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WELCOME TO THE BATS SCHOOL OF IMPROV 
The premiere center for improvisational training in the Bay Area

Hello!  And welcome to the BATS School of Improv. Interested in taking improv classes? You've come to the right place. BATS School of Improv has been showing students a good time since 1986 and we've got just the class for you. 

Students start taking classes for all sorts of reasons - they heard it was fun, want to come out of their shell, are looking to meet new people or want to reconnect with an old hobby. Starting out, they begin at the Foundation Level to learn the basics of BATS-style improv—listening, paying attention, storytelling and spontaneity—in a fun, safe environment. For those of you who get bitten by the bug and want to continue, you’ll move on to the Studio Level where you’ll, dive deeper into scenes, focus and hone your skills, and get up on stage to show the world what you’ve got. 

If you already have some improv experience and don't think you need to start at the beginning, just email the BATS School at registrar@improv.org and we’ll help you figure out where you should jump in.

All in all, it goes a little something like this.
 
So, what makes studying at BATS School of Improv so great?
 
  • The world-class coaching faculty. Our coaching staff is made up of 20 experienced coaches who perform regularly, many of whom were around in the very early stages of Bay Area improv, making the scene what it is today. Come learn with the best!
  • We tell stories, not jokes. Instead of learning how to "find the funny" in the scene, or develop our quick wit, we put our focus on learning how to connect with your partner, pay attention and do what comes next. We find that the funny makes its own way in.
  • BATS has a rich curriculum for all levels of study, and many areas of interest. Over the years, we’ve served thousands of students from the very beginning levels (which some students like to repeat over and over again) to advanced performance classes.  These include short- and long-form formats and individual skills like acting, accents, status, physicality and singing.  The breadth of our offerings means that we’ve got something for everyone, and our classes can focus on the areas that you find most interesting and valuable.
 
Have any additional questions?  Let us know at registrar@improv.org.
 
We hope to see you at BATS soon!
 
 
 

Improv Classes

Foundation 1 with Dave Dennison 
Thursday, 5/23/2013 7:00 PM
Foundation 1 in Palo Alto with Ben Johnson 
Tuesday, 5/28/2013 7:00 PM
Foundation 1 with Rebecca Poretsky 
Saturday, 6/1/2013 11:00 AM
Genre Characters with Rafe Chase 
Thursday, 6/6/2013 7:00 PM
Foundation 1 with Regina Saisi 
Tuesday, 6/11/2013 7:00 PM
Performing Beach Party Musical with Ken Robertson 
Wednesday, 6/12/2013 7:00 PM
Foundation 3 with Regina Saisi 
Wednesday, 6/19/2013 7:00 PM
Status with Ben Johnson 
Thursday, 6/20/2013 7:00 PM
Foundation 1 with Laura Derry 
Sunday, 6/23/2013 11:00 AM
Foundation 2 with John Remak 
Wednesday, 6/26/2013 7:00 PM
Improv Youth All-Stars: Session 1
Monday, 7/8/2013 9:00 AM
Improv Youth All-Stars: Session 2
Monday, 7/15/2013 9:00 AM
Teen Improv Ensemble: Session 1
Monday, 7/22/2013 9:00 AM
Teen Improv Ensemble: Session 2
Monday, 7/29/2013 9:00 AM
3-Day Intensive: Foundation 1 with Chris Sams 
Saturday, 8/3/2013 10:00 AM
3-Day Intensive: Foundation 2 with Laura Derry 
Thursday, 8/8/2013 10:00 AM
2-Day Intensive: Song Improv: The Solo with Joshua Raoul Brody  
Sunday, 8/11/2013 10:00 AM
2-Day Intensive: Making Improvisation More Playful and Meaningful with William Hall 
Tuesday, 8/13/2013 10:00 AM
3-Day Intensive: Impro with Special Guest Rebecca Northan
Thursday, 8/15/2013 10:30 AM
2-Day Intensive: Intro to Wheres/Actions and Transitions with Tim Orr 
Sunday, 8/18/2013 10:00 AM
2-Day Intensive: Acting and Improv with Rafe Chase 
Tuesday, 8/20/2013 10:00 AM
3-Day Intensive: Elements of Long Form with Dave Dennison 
Thursday, 8/22/2013 10:00 AM
2-Day Intensive: Movement/Manners with Zoe Galvez 
Sunday, 8/25/2013 10:00 AM
2-Day Intensive: Intimacy and Stage Combat with Diane Rachel 
Tuesday, 8/27/2013 10:00 AM
4-Day Intensive: Performing Farce with Ben Johnson 
Thursday, 8/29/2013 10:00 AM

Meet BATS’ Coaches:

View bios of our coaches