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Give the gift of fun! The Bad Dog has gift certificates available. Email ralph@baddogtheatre.com for more information.
This is our Adult Class schedule for the September/October 2010 term.
Please check back in the coming weeks for class descriptions and times. This page was last updated on September 2nd, 2010.
Classes are open to those 18 years of age and older. Classes are $245, including HST, and last 7 or 8 weeks (three hours or two-and-a-half hours per week), depending on the class taken. There is a $25 discount for a second class taken in the same term. If you register and pay by the Early Bird deadline of Friday, September 3rd you'll qualify for our Early Bird rate of $225 including HST. Click the questions below for more information and read on for descriptions of classes we'll be offering.
Do you have previous improv experience?
For anyone who has previous improv or performing experience
and wants to gain entry into a Foundation class other than Level 100, an
Intermediate series class, or an Advanced class; we run pre-registration
workshops before each round. Once we view your work in this workshop, we will
make a recommendation on a suitable class. Email ralph@baddogtheatre.com to
confirm a time.
Preregistration Workshops are held at the following times at the Bad Dog
Theatre in advance of the March/April 2010 session. You are required to stay
for up to one hour.
Tuesday, August 31st at 7pm in our main theatre space
Wondering where to begin?
Check out our Foundation Series
below -- our Level 100 class is the perfect introduction to
improvisation. And remember, if you have any questions at all , don't
hesitate to drop us a line by clicking
here.
How do I register?
You can register for classes online by clicking the register
icon - 
next to the class you're
interested in. If no icon appears, as with the Advanced Series, you must drop us an
email.
Want more information?
View the FAQ
page.
You can also read our Student
Handbook.
The Bad Dog Refer-a-Friend Discount
We're pleased to announce the Bad Dog Refer-A-Friend
discount. To be eligible for the discount, the following conditions apply...
- You're only eligible for one discount per session
- Referred student must not have previously studied at the Bad Dog
- You must be in, or have taken a Bad Dog class to qualify
- The $25 is only a discount towards a future class - it has no cash value.
- Cannot be combined with any other discount (early bird rate, repeating class,
CAEA/Equity discount, etc)
Make sure when your friend signs up that they give us your name and contact
info. This offer is valid beginning in September 2006 until further notice.
FOUNDATION SERIES
Click Here For Details
This is where most of our students begin their journey
through improvisation. We've been teaching our foundation series of classes for
over 20 years, and that means each of them are practical, well-taught, and
most of all, FUN. Whether you are an actor looking to be more effective in
auditions, a Mom looking for a great night out away from the kids, or anyone in
between, these classes are for you. Improv has been described as
"Something wonderful right away" -- come find out why.
The overall objective of the Foundation Series is to teach the skills necessary
to build an improvised scene. We will show you how to work as a team, how to
generate ideas, how to tell compelling stories, and how to have fun.
Level 100 - No experience required (Repeat level 1/2 price)
Introduction To Bad Dog Improv. Bad Dog’s unique style of improv is founded on
positivity, teamwork, and finding the ‘game of the scene’. Level 100 shows you
how to overcome doubt and fear and find the thrill that comes with spontaneous
creation. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and utilizing basic scene
skills, including the value of having fun. Lots of laughs,support, and positive
feedback.
Level 100 with Cary
West.
Tuesdays from 7:30pm to 10pm. Begins September 7th.
Level 200 - Prerequisite Level 100 or permission of the Workshop
Director (Repeat level 1/2 price)
Level 200 focuses on setting a platform, building a narrative, agreement,
environment, and physical action.
Level 200 with Jane
Luk.
Sundays from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Begins September 12th. No Class October
10th.
Level 300 focuses on character and relationship. This includes status,
point of view, emotion, and personalising choices in order to heighten what's
at stake. You will be exposed to techniques to help you build a real character
(not a caricature or stereotype).
Level 300 with Gord
Oxley.
Thursdays from 7:30pm to 10pm. Begins September 9th.
Level 400 - Requires successful completion of Level 300 or Permission of
the Workshop Director (Repeat level 1/2 price)
Level 400 focuses on advanced narrative and scene work including starting
scenes in the middle, raising stakes, and endings.
Level 400 with Sean
Browning.
Tuesdays from 7:30pm to 10pm. Begins September 7th.
