Do I need prior improv experience?

No. Level 1 - Foundations is designed for beginners and for people returning to improv; no prior experience is required.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be 18 or older to join this class series.

Meet at 5501 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640; the studio opens shortly before the 6:30 pm start time.

How long is each session and what is the cost?

Each class is 1.5 hours long; the six-week series costs $80 as listed for the Jan–Feb cycle.

Can I drop in to a single session?

The program is structured as a series for skill progression; contact the organizer to ask about single-session drop-ins, but plan for the full cycle if possible.

What should I bring to class?

Bring comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and a willingness to participate; a notebook is optional for notes.

Level 1 - Foundations: Improv to Build Creativity and Community in Midland | Workshop | Theater

On a Tuesday evening in Midland, Michigan, Level 1 - Foundations flips the usual night-out script into a low-pressure playground for improvisers. Hosted at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland, this six-week series runs Tuesdays, Jan 6, 13, 20, 27 and Feb 3, 10, from 6:30–8:00 pm, and is geared for adults 18 and up. For $80 you get 1.5 hours of coached play where the point is presence, not punchlines.

Coach Ariel Rak leads the sessions, bringing classroom discipline and stage experience from Magnet Theater (NYC), the N.J. School of Dramatic Arts, and ComedySportz to a supportive local setting. The class opens with warm-ups that loosen bodies and listening skills, then moves into short-form and long-form exercises that build spontaneity, group trust, and fast thinking. Expect partner and ensemble games, narrative-building drills, and guided failure—practices designed to expand creative risk-taking and sharpen verbal and physical improvisation.

The meeting room at 5501 Jefferson Ave is a functional studio: open floor, chairs pushed to the edge, and a focus on the social energy generated between participants. Key features—group games, trust-building ensemble work, scene development, and repetition exercises—make this more like a cooperative workout for the imagination than a performance-only class. It’s ideal for people who want real-time feedback, new social connections, and a practical way to practice presence.

Why is this class a standout in Midland’s community offerings? Ariel’s background ties a small-city setting to larger improvisational traditions, creating a bridge between Midwest participants and New York theater techniques. The format’s accessibility—no prior experience required—makes it a welcoming introduction for those curious about improv, theater, public speaking, or simply meeting new people.

Practical notes: the course explicitly welcomes adults 18+, costs $80 for the six-session series, and lasts 1.5 hours per session. Bring comfortable clothing, a water bottle, and a readiness to act without rules. The cohort format encourages repeat attendance for skill growth and community building; newcomers can join at the start of a cycle.

Each session treats improvisation as a team sport: you'll practice listening drills, status work, and status shifts, build scenes from simple prompts, and learn to accept offers rather than block them. Failure is reframed as data; exercises are scaled to the group's comfort so risk grows steadily. The class doubles as a social workshop—participants often report making friends, improving presentation skills, and gaining confidence for work or travel. Walk in ready to try, leave with sharper instincts and a few new allies in Midland's creative scene and lasting memories.