Ready to put your confidence at center stage?
Reducing your fear of speaking in front of crowds may involve speaking in front of crowds...
It’s amazing what a little improv can do.
Looking for someone under the age of 18? Visit our Kids & Teens page.
Each week, I can’t wait to spend time at The Revival having fun with an eclectic group of people and learning something new. I’ve also been surprised to find myself applying the concepts of improvisation to my work life!
—Julie K. Improv Student
Improv 101 – Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of improv in this fun, supportive, introductory class. We’ll cover listening, ensemble-building techniques, and the principle of “Yes and…” This is a great opportunity to try improv right at its birthplace in Chicago! No experience is necessary.
Improv 201 - Scenes
This class focuses on the fundamental elements of scenic improv including idea generation, finding the game, and heightening. Learn how to play with a scene partner, use the environment, and sustain the relationship. Prerequisite: Improv 101 or the equivalent.
Improv 301 - Characters
Make bold choices, push your creativity, and think on your feet. This class builds on Improv 201 by exploring exercises that encourage strong characters, emotion, and stage presence. Prerequisite: Improv 201 or the equivalent.
Improv 401 - Forms
Armando, La Ronde, Harold and more! This class begins with an exploration of traditional improv forms. Then, the ensemble will create a completely original form of their own! Use everything you've learned up to now and take your improv to the next level. Prerequisite: Improv 301 or the equivalent.
Improv 501 - Performance
This class is treated as an 8-week rehearsal for a final performance on The Revival stage. Learn techniques that help you pitch ideas, develop a scene, give & receive feedback, and apply what you’ve learned to create an original improv revue. Prerequisite: Improv 401 or the equivalent.
Electives
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Long Form Improv is intended for students with some improv experience (Example: Improv Level 301 or more).
The class focuses on grounded scene work rooted in character, relationship, and emotion. Students are encouraged to "find the game" as opposed to the traditional inherited structures of short-form improv wherein the game is known from the start. Various topics and concepts are explored including openings, second beats, callbacks, and tagouts.
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Sketch Comedy Writing Level I explores the process of sketch comedy writing (primarily) for the stage.
This 8-week class includes 6 weeks of writing/editing/rehearsing and 2 weeks of performing at The Revival! Students will: use improv to generate ideas; engage in different scene styles (satirical, parody, game-y); and learn the power of a good rewrite. Throughout the session, students will sharpen their skills and develop confidence in writing sketch comedy.
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Open to all students currently pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D., this class is a great opportunity to learn important skills for conference presentations, job interviews, and other situations that require thinking on your feet.
Students who complete this course can expect to speak with greater confidence, respond to others with comfort and clarity, and listen with purpose.
No experience is necessary. Students who complete this course may move on to Improv 101.
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Everyone loves a good story! Whether you’re an entrepreneur, teacher, salesperson, or student, a story is a great way to engage others.
This class leads students through the process of mining their own lives for compelling stories. While crafting an original first-person narrative students will participate in exercises that focus on story structure, heightening suspense, and connecting to an audience through emotion.
This course is perfect for individuals who want to try storytelling for the first time or those who use storytelling in a business or academic context.
No experience is necessary.
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Most people dread speaking in public. Yet, sooner or later, we all have to do it! Presentations at work, a wedding toast, or leading a group discussion. Sometimes our anxiety gets in the way. This course is designed to take the fear out of public speaking and insert the fun.
Using the underlying skills of improvisation, we will help you become a more effective public speaker.
No experience necessary.
Weekly exercises enable participants to:
• Maintain focus and concentration;
• Use the body & voice to express clear, detailed choices;
• Respond imaginatively and expressively to various circumstances; and,
• Connect to audiences of various sizes. -
Building on the skills learned in Level I, students will develop techniques to become a more confident and engaging public speaker. Using the underlying skills of improvisation, we will help you present your “best self” in front of audiences of all sizes and formats (in-person, Zoom, etc.).
