Upcoming Schedule – Adult Classes

Classes are open to those 18 years of age and older.

Foundation Series classes are $245 (including HST) and run for 7 weeks (three hours per week).

Advanced Placement Workshops cost $100 (including HST) and run for 4 weeks (2 hours per week).

Performance Series classes are $200 (including HST) and run for 8 weeks (2 hours per week + 4 shows).

There is a $25 discount for a second class taken in the same term. If you register and pay for Foundation Series classes by the Early Bird deadline (TBA) you’ll qualify for our Foundation Series Early Bird rate of $225 including HST.

FOUNDATION SERIES

FOUNDATION 1: BEGINNINGS

We’ll introduce you to the basic terminology & skills of improvisation, including: – impulse work: not over-thinking, planning ahead or editing yourself; making choices without hesitation – listening to and connecting with other people onstage – making and accepting offers, finding agreement – stagecraft (from being seen & heard… to creating dynamic stage pictures) – basic scene structure: setting, characters/relationships, action, conclusion/resolution – platforms (creating the foundations of scenes and making confident scenic initiations) – improvised character & environment creation

Who it’s for: people with absolutely no prior improv or performance experience / improvisers who want to return to the basics to refresh their game

FOUNDATION 2: MIDDLES

Foundation 2 builds on the skills introduced in Foundation 1, but with particular focus on action & stakes – making the moments onstage matter to the people having them and starting into themeat of scenes. Among other things, we’ll work on: – creating tension while still embracing agreement – finding the action of the scene within the scene itself rather than looking for it externally – greater character depth/development of character relationships – identifying objectives & wants within scenes and creating history

Who it’s for: improvisers who have completed Foundation 1 or have the recommendation of the artistic director/instructor

FOUNDATION 3: (ODDS &) ENDS

Foundation 3 builds further on the ideas introduced in the previous two levels, and also incorporates a variety of frameworks within which to play. We continue to develop scene work with attention to: – advancing & expanding ideas – starting to recognize when a scene or beat has come to an end – finding and hitting the game of the scene – narrative and editing techniques – ensemble work & group mind

Who it’s for: improvisers who have completed Foundation 3 or have the recommendation of the artistic director/instructor

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORKSHOPS

We want to match you to the Bad Dog classes and shows that will be the most challenging and satisfying for you. We don’t want to waste your time. Or money. Think of our Advanced Placement Workshops as equal parts improv bootcamp, refresher and sample platter.

Taking the Advanced Placement Workshops ensures that when we place you in an intermediate or advanced class/project, you will be working with other equivalently intermediate or advanced improvisers. There will be no beginners holding you back – so we can really push you and run with the objectives of the class or format you are working on. Other goals of these placement workshops include aligning our shared vocabulary as improvisers, giving you a taste of the Bad Dog’s current artistic philosophy and letting you get to know a sampling of our directors and instructors.

It’s a chance for you to see if the Bad Dog is a good fit for you as much as it is a chance for us to get to know you better.

Who it’s for: improvisers with prior experience (both in the classroom and onstage)

Instructors: each Advanced Placement Workshop will feature 2-3 Bad Dog instructors over the course of the 4 weeks (among them: Sean Tabares, Jan Caruana, Kris Siddiqi, Julie Dumais, Colin Munch, Adam Cawley, Aurora Browne, James Gangl & Ashley Botting)

PERFORMANCE SERIES

Classes in our performance series are for intermediate and advanced improvisers and combine the safety and freedom of a classroom/rehearsal environment with the practical real time experience of applying what is learned in front of a live audience.

Entry into Performance Stream classes is by application, invitation or audition. We will be building small ensembles and it is important that the participants are a good fit with each other and the objectives of each class or project.

Basic Performance Series class structure:

• 8 weeks of class/rehearsal (2 hours per week)
• 4 weeks of live performances running concurrently with the last 4 weeks of class/ rehearsal
• Feedback following each performance from both the class instructor/director and a second faculty member offering an audience perspective independent of the class objectives

We’re kicking off 2012 with a fresh approach to classes, coaching, workshops and shows!

FOUNDATION SERIES

At the core of Bad Dog’s improv training program is our three-level Foundation Series. These classes are where we tackle the basics… the meat and potatoes of improvising… the bricks and mortar of building scenes. Our Foundation Series sets the table for our intermediate, advanced and performance-oriented workshops & classes – everything from shortform & competitive improvisation (featured in our flagship show: Theatresports) to longform genre pieces (like our critically acclaimed Dreadwood and BattleAwesome Awesomestar) to musical improvisation (like Troubadour!) to more experimental formats (like Toronto Secrets)…

You won’t be a master of improvisation after taking the Foundation Series… but you should have just that: a foundation. A basic vocabulary. Something to build on, whether you are looking to become a more confident performer or just find a greater comfort level thinking creatively or speaking in public.

Click on any of the start dates below for class details and registration information.

FOUNDATION 1: BEGINNINGS
When it is: Saturdays from 2pm-5pm starting January 28 OR Thursdays from 6-9pm starting January 26
How long it runs: 7 weeks
Where it takes place: Saturdays @ Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.) // Thursdays @ Fraser Studios (115 Danforth Ave.)
How much it costs: $245 (HST included)

FOUNDATION 2: MIDDLES
When it is: Saturdays from 11am-2pm starting January 28
How long it runs: 7 weeks
Where it takes place: Saturdays @ Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.)
How much it costs: $245 (HST included)

FOUNDATION 3: (ODDS &) ENDS
When it is: not running this term, expected start date is May 2012
How long it runs: 7 weeks
Where it takes place: Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.)
How much it costs: $245 (HST included)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORKSHOPS
When it is:  Saturdays from 2-4pm starting January 28 OR Sundays from 12-2pm starting January 29 OR Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm starting February 22 
How long it runs: 4 weeks
Where it takes place: Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.)
How much it costs: $100 (HST included)

PERFORMANCE SERIES
Basic Performance Series class structure:

• 8 weeks of class/rehearsal (2 hours per week)
• 4 weeks of live performances running concurrently with the last 4 weeks of class/ rehearsal
• Feedback following each performance from both the class instructor/director and a second faculty member offering an audience perspective independent of the class objectives

PERFORMANCE SERIES: PLAY! with Kris Siddiqi
Who it’s for: experienced improvisers who are comfortable with scenework & direction (by application)
When it is: workshop component - Sundays from 2-4pm starting January 29 / performance component – Tuesdays at 8pm for 4 weeks starting February 21
How long it runs: 8 weeks
Where it takes place: Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.)
How much it costs: $200 (HST included)

PERFORMANCE SERIES: Put Down Your Script with Colin Munch
Who it’s for: experienced performers who do not have a background in improvisation
When it is: workshop component - Tuesdays from 6-8pm starting January 31 / performance component – Tuesdays at 8pm for 4 weeks starting February 21
How long it runs: 8 weeks
Where it takes place: Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.)
How much it costs: $200 (HST included)