Improv
People avoid improv because they think it means being funny on demand in front of strangers. It does not. A beginner class is a room of equally nervous adults doing structured exercises, and the first rule is that you are not there to be clever — you are there to agree with your partner and build something.
The techniques, and how they differ
Studios list all of these as “improv”. They are not the same evening.
"Yes, and"
Accept what your scene partner establishes, then add to it. The foundation of everything.
Good for The whole point. It is a listening skill, not a comedy skill, which is why companies use it for training.
Short-form
Games with rules and a time limit — the format most people know from television.
Good for Fast, silly, low-stakes. Most intro classes.
Long-form
A single unscripted piece built from one suggestion, running 20–30 minutes.
Good for The serious craft. Usually a multi-week course, and where people get hooked.
Character & scene work
Building a person and a relationship rather than chasing jokes.
Good for Where improv stops being frightening and starts being interesting.
If it's your first time, book this one
A one-off "intro to improv" or "improv 101" drop-in. Nobody in the room is good yet, and that is the entire design.
Before you go
What to wear
Clothes you can move in. You will be on your feet.
What your hands do
Nothing to hold and nothing to hide behind, which is exactly why it is scary and why it works.
Do you take something home
Nothing physical. Improv is the one craft here where you leave with only the thing you learned.