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? Email our School Administrator, Will Gutzman, at will@improv.org. Or, meet with our Head of School, Stephanie Dennison, during her office hours, Thursdays 12-2pm PST on Zoom at this link. ~Note: Office hours will return Thursday March 19th!~
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 – 03/14/26
- Intro to Improv in Palo Alto with Wynne Hegarty – 03/18/26
- Intro to Improv with Liz Baker – 03/28/26
- Intro to Improv with Regina Saisi – 04/01/26
- Intro to Improv in Palo Alto with Wynne Hegarty – 04/09/26
- Intro to Improv with Susie Sargent – 04/25/26
- Intro to Improv with Ryan Shaver – 05/12/26
- Intro to Improv in Palo Alto with Daania Tahir – 05/13/26
- Intro to Improv with Diana Brown – 05/23/26
- Intro to Improv with Toni Mazzuca – 06/06/26
- Intro to Improv in Palo Alto with Wynne Hegarty – 06/09/26
- Intro to Improv with Susie Sargent – 06/27/26
- Intro to Improv with Sage Simms – 07/08/26
- Intro to Improv in Palo Alto with Karen Brelsford – 07/09/26
- Intro to Improv with Suzanne Malek – 07/25/26
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 Suzanne Malek – 03/20/26
- Foundation 1 with Ryan Shaver – 03/30/26
- Foundation 1 with Ryan Shaver – 04/08/26
- Foundation 1 in Palo Alto with Daania Tahir – 04/16/26
- Foundation 1 with Rebecca Stockley – 04/26/26
- Foundation 1 with John Remak – 05/19/26
- Foundation 1 in Palo Alto with Wynne Hegarty – 05/20/26
- Foundation 1 with Suzanne Malek – 06/14/26
- Foundation 1 with Zoe Galvez – 06/29/26
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 will@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
- Foundation 2 with Karen Brelsford in Palo Alto – 04/07/26
- Foundation 2 with Toni Mazzuca – 04/14/26
- Foundation 2 with John Remak – 05/11/26
- Foundation 2 with John Remak – 05/20/26
- Foundation 2 with Karen Brelsford in Palo Alto – 05/28/26
- Foundation 2 with Rebecca Stockley – 06/14/26
- Foundation 2 with Ryan Shaver – 06/30/26
Foundation 3 – Character & Relationship
Foundation 3 is a deep dive into a vital ingredient of successful scenes: strong, colorful, and committed characters.
Prerequisite: F2 or equivalent experience required.
In order to sign up for the class please email will@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 will@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
Foundation 5 – Narrative
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.
Prerequisite: F4 or equivalent experience required.
In order to sign up for the class please email will@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 will@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 will@improv.org to confirm eligibility and for the sign up link.
- Online Intensive: Love the Characters You Play! with Dave Dennison – 03/16/26
- Earnest Improv Camp Intensive with Sage Simms – 3/28/26
- “What is at the heart of your improv?” with Dave Dennison – 04/09/26
- Outside vs. Inside: Idea-based vs. Reality-based improv with Dave Dennison – 04/10/26
- The Improv the Wolves Taught Me with Dave Dennison – 04/11/26
- The Unconscious Comedian with Dave Dennison – 04/12/26
- April BATS 40th Specialty: Comedy Technique with Brian Lohmann – 04/13/26
- Online: Improv and Voice Acting with Suzanne Malek – 04/15/26
- Ground Your Body and Free Your Voice Intensive with Rebecca Stockley – 04/18/26
- Make Up Songs on the Spot with Sebastian Blue – 04/25/26
- Duos and Trios Intensive with Wine and Weasels – 05/02/26
- BATS 40th: Free your Body with Toni Mazzuca – 05/04/26
- Online: Rom Com Lab with Zoe Galvez – 05/05/26
- Creating Wheres, Space Object Work, and Movement with Tim Orr – 05/16/26
- Shakespeare Intensive with Brian Lohmann – 05/23/26
- Talk Like a Gilmore Girl – The Sherman-Palladinoverse with Diana Brown – 06/13/26
- June BATS 40th Specialty: Movement! with Zoe Galvez – 06/15/26
- Less Head, More heart: Building Scenes with Emotions with John Remak – 06/20/26
- Essential Performance Games with John Remak – 06/21/26
- Jane Austen Intensive with Brian Lohmann – 06/27/26
- Theatresports™ with Rebecca Stockley – 07/01/26
- “This Scene Was About” with Tim Orr – 07/18/26
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 will@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 Mick Laugs – 03/22/26
- Sunday Jam with Dave Dennison – 04/12/26
- Sunday Jam with Sage Simms – 04/26/26
- Sunday Jam with Suzanne Malek – 05/03/26
- Sunday Jam with Suzanne Malek – 05/17/26
- Sunday Jam with Sage Simms – 06/07/26
- Sunday Jam with Jerry Ruoti – 06/21/26
- Sunday Jam with Sage Simms – 07/12/26
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.
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.