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The Brody Theater Classes & Workshops

The Brody Theater offers a full course of study in improvisation, including public performance opportunities for dedicated students at the advanced levels. Whether your goal is to perform on the improvised stage, improve spontaneity in your scripted acting, or simply find a new creative outlet--or inlet--these fun, challenging and rewarding classes are for you.

From time to time we offer additional 1-day or weekend workshops, some designed for our students, and others open to beginners or improvisers with some experience. These are often announced via email. If you are not on our email list and would like to be, contact classes@brodytheater.com

Current class offerings:
Fundamentals of Improvisation
Intermediate Improvisation
Advanced Improvisation
Solo Performance

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We also teach creativity and team-building workshops for non-performance/business applications, and can design a program to suit your needs and goals. Contact us if an improv-based experience for you and your co-workers interests you.

All our students receive free admission to Brody performances, an important and enjoyable adjunct to your class work. You can pay online or by mail: make full payment or put down a $35 deposit that will reserve your spot in our intro class. Deposits are not refundable, and early enrolment discounts, when offered, are available only with full payment. If you need to discuss prerequisite experience or have any other questions, drop an email, or phone us at 503.224.0688. Mailing address: The Brody Theater, PO Box 3835, Portland, OR 97208

Meet the teachers!


REGULARLY OFFERED CLASSES:

1-night intro workshop

Tuesday September 9 7:30-9:30pm

This one-evening workshop, designed for the beginner or someone who just wants to dip their toe into the waters, will include lots of fun improv games and exercises. No previous theater or improv experience required! Meets at our workshop studio, at 3314 SW 1st Ave (side entrance, on SW Gibbs St)
Prerequisite: none, beginners welcome!
Fee: $30.00

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Fundamentals of Improvisation
Tuesdays 7:30-9:30pm

Early fall session starts September 16
Late fall session starts Nov 11

Meets at the Brody studio, 3314 SW 1st Ave (side entrance, on SW Gibbs St)

This class is an introduction to group improvisation covering spontaneity, group focus and ensemble building, narrative skills, and ways to identify and exploit the patterns and connections between ideas and experiences that help power and integrate our work. This is our entry level class, and is prerequisite to further work in the training program.

Prerequisite: none, beginners welcome!
Fee: $165.00--seven class sessions
(150.00 early enrollment discount price through August 31)
Instructor: Brad Fortier

To get the discounted price, pay online or mail a check postmarked by the deadline. You can also reserve a spot at full price by sending us a $35 deposit, or:

ENROLL AND PAY NOW

Intermediate Improvisation

Wednesdays 7:30 -9:30 pm

Fall session starts September 17

Our intermediate level is a 2-class sequence. Intermediate I focuses on scene work and II focuses on ensemble play. They are offered on a rotating basis, and can be taken in any order. Topics will include scene work, ensemble play, narrative skills, scene-editing and connecting, introductory long form concepts.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Improvisation or equivalent training and permission
Fee: $150
Instructor: Tom Johnson

Intermediate Improvisation drop-in class
Wednesday Sept 10 7:30-9:30 pm

A one-night session of games and intermediate level improv instruction

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Improvisation or equivalent training and permission
Fee: $25
(or FREE if you are enrolled in the regular class that starts July 16)
Instructor: staff

NEW:
Improv Games
drop-in sessions
Mondays June 2, 9, 23 30 7:30 -9:30 pm

In these sessions, we'll focus on one or two improv performance games, including both free-styanding "short form" games and games suited for use in long form structures llike "Harold." Intermediate to advanced level participants.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Improvisation or equivalent training and permission.
Fee: $25 ($15 for current Brody students)
Instructor: Tom Johnson

For Intermediate, call or email to sign up if you're new to the Brody; if you're a current or recent student and have completed fundamentals, just let us know you're enrolling, and then be there for the first class! Pay at the class (cash or check) for drop-in sessions.

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Advanced Improvisation:
starts September 21
Sundays 1:00-4:00 PM

Advanced level work in various aspects of improvisation

prerequisite: 2 Brody intermediate sessions or significant experience and permission.
Fee: $125 five class sessions
instructor: TBA

NEW:
"Keepin' It Real"
Summer master class with Amanda Rountree

Wednesday, August 27 7:00-10:00 PM
$45 ($35 for current Brody students)

prerequisite: Previous experience at the Intermediate level or above
register via email or phone; pay at the workshop

We are pleased to welcome visiting artist Amanda Rountree from Chicago. She is an amazingly versatile improviser and a thoughtful, engaged teacher. You will love her style, her unbridled enthusiasm, her positive outlook, and her insight.

This workshop will help deepen your performance with the use of sincerity, emotional connection, and believability. Discover the real "first offers" of every scene, and make improv even more natural, playful, and invigorating than it was before. Gain richness in your humor and a more dynamic connection with your audience. How can your life be explored, translated, or applied in an improv performance? Come, find out! More info on Amanda:

NEW:
Going Solo: Your One-Person Show

Mondays, 7:00-9:30 PM
starts September 22.
5 sessions.

Working on, or thinking about starting, that one-person performance piece? This workshop series will help you develop a current project or get one going. We'll work on story telling, character development, autobiographical material, monologue performance, and more. We'll combine instruction & exercises with group discussion and evaluation, and will work with each participant's project at its own pace and level of development. No previous experience with solo performance required. Taught by Brody Artistic director Tom Johnson, who brings to the class 27 years experience as an improv actor, director and teacher, standup comedian, and solo performer.

prerequisite: None.
Fee: $175
early enrollment $160 through Aug 31
$150 for current or recent Brody students
instructor: Tom Johnson

ENROLL AND PAY NOW



To enroll without full advance payment: For Fundamentals, send a $35 deposit (not refundable, credited toward tuition) to:

The Brody Theater
PO Box 3835
Portland, OR 97208

For intermediate and advanced classes, if you are not a currently enrolled student, call 503.224.0688 or email classes@brodytheater.com


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