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 and our scholarships here!
Intro to Improv
- In-Person: Intro to Improv with Lana Tleimat in Palo Alto on Thurs Jan 09, 2025
- In-Person: Intro to Improv with Susie Sargent at Ft. Mason on Thurs Jan 09, 2025
- In-Person: Intro to Improv at Ft. Mason with Liz Baker on Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
- In-Person: Intro to Improv in Palo Alto on Tues Feb 18, 2025
- In-Person: Intro to Improv with Liz Baker at Ft. Mason on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
- In-Person: Intro to Improv with Liz Baker at Ft. Mason on Saturday, March 29, 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
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset & Skillset w/Sage Simms and Dave Dennison at Ft. Mason starts Wed Dec 04, 2024
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with John Remak at Ft. Mason starts Mon Jan 06, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with Karen Brelsford in Palo Alto starts Thurs Jan 16, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with Will Gutzman at Ft. Mason starts Thurs Jan 16, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with Rebecca Stockley at Ft. Mason starts Sun Jan 26, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with Stephanie Dennison at Ft. Mason starts Weds Feb 19, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with Derek Yee in Palo Alto starts Tues Feb 25, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 1: Mindset and Skillset with Mick Laugs at Ft. Mason starts Mon, March 31, 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.
- In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with Karen Brelsford in Palo Alto starts Tues Jan 07, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with Susie Sargent at Ft. Mason starts Tues Jan 07, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with Sage Simms at Ft. Mason starts Mon Feb 17, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with Derek Yee in Palo Alto starts Thurs Feb 27, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with Basel Al-Naffouri at Fort Mason starts Thurs Feb 27, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with Tim Orr at Fort Mason starts Sun March 9, 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.
- In-Person: Foundation 3: Character & Relationship with Derek Yee in Palo Alto starts Weds Jan 8, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 3: Character & Relationship with Mick Laugs at Ft. Mason starts Weds Jan 8, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 3: Character & Relationship with John Remak at Ft. Mason starts Tues Feb 18, 2025
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.”
- In-Person: Foundation 4: Scenework & Acting Skills with Brian Lohmann at Ft. Mason starts Thurs Jan 09, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 4: Scenework & Acting Skills with Karen Brelsford in Palo Alto starts Weds Feb 19, 2025
- In-Person: Foundation 4: Scenework & Acting Skills with Dave Dennison at Ft. Mason starts Weds Feb 19, 2025
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.
- In-Person: Time Machine Weekend Intensive with Dave Dennison starts Fri Dec 13, 2024
- In-Person: Ensemble and Energy Weekend Intensive with Tim Orr starts Fri Dec 20, 2024
- In-Person: SuperScene Intensive with Will Gutzman starts Sat, Jan 11, 2025
- In-Person: Enhancing Stories in Scenes Intensive with Rebecca Stockley starts Sat, March 15, 2025
Jams
- In-Person: Sunday Jam with Sage Simms on January 12, 2025
- In-Person: Sunday Jam with Dave Dennison on January 26, 2025
- In-Person: Sunday Jam with Sage Simms on February 9, 2025
- In-Person: Sunday Jam with Basel Al-Naffouri on February 23, 2025
- In-Person: Sunday Jam with Sage Simms on March 9, 2025
- In-Person: Sunday Jam with Dave Dennison on March 23, 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.