COMEDY & IMPROV

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Improv, Standup, Writing and Sketch Comedy Classes

Presented by The New Movement at The New Movement

Ongoing

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The New Movement is the only venue in Austin dedicated solely to studying the comedic process – our teachers have jump-started the careers of hundreds of performers, come see why! Our instructors have headlined comedy tours and festivals all over the country, winning tons of awards along the way. One’s written for Dennis Miller and the Late, Late Show & another has several sketch comedy appearances on Comedy Central. Past students have used their skills to book commercials, comedy tours, roles in film and television, and become teachers themselves!

Most classes are $200 with a $100 deposit due the first day of class. Our students get into most of our shows for free and get first crack and discounts at workshops and special events from visiting instructors. Once a level of study is completed, students are free to participate in all future classes in same level. All levels of class run for 8 weeks at 2 hours each. Please inquire about referral discounts, fair trade and group rates.

IMPROV COMEDY
Our improv classes are focused on the most important element of good improv: the beginning. After learning the building blocks we’ll show you how to find the fastest and easiest way to get to the fun stuff and how improv applies to your craft. We teach “long-form” improv comedy, which focuses on scene work. For more info on our Teen Classes, head here!

Level 1: Introduction to Improv – Taught by Tami Nelson or Shyla Ray
This level introduces the fundamental skills and vocabulary of long form improvisation. We believe that students best learn by experience and by example. Therefore, we begin playing on stage on day one of classes and encourage you to attend performances of long form troupes. Learn what we mean when we say “if we treat each other like rock stars or geniuses on stage, that’s what we’ll be.”
*Students who have completed level 1 in any other improv training center are eligible to start in level 2.

Level 2: Your Place in the Scene – Taught by Tami Nelson or Chris Trew
Once you are familiar with the basics of improv we focus on developing your personal strengths. We explore character, dynamics, and status to help you identify your role in each scene. We take a closer look at what happens at the top of a scene and how it can guide your choices. This level helps to build your confidence and skills to work within an ensemble.

Level 3: Patterns and Devices – Taught by Chris Trew
This class works on helping you identify patterns and use devises to find possible directions based off of the information at the very top of the scene. We teach you how to find, explore and play through the patterns and games of your scene.

Level 4: Building Ensemble – Taught by Dan Grimm
Understanding the dynamics of an ensemble is vital to doing great improv. The focus of this class is to identify and use the strengths of the ensemble and work together to discover your organic, unified voice.

Level 5: Advanced Scene Study – Taught by Chris Trew
This final level works on the fine-tuning of all elements of a scene with emphasis on our personal philosophies.

Electives: – Taught by Tami Nelson, Chris Trew, and special visiting instructors
After level 2 you are eligible to take electives that are geared towards expanding your understanding and experience of improv. Example include: Advanced dynamic study, Advanced game study, The Harold, Two person scenes and Advanced character study.

TEEN IMPROV COMEDY
All Teen Comedy classes taught by Shyla Ray

Specially tailored for the >20 set, The New Movement is offering classes that form community and help students acquire comedy skills, show off, and crack everybody up in no time! We believe the comedy scene in Austin has a little missing piece where an astonishing young group of students and performers should be, and we are going to complete it. Level 1 is eight weeks long and we will focus on an introduction to the precepts of “long-form” improv, getting everyone comfortable on stage, and working towards a proficiency at jamming together as a class. There will be a culminating performance where family and friends can admire the group’s comedy work.

STANDUP COMEDY
All Standup Comedy classes taught by Dan French

Level 1: Foundations of Standup Comedy
getting started with the basics of Performance, Script, and Character for Standup

Level 2: Becoming a local Standup
crafting 10 good minutes, learning various audiences, how to do crowd work

Level 3: Becoming a Semi-Pro Standup
learning the biz of standup, getting stage time, getting hired, plotting a career

Level 4: Masters Level Standup
ongoing workshop for those wanting to get paid to do standup, creating character, marketing yourself, creating signature bits

SKETCH COMEDY
Our sketch comedy classes will help turn your ideas into living, breathing sketches. We’ll cover everything from live sketch to performing, from writing to filming, from brainstorming to becoming a disciplined writer.

All Sketch Comedy classes taught by Chris Trew

Level 1: Sketch Comedy Basics
We’ll learn the basics of Sketch Comedy while building our library of material through in-class and homework assignments.

Level 2: Producing a Sketch Show
In this class we’ll teach you everything you need to know both creatively and technically to produce your own show.

Level 3: Developing your Style
This level is completely focused on developing your personal style of comedy

PRO COMEDY WRITING
Pro Comedy Writing classes taught by Dan French

The first thing all comedy writers need are amazing writing samples. This class will help you put together samples that can get you hired on everything from talk shows to sitcoms. Stop putting it off, stop thinking you could write comedy if only… Get prepared to get real work as a writer.

CORPORATE WORKSHOPS, PRIVATE CLASSES, KIDS CLASSES?
We do them all! Contact us for more information!