(a.k.a. — Facilitating Productive Conversations for Critical Reflection) Improv classes are places of experiential learning. Instructors lead students through specific experiences and then facilitate reflections, or debriefs, on activities to build skills and knowledge*. This process, combined with watching and practicing improv, is the most effective way to empower improv students to … Read More
Zen of Improv Intensive with Pam Victor this September
Take the improv rules you’ve carefully learned. And throw ‘em out the window. What you need lies right in front of you. In this delicious two-day intensive, you’ll immerse yourself in a uniquely natural and self-affirming approach to discovery-based, longform improvisation. You’ll focus on being more aware of the scene … Read More
Jennie Olson Six on Acting and “What I Wish I Would Have Known”
This guest post comes from Jennie Olson Six, one of our talented ensemble members, amazing and therapeutic yoga teacher, and teacher for a very special engagement with Finest City Improv: Business of Acting Jennie is truly a person that I would recommend spending time with in any capacity. Her words of … Read More
Let’s Celebrate!!! I’m giving away presents!
Finest City Improv training center just celebrated our 500th student enrollment! 500 people have said “Yes! And…” to more fun, more funny, and a more fearless life by joining our community of students and playing with us every week. Plus, on May 10th I celebrated my birthday. I was reminded me … Read More
Say “hello!” to our newest teaching staff!
Finest City Improv is proud to host some of San Diego’s top improv teaching talent. We are lucky to have them work each term with a new crop of students, teaching new ways to see improv and performance. Taking classes at FCI is a blast due to these teachers’ talent, … Read More
Yes! And…. Add more action to your life right now!
Why do improvisers say “Yes! And…” all the time? For decades, improvisers have been studying and practicing the best techniques for creating action from unlimited possibilities to “create something wonderful right away.” When we begin a scene we have absolutely no idea what is going to happen. We simply get a … Read More
Mistakes and Doubts
by Tommy Galan Even after 25 years of stage performance, I still feel like I screw up constantly. Being on a house team at Finest City only helps reinforce the feeling that I’m a fraud and any day now, they will figure me out. Before a recent Bicoastal show, Matt … Read More
The Pressure is on. Do you EXPLODE or SHINE?
Pressure. We feel it every time we have an IMPORTANT meeting or a BIG presentation. These are the moments that we lose sleep over. Our heart begins to race, our palms sweat, or minds begin racing, our legs become weak, our stomach does flips. We are like a balloon being forced … Read More
5-hour Master Class with Jay Sukow!
In 2014 I had the privilege of taking a week long improv course in Chicago with TJ Jagodowski, Susan Messing, Jimmy Carrane, Jay Sukow and Rich Sohn. What an amazing week that was! All of the instructors were wonderful but especially Jay Sukow. He is one of those rare performers … Read More