Shortform: (usually on Fridays)
fun and fast-paced improvised theatre, filled with scenes, songs, games, and lots of audience participation and suggestions.

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Longform: (usually on Saturdays)
full-length, narrative, genre-driven, completely improvised stories based on audience suggestions.

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Foundation 5 – Narrative

Online Sessions
Prerequisite: Foundation 4
Schedule: 8 sessions (once a week for 8 weeks)
Class length: 2 hours (16 hours total)
Class size: 12 students maximum
Tuition: $299 

Foundation 5 uses all skills in F1-4 to build longer, sustained stories in rich varied worlds which come alive as you create them with your improv partners.

In this focus on narrative, improvisers  will learn:

  • The basic structure of a traditional narrative.
  • How to identify and create the beginning, middle, and end of a longer story so it feels satisfying and cohesive.  
  • Identifying the protagonist, raising the stakes, the circle of possibilities, leaning into consequences and supporting a fleshed out improvised reality in which to create a world with its own logic and consistency.  Students will also explore the concepts through the specific lens of genre and start to tell stories in different styles.  
  • All of these skills contribute to improvising rich stories that can cover all tones, from comedy to tragedy and everything in between.

At the end of F5, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what the next step is best — repeating F5, going to the Improv Gym to hone specific skills, or moving to F6: The Performance Showcase.

Upcoming Classes:

In-Person: Foundation 5 Narrative with Laura Wachtel

Ft. Mason - BATS Annex Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PST on Tuesdays // April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total) Class size: 12 students maximum Prerequisite: BATS Foundation 4 or equivalent **This class requires Head of School approval. Please email us at bats@improv.org with a concise list of your improv experience to determine eligibility. Tuition: $349 Foundation 5 uses all skills in F1-4 to build longer, sustained stories in rich varied worlds which come alive as you create them with your improv partners. In this focus on narrative, improvisers will learn:
  • The basic structure of traditional narrative and narrative devices.
  • How to identify and create the beginning, middle, and end of a longer story so it feels satisfying and cohesive.
  • Identifying the protagonist, raising the stakes, the circle of possibilities, leaning into consequences and supporting a fleshed out improvised reality in which to create a world with its own logic and consistency. Students will also explore the concepts through the specific lens of genre and start to tell stories in different styles.
All of these skills contribute to improvising rich stories that can cover all tones, from comedy to tragedy and everything in between. At the end of F5, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about their next step— repeating F5 or moving to F6: Performance.

Laura Wachtel

In-Person: Foundation 5: Narrative in Palo Alto with Derek Yee

Cubberley Community Center Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PST on Thursdays // May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27 Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total) Class size: 12 students maximum Prerequisite: BATS Foundation 4 or equivalent **This class requires Head of School approval. Please email us at bats@improv.org with a concise list of your improv experience to determine eligibility. Tuition: $349 Foundation 5 uses all skills in F1-4 to build longer, sustained stories in rich varied worlds which come alive as you create them with your improv partners. In this focus on narrative, improvisers will learn:
  • The basic structure of traditional narrative and narrative devices.
  • How to identify and create the beginning, middle, and end of a longer story so it feels satisfying and cohesive.
  • Identifying the protagonist, raising the stakes, the circle of possibilities, leaning into consequences and supporting a fleshed out improvised reality in which to create a world with its own logic and consistency. Students will also explore the concepts through the specific lens of genre and start to tell stories in different styles.
All of these skills contribute to improvising rich stories that can cover all tones, from comedy to tragedy and everything in between. At the end of F5, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about their next step— repeating F5 or moving to F6: Performance.

Derek Yee

In-Person: Foundation 5: Narrative with Dave Dennison

Ft. Mason - BATS Annex Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PDT on Tuesdays // June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23 Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total) Class size: 12 students maximum Prerequisite: BATS Foundation 4 or equivalent **This class requires Head of School approval. Please email us at bats@improv.org with a concise list of your improv experience to determine eligibility. Tuition: $349 Foundation 5 uses all skills in F1-4 to build longer, sustained stories in rich varied worlds which come alive as you create them with your improv partners. In this focus on narrative, improvisers will learn:
  • The basic structure of traditional narrative and narrative devices.
  • How to identify and create the beginning, middle, and end of a longer story so it feels satisfying and cohesive.
  • Identifying the protagonist, raising the stakes, the circle of possibilities, leaning into consequences and supporting a fleshed out improvised reality in which to create a world with its own logic and consistency. Students will also explore the concepts through the specific lens of genre and start to tell stories in different styles.
All of these skills contribute to improvising rich stories that can cover all tones, from comedy to tragedy and everything in between. At the end of F5, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about their next step— repeating F5 or moving to F6: Performance.

Dave Dennison