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IMPROV COMEDY for Adults & Teens
Ever wanted to try improv comedy but never found the time? Dive into improv with our Open Level improv class. This class may be taken as many times as you wish until you feel you've mastered the foundational skills of improv.
Are you ready for more complicated games with wilder challenges? And a public showcase at the end of the session? Then the Intermediate class is for you. Take this class as many times as you like to deepen and polish your improv skills. (This class will be offered by request only.)
All classes are taught by improv professionals. You’ll learn how to think on your feet by freeing your mind, body and imagination through group exercises and games in a safe and supportive atmosphere. These classes delve deep into the craft of improv with more complex games as the weeks progress.
Improv is great for new or prior students of improv and also for actors who want to add another dimension to their skills. Improv is a valuable skill for auditions and job interviews, too!
Please note: Because the class has both adult and teen students, it is most comfortable for teens 18 and up.
If you’ve always been curious about improv, this is your chance!
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No experience required to begin
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Learn traditional improv games
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Explore your own creativity in a supportive environment
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Develop spontaneity and learn how to shed your inhibitions
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Not just for actors, but for anyone who wants to develop these skills
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For actors who want to try another angle on performing
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Repeat any level to deepen your understanding and tighten your skills
Withdrawals and Absences:
All tuition payments must be received one week before the class begins. After this date, please contact us for availability.
Withdrawal and Refunds:
Should you find it necessary to withdraw from your class, the following refund schedule will apply:
Withdrawal 20 days before class begins: 100% refund
Withdrawal 10 days before class begins: 50% refund
Withdrawal 5 days before class begins: 25% refund
No refund for withdrawal fewer than 5 days before class begins.
Absences during the session may be made up during a later session at the instructor's discretion.
Classes: 2022-2023
Early Fall 2022
Dates: Wednesdays, September 14 - November 2 (eight weeks)
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $280
Instructor: TBD
Late Fall 2022
Dates: Wednesdays, November 9 - December 14 (six weeks)
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $210
Instructor: TBD
Winter 2023
Improv Comedy for Adults and Teens
Date: Wednesdays, January 11 - March 1 (eight weeks)
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $280
Instructor: Laura Ekstrand/Shereen Hickman
Character Development/Writers Lab
Date: Wednesdays, February 1 - March 1 (five weeks)
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $175
Instructor: Shereen Hickman
NOTE: This class is only open to students who have completed the introductory improv class.
Spring 2023
Date: Wednesdays, March 15 - May 3 (eight weeks)
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $280
Instructor: TBD
Character Development/Writers Lab
Date: Wednesdays, March 15 - May 3 (eight weeks)
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $280
Instructor: Shereen Hickman
NOTE: This class is only open to students who have completed the introductory improv class.
Summer 2023
Improv for Adults and Teens (beginner)
Date: Thursdays, June 15 - July 20 (six weeks)
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $210
Instructor: Wendy Williamson Connolly
Improv for Adults and Teens (intermediate/advanced)
Date: Tuesdays, June 13 - July 25, no class July 4 (six weeks)
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
LOCATION: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ
Course fee: $210
Instructor: Gary Mahmoud
NOTE: This class is only open to students who have completed the introductory improv class.
Instructors • Improv
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Wendy Williamson Connolly has been involved in theater since she was in elementary school and has continued to enjoy acting, directing, writing, coaching and teaching for many years. She is currently a coach at Theatrical Artists Prep studio in Scotch Plains and a member of Contagious Laughter Improv Troupe. She received a B.A. in Theatre and Speech at Louisiana State University and went on to earn her MFA in Acting from The Theatre School, DePaul University in 1989. She studied improv at both LSU and DePaul and loves to play! She believes that improv is a skill that everyone should learn and that can help in all areas of life. Residing in New Jersey since 1992, she coaches and directs both youth and adults and continues to perform whenever she gets the chance.
Laura Ekstrand (she/her) was one of the founding members of Vivid Stage's house team, The Flip Side (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder) in 2002. Laura is the Artistic Director and founder of Vivid Stage, where she has appeared in What Stays; Sister Play; Rapture, Blister Burn; Motherhood Out Loud; and Shakespeare in Vegas, among many others. New Jersey Theatre: Bickford Theatre, Passage Theater, 12 Miles West, The Theater Project, Luna Stage, and the Pushcart Players. New York Theatre: Naked Angels, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and New Georges. Film: Fat Ass Zombies; Split Ends, High Art and I Shot Andy Warhol. Television: Hack, Sex And The City, Law & Order, and The Guiding Light.
