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Advance your short-form improv with Improv 102 in Ann Arbor. This 8-week class at hear.say brewing + theater focuses on scenic layering, character commitment, and ends with a live showcase—ideal for performers ready to deepen their craft.
Advance your short-form improv with Improv 102 in Ann Arbor. This 8-week class at hear.say brewing + theater focuses on scenic layering, character commitment, and ends with a live showcase—ideal for performers ready to deepen their craft.
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Operated by hear.say brewing · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Improv 102: Welcome Back to Improv brings advanced short-form theater to Ann Arbor, Michigan at hear.say brewing + theater. Over eight weeks, this follow-up to Level 101 pushes performers into scenic layering, character commitment, and audience-driven invention. The class meets for 2.5-hour sessions where seasoned regional instructors guide ensembles through rapid-fire games, staging exercises, and a final live showcase. The course opens with a focus on mining suggestions: you’ll learn to pry meaning from audience prompts, turning casual lines into rich scenic material rather than taking them at face value. From there the curriculum tightens into techniques for creating instantly recognizable characters - physical choices, vocal anchors, and stakes that hold across shifting scenes. Mid-program weeks concentrate on scenic layering: tracking parallel threads, returning to earlier beats, and weaving multiple comedic environments into one cohesive exercise. The penultimate week polishes those skills into performance-ready structures, and the eighth week culminates with a technical run and a real audience showcase under theater lights. What makes this offering special in Ann Arbor isn’t just the technique: it’s the context. The class is integrated with hear.say brewing + theater, a local venue that pairs rehearsal and social space, fostering a communal vibe between classes and shows. That crossover - classroom to bar to stage - reflects the city’s cooperative arts culture. Ann Arbor’s compact downtown and proximity to university stages makes it easy to drop into peer shows, strengthen scene work, and scout collaborators. Practical details matter here: the class is for ages 18 and up and assumes Level 101 or equivalent experience. Expect hands-on corrections, fast-paced partner drills, and a supportive rehearsal atmosphere geared toward ensemble risk-taking. The teaching approach emphasizes clear listening, active agreement, and physical specificity - the tools that let a short-form scene hold emotional truth and comic momentum. Whether you’re aiming to audition for local ensembles, strengthen stage presence, or simply sharpen your comedic instincts, Improv 102 offers a focused environment to escalate your play. The live showcase is not just a finale; it’s a laboratory for testing choices in front of an audience, gaining critical feedback, and walking out of the theater a more decisive performer. For travelers or new residents in Ann Arbor, this course doubles as an entry point into the city’s thriving indie theater ecosystem. Students also benefit from the program’s performer perks: the series includes more than $60 in complimentary show tickets and access to backstage networking opportunities that often lead to one-off gigs and collaborative projects. Instruction comes from experienced regional comedy veterans who prioritize risk-managed exercises and constructive feedback. Classes favor small groups to maximize stage time; bringing curiosity and a readiness to fail fast will yield the most growth by graduation night and confidence.
moderate.
2–3 hours per session; 8 weeks total.
No physical fitness required beyond basic mobility; expect vocal and mental stamina for intensive workshops
Yes — this course assumes completion of Level 101 or equivalent introductory experience; the work builds directly on those fundamentals.
Participants must be 18 years or older.
Yes — the eight-week term concludes with a technical run and a live showcase in front of a public audience.
Bring a notebook, water, movement-friendly clothes, and an eagerness to participate; specific venue check-in details are provided upon booking.
Recording policies may vary; ask instructors at check-in—many ensembles permit recordings for educational use with consent.
Mid-term entry depends on space and instructor approval; contact the organizer directly for availability and placement.
Ann Arbor has a long-standing community theater and indie arts tradition, amplified by university and grassroots stages that feed the local comedy ecosystem.
Choose public transit or carpooling for evening shows to reduce emissions; minimize single-use plastics when attending events.
hear.say brewing is an Ann Arbor-based brewery and theater dedicated to live improv comedy, community-focused events, and craft beer. The venue brings together a taproom atmosphere, an outdoor patio, and a cozy theater space to host weekly performances, improv training, and private celebrations. Shows at hear.say brewing include fast-paced comedy nights such as Thursday Night Improv - Duoplicity and Saturday Night Improv, interactive game-show style sets like Who Can Say?, and specialty evenings including Musical Improv Jam and Tony and Friends. Each performance pairs local improvisers with audience participation and a relaxed brewery setting. The training program offers progressive classes for performers at multiple levels: Improv 201 (Characters), Improv 202 (Finding Game), Improv 303 (Advanced Long Form Forms), and Improv 304 (Advanced Ensemble & Performance Style). Classes focus on character work, identifying comedic game, advanced long-form techniques, ensemble trust, and stage-ready performance skills, culminating in live shows for many students. For private events, hear.say brewing offers a Full Brewery Buyout with exclusive access to the taproom, outdoor patio, and theater, customizable bars, entertainment options, and on-site staff support. The combination of craft beer, improv entertainment, and flexible event space makes hear.say brewing a distinctive destination for both regular audiences and special gatherings in West Ann Arbor. All descriptions reflect the venue's publicly offered shows, classes, and event capabilities as presented by hear.say brewing.
Book with hear.say brewing