Fundamentals of Improv 1: Power in Authenticity

NOTE: No matter the Covid level, this course is definitely on. If we can't meet in person, we do it online. While it's different, the connections, sponteneity and fun still grow from class to class.

The Heart of It

Are you looking to develop your confidence – on stage and off – and meet amazing people doing the same? At Improv Connection, we make our audiences buckle over with laughter (and sometimes tears), but not because we go for the gag. Instead, we use raw emotion to drive our scenes, building easy, fun, relatable, grounded, and surprising journeys