School of Improv
Learn from the longest running improv school on the west coast (maybe the planet)
Every week or so, a new class starts at BATS. A group of 8 to 16 adults from a variety of backgrounds, ages and occupations enter their first improv class, nervous, excited, curious and in the beautiful, vulnerable state of “Beginner”. Their coach – we have some of the most experienced and inspiring improv coaches in the world – takes them through games and exercises and introduces them to the transformative improv principles that guide our play.
There’s lots of laughter followed by epiphanies, more laughter, “Aha!” moments and yet more laughter. In the following weeks students look forward to class as the best part of their day or week. By the time the class is over, the group of strangers who walked into the first class has bonded in their shared journey of vulnerability and laughter.
Learn more about our BATS Coaches here!
Have more questions about the BATS School, classes, or improv in general? Meet with our Head of School, Stephanie Dennison, during her office hours! Thursdays 12-2pm PST on Zoom at this link.
Intro to Improv
If you’ve ever been intrigued by improv, this one-time, fun introduction to improv is just for you! In this 3-hour workshop you’ll learn the basics of improvised theatre – spontaneity, playfulness, creativity, listening, storytelling, and more.
- Intro to Improv with Liz Baker at Ft. Mason on Sat, Sept 6, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Wynne Hegarty in Palo Alto on Tues, Sept 16, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Sage Simms at Ft. Mason on Sat, Sept 27, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Regina Saisi at Ft. Mason on Thurs, Oct 16, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Liz Baker at Ft. Mason on Sat, Oct 25, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Wynne Hegarty in Palo Alto on Weds, Oct 29, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Wynne Hegarty in Palo Alto on Thurs, Nov 20, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Mick Laugs at Ft. Mason on Sat, Nov 22, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Susie Sargent at Ft. Mason on Weds, Dec 10, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Julian Bernado in Palo Alto on Thurs, Dec 11, 2025
- Intro to Improv with Rebecca Stockley at Ft. Mason on Sat, Dec 20, 2025
Foundational Series Classes
Meet your new community
Foundational Series – Learn the skills of our style of improv.
At BATS, we approach improv as a lifelong learning opportunity. Our Foundational Series curriculum will teach you the various skills and principles and get you playing in our style. Whether you’re interested in learning how to perform without a script or are just looking for a fun new thing to try, we have the class for you!
Foundation 1 – Mindset & Skillset
- Foundation 1 with Liz Baker at Ft. Mason starts Tues, Sept 2, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Rebecca Stockley at Ft. Mason starts Sun, Sept 7, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Julian Bernado in Palo Alto starts Tues, Sept 23, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Will Gutzman at Ft. Mason starts Mon, Sept 29, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Basel Al-Naffouri at Ft. Mason starts Thurs, Oct 23, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Derek Yee in Palo Alto starts Weds, Nov 5, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Rebecca Stockley and Sage Simms at Ft. Mason starts Sat, Nov 8, 2025
- Foundation 1 with Zoe Galvez at Ft. Mason starts Weds, Dec 3, 2025
Foundation 2 – Movement & Story
Foundation 2 moves further down the path to fully improvised scenes and stories by putting the mindsets from Foundation 1 into a scene structure while staying present physically in the moment and with your partner.
Prerequisite: F1 or equivalent experience required.
In order to sign up for the class please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
- Foundation 2 with Mick Laugs at Ft. Mason starts Sun, Sept 7, 2025
- Foundation 2 with John Remak at Ft. Mason starts Weds, Oct 8, 2025
- Foundation 2 with Rebecca Stockley at Ft. Mason starts Sun, Oct 26, 2025
- Foundation 2 with Karen Brelsford in Palo Alto starts Tues, Nov 4, 2025
- Foundation 2 with John Remak at Ft. Mason starts Mon, Nov 10, 2025
Foundation 3 – Character & Relationship
Prerequisite: F2 or equivalent experience required. In order to sign up for the class please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
Foundation 4 – Scenework & Acting Skills
“Building on the improv foundational skills learned in F1-F3, now the improvisers will learn scene structure and acting skills that will help them create story on the spot.
Prerequisite: F3 or equivalent experience required.
In order to sign up for the class please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.”
Foundation 5 – Narrative
Prerequisite: F4 or equivalent experience required. In order to sign up for the class please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
Foundation 6 – Performance
The focus in Foundation 6 is performance skills culminating in a showcase for invited audiences.
