Best place to take an improv class in NYC for a nonactor?

December 1, 2013 10:42 AM

I'd like to take an improv class for various reasons unrelated to acting -- to think better on my feet, to be more spontaneous, less shy in groups, etc. I live in NYC where I suspect even an intro class will be filled with experienced actor types. This is fine, I guess, but I wonder if anyone can recommend a place where regular people like me might be in the mix. I'm also in my 40s, which makes me feel like I'll be too old, but I'll hopefully get over that soon enough. Thanks for any ideas.
posted by swheatie to Media & Arts (8 answers total)

Improv classes do have some serious actors, but there are "regular people" doing it too.

Magnet has free intro classes, and the PIT has drop-in classes if you'd like to check them out without the big commitment.
posted by bunderful at 10:45 AM on December 1, 2013

First off, don't sweat this- even in NYC, intro classes are primarily full of people just doing it for fun.

If I were you, I'd try the PIT, just because UCB is going to attract more people who want to Do Improv since it's a big name.
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:59 AM on December 1, 2013

Go to the PIT! Don't take a drop-in class, though — that's not a good place to learn fundamentals. Depending on how shy you are and how much you like improv in the first place, either take level 0 (if you're very shy and find the idea of improv very intimidating) or level 1 (you're relatively comfortable in front of people, and the idea of improv makes you happy). Every improv class I've taken — at the PIT, UCB, and elsewhere — includes some people who are indeed actors/aspiring actors, but that has never been anywhere close to the majority of students. Actor-folk are not better at improv than non-actor–folk. Don't sweat that aspect at all.

In terms of age, yes, you will be among the oldest students in your class, but odds are good that you will not be the only person in your class who is in his or her 40s. UCB tends to skew young — like, real young, my last class there had some college students in it — but the PIT and the Magnet have a wider range. If you have any questions, feel free to memail me.
posted by Charity Garfein at 12:46 PM on December 1, 2013

I took classes at Gotham City improv. I was in my 20s and so was everyone else in my class, but I don't think it would have been shocking to have people in their 40s in class. I also took acting classes at HB and we had an older woman (like 60s) in class and it was pretty cool, I thought.

I think improv is a great thing for people to do, even for non acting related reasons. It's a great way to learn about body language and interacting with people. We actually had a few professional actors in class, and some of them had to learn how not to try to be the star of the show and that the whole scene would be better if everyone worked together as a group, rather than one person riffing jokes the whole time.

Also recommend PIT, Magnet besides Gotham City over UCB, because it skews young and has a lot of people who want to make careers in comedy.
posted by sweetkid at 2:23 PM on December 1, 2013

Okay, thanks, Improv Aficionados. Sounds like PIT is the way to go. Hoping to sign up for a class for January. Wish me luck!
posted by swheatie at 9:24 AM on December 2, 2013

As a teacher at UCB, I just wanted to chime in: I've taught a few 101 intro classes lately and they have a wide range of ages. Most are young, but I don't think it skews much differently than PIT or Magnet. And maybe people take UCB to pursue a career, but also if someone didn't know much and was looking for the most widely known improv classes, they'd likely end up at UCB. So there's a good amount of non-pros in there.

One additional thought: no matter where you end up (all are good options), daytime classes tend to have more actors. Many bartend or wait at night, so they take during the day. I actually think there's no reason to avoid these; actors can be fun!

Welcome to improv, NYC has a great improv scene.
posted by moedym at 4:30 AM on December 3, 2013

I'm 45 and started doing improv a couple years ago. In the intro classes, you'll see a pretty big range of ages. I took a class in NJ, had the same fear about age (and gender, too - I'm female) but there was a range of ages and more women than men.

I've taken classes at Magnet, and found them warm and welcoming. I did a 3 week intensive (improv every weekday! for three weeks!) and had Rick Andrews for Level 1, who was friendly, and a good teacher. Megan Gray and Nick Kanellis also teach Level 1. They are also both really nice, though I haven't had them as teachers. Magnet has a free 2 hour intro class, if you'd like to check them out.

I agree with those who said avoid UCB - it's the "big name" in improv in NYC, and seems to draw a more actor-y crowd. I'll admit to some bias on this, though.

If nothing else, go see shows at Magnet - I love Trike on Saturday nights, with Nick Kanellis and Peter McNerney. Actually, the whole Saturday night line up is really good. Go on Thursdays if you want to see a variety of shows on the cheap - $7 for the night!

Good luck! If you have any questions, let me know! And beware - I started improv for many of the same reasons, and now I'm hooked. ;)
posted by booksherpa at 9:06 PM on January 20, 2014

A follow up from the OP. I ended up taking a class at the PIT.

For future intro to improv folk, the PIT is a very welcoming place, and Bradford Jordan, my intro teacher, was AWESOME. Truly. Take a class with him if you can. I WAS the oldest by quite a lot, and most people had some performance experience, whereas I had none, but this was all okay. The whole thing was way outside my comfort zone, but that was sort of the point. A great experience.
posted by swheatie at 8:16 PM on March 5, 2014