Frequently Asked Questions about the New Curriculum

Changing the wheels on the bus while it's in motion can be challenging! We apologize in advance for any confusion the new naming system for our classes may cause.

If you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call at 415-474-6776. We’re happy to answer any questions.

We believe that the upgrades to the curriculum will make our program of study more enjoyable for all.

I've already taken some BATS classes and am not sure which class I should take next. What do you recommend?

Please give us a call at the BATS office at 415-474-6776 and we’ll be happy to explain where you stand and recommend a next class. Each case is unique, but in general, here are the eligibility requirements:

• If you took the BATS beginning class in the last six months (July 2005 to December 2005) you are eligible to take a Foundation II class.
• If you took the BATS intermediate class in the last three months (October 2005 to December 2005) you are eligible to take a Foundation III class. If you have taken intermediate prior to October, you are eligible to take a Foundation II class.
• If you took the BATS direct feedback class in the last three months (October 2005 to December 2005) you are eligible to take Performance I class.
• If you took the BATS Performance Workshop in the last year, you are eligible to take Foundation III class.

For new students, we recommend that you start with Foundation I since it provides the foundation for the rest of the classes here at BATS.

What do you mean by “curriculum” and why do you think it needs to be updated?

Curriculum is defined as “the courses offered by an educational institution.”

At BATS, we see the curriculum as the sequence of classes we ask our students to take and the specific details that define what is taught in each of those classes.Additionally, since BATS defines the Sunday Players as a “student performance opportunity” and sees the Sunday Player experience as an extension of the educational program, the design of the SP program can also be considered part of the overall curriculum.

Over the past 19 years, the curriculum has evolved organically and been modified on occasion to address new concerns. One such example is the addition of the Direct Feedback course several years ago. The 12-week Long-Form program was added in response to student desire for ongoing intensive training. Over the years, such classes as Improv Your Life and Sunday Player Review have been offered to meet specific needs.

In recent years, members of the coaching staff and Sunday Players have expressed a desire for a more comprehensive review of the program. Indeed, the recent community and student surveys indicate that while there is much that is “right” about the current curriculum, there is a desire to make some improvements.

Dean Jenny Meyer-Rosen made updating the curriculum a priority and engaged the community in a discussion about ways it can be improved. This new curriculum was shaped by feedback from coaches, Sunday Players, and students. This feedback was gathered via in-person meetings, e-mail, and two online surveys: an internal community survey and an audience/student survey.

What are the key goals for the new curriculum?

The new curriculum seeks to meet several goals that have been articulated by various stakeholders:

• Clear definition of the BATS Improv School’s mission, vision, and values

• Greater consistency in what is taught in a specific class, while retaining diverse teaching styles from individual coaches

• Clearer standards of evaluation; define what “success” looks like for BATS students at each level

• Less judgment and evaluation in the early courses

• Re-naming the classes to remove the qualitative labels about the level of instruction (“beginning,” “intermediate,” etc.)

• More individual feedback for students at all levels

• The addition of “stage craft” instruction to develop improvisers who have the tools to perform improv in theatrical settings: voice, movement, blocking, etc.

• A quicker path to perform on the BATS stage

• More performance opportunities for students

• Advanced training for those student who desire it

• More attention and leadership for the Sunday Players from staff through the creation of a new Associate Dean position that will focus exclusively on the Sunday Players

• Clearer focus for specialty classes; make sure they tie into the larger educational goals for the Sunday Player ensemble

• More dynamic Sunday shows, bigger audiences, more fun!

• Balance the desires of new and experienced students

• Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! While there is a desire to improve the curriculum, it’s important to remember that in the recent student survey and astonishing 100 percent of the respondents said that they would recommend a BATS class to a friend. We want to make sure that any changes enhance the program, not hurt it.

So there will be a change to the Sunday Player show schedule?

Yes. The new show schedule is as follows:

6 p.m. – 40-minute warm-up for participants in the 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows

7 p.m. – Micetro (with up to 8 performers)

8 p.m. – Theatresports (with up to 8 performers)

9 p.m. – Specialty/Genre/Long-Form Show

Patrons would pay one price ($5) whether or not they come to see one, two or three shows. Players performing in any of the shows that night would be welcome to attend the other shows free of charge.

Each show would run approximately 50 minutes with a 10-minute intermission.

7 P.M. SHOW : Micetro. Students who have successfully completed Performance II: Micetro Workshop, are eligible to play in the 7 p.m. show. (All current Sunday Players are eligible to play in the 7 p.m. show.) Active Sunday Players will submit their interest and availability the previous and will be scheduled by the associate dean. (Students must meet monthly eligibility requirements the previous month to play.)

8 P.M. SHOW: Theatresports. Students who have successfully completed Performance III: Theatresports Workshop, are eligible to play in the 8 p.m. match. (All current Sunday Players are eligible to play in the 8 p.m. show.) Active Sunday Players will submit their interest and availability the previous and will be scheduled by the associate dean. (Students must meet monthly eligibility requirements the previous month to play.)

9 P.M. SHOW: Long-Form/Genre/Specialty.

The first Sunday of the month, the 9 p.m. slot is reserved for graduates of Performance IV: Long-Form Workshop (BLIP). (All of the performers in the show must be BLIP graduates. Performers do not need to be active Sunday Players, but must fulfill monthly eligibility requirements in previous month to perform in the show.) One “director” will submit format description and interest to associate dean. If more than one BLIP alumni ensemble is interested in the slot, the associate dean will select by hat draw.

Remaining Sunday 9 p.m. slots will be made available to groups comprised of Sunday Players. All current Sunday Players (with the exception of the newest SP class, October 2005*) are eligible for these slots. Sunday Players will self-assemble their own casts. (All of the players must fulfill monthly eligibility requirements in previous month to perform in the show.) One “director” will submit format description and interest to associate dean. If more than three SP ensembles are interested in the remaining slots, the associate dean will select by hat draw.

*New Sunday Players must complete Performance IV or gain permission of the association dean (at the conclusion of their six-month introductory period) to be eligible for the 9 p.m. shows.

Sunday Players are not guaranteed a 9 p.m. slot. The self-selection aspect gives advanced players the opportunity to assemble their own casts. It also reflects the belief that “being fun to play with” is a key element in improv. Any active SP may assemble a cast for a 9 p.m. show.

Depending on scheduling and eligibility, student performers could play in one or more shows in a given night.

How does the new curriculum and Sunday show format strengthen the Sunday Player program and shows?

The core recommendations of the curriculum proposal focus on the idea that BATS is an open community where everyone can learn how to improvise, become a better player, and develop into a more dynamic performer. We want to nurture students at all levels.

The new curriculum more clearly articulates what a student should be learning in each class (and gives the students a chance to provide an evaluation that indicates whether or not they have learned those elements. This will provide more checks and balances to insure that students are, in fact, learning the skills they need to be a more effective performer.

The new three-show format provides several opportunities:

• Different levels of play for different levels of players (and the belief that both newer and veteran student players can learn from one another)
• More performance opportunities; possible to play in three different formats in one night/month
• More players will generate more audience
• Audiences will have a chance to sample different formats
• Creating new Sunday Players will increase the vitality and energy of the program
• $5 ticket price for one, two, or three shows will make them more accessible and encourage people to stay for other performances
• 9 p.m. slot allows Sunday Players to self-select their own casts and produce their own specialty shows

More Information:
Introduction to the New Curriculum