: Louis Kornfeld Date Taken: November 2009 After going through the curriculum at UCB, my biggest weakness as an improviser was reacting emotionally.  After great experiences with Shoot from the Hip (full of Magnet people) and the Dynamic Duos class, I decided to go through the Magnet program with an emphasis on improving as an emotional player. I was […]
Read MoreUCB Improv 600 “The Movie†Class Notes
Instructors: Neil Casey and Dyna MoeDate Taken: October 2009 Straight out of my first 501, I was selected to do the The Movie form, and found it is a blast to play and can help you become a better improviser regardless of what form you’re doing.  I feel like I was stuck in my head […]
Read MoreMagnet Dynamic Duos Class Notes
Instructor: Armando DiazDate Taken: August 2009 Inspired by the likes of 2-Square and TJ & Dave, I really wanted to try out 2-person improv. Â Not only is it amazingly fun and challenging to do, it also helps you become a stronger improviser for any form. The following notes are from my first class at The […]
Read MoreShoot From the Hip Filmmaking Intensive Notes
After working on a short-film with a friend, I decided I wanted to learn more about the filmmaking process. A number of people associated with The Magnet Theater decided to do a filmmaking intensive in the Catskills that brought improvisers and filmmakers together to shoot a feature-length film in 10 days. I learned a ton […]
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