WINTER 2012 SEMESTER

Go U offers classes for a wide range of experience levels and personal motivations. Think you're the funniest person in the office and want to take that to the stage? Wish you could be more confident when speaking in front of others in a professional setting? Already performing and looking to hone your skills? We can place you in a class that is right for you. Taught by the best working improv teachers in town, these classes are a great way to meet new people and push yourself to do something new, fun and challenging.

The Improv Academy is broken into four programs: Intro and Advanced Improvisation,Skills and Sketch Comedy Writing. We also offer Workshops. Classes are $200 and run for eight weeks. Our next term begins in March 2012. Please do not sign up for a later class unless you have taken the previous classes, or checked with Go U staff.

Our current semester culminates in a class show for family and friends which will be February 21 & 28, 2011. Click here to purchase tickets.

We're now registering for our next term, which begins March 10!

If you would like further information, or have any questions, please contact Pj Jacokes or Jessica Loria at 248.677.1772 or classes@gocomedy.net.

These classes are open to anyone, from any background with any skill set.  Everyone new starts at Intro 1. Please do not sign up for a later class unless you have taken the previous classes, or checked with Go U staff. Experienced improvisers should look to Advanced Improv.

Our next semester will begin in March. Register below.

Intro 1: Welcome to Improv
Every improv education starts somewhere - yours starts here. Learn the fundamentals of improvisation, basic games, scene work and skills. Get used to being on stage and working with others in safe, supportive environment.

Sunday 12-3pm I Teacher: Pj Jacokes

Monday 7-10pm I Teacher: Tim Kay

Thursday 7-10pm I Teacher: Bryan Lark

Days

Sunday Monday Thursday

Intro 2: Improv Tools
Intro 2 picks up where Intro 1 leaves off, taking the concepts covered and looking deeper into them. This class looks at the tricks, tips and tools of improv and incorporates them into a variety of games.

Saturday 12-3pm I Teacher: Suzie Jacokes

Wednesday 7-10pm I Teacher: Anne Faba

Days

Saturday Wednesday Option 3

Intro 3: Improv Skills
Intro 3 takes all of the skills learned in Intro 1 & 2 and focuses towards the goal of telling a solid story through scenes and games.

Saturday 3-6pm I Teacher: Clint Lohman

Monday 7-10pm I Teacher: Pete Jacokes

Days

Monday Saturday

Intro 4: Improv Games
Games are the bread and butter of every improvisers diet and can be seen at Go Comedy! every weekend. Learn all about improv games from the classics to challenging new games, you’ll even learn a few of Go Comedy’s signature games.

Monday 7-10pm I Teacher: Nancy Edwards

Thursday 7-10pm I Teacher: Lauren Bickers

Days

Monday Thursday Option 3

Our next semester begins in March. To register, see below.

Advanced Improv focuses on scene work and long form montages. Moving past the gimmicks of game-based improv, Advanced Improv will challenge you to create memorable scenes and skillful shows.

Advanced Improv requires some previous improv education. Contact us if you are unsure where you should start.

Advanced 1: Scene Work
Shake the cobwebs off your improv or reinvent your approach. Learn the GoU Improv Philosophy and be free of the “rules” of improv. This class will focus on how you create a scene, work with a partner and keep an audience interested. 

Tuesday 7-10pm I Teacher: Matt Naas

Advanced 2: The Elements of Montage
Building upon the scene work skills of Advanced 1, Advanced 2 begins stringing those scenes together through an improvised montage. Learn and master the elements that create a montage.

Tuesday 7-10pm I Teacher: Chris Petersen

Advanced 3: The Montage
Now that you’ve learned the basics, learn how to perform signature montages in a variety of styles.

Not offered this term.

Advanced 4: Make-a-Montage
Create a one of a kind improv montage.

Saturday 12-3pm I Teacher: Chris DiAngelo

Advanced 5: The Show
By popular demand, an additional class which concentrates on using improv to write and create a sketch show.

From time to time, Go Comedy offers Sketch Comedy writing classes. If you are interested in taking a writing class, please email classes@gocomedy.net.

NEW! The new and improved Sketch Comedy Program is open to actors, comedians, improvisers and writers. It tackles every aspect of creating a sketch comedy revue from brainstorming to writing, from acting to opening night. There will be assignments each week. If you're scared of a little extra work, this is not the program for you.

Sketch 1: Writing
Sketch 1 focuses on the written word. It's a great class to learn the basics of comedy writing. From idea to draft, this class will give you all of the tools you need to be a polished sketch script writer. Everyone will be expected to write weekly.

Tuesdays 7-10pm I Teacher: Brian Papandrea

Sketch 2: Creation
Sketch 2 will get you up on your feet. Creating new material from a variety of means in class and honing it into scripts during the week.

