San Francisco Improv Workshops, Intensives, & Classes

Leela’s Improv Workshops, Intensives, & Classes

Questions? Email us at jill@leela-sf.com

Have fun, meet new friends, and experience the joy of improvising! Whether you’re an individual searching for a creative outlet, or an actor looking to hone your craft, Leela is a great place for you to learn and perform the art of improvisation in the SF Bay. Our classes, taught by the experienced artists of Leela, are dedicated to helping you develop your artistic voice, both individually and within an ensemble. You’ll learn solid technique and theory while playing in an inspiring community of openness and support.

Want to see what a Leela improv class is like? Come to our FREE improv workshop!

Improv Workshops:

FREE Improv Workshop

SF Improv Workshop / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: FREE!
Do you like to have fun, be creative, and meet new people? If so, come join us for our free improv workshop! In this free workshop you’ll be introduced to Leela’s signature style of improvisation: joyful play, expressing your authentic self, truthful scenework, ensemble building, group mind, character development, detailed space object work, multiple forms, and “Yes, and!”

Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Jill Eickmann
Day/Date/Time: T.B.A.
Location: T.B.A.

One-Day Improv Intensives:

Crafting Character Through Connection

SF Improv Intensive / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Take your character work to the next level! Learn how to connect with your scene partner by creating characters with a shared history. Using techniques such as In Medias Res (starting a scene in the middle of a confrontation), crafting monologues by inventing shared memories, and integrating your personal life experiences into a scene, you’ll find a new confidence in your ability to connect on an emotional level. Whether your characters have known each other for 15 minutes or 15 years, you’ll be able to jump right into a scene with the confidence of knowing exactly how you feel about your partner, allowing you to play with grounded, genuine and powerful improv personalities.

REGISTER NOW!
Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Wylie Herman
Day/Date/Time: Saturday, April 21st, from 11:00 AM – 3:oo PM
Location: T.B.A.

Harold Workout

SF Improv Intensive / 10 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Master improv instructors say you need to perform the Harold 100 times before you truly get it. Let us help you reach that magic number. In the spirit of the rule of 3’s, we will perform the Harold thrice. Students will receive personal and group feedback, warm-ups and group ensemble exercises, catered to the principles of the Harold. Topics include: creating characters, adding information, back line support, second beats, monologues and many, many more. Must have a working understanding of The Harold via classes at Improv Olympic, Upright Citizens Brigade, or other respected improv institutions with lineage from the above institutions. Please re-read Truth In Comedy before attending class.

REGISTER NOW!
Prerequisite: Prior experience with “The Harold”
Instructor: Chris Dejong & Jill Eickmann
Day/Date/Time: Saturday, April 28, from 11:00 AM – 3:oo PM
Location: T.B.A.

Play Like A Girl

SF Improv Intensive / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Have you ever heard that women aren’t funny? Do you keep finding yourself cast as the girlfriend, prostitute or mother when you’re improvising on stage? Does improv look scary and you’ve never dared to try it? Then this is the class for you!!! In this active intensive with women of all skill levels, we will explore power dynamics, cultural archetypes and multiple characters from within ourselves. Using our bodies and releasing our judges, we will tap into the heart of great improv: play within a supportive group. In this safe space, find the funny and fearless “you” that might be trying to get free!

Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Jill Eickmann & Christina Shonkwiler
Day/Date/Time: T.B.A.
Location: T.B.A.

Roots of Improv

SF Improv Intensive / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Learn the basics of Leela-style long-form improv: honesty, connection, and group work. This class is all about the basics of improv and playing together. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to improvise, or you’re an improvisor who wants to work on the basics in a play of joyful play, this class is for you! The course covers the basics of improv, such as yes-and and listening and reacting, through improv exercises and games.

Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Chris Dejong
Day/Date/Time: Saturday, March 31, from 11:00 AM – 3:oo PM
Location: The Alcove Theater, 414 Mason Street, Fifth Floor, San Francisco, CA

Sing On The Spot

SF Improv Intensive / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Ever wanted to sing but stopped short believing that singing is only for “singers”? Ever heard a melody in your head but left it there for fear of not knowing where to go with it? If these experiences or any other limitations are keeping you from fully expressing yourself then this intensive is for you! Explore the surprisingly accessible and freeing power of music making. While playing with breath, rhythm, words and sounds you will learn that the improvisational song is not so very far away. Experience playful practices for accessing the inspiration for lyrics in your surroundings, your scene or from within. Begin to trust that even without musical training you can sing and play with sound to add new dimension to a scene, surprise your fellow players with a song, strengthen your characters and deepen your confidence as a performer. Even without performance as a goal you will find that these techniques are unique confidence builders as they encourage deeper access to your voice and more embodied personal expression. Whether you are an improvisor, musician, artist or simply craving tools to take your shower singing to a whole new level this intensive has something for everyone. No prior musical experience is necessary and you are guaranteed to have a great time!

Prerequisite: None
Instructors: Hilary Reed
Day/Date/Time: T.B.A.
Location: T.B.A.

That’s So Gay

SF Improv Intensive / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Have you ever wondered where all the gay and gender variant characters are in the improv world – or for that matter, where all the LGBTQQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) actors are? This workshop is for LGBTQQIA identified actors and non-actors and their allies who believe that theater is a mirror of society, and that giving voice to this community in the improv world and on stage in general, will reflect and influence societal changes. In this playful and poignant workshop, improv games will be woven together with techniques from Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed to build a sense of community and to take participants on a journey into themselves as individuals.

REGISTER NOW!
Prerequisite: None
Instructors: Antonietta DelliCarpini & Elana Isaacs
Day/Date/Time: Saturday, March 17, from 11:00 AM – 3:oo PM
Location: T.B.A.

World Creation

SF Improv Intensive / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $45
Have you ever been stuck in “talking head” scenes that lead nowhere? Or perhaps, afraid of creating objects because then you have to keep track of them? Grounding oneself in a physical reality is one of the most effective ways of solving these common improv pitfalls. Through exercises, drills, and techniques you’ll learn easy to grasp techniques on how to create an emotionally invested environment on stage.

Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Marcus Sams
Day/Date/Time: T.B.A.
Location: T.B.A.

Improv Classes:

Spirit of Play

East Bay Improv Class / 16 Student Maximum / Tuition: $175
Leela’s East Bay Improv Class, “The Spirit of Play” fuses traditional acting and improvisation technique. The goal of this class is to expand consciousness, practice mindfulness, and connect deeply with other human beings. Similar to meditation, Leela believes improvisation to be a spiritual practice, and requires on-going study. Improvisation has the potential for creating profound shifts in one’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual ways of being. Its teachings allow for new possibilities, and freedom in expression. Most importantly, improvisation (play) occurs in community; awakening our ability to connect authentically while opening our hearts to one another. Together, we’ll let the outside world slip away and silence the doubts. Trust and act on impulse, quiet the inner critic, tap into your creative child, and make space for abundance. Let’s Play!

Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Jill Eickmann
Day/Date/Time: Mondays, T.B.A., from 7:00 – 9:30 PM
Location: The Voice Loft, 4053 Harlan Street, Loft #202, Emeryville, CA