Prerequisite: F5 or equivalent experience required. In order to sign up for the class please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
Specialty
Specialty classes give you more opportunities to play and have fun while deepening your improv knowledge.
Some Specialty and Weekend Intensives require prerequisites or experience required.
In order to sign up for the classes that require prerequisites please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
- Advanced Wheres & Action Intensive with Tim Orr at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Sept 13, 2025
- Living in the Madness: A SCREWBALL INTENSIVE with Brian Lohmann at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Sept 20, 2025
- Positivity–So much more than Happy and Healthy with Dave Dennison at Ft. Mason, on Weds, Oct 1, 2025
- Guilty Pleasures: Improvised Soap Operas in Palo Alto with Derek Yee, starts Weds, Oct 1, 2025
- The Method of the Moment 2.0 with Dave Dennison at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Oct 3, 2025
- The things we do well and the things we don’t with Dave Dennison at Ft. Mason, starts Fri, Oct 10, 2025
- It’s About Time with Tim Orr at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Oct 18, 2025
- The Devil’s in the Details with Tim Orr at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Nov 8, 2025
- The Power of Silence with Mick Laugs at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Nov 15, 2025
- SuperScene Intensive with Will Gutzman at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Dec 6, 2025
Summer Sessions
The world-famous BATS Summer Sessions are back! From Tarantino to Jane Austen, for beginners and advanced players alike, both online and in-person, BATS has something for everyone this August! Unless otherwise stated, all summer sessions are at Ft. Mason Center in San Francisco.
Performance Labs
The performance labs are designed to provide advanced improvisers with ongoing training in core performance techniques taught through the lens of short-form and a variety of narrative long-form styles and genres. Working with a coach, a group of experienced improvisers develops an ensemble, rehearses together, and performs multiple shows for an audience.
Prerequisite: F6 or equivalent experience required. In order to sign up for the class please email bats@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
Jams
Looking to add more fun and laughter to your weekend? Experience the magic of improv with BATS Improv’s Sunday Jams! Happening twice each month, Sunday Jams are a welcoming place for people of all levels to connect and play!
- Sunday Jam with Basel Al-Naffouri at Ft. Mason on Sept 7, 2025
- Sunday Jam with Derek Yee at Ft. Mason on Sept 21, 2025
- Sunday Jam with Sage Simms at Ft. Mason on Oct 5, 2025
- Sunday Jam with Sage Simms at Ft. Mason on Nov 9, 2025
- Sunday Jam with Mick Laugs at Ft. Mason on Nov 23, 2025
- Sunday Jam with Derek Yee at Ft. Mason on Dec 7, 2025
- Sunday Jam with Sage Simms at Ft. Mason on Dec 21, 2025
Youth
Youth improvisors will create stories, learn to be part of an ensemble, and have fun! All classes are at Ft. Mason Center and culminate in a showcase for family and friends.
- Youth Improv K-5th at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Sept 6, 2025
- Youth Improv 6th-12th at Ft. Mason, starts Sat, Sept 6, 2025
- Youth Improv K-2nd at Ft. Mason, starts Mon, Sept 8, 2025
- Youth Improv 3rd-5th at Ft. Mason, starts Tues, Sept 9, 2025
- Youth Improv 6th-8th at Ft. Mason, starts Weds, Sept 10, 2025
- Youth Improv 9th-12th at Ft. Mason, starts Thurs, Sept 11, 2025
Private Group Classes
Are you an improviser with improviser friends (lucky you!) who want a class tailored to your cohort? Private group classes are for you! Start by assembling your squad of players and choose one of BATS’ fantastic coaches. You’ll collaborate with the coach to determine the type of class you want— practicing a specific genre or skill, an ongoing workshop or weekend intensive; the shape and content of your class is up to you! You’ll work with BATS to decide the times and dates. Your group may even decide to perform and the coach will assist you in planning and rehearsing your show(s). So far, we’ve had students studying everything from Screwball Comedy and Farce to Family Drama and a format they created themselves; what will your group do? Cost: $225/hr per group (group maximum: 16 students). To get started, email the BATS Head of School, Stephanie, at stephanie@improv.org. For a teambuilding workshop for your work team, check out BATS @Work here.