How have thousands of San Diegans found more joy in their life?

Feels like home.

Finest City Improv will feel so much like home that you'll want to come here every single day of your life! What I found was THE BEST possible experience you can have in San Diego and I would recommend taking a class no matter who you are and what you do.

Mark L.

2016-02-05T12:26:06-08:00

Mark L.

Finest City fosters a chill, non-judgmental environment where you can truly have the most fun you have ever had and laugh hardest you've ever laughed.

I simply love it!

This class help in many aspects of my life. I simply love it!

Jesus M., Level 1 Student

2019-09-13T16:39:41-07:00

Jesus M., Level 1 Student

This class help in many aspects of my life. I simply love it!

No better way to meet fun and interesting people

There is no better way to meet fun and interesting people than an improv class. Jump in, the rabbit hole is deep enough for everyone.

Carl D

2019-09-13T16:51:17-07:00

Carl D

There is no better way to meet fun and interesting people than an improv class. Jump in, the rabbit hole is deep enough for everyone.

Enriches My Soul


Improv classes at FCI have given me a community, self-confidence and in the cheesiest sense, enriched my soul. This should be #1 on everyone’s bucket list!

Anushree Singh

2019-06-24T12:11:33-07:00

Anushree Singh

Improv classes at FCI have given me a community, self-confidence and in the cheesiest sense, enriched my soul. This should be #1 on everyone’s bucket list!

More youthful, confident version of myself.

The benefits of my classes at Finest City Improv have shown up in my life, and people have noticed. It's changed the way I react to stress, as well as how I see and respond to opportunity. It's been a joy to get reacquainted with a more youthful, confident version of myself.

Apple Bridges

2020-08-04T07:11:52-07:00

Apple Bridges

The benefits of my classes at Finest City Improv have shown up in my life, and people have noticed. It's changed the way I react to stress, as well as how I see and respond to opportunity. It's been a joy to get reacquainted with a more youthful, confident version of myself.

Also, it’s a hell of a lot of fun! 


Finest City Improv classes create such a welcoming environment for newcomers that it makes it a breeze to take that first step toward performing. Also, it's a hell of a lot of fun!

Steve M.

2019-12-05T15:40:07-08:00

Steve M.

Finest City Improv classes create such a welcoming environment for newcomers that it makes it a breeze to take that first step toward performing. Also, it's a hell of a lot of fun!

It’s magic!

These guys are dedicated and committed to fostering and growing improv skills among the finest people in the "FINEST" city! Make yourself vulnerable, get in a class, overcome your fear and tap into your creativity! It's magic!

James L.

2017-09-24T10:06:00-07:00

James L.

These guys are dedicated and committed to fostering and growing improv skills among the finest people in the "FINEST" city! Make yourself vulnerable, get in a class, overcome your fear and tap into your creativity! It's magic!

Improv recharges my “life battery…”

FCI has become more than a class, theatre, or an institution for me. This little community is part of me now, part of my life, and my family.  It makes my life better and recharges my life battery every weekend.

Amir Razeghi

2017-06-19T11:07:57-07:00

Amir Razeghi

FCI has become more than a class, theatre, or an institution for me. This little community is part of me now, part of my life, and my family.  It makes my life better and recharges my life battery every weekend.

I am amazed


Every week I am amazed at what we create in class!  I look forward to class at FCI as a highlight of the week. If I miss a week, I go through Improv withdrawal.

Kel Copeland
Retired aerospace program manager

2019-06-24T12:04:50-07:00

Kel Copeland
Retired aerospace program manager

Every week I am amazed at what we create in class!  I look forward to class at FCI as a highlight of the week. If I miss a week, I go through Improv withdrawal.

Non Stop Laughing

In Finest City Improv classes, I love the non-stop laughing, the fun people I meet, and the hilarious, compassionate instructors!
Heidi Breuer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Literature and Writing Studies
2019-06-24T12:11:00-07:00
Heidi Breuer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Literature and Writing Studies
In Finest City Improv classes, I love the non-stop laughing, the fun people I meet, and the hilarious, compassionate instructors!

I feel much better since I started doing improv

Since the very first moment I started doing improv I fell in love with it. This is a great tool to build your confidence, learn how to listen and support others, develop your imagination and at the same time get some laughs! My life has a different color and I feel much better since I started doing improv, and on top of that, it's an amazing community!