As a director: Dead and Buried, Every Brilliant Thing, The How and the Why, Things Being What They Are, Next Fall, Distracted, The Pursuit Of Happiness, Melancholy Play, Pride’s Crossing, Full Bloom and many others. Podcast directing: The Weirdness and Young Ben Franklin for Gen Z Media. As a playwright: What Stays (with Jason Szamreta), Whatever Will Be, The Neighborhood (Book and Lyrics; Music by Joe Zawila), Brink of Life (Book; Lyrics by Steve Harper; Music by Oliver Lake) and Astonishment, How to be Old: A Beginner’s Guide, and At Ninety-Three (Adaptations). Laura is a private monologue and public speaking coach and holds a BA from Yale University and an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. Laura is a member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild.
Shereen Hickman is best known as a creator/lead clown for the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. She starred as Ginger in Zumanity in Las Vegas, then went on to Broadway to create the leading female role of Margaret in Banana Shpeel (directed by David Shiner). She then toured under the Big Top as Deeda in Amaluna (with Tony award winning director Diane Paulus). Currently, she is clowning around on the streets of NYC with 3am Theatre and The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus as well upcoming performances at Lincoln Center with Parallel Exit/Sunset Circus. Shereen studied at the Groundlings School of Improv in LA and has an extensive career in voiceovers. A lover of fun and general whimsy, Shereen seeks to spark laughter with others in need of a chuckle.
Gary Mahmoud is frequently seen playing intelligent, authoritative characters with a hint of smugness and sarcasm on New York dramas like Blue Bloods, New Amsterdam, FBI: Most Wanted, The Sinner, Jessica Jones, and Law & Order. Although frequently seen in dramas, Gary is a clown at heart often playing the high-status idiot or quick-witted jerk with appearances on TV comedies including: The Last O.G., Search Party, Friends from College, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and in online sketches for The Onion, Above Average, The Dad, College Humor, and Major League Baseball.
In addition to writing and performing with his PIT house sketch team and getting selected to perform sketch comedy in NBC’s annual diversity showcase, Gary has written and co-produced comedy videos seen by millions and shared by numerous outlets including: Time Magazine, ABC News, The Hollywood Reporter, College Humor, Funny or Die, BroBible, Ad Week, Entertainment Weekly, The Huffington Post, The New York Daily News, Gawker, CNET, The Daily Beast, Mashable, Mental Floss, Above Average, Gothamist, Decider, 22 Words, and many others.
Gary trained theatrically with Carol Fox Prescott and studied improv under Groundlings founder Gary Austin and at UCB with Chris Gethard and Charlie Todd. He continues to study on-camera with Bob Krakower (master class).
Dave Maulbeck (he/him) is an entertainment artist and member of the Screen Actors Guild and he recently relocated back to New York City after a multi-year stint in Los Angeles. He has starred in several commercials, including the Super Bowl Ad - Groundhog Day, for truTV, and as the Polish Polisher for Burger King. With film credits including the evil Dr. Wily in Megaman, and the main character Dracula Goes to Camp, Dave is no stranger to the screen. In 2007 Dave co-founded Chicken Scoop Productions where he executive produced several spec pilots, music videos, and web series. More recently he has been developing animation projects with BEHIND the BAG! Productions, where he is co-creator and illustrator of The Kinetix, a comic book series featuring high school superheroes whose powers derive from their respective disabilities, which recently reached full funding on Kickstarter.
Becca L. McLarty (she/her) has been a student, performer, and teacher of improv for over 20 years! Becca holds her MFA in Acting from Brooklyn College. Shortly after graduating, she began training with Improvolution, founded by Holly Mandel of The Groundlings. It was there that Becca found her love of character-based improv and she became an instructor there, teaching improv beginners, character and scene development, and both short and long form improv. Becca also took classes at Upright Citizen's Brigade (UCB) and was accepted into their advanced course of study and has taught improv at Pace University and Marymount Manhattan.
As a performer, Becca was a member of the long-running short form improv troupe, ComedySportz Philadelphia and the award-winning touring musical improv troupe, Broadway's Next Hit Musical! She has also performed for years with the house troupes of Improvolution in NYC and with Montclair Improv here in NJ. Becca currently teaches in the BFA Acting program at Montclair State University and is so excited to work with Vivid Stage!
Emaline Williams (she/her) was born and raised in Maineville, OH, a small town outside of Cincinnati. She started acting in elementary school and up through high school while balancing softball and lacrosse as well. In 2008, Emaline graduated with honors from Little Miami High and then was accepted into Ohio University's BFA Performance Program. There she studied various techniques such as Meisner, Linklater, Fitzmaurice, View Points, Michael and Anton Chekhov, Shakespeare, Long Form Improv, and is SAFD certified in unarmed combat. While at OU, Emaline did multiple main-stage and studio productions as well as MFA student films while weekly performing in an improv comedy group called Black Sheep Inc.
After graduating Cum Laude from Ohio University with her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Emaline interned at Monomoy Theatre in Cape Cod, MA. At Monomoy the company performs 8 shows in 10 weeks. Emaline has professional experience in commercials, industrials, print modeling and hand modeling. She is an ensemble member at Vivid Stage, and a member of the house improv team The Flip Side.