Shortform: (usually on Fridays)
fun and fast-paced improvised theatre, filled with scenes, songs, games, and lots of audience participation and suggestions.


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Longform: (usually on Saturdays)
full-length, narrative, genre-driven, completely improvised stories based on audience suggestions.


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Foundation 2 – Movement & Story

Online Sessions
Prerequisite:
 Foundation 1
Schedule: 8 sessions (once a week for 8 weeks)
Class length: 2 hours (16 hours total)
Class size: 14 students maximum
Tuition: $299 

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.

In F2 you will learn how to: 

  • Put the building blocks of improvised worlds together and learn the skills that will enable you to create in a relaxed state of play. 
  • Improvise from a grounded physical state that will be your touchstone when you don’t know what to say. 
  • See and respond to what is already present, allowing you access to the creative part of your mind that intuitively knows what comes next. 
  • Inhabit character and story throughout the body while creating fully realized environments out of thin air. 
  • Identify the basic information of the scene.  Who are these characters, how do they know each other, where are they and why are they there? 

Students that complete F2 are eligible to perform in the weekly Sunday Student Jams.

At the end of Foundation 2, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what the next step is best — repeating F2 to strengthen the improviser’s physical awareness or moving to F3: Character & Relationship.

Upcoming Classes:

In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story with John Remak

Ft. Mason - BATS Annex Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm - 10:00pm PDT on Wednesdays // August 21, 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25 Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total) Class size: 16 students maximum Prerequisite: Foundation 1 or equivalent. Email bats@improv.org for access code and other eligibility questions. Tuition: $349 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. In F2 you will learn how to:
  • Put the building blocks of improvised worlds together and learn the skills that will enable you to create in a relaxed state of play.
  • Improvise from a grounded physical state that will be your touchstone when you don’t know what to say.
  • See and respond to what is already present, allowing you access to the creative part of your mind that intuitively knows what comes next.
  • Inhabit character and story throughout the body while creating fully realized environments out of thin air.
  • Identify the basic information of the scene. Who are these characters, how do they know each other, where are they and why are they there?
At the end of Foundation 2, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what the next step is best — repeating F2 to strengthen the improviser’s physical awareness or moving to F3: Character & Relationship.

In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story in the Mission

Studio 210 Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PST on Tuesdays // August 27, September 3, 10, 17, 24, October 1 Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total) Class size: 14 students maximum Prerequisite: Foundation 1 or equivalent *Email bats@improv.org for access code and other eligibility questions* Tuition: $349 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. In F2 you will learn how to:
  • Put the building blocks of improvised worlds together and learn the skills that will enable you to create in a relaxed state of play.
  • Improvise from a grounded physical state that will be your touchstone when you don’t know what to say.
  • See and respond to what is already present, allowing you access to the creative part of your mind that intuitively knows what comes next.
  • Inhabit character and story throughout the body while creating fully realized environments out of thin air.
  • Identify the basic information of the scene. Who are these characters, how do they know each other, where are they and why are they there?
At the end of Foundation 2, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what the next step is best — repeating F2 to strengthen the improviser’s physical awareness or moving to F3: Character & Relationship.

In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story in Palo Alto

Cubberley Community Center Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PDT on Thursdays // August 29, September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3 Schedule: 6 sessions Class length: 3 hours Class size: 14 students maximum Prerequisite: Foundation 1 or equivalent *Email bats@improv.org for the access code and other and eligiblity questions* Tuition: $349 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. In F2 you will learn how to:
  • Put the building blocks of improvised worlds together and learn the skills that will enable you to create in a relaxed state of play.
  • Improvise from a grounded physical state that will be your touchstone when you don’t know what to say.
  • See and respond to what is already present, allowing you access to the creative part of your mind that intuitively knows what comes next.
  • Inhabit character and story throughout the body while creating fully realized environments out of thin air.
  • Identify the basic information of the scene. Who are these characters, how do they know each other, where are they and why are they there?
At the end of Foundation 2, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what the next step is best — repeating F2 to strengthen the improviser’s physical awareness or moving to F3: Character & Relationship.

In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story in Palo Alto with Wynne Hegarty

Cubberley Community Center Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PDT on Tuesdays // October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12 Schedule: 6 sessions Class length: 3 hours Class size: 14 students maximum Prerequisite: Foundation 1 or equivalent *Email bats@improv.org for the access code and other and eligiblity questions* Tuition: $349 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. In F2 you will learn how to:
  • Put the building blocks of improvised worlds together and learn the skills that will enable you to create in a relaxed state of play.
  • Improvise from a grounded physical state that will be your touchstone when you don’t know what to say.
  • See and respond to what is already present, allowing you access to the creative part of your mind that intuitively knows what comes next.
  • Inhabit character and story throughout the body while creating fully realized environments out of thin air.
  • Identify the basic information of the scene. Who are these characters, how do they know each other, where are they and why are they there?
At the end of Foundation 2, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what the next step is best — repeating F2 to strengthen the improviser’s physical awareness or moving to F3: Character & Relationship.

In-Person: Foundation 2: Movement & Story in the Mission with John Remak

Studio 210

Class Time/Dates: 7:00pm-10:00pm PST on Thursday // October 17, 24, November 7, 14, 21, December 5 ~Note: No class Oct 31 or November 28!~ Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total) Class size: 16 students maximum Prerequisite: None! Open to adults 18 and older Tuition: $349 Foundation 1 is a fun, playful, and engaging introduction to the principles and mindsets of improvisation and the BATS style of improv. The class will focus on developing the ensemble and honing these foundational skills:
  • Listening
  • Support
  • Spontaneity
  • Imagination and
  • Collaboration
Students will learn the groundwork for the creative magic of improvising stories together. World-class coaches guide students through the first exciting stages of improvisation in a safe, friendly atmosphere. At the end of F1, the coach will make a recommendation for each student about what next step is best — repeating F1 to strengthen the necessary skills or moving to Foundation 2: Movement & Story *Attendance at the first session of your course is strongly encouraged - if you think you have to miss the first session of your Foundation 1 class, please notify the office before registering.*