INTERMEDIATE SERIES
Click Here For Details
The Intermediate Series - Requires successful completion of Level 400 or Permission
of the Workshop Director. Students from outside Bad Dog who wish to start here
must attend one of the Pre-Registration Workshops. Dates and times will be
announced soon. Email ralph@baddogtheatre.com to confirm a time.
There are two overall objectives of the Intermediate Series Classes (formerly
Extended Series). The first is to develop and perfect the skills necessary to
perform successfully on stage whether you've recently completed the Foundation
Classes or have been at improv for a while. The second is to provide continuing
improv classes for individuals who have little desire to be professional
improvisers or make it into Bad Dog Mainstage shows, that is, those who are
more interested in the fun aspects of improv. Students in the Intermediate
Series are encouraged to sign up for That Friday Show (among others) if they so
desire.
The Art of Theatresports/Short Form with Marcel St. Pierre.
Mondays from 7pm to 10pm.. Begins September 13th. No Class October 11th.
In this class you will learn the art of playing Theatresports and short form
improv for audiences. Short form improv and particularly improv games are the
cornerstones for doing corporate improv which allows improvisers to earn money.
We will focus on working an audience, building an entertaining show, taking
effective suggestions, and the art of playing in a fun, entertaining why that
will make audiences love you. This class is suited for those who love improv
for the fun of it and those that wish to play better in That Friday Show, The
Next Big Thing, Theatresports, and Bad Dog Parody shows like Hairy Patter,
Twisted Christmas Carol, and It's a Wonderful Improvised Life.
Character I with Lisa
Merchant.
Wednesdays from 7:30pm to 10pm.. Begins September 8th.
Tired of coming to the stage with the same old "Sally" or the same
old "Sam"? Then it's time to explore different ways into new
characters or further polish present personas. This course will look at the
different components that make up character and the various
"triggers" to get you to that character. If you know WHO you are the
rest is a breeze!
ADVANCED SERIES
Click Here For Details
The Advanced Series - requires permission of the Workshop Director or passing
the audition at the times noted below (you must email to reserve a spot for
auditions). Existing Bad Dog Students MAY not need to audition with the
recommendation of a member of the faculty. To gain admittance to the audition, email
the Workshop Director at ralph@baddogtheatre.com - NO AUDITION CRASHING IS
ALLOWED.
TBA
The objective of the Advanced Series is to work on performance skills with a
group who has similar skills and similar goals. It will also cover skills
needed to gain entrance in the Master Series. As such, students in this series
are STRONGLY encouraged to sign up for That Friday Show as often as possible -
as well, other performing opportunities will be made available.
*** Audition required for students who wish to take Advanced Series Classes
***
*** Click above for more details.***
SPECIALTY SERIES
Click Here For Details
The Specialty Series - Unless indicated below there are no special prerequisites
required for taking Specialty Series Classes. Email workshops@baddogtheatre.com
if you have any questions.
WRITING SERIES
Click Here For Details
The Writing Series - Unless indicated below there are no special prerequisites
required for taking Writing Series Classes. Email workshops@baddogtheatre.com
if you have any questions.
Sketch
Comedy Writing 1 with Jerry
Schaefer
In
this class, students will learn strategies for overcoming blocks and
stimulating creativity, as well as the skills needed to create dynamic comic
characters that drive scenes. In-class writing exercises and short scene
assignments will help students create finished pieces that will be presented in
a staged reading. Positive, practical feedback from a professional sketch
comedy writer working in the industry will help you get started and focus the
skills you already have.
Sketch Comedy Writing 2 with Jerry Schaefer
In this level, students will use the skills learned in Sketch Comedy Writing 1
to develop a deeper understanding of scene structure. This class will also
expose students to several new ways of writing successful and marketable sketch
comedy. Students will create scenes for a sketch comedy showcase in which they
will perform, if they choose, or see their work presented by other actors
studying at the Bad Dog.
Sketch
Comedy Writing 3 with Jerry
Schaefer
The
final class in this series will explore more complex scene structures and will
address the creative and practical challenges that arise in professional
settings. Students will continue to produce new pieces and learn how to revise
material with an eye to creating polished writing samples. As in the previous
level, the class will have an opportunity to showcase their work in a show.
MASTER SERIES
Click Here For Details
The objective of the Master Series is to bring your game to
a whole new level by putting you with a group of very advanced peers. The Bad
Dog Faculty and Mainstage Performers are regular participants in the Master
Series Classes.
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