Marta T., student

2019-09-13T16:37:41-07:00

Marta T., student

Since the very first moment I started doing improv I fell in love with it. This is a great tool to build your confidence, learn how to listen and support others, develop your imagination and at the same time get some laughs! My life has a different color and I feel much better since I started doing improv, and on top of that, it's an amazing community!

One of the best decisions I’ve ever made

I was going through a divorce and realized that I could look at this as an opportunity to make a huge change to bettering myself and my life... Love, joy, friends, fun, teamwork,  self-improvement, community, wild opportunities...all because of improv!

Amy Nicole

2014-08-26T11:23:38-07:00

Amy Nicole

My life was changing, and improv helped me find self improvement, fun, and a family.

What we learn in improv carries over into real life, too.

I didn't know what to think about it after my first few classes, but I'm really liking it, and seeing how it improves my confidence. Besides making new friends and having fun, I'm also learning how to stretch my comfort zone, think on my feet, stay present, and build relationships.

Tommie Mooney

2017-06-19T11:11:31-07:00

Tommie Mooney

I didn't know what to think about it after my first few classes, but I'm really liking it, and seeing how it improves my confidence. Besides making new friends and having fun, I'm also learning how to stretch my comfort zone, think on my feet, stay present, and build relationships.

Everyone is equal and appreciated

The thing I love the most about FCI is that they include people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and nationalities! Everyone is equal and appreciated and improv is a positive uplifting activity.

Marguerite W., Graduate

2019-09-13T16:48:32-07:00

Marguerite W., Graduate

The thing I love the most about FCI is that they include people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and nationalities! Everyone is equal and appreciated and improv is a positive uplifting activity.

courageous, spontaneous, and comfortable

I started improv to laugh more and to help me socially - I didn't know anyone in San Diego so a reason certainly was to meet people and become part of the community. Improv still scares me, but everyday when I think about how far I've come and how many more risks I take. Plus I do laugh a lot more.

Niki K.

2016-02-05T15:32:14-08:00

Niki K.

I really did it to challenge myself and to do something totally outside of my comfort zone. I'm finally a person on the stage performing instead of someone in the audience longing to be that "courageous, spontaneous, and comfortable with themselves."

Finest City does a lot of be inclusive of new students

"Finest City does a lot to be inclusive of new students and warm. The classes are just so much fun and instructional."


Lisa R. Nelson

2021-09-08T00:39:49-07:00
"Finest City does a lot to be inclusive of new students and warm. The classes are just so much fun and instructional." Lisa R. Nelson

Beautiful, Freeing, Expressive…

Improv puts you in a place where there are no scripts and no pre planned stories. It is a beautiful freeing expressive act that will put you into a very childlike state, free to be.  You will soon realize that there is no better place to figure out life at.

Jessica Farber

2017-06-19T11:05:34-07:00

Jessica Farber

Improv puts you in a place where there are no scripts and no pre planned stories. It is a beautiful freeing expressive act that will put you into a very childlike state, free to be.  You will soon realize that there is no better place to figure out life at.

10/10 would recommend!


Kevin is an amazing teacher! What I like best about his instruction is that not only did I learn so much as a performer but as a whole group we really grew closer and more skilled. 10/10 would recommend!

Maggie O.

2019-12-05T15:21:19-08:00

Maggie O.

Kevin is an amazing teacher! What I like best about his instruction is that not only did I learn so much as a performer but as a whole group we really grew closer and more skilled. 10/10 would recommend!

We all became friends

It has been a joy to take your level 1 improv class! Thank you for teaching such a kick-ass improv class! It was a ton of fun and I really enjoyed it and I was amazed at how quickly we all became friends. FCI has what I have found to be essential to any art form - a performance space, great teachers, and a positive community.

Daniel Steinman

2014-10-13T11:39:56-07:00

Daniel Steinman

It has been a joy to take your level 1 improv class! Thank you for teaching such a kick-ass improv class! It was a ton of fun and I really enjoyed it. What a friendly, positive community the FCI crew have put together. I was amazed at how quickly we all became friends!

Creative flood gate


Improv class opens the creative flood gate that spills over into all aspects of life!

Joshua Garcia
Software Consultant
2019-06-24T12:05:44-07:00
Joshua Garcia
Software Consultant
Improv class opens the creative flood gate that spills over into all aspects of life!


They said "YES!" to improv!

Our intro classes are a great way to get started into our community of welcoming, fun, and charismatic people. The support of your new teammates will help you cultivate your own confidence in a laugh-filled environment. Plus, with free admission to shows and a chance to perform on stage, you will have the best seven weeks (or more!) of your life with us!

Meet some of our amazing friends in our monthly community spotlights, see fun behind-the-scenes antics on our Instagram, or come see for yourself with a 2-Hour Discover Improv class.


Join Us To

  • Laugh more
  • Play more
  • Develop more courage
  • Be more creative
  • And... even get on stage!

improv class series

Level 1: The Joy of Improv

Invite more creativity, spontaneity, and fun into your every day life. A super fun 2-hour class for 7-weeks with two shows - one mid-term show and one end-of-term class show.

Learn to play fun improv games and create hilarious 2-person scenes in a safe and friendly atmosphere. Collaborate with others, gain confidence, stay in the moment, and think on your feet. This class focuses on the seven essentials of improvisation: support & trust, energy & spontaneity, concentration, honesty & sincerity, listening & responding with emotion, agreement & heightening, and playing action.

Designed for anyone new to improv OR for anyone who has experience but is new to our Improv Series.

Learn more or choose your start date and start having more fun now!
Class/Show how dates are listed under specific class days



Level 2: More Improv, More Joy!

In this level you will expand on the fundamentals to discover even more playfulness and joy! You will learn dozens of more super fun improv games and follow your fears to find more ease in your scenework. Scene work focuses on trusting your partner, yourself, and the “rules of improv” to simply discover the fun in your scenes every time!
This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term. Every student is encouraged to participate in the first student/teacher show, Greenhorn..

Prerequisite: Completion of Level 1 or graduate of Second City, iO, or UCB improv program.

Choose your start date:



Level 3: Scenes & Montages

While continuing to practice the fundamentals of improvisation and learning even more awesome and fun games, you further develop your skills to create improv scenes in groups of two.

Instruction continues to focus on relationship, and discovering collaboratively while adding more character, game, and heightening. This class also works on some basic acting skills that are helpful in improvisation and using the stage and imaginary environment more. Three person scenes, more editing, and montages are also introduced. 

This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term.

Prerequisite: Completion of Level 2.

Choose your start date:



Level 4: Advanced Scenes

While continuing to practice the fundamentals of improvisation and learning even more fun games, you further develop your skills to create improv scenes as a duo or trio while being introduced to long-form improv structures.

Instruction continues to focus on relationship, and discovering collaboratively while adding more character, game, and heightening. You will stretch your skills in a challenging and fun environment as you begin to find your “improv voice.

You will learn about openings, La Ronde, side support, recognizing themes, and numerous improv “devices”. This class also works on some basic acting skills that are helpful in improvisation and using the stage and imaginary environment more.

This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term.

Prerequisite: Level 3

Choose your start date:




Level 5: Harold & Friends!

Learn ‘The Harold’ and other essential improv forms!

You will learn how to weave your scene work into a single long-form show. Performance skills are fine-tuned and essential show structures are studied. You are encouraged to make bold choices and act on inspiration with confidence.

This level has 2 class shows during the term.

Prerequisite: Completion of Level 4.

Choose your start date:


Level 6: Create Your Show!

Design and develop your unique comedic point of view within a show format. Receive feedback and direction from Finest City Improv instructors. Strengthen the long-form structure and put up your show on the Finest City Improv stage! This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term, plus an additional 2-Show run after graduation.

After completion of Level 6, you will receive a certificate of achievement and be considered an FCI improv program graduate!

Prerequisite: Completion of Level 5.

Choose your start date:


More WAYS TO PLAY & LEARN!

Electives in musical improv, clowning, and more are offered each term.

Drop-in classes and workshops for intermediate to advanced improvisers. Great one-time classes taught by our pros and guest visiting artists.

Plus, check the show calendar for open jams anyone can join.


Graduate Program

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Advanced Improv Performing and Learning Program for Grads

This program takes graduates of our core series and mentors them to gain more skills, experience, and opportunities in improvisation.

LEARN MORE


Learning & Performing Pathway at FCI

Finest City Improv is dedicated to growing and showcasing our community of diverse improv performers. We have created a clear and simple path to lots of stagetime and other opportunites within the organization.