Sketch 3: The Show
Sketch 3 revolves around creating a show. Using material generated in Sketch 1 & 2, as well as new scenes, students will put together a 45-minute revue, complete with ligts, sound and music.

Sketch 4: Performance
Sketch 4 is the grand finale. The class will rehearse the show created in Sketch 3 culminating in a short run at Go Comedy!

The Skills Program is an exciting new addition to the GoU curriculum. It offers a variety of classes in theater, film, writing, and improvisation. Each semester will have different choices, so check back to see if there’s something that interests you.

Movement & Sound for Dyanamic Improvisation

Wednesdays 7-930pm I Teacher: Ann Holdreith

Ann Holdreith has been offering her innovative movement and sound improvisation classes since 1987. The work allows participants to be fully present in the moment, expressing what is most authentic, creative and dynamic through their body and voice. Participants report that they feel liberated, grounded, and able to trust themselves, their body, their spontaneous expression, and each other. Working through the body and voice quiets the critical mind-chatter and allows for full creative freedom.  

Contact classes@gocomedy.net to register for this class.

Harold Boot Camp
This intensive stand-alone class will focus on developing the Harold improv form. The smaller class size will allow for more one-on-one feedback, and provide students the opportunity to closely develop an understanding of the Harold. Students must have at least 2 years of improv experience, and have a keen understanding of long-form improv.

Acting for Improvisors 
Do you want to improve your improv?  Do you wish you could be in one of the Thursday sketch shows?  This class will use acting exercises and improvised scene work to lead to stronger stage presence and stronger choices.  Will cover movement work, voice work, connecting to your partner onstage, whole body listening and much more.

How to Audition for Improv: A Workshop

Practice. Practice. Practice. This workshop, run by Nancy Edwards, former producer of Second City, Detroit and Pj Jacokes, producer of Go Comedy! Improv Theater will take you through the improv audition from beginning to end, with tips and feedback to give you an advantage when it comes time to do the real thing. Attendees are to bring 2 copies of their headshot and performance resume. The workshop costs $25 and space is limited. Email classes@gocomedy.net for more information.

When: 3pm February 18, 2012

Where: Go Comedy! Improv Theater

Who: Nancy Edwards & Pj Jacokes

 

Go Comedy occasionally offers workshops for improvisers looking to hone a particular skill, or work with a special guest teacher. Workshops usually run three hours, and cost $25. Please check this page for updates on upcoming workshops and special events.

 

Past workshops have included:

The Fireball Theory and Truth & Beauty with Jill Bernard

Character Workshop and Joy Joy with Susan Messing

Accents & Dialects with Corrine Barringer

Improv classes for high schools and middle school students are available now! They are $150 for 8 weeks. We will be adding more classes for kids and teens, as well as family friendly shows. Check back for more info or email goyouth@gocomedy.net to show your interest.

Improv for Teens/Improv Drop-In

This is a great opportunity to learn Go Comedy’s improv philosophy, play some improv games and make new friends. To drop in, students can register by email or calling the Go U line at (248) 677-1772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (248) 677-1772      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Drop ins are a great way for students to test out the class, or for busy students who are unable to attend every week. $20 per class.

Each class will focus on a different skill, and feature different games. Classes are designed so any teen can join at any time.

This class is open to any student currently in 9-12 grade. No experience is necessary. Please call or email with any questions, or to register for a drop-in class today.

Teen classes currently run on Fridays from 7-9pm, and are taught by Go Comedy Improvisers, Clint Lohman and Michelle Giorlando.

GoYouth! Summer Camps
If your kids are fans of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? they’ll love Go Comedy’s Improv Camp. Our weeklong camp focuses on improv basics and performance games with an emphasis on listening, teamwork and support. At camp’s end, the kids perform a show for family and friends. The camps are taught by veteran teachers and improvisers from GoU: The Improv Academy's staff.

The camps run 9-3:30pm. Each camp's show will be at 3:30PM on Friday. The shows will be filmed and one complimentary DVD will be sent to each child. Drinks and snacks will be provided every day. Pizza lunch will be provided on Friday. Contact Go Comedy! at 248.677.1772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            248.677.1772      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or classes@gocomedy.net for more information.

This year, students have the option of attending for the full day or to sign up for either the morning or afternoon session. A full day class is $250 and half days are $150.