Weekly exercises enable participants to:
• Appear natural, relaxed, and passionate about their work;
• Respond to questions and handle criticism; and,
• Manage the “room” effectively. -
Hip Hop Improv is intended for beginner and experienced improvisers and will challenge performers at every level of hip hop skill. Students will: learn basic rhyme structure with set-ups and punch lines; explore rapping in character; and, use emotion to drive the narrative. Participants leave this class with a renewed sense of confidence, personal swag and poetic spirit that is the very essence of freestyle hip hop. And online is the perfect medium for the journey!
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This foundation course gives prospective comics (and armchair comedians!) the confidence and skills they need to develop their personal on-stage identity!
Weekly classes focus on: joke structure; development of material; finding an attitude & persona; connecting with an audience; and creating a cohesive set. The class culminates with a performance at The Revival for friends and family.
No experience necessary.
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This class gives aspiring comics additional skills to further their career!
Weekly classes focus on: advanced joke structures; material refinement; developing on-stage attitude & persona; and building a cohesive set. Plus a wealth of industry insight from someone with significant stage & screen credits.
The class culminates in an online performance for friends and family.
Pre-requisite: Stand Up Comedy Level I or Similar Experience
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A web series is a great way to tell your personal story OR turn your passionate idea into something real.
Short, digestible content is also a great way to show the industry (agents, managers, producers) that you know what you're doing. And it’s a great way to provide “proof of concept.” So let's write one!
In this course, we will explore:
• Components of a good web series;
• Dynamic characters and dialogue;
• Story ideas and killer hooks!By dissecting successful web content, strengthening the creative process, and talking to industry professionals who have done this work before, you will leave this class with the tools necessary to package yourself as a credible writer, performer, or BOTH.
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This workshop guides participants through fundamental improv exercises that help non-native speakers with vocabulary, word sequencing, expressing emotions, and confidence in using English in social and formal situations.
Send inquiries to classes@the-revival.com.
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Poetry Unplugged is a creative writing class that specializes in the performance art that is spoken word.
Students will strengthen their public speaking ability and learn how to literally bring words to life from the page.
Send inquiries to classes@the-revival.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I begin?
The Revival’s Adult Improv Program includes five (5) eight-week classes: Improv 101-Foundations; Improv 201-Scenes; Improv 301-Characters; Improv 401-Forms; and, Improv 501-Performance. Most of our students begin with Improv 101-Foundations. If you have previous improv experience and wish to start with a different class, please contact us at classes@the-revival.com.
Who teaches the classes?
We pride ourselves on having one of the best rosters of improv teachers anywhere! All of our teachers bring years of professional stage experience to the classroom. Many of them also have extensive film and TV credits. But, most importantly, our teachers are really great at…teaching!
Do I have to audition?
Our Adult Improv Program does not currently require an audition for admission.
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Because The Revival itself is not an accredited institution of higher learning, students are generally ineligible for college credit. We also cannot file the paperwork for international students to obtain student visas.
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We offer classes in our Kids & Teens Program for students ages 4-17. Students must be at least 18 to attend classes in our Adult Programs. There is no upper age limit. In fact, we have found that students with more life experience bring a whole lot to the stage!
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Registration fees should be paid at the time of enrollment in order to hold your spot in the class. Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
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We do not currently have a formalized scholarship program. But, we do make every effort to ensure our classes are accessible to people regardless of circumstances. If you’re interested in receiving discounted tuition to one of our classes, please send an email to classes@the-revival.com and indicate the class you’re interested in and the tuition discount that you require.
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Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
If you have a conflict with your schedule, please contact us at classes@the-revival.com as soon as possible to see if any arrangements can be made.
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Try to get to every class so that you don’t miss class content and can advance to the next level of your program! If you have to miss a class, please send an email to classes@the-revival.com. We do not offer scheduled makeup classes or tuition credit but we will assist you as best we can. And, if possible, ask your instructor for any material that you may have missed.