In-Person: The Time Machine: An Improv Intensive with Dave Dennison

Ft. Mason – BATS Annex and Bayfront Theatre

Class Time/Dates: 6:00pm-10:00pm on Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday // April 26, 27, 28

Schedule: 3 sessions

Class size: 12 students maximum

Prerequisite: Foundation 4 or instructor approval. Email bats@improv.org for the code.

Tuition: $299

Description:

Time is an underexplored facet of improv. Improvisers spend a great deal of effort talking, a lesser amount embodying the characters, an even lesser amount engaging the imagined location in which the scene takes place. How often do we make the passage of time seem real? When we order a drink, pour a glass of water, tie our shoes or open a letter, how long do these actions take and how much do we give them? Ironically, though a key principle of improv is being in the moment, we’re often detached from time. In my experience, when improvisers move at the same pace as actual humans, the scenes they do are surprising to the improvisers and engaging to the audience.

In the first part of this 3 day intensive, we will focus on scenework that honors the reality of time; slowing down and noticing what bubbles up when we are immersed in an imaginary world that moves at the same pace as reality. In the second part of the intensive we will look at multi-scene stories that are told out of sequence, and what is inferred when we consciously leave gaps in time for the audience to fill in. The intensive is open to all students who have completed Foundation 4 (or equivalent).