To Register, please email classes@gocomedy.net or call Go Youth at (248) 677-1772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (248) 677-1772      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

August 

Full Day ($250)
Morning Session | 9-12pm ($150)
Afternoon Session | 12:30-3:30pm ($150)

Kids Camp 2 - Kids entering grades 4-6 | August

Full Day ($250)
Morning Session | 9-12pm ($150)
Afternoon Session | 12:30-3:30pm ($150)

Kids Camp 3 - Kids entering grades 7-9 | August

Full Day ($250)
Morning Session | 9-12pm ($150)
Afternoon Session | 12:30-3:30pm ($150)

"There is no question that improv is a skill any aspiring actor needs to have and there is no question that GoU: The Improv Academy is the best place in the state to learn how to improvise."
Tony DiMambro | President, I-Group Talent and Casting

"I've been to Chicago, London, L.A. and San Francisco and I still haven’t found improv classes as fun and supportive as I had at Go U."
Darren Wong | Strategist, Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners

"Improv classes are a must for anyone who takes their craft seriously."
Ann Wilson | Productions Plus/Talent Shop

"My improv training with Pj Jacokes has not only made me a stronger and fearless stand up comedian, his invaluable guidance has also improved my abilities as a corporate trainer."
Mike Bobbitt | Comedian/SCEA Trainer

"Before taking classes at Go!, I considered improv only as entertainment. Now I realize that the theories underlying improv, especially the concentrated listening skills, are directly applicable in professional settings. Improv has made me a better instructor and administrator."
Professor Holly Helterhoff | Director, LTU Scholars and Undeclared Programs Senior Lecturer, Technical and Professional Communication College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University

"Before I took GoU's Improv Academy classes, I was terrified to go "off script" when I did my standup. I prayed every time I got up that there were no hecklers or interruptions I'd have to address during my set.

After taking classes at GoComedy, my attitude has changed and my fear of uncertainty morphed into welcoming arms. My standup sets are more fun and more in the moment. Thanks Go!"
Darnell Anderson | Stand-Up Comic

"I knew that I would be stretched and challenged, but beyond that? I didn't know what to expect when I walked in to the Intro 1 class at Go Comedy. It introduced me to live Improvisational Comedy (Whose Line is it Anyway is one of the greatest TV shows ever). I learned to listen more intently and pay closer attention to what was going on around me. I also learned not to take myself too seriously. Best of all, I had FUN! Doing the class show was a great experience."
Todd J. List | Clarkston, Michigan

"Taking improv classes has really helped my stand-up performance. I am more comfortable on stage in general, but more importantly I am more comfortable straying from my material and just riffing on a subject for a minute or two. Those moments have given rise to some of my favorite bits now. I have also learned to listen more, which helps tremendously with generating material. I am more aware now, even off stage, of what is going on around me in terms of picking out those little gifts that can lead to comedy gold. Finally, I would say that my improv classes have taught me to just have more fun on stage. And when we’re having fun the audience is having fun."
Marv Anderson | Stand-Up

Classes FAQs

How long is a class term? One term is 8 weeks long. Each class meets once a week for three hours.

What’s the deal with this class show? Every class culminates in a show for family and friends, usually on a Monday or Tuesday night. This is the class’s chance to show off what they’ve been learning all term. I have improv experience.

Where should I start? Generally, we recommend that every person starts from Intro 1. Our philosophy is a little different from other improv classes, and ideally a class of students will go through the program together. However, if you have significant improv experience, it is always possible to move into one of the later intro classes, or the advanced program. If you are unsure, please contact us at classes@gocomedy.net.

What is your refund policy? Students can receive a full refund if they need to back out of a class before it begins. If you decide not to continue a class after the first couple weeks, the refund is $150. No refunds are offered after the third class.

Do you offer gift certificates for your classes? We do! Gift certificates are available in all denominations here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215625 They are good for show tickets, as well as all of our improv classes.

Do you have age restrictions? For our classes, we generally ask that students are 18 or older (with the occasional exception). There are no other age restrictions, and we do get students of all ages and experience levels.

Can I take multiple classes at once? The improv classes are designed to build off of one another, so it’s recommended not to take more than one in a term. However, the Skills classes are usually perfectly fine to take along with another improv class, and many students also opt to take an improv and sketch class at the same time.

What are some of the benefits of improv classes? Improv classes have many real world benefits. They will help you be more comfortable on your feet, and in front of a crowd. In addition, you will learn to work with a group, and better understand how to support the people you’re working with. Our classes are very popular with attorneys and sales people, in addition to those who wish to explore improv comedy as a hobby or career.

Will you teach me to be funny? You are funny! But improv classes are not about being the funniest person onstage. It is all about getting out of your head, and learning to relax and feel comfortable. Oftentimes improv IS funny, but that is not the ultimate goal.

Do you offer any classes for kids or teens? We sometimes offer a teen drop in class on Friday from 7-9pm. For kids, we have three weeks in the summer for summer improv day camp. Unfortunately, as of right now, those are the only programs we offer for younger improvisers.