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!
~Note: Office hours are on summer break and will return in August 2025!~ Thursdays 2-4pm 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.
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 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 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.
- What I Learned from Keith Johnstone (And What You Can Use Onstage Tomorrow) with William Hall starts Sat, June 28, 2025
- Improvising Songs 102 with Brian Lohmann and Joshua Raoul Brody on Weds, July 2, 2025
- July Weekend Intensive: Oscar Winning Scenework with Zoe Galvez, starts Sat, July 19, 2025
- The Space Between with Diana Brown at Ft. Mason on Weds, July 23, 2025
- Off the Stage, Into the Room: A Two-Day Dive into Applied Improvisation with William Hall, at Ft. Mason starts Sat, July 26, 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.
- Long-form Improv Intensive with Tim Orr, starts Fri, Aug 1
- Triptych with Regina Saisi, starts Sat, Aug 2
- Applied Improvisation: Fun and Games with Rebecca Stockley, on Mon, Aug 4
- Online: Puppets with Brian Jones, on Mon, Aug 4
- Open Mic Night with Brian Jones, on Thurs, Aug 7
- Improvising Tarantino with Regina Saisi, starts Fri, Aug 8
- Spacework Sensative with Liz Baker, on Mon, Aug 11
- Online: The Grateful Improviser with Stephanie Dennison, on Mon, Aug 11
- Embodied Characters: The Feldenkrais-Improv Connection with Carie Fox and Laura Wachtel, starts Weds, Aug 13
- Online: The Character Factory with Dave Dennison, starts Weds, Aug 13
- IMPROV WITHOUT LIMITS (The Never-ending Joy of OPEN SCENEWORK) with Tim Orr, starts Fri, Aug 15
- Musical Improv with Brian Lohmann and Joshua Raoul Brody, starts Fri, Aug 15
- Online: The Mockumentary with Diana Brown, on Sat, Aug 16
- Improvised Tennessee Williams with Rebecca Stockley, starts Mon, Aug 18
- Online: Storytelling with Brian Jones, on Mon, Aug 18
- Online: Space Objects! The imaginary world around us with Dave Dennison, starts Weds, Aug 20
- Jane Austen: Improvised with Brian Lohmann, starts Fri, Aug 22
- Out of your Head and into your Body: Movement for Improvisers with Zoe Galvez, starts Sat, Aug 23
- Playing Convincing Villains with Rez Graham, starts Mon, Aug 25
- Online: Playing with Kindness with Stephanie Dennison, on Mon, Aug 25
- Status with William Hall starts Tues, Aug 26
- British Accent Basics: Standard English for Performance with Marilyn Langbehn, on Thurs, Aug 28
- Online: Emotion is the Engine of Your Scene Work with Diana Brown, on Fri, Aug 29
- Pinter Unscripted with Rebecca Stockley and Brian Lohmann, starts Fri, Aug 29
- The Absurdist Atelier: A Creative Studio Where Every Impulse is Raw Material with Diana Brown, on Sat, Aug 30
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
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.