Whether you have big dreams of being a famous actor, want to better your public speaking or are looking for something stimulating to do, taking an improv workshop at Dad’s Garage Theatre Company is a step in the right direction.
Improv requires no particular talent or prior skill set. With practice, you’re sure to improve but for beginners, it simply takes courage and audacity. Fellow rep Matt Thomas and I enrolled in the entry level class and had a blast in our first session.
Our 8 week workshop class is led by Linnea Frye, a veteran improviser that has been with Dad’s Garage for closer to a decade. Linnea is a spunky, goofy, comical, witty, instructor who you can tell reserves her ballsiness for when it’s most needed.
Linnea jumped right into things, starting off the class with Zip, Zap, Zop, a familiar warmup game recognized by most improvisers and thespians. Zip, Zap, Zop is a simple game and if you want to know how to play, Google it. The purpose behind the games and activities we covered over the course of two hours are what’s important.
Throughout the duration of the class, we are challenged to be more attentive, faster at decision making, and raise our comfortability. The lessons we are taught teach us to “break the rules” our minds have taught us and reprogram our brains to not follow any set structure. The hardest thing to learn is how to unlearn, and once you do, you learn to adapt. That’s really what improv is about. Adapting and never underestimating the power of denial.
Read: Hart of America – One of the funniest productions out of Atlanta
“Level 1 is designed to teach the basics of improv theory. The focus is on group dynamics, trust, and reaction and serves as the foundation for the work you perform in future classes. This class prepares students looking for a continued improv education as well as appeal to professionals looking for different ways to approach public speaking and interpersonal dynamics in the work place.”
Our class consist of more creatives but there is also an architect, businessman, and variety of people with different backgrounds enrolled. If improv classes are of interest, no need to fear. Sign up for one of Dad’s Garage Workshops and master the art of improv!
