Learning Improv in Sarasota

FST Improv Program Introduces Three New One Day Intensives

Florida Studio Theatre's Improvisation program has just announced a series of one-day improv intensive workshops perfect for those who always wanted to learn improv but didn't have the time to commit to a full 8 week session of classes. The intensives, offered on Saturdays in the Goldstein Cabaret, range from classes for beginners to classes for those with improv experience who want to hone their skills.

The Beginning Improv Workshop (Saturday, July 22) is designed for those who have no prior improvisation experience. The four-hour session begins with the basics of improvisation, such as "Yes, And" and partnering, and finish with instruction in some of the same performance games enjoyed by sold-out audiences each week at the FST Improv's Saturday night shows. The workshop gives students a wide array of tools from which they can build their own methods of improvisation, while teaching the basic tried and true rules of comedy improv.

The 2-Person Scene Workshop , Saturday, August 5, focuses on building a relationship within a scene. This intensive is geared more towards those performers who have some knowledge of improvisation and are looking to take their scene work to the next level. Students go through a series of exercises and games designed to build their ability to trust their partner and develop a "give and take" relationship onstage.

The Advanced Diagnostic Workshop, Saturday, August 19, is for 6 to 8 advanced improvisers looking to get one-on-one feedback about their issues in improvisation. The class starts with a series of exercises and games designed to evaluate each improviser's techniques and pinpoint specific areas to focus on in order to improve their improve skills. Instructors Rachel Oakes and Chris Friday then meet with each improviser to discuss and troubleshoot these problem areas. The group then reconvenes to put into practice these new tips and techniques in performance based games.

All workshops are lead by FST's Associate Manager of Improvisation, Rachel Oakes , and Teaching Artist, Chris Friday . Rachel Oakes has been improvising since 1996. She is a graduate of New Actor's Workshop in New York City , where she studied improvisation under Paul Sills, Kathy Hendrickson, Rex Knowles and Sherry Landrum. She has also studied at Upright Citizens Brigade and performed with many improvisation and sketch comedy troupes around New York, mostly working with PRESENT ELEVATION and GOD FREEDOM FANTASTIC. She has performed weekly with the FST Improv since January and teaches two levels of their improvisation program. Chris Friday has been performing with FST Improv for 4 years now in addition to teaching adult and children's classes for the FST School .

FST Improv began performing a limited number of shows in the summer of 2002. Based on the success of these shows, Florida Studio Theatre expanded the program to a weekly Improv show on Tuesday nights in the winter with Saturday evening performances in the summer.

FST Improv One Day Intensive Workshops

Class Schedule & Pricing

Beginning Improvisation Workshop

Saturday, July 22

10AM-2PM

Cost: $50

2 person Scene Workshop

Saturday, August 5

10AM-2PM

Cost: $50

Advanced Improvisation Workshop

Saturday, August 19

10AM-3PM

Cost: $65

Florida Studio Theatre

1241 North Palm Avenue

Sarasota, FL  34236

Administration: (941) 366-9017

Box Office: (941) 366-9000

Fax: (941) 955-4137

E-mail: fst@fst2000.org

Website: www.fst2000.org

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