Improv Comedy

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Improvisation is a unique talent that recognizes the importance of spontaneity within comedy. Learn more about improvisation from an improv comedy expert in this free video series.

There are 12 videos in this series:

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1.

Books About Improv Comedy
Reading and learning from books is a great way to improve your improv comedy skills. Learn what books to read and why from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 200
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2.

Choosing an Improv Comedy Class
Finding the right improv comedy class can be a little tricky if you're not quite sure what to look for. Learn some tips for choosing an improv class from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 199
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3.

Improv Comedy Characteristics
A type of comedy in which a comedian must be spontaneous and quick witted is typically referred to as improv comedy. Learn more about improvisation from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 270
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4.

Preparing for an Improv Comedy Class
It's natural to feel a little nervous before entering your first improv comedy class. Learn some tips to help you prepare from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 189
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5.

What Is Chicago Style Improv Comedy?
Chicago style improv is an interesting comedy technique that incorporates the use of unique characters. Learn more about Chicago style improv from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 210
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6.

What Is Comedy Sports?
Comedy sports, or national comedy theater, is when two comedic teams compete against each other for points. Learn more about comedy sports from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 188
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7.

What Is Improv Comedy?
Improv is a difficult style of comedy to accurately define. Learn more about improv from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 199
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8.

What Is Long Form Improv Comedy?
Long form improv is when scenes of a comedy show are related to one another. Learn more about long form improv from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 201
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9.

What Is Narrative Long Form Improv Comedy?
Narrative long form improv is a form of comedy that follows the lineage of characters, locations or groups as they evolve. Learn more about narrative long form improv from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 197
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10.

What Is Short Form Improv Comedy?
Short form improv is when actors used scenes, or stories, that are unrelated to each other for comedy. Learn more about short form improv from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 199
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11.

What Is Theater Sports
Theater sports was created by Keith Johnstone in order to make theater feel more like a sporting event. Learn more about theater sports from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 191
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12.

Why Take an Improv Comedy Class?
Actors, comedians, magicians and even musicians tend to take improv classes in order to improve their performances. Learn more about why you should take an improv class from an improv comedy expert in this free video.

Views: 206
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Views: 2,428 Videos in Series: 12

Tags: sports, theater, up, stand, improv, improvisation, routines, comedy

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Summary: “So what is the deal with airports? You walk in and everybody is in such a hurry. Its like the time your dad left without you at the gas station and made you chase the car down the road while your brother and sister are in the back sit giving you the finger...what?...why is everyone leaving?...sir, please don't throw your beer at me...why is my microphone off?...” Stand up comedy and improv comedy is a difficult career and making it is no laughing matter. It takes work, practice, persistence, and wit sharper than Oscar Wilde's pen. It is important for a comedian to be relevant, creative, intelligent, and accessible, even when objects are being thrown at him or her from an angry customer in the audience.

In this free video series an improv comedy expert, Shana Merlin, will explain the various forms of comedy associated with improvisation. Shana will begin by explaining what the various forms of improv comedy are. You'll learn about comedy characteristics, long and short form comedy, comedy sports, theater comedy, Chicago comedy and even narrative comedy. Shana will then teach you why improvisation is valuable and whether or not your ready to begin classes. Actors, comedians, magicians and even musicians take improv classes in order to improve their performance. Watch these videos and start becoming creative with spontaneous humor you never knew you had.

About the Expert

Expert: Shana has over a thousand hours of teaching under her belt and is considered one of the most experienced and effective improv teachers in Central Texas. As the former Dean of The Heroes School of Improvisational Theatre, some of her clients have included: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Whole Foods, The University of Texas McCombs School of Business, PricewaterhouseCoopers as well as adults and children throughout the community. Shana founded her own company, Merlin-Works, in 2003 in order to provide custom training, interactive presentations and comedy shows to businesses and organizations through improvisation. The Austin Improv Collective awarded her "Best Improv Teacher" and "Best Improv Class." In 2008, she opened the Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation, offering classes in shortform gameplay and narrative longform improv. In addition to her teaching and corporate training career, Shana Merlin is a highly acclaimed performer. Since 1996, Shana has been a professional improviser, performing from Calgary to San Francisco.