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The BATS Program of Study
The new primary program of study at BATS Improv includes six classes: three Foundation classes and three Performance classes.
Successful completion of Performance 2 makes a player eligible to join the Sunday Players, our graduates who perform every Sunday night on the Bayfront Theater stage. Advanced classes are also available.
How long does it take to go through the program? That depends.
Some students may choose to take some workshops more than once. The new curriculum is designed so that students can move straight through
the program, taking each workshop only one time.
Since the classes are offered on a rotating basis, some
students will move through all six classes in as quickly as five
months. Others extend the experience over a period of a year or more.
Every student has a unique set of skills and therefore a
unique experience at BATS. We like it that way.
Read below for a brief introduction for each of the classes and click for a more detailed description:
QUICK LINKS: Foundation 1 | Foundation 2 | Foundation 3 | Performance 1 | Performance 2 | Performance 3 | Performance 4 | Specialty Workshops | Summer Session | Laughing Stock
Foundation 1 (6 classes)
This six-session class is a fun intro to the joys and thrills of improvisation and the BATS Improv style. Students learn improv vocabulary, use practical skills, and perform in a friendly atmosphere. Concepts include spontaneity, making offers, listening, storytelling, status, creating “props” and “locations” out of thin air, making endowments, starting positive, and making your partner look good. At the conclusion, everyone “passes” and can move on to Foundation 2, but you can also take Foundation 1 as many times as you would like and are sure to get something new out of it each time. Prerequisite: Open to all (Limit 16 students) Must attend at least five of the six classes to be eligible to advance to Foundation 2. $249. [Click here for a more detailed description of Foundation 1]
Foundation 2 (6 classes)
This six-session workshop continues the fun exploration of improvisation while refining your improv knowledge and skills. You use the tools you developed in Foundation I as you learn more games and explore your own style of play. Concepts include teamwork, stage skills, status, character, relationships, objectives, locations, narrative, and scene work. At the conclusion, everyone “passes” and can move on to Foundation 3, but you can also take Foundation 2 as many times as you would like and can continue to work on your performance skills. Students are required to read IMPRO by Keith Johnstone. (BATS sells the book for $20; it is also available from a variety of retail outlets. When enrolling, please indicate whether or not you would like to purchase the book from BATS. If so, you can pay for it at time of registration and pick up their book on your first day of class.) Prerequisite: Foundation 1 (Limit 14 students) Must attend at least five of the six classes to be eligible to advance to Foundation 3. $269 [Click here for a more detailed description of Foundation 2]
Foundation 3 (6 classes)
This six-session workshop is designed to help improvisers work on specific skill development through scene work. The focus is on performance-oriented scene work, ensemble, character, acting, and other advanced improv skills. The first session includes a group discussion to outline the student’s personal goals and objectives. The middle four classes will use exercises to give the coach a chance to observe students work and give side coaching and feedback. The final class will include a 10-minute one-on-one session with the coach to review progress, make note of specific areas to work on, and to make recommendations for student’s progression. Based on the level of play, the coach will recommend the next class; everyone who completes Foundation 3 is eligible to move on to Performance 1. Since the there is a focus on your individual work, Foundation 3 is a great tune-up class for students of all levels and can be taken multiple times. Prerequisite: Foundation 2 (Limit 10 students) Must attend at least five of the six classes to be eligible to advance to Performance 1. $289
[Click here for a more detailed description of Foundation 3 ]
FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO PERFORM...
Performance 1 - Stage Craft for Improv (4 classes)
This four-session workshop focuses on the stage values of improvisational theatre and performing in front of an audience. The student will work on movement (using your body in the space to tell the story), voice (projection, character), and stage craft (creating improvised stage pictures). Students will perform games and scenes to develop these stage skills. Prerequisite: Foundation 3 (Limit 10 students) $189 [Click here for a more detailed description of Performance 1]
Performance 2 - Micetro Workshop (4 classes, 1 show)
This four-session workshop employs the skills you learned in Performance 1 and focus on them on learning to perform the Micetro™ format. It culminates in a performance at show in front of an audience. Concepts include accepting change on the fly, taking direction on stage, preparing for a show, getting suggestions, supporting your fellow players, and playing a variety of games. Prerequisite: Performance 1 (Limit 8 students) $209
[Click here for a more detailed description of Performance 2]
Performance 3 - Theatresports Workshop (6 classes, 1 show)
This six-session workshop teaches students to apply their performance skills in the context of the Theatresports™ format. It culminates in a Theatresports match at a show in front of an audience. Successful completion of the course makes students eligible to join the Sunday Players Theatresports ensemble. Concepts include performing for an audience, Theatresports games, knowing when you’re needed on stage, setting up games and scenes, good bench etiquette, and taking and giving notes. Prerequisite: Performance 2 (Limit 8 students) $319
[Click here for a more detailed description of Performance 3]
FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS WITH PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE...
Performance 4 - Long-Form Workshop (12 weeks)
This 12-week class provides advanced study for those who want to explore long-form improvisation in depth. Students learn and practice the skills required to perform long-form improvisation in the BATS Improv style. Specifically, participants will learn how to create sustained, committed, compelling narratives ranging from 45 to 90 minutes in duration. Prerequisite: Improv performance experience; application required (Limit 8 students) $849 [Click here for a more detailed description of Performance 4]
SPECIALTY CLASSES FOR IMPROVISERS OF ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE...
Specialty Workshops (1 class; some longer series classes also offered)
Specialty workshops give students an opportunity to explore a specific aspect of improvisational theatre. The new curriculum gives these workshops greater focus by breaking them into specific categories: games, music, stage craft, formats, and tools. Prerequisites vary for each specialty class; some are open to all and others are limited to students who have taken a certain level of classes. (Limit 14 students) $40 [Click here for a more detailed description of Specialty Workshops]
SUMMER SESSION...
Summer Session (Summer Intensive, Keith Johnstone Intensive, Long-Form Intensive)
Every summer, BATS offers a series of intensive workshops unlike anything we offer during the regular school year. It's a chance for in-depth study over a period of four days. Now in its 13th year, the summer session is so popular, it draws students from all over the world. One of the highlights of the session is the presence of Keith Johnstone, who joins us for a week each August. Click here for more info on Summer Session...
Youth and Teen Improv Camps
Each June and July, BATS offers a series of week-long sessions for students ages 11 to 17. By playing theatre games and learning to take risks in a safe environment, improv students develop the ability to tell stories collaboratively and work in the moment. Improvisation is an excellent tool for improving verbal expression, enhancing listening skills, building body awareness, and boosting self-confidence. Click here for more info on Youth and Teen Camps...
LAUGHING STOCK...
Laughing Stock
In 1998, BATS Improv began its Laughing Stock program, which offers free improvisation classes to people living with HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C, cancer, and other chronic, life-threatening illnesses.
The classes focus on strengthening quality of life through humor, physical activity, group interaction, risk-taking, and imagination games. It is a safe and confidential environment for participants to learn the basics of improv. The work inevitably leads to new friendships.
Currently, Laughing Stock classes (intro, sampler, intermediate, specialty) are held Saturday afternoons at The Gazebo at CMPC's Davies Campus in San Francisco. Click here for more info on Laughing Stock...
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