IMPROV
FESTIVUS
WORKSHOPS
Introducing Premier Workshop Instructor and Improv Festivus Headliner
Craig Cackowski Classes
Sustaining a Scene
with Craig Cackowski
Friday 2 - 5 PM
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Sure, your scenework's pretty good. But can you do a 10-minute scene? A 20-minute scene? An hourlong scene? Craig Cackowski shares some of the techniques he's learned about long, slow, patient scenework from his years working with such groups as Dasariski and Quartet. For advanced improvisers. Limited to 16 participants.
Sell it!
with Craig Cackowski
Saturday 10 AM - 1 PM
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Energy, confidence and decisiveness are 90% of the battle in improv, i.e. it's not so much what you say as when you say it and how you say it. How comfortable you are on stage will have a huge impact on how you're perceived by the audience. Whether you're a veteran improvisor or new to the artform, this is the perfect workshop for the performer who needs to practice owning their impulses and delivering them with confidence right away. For all experience levels. Limited to 18 participants.
More Amazing Classes
You're In, You're Out
with Beth Hailey
Friday 10 AM - 1 PM
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We have all been in the scene where it wasn't going anywhere, and you didn't know how to leave, or how to enter the scene from the sidelines. In this workshop, we will explore ways to enhance scenes by utilizing entrances and exits. This skill is beneficial for all forms of improv, we will navigate how to adopt these skills in game-based play as well as in long form sets. By the end of the workshop, you will have tools and techniques to set stakes and never feel stuck in a scene again.
Pitch Perfect Purpose – Musical Improv
with Hadas Cassorla & Karen Welthy
Friday 10 AM - 1 PM
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Unlock your inner songwriter in this fun and dynamic musical improv class! Learn how to craft songs that are more than just catchy tunes—they tell a story, reveal character, or heighten the moment. Through engaging exercises and supportive coaching, you’ll discover how to ground your musical improv in the "why" of the scene: Who are you singing to? What do you want? Why does this matter?
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Whether you're new to musical improv or looking to refine your skills, this class will help you create songs that captivate and entertain by focusing on purpose, emotion, and storytelling. Get ready to hit the right note—every time!
You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!)
with Andrew Berkowitz
Friday 2 PM - 5 PM
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Are you ready to start teaching improv but aren’t sure where to begin? Or have you already tried teaching but felt unprepared? In this workshop, you’ll find everything you need to gain confidence and run a great class. Learn to pick a topic, identify individual skills, create exercises, build a syllabus, manage a classroom, side coach and give feedback.​
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In the first half, you’ll learn to build your own syllabus and exercises, based on a topic you’re passionate about teaching. In the second half, we’ll be on our feet practicing side coaching and giving feedback. Bonus fun: everyone gets to do “bad” improv on purpose to give teachers something to coach.
The Environment is a Character
with James Wasilewski
Saturday 10 AM - 1 PM
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Every scene takes place somewhere, and that "somewhere" is more than just a backdrop—it's a dynamic "partner" that can shape and influence your character's story. In this workshop, you'll learn how to establish lively, engaging environments that interact with and enhance your characters, relationships and plot. By treating the environment as an active participant in your scenework, you'll unlock new dimensions of creativity and storytelling.
Clownin' Around
with Donna Boyd
Saturday 2 - 5 PM
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Improve your physicality in your improv through clowning!
Are you ready to find your inner clown? Explore how to use your body through a form of physical comedy that teaches you how to flop! How to PLAY and FAIL and RECOVER to keep bringing joy to an audience. During this class we will play around with improvised clown activities that focus on taking comedic bits one step at a time and enjoying the uncomfortable feeling of wanting the audience to laugh at us. Clowning skills are a great addition to any improviser’s toolbox because it encourages you to make physical choices and to immediately try new things in your scenes.
Crash Course Characters!
with Jenn Bianchi
Saturday 2 - 5 PM
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This workshop is all about the individual. We will go over three aspects of character development from the inside out. These aspects are “Point of view”, “physicality”, and “voice”. This workshop moves fast. Not a lot of scene work but a lot of fast ideas. Bring something to take notes with!