Training Policies & procedures

Registration Information
  • Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.
  • Space in classes is limited.
  • FCI reserves the right to change instructors when necessary. Specific instructors are not guaranteed.
  • Tuition is due in full upon registration.

Fees/Discounts are as follows:

  • $20 off for Early Registration (usually 4-weeks prior to first class, see individual class page)
  • $25 Late Registration fee (usually 5 days prior to first class, see individual class page)
  • $30 Returned Check fee

No refunds will be given unless class is cancelled (or rescheduled) by the training center.  

Registered students who notify the office at least 14 days before a class session begins that they cannot attend the class in which they are enrolled will be eligible for a class credit, which is good for 6 months from the date of original payment. Any notifications that come in later than that day cannot be guaranteed future class credit.  Future classes, or space in classes, cannot be guaranteed.

Upon completion of a term, advancement to the next class level is not automatic. Each student is individually evaluated by their instructor and given a recommendation to advance or repeat the level, based on the goals of the current level as well as attendance records. If a student repeats a level, tuition is discounted by 30% off the full enrollment price, this discount can only be applied ONCE. All other times repeating a class will be eligible only for early bird discount.

Students enrolled in two or more classes in the same term receive a 20% discount off the full price of the additional classes.

Classes that do not meet minimum enrollment of 7 students may be cancelled. 

Maximum enrollment is 14 students in Levels 1-3, 12 students in Levels 4-5, and 10 students in Level 6. Elective classes may have different enrollment maximums.

Attendance

Improv is an ensemble process and is learned best by doing and observing. You are expected to be at class every week. Missing more than 20 minutes of any class will be counted as an absence.

If you miss more than two classes, you may not be allowed to advance to the next class.  If the same level is currently offered on a different day, students may make-up 1 class in this other section if there is space available.  Contact the training center manager in advance.

Auditing / Guests

Visitors are not allowed in class.  No exceptions.

Housekeeping

Wear shoes in class. No food or drink (other than water) in the classrooms. Please pick up your trash as you leave the classroom. Upon entry to the classroom, cellphones should be off (not on vibrate) to limit distractions in class.

Show Viewing

Each class has specific suggestions for the number of shows students should see during the session.  Viewing shows is an important component of learning.  These can be at any improv theater.  Shows will be discussed in class.  Students are issued a punchcard for 6 free admissions to regular shows at FCI, plus 2 guest admissions!

Parking

Parking is available on the adjacent streets.  

Suggested Reading

  • Improvisation for the Theater (3rd Ed.), Viola Spolin
  • The Second City Almanac of Improvisation, Anne Libera
  • Sanford Meisner on Acting, Sanford Meisner
  • Truth in Comedy, Charna Halpern, Del Close, & Kim “Howard” Johnson
  • Improvising Better, Jimmy Carrane & Liz Allen
  • Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out, Mick Napier
  • The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual. Besser, Roberts, Walsh
  • Relax, We’re All Just Making This Stuff Up! , Amy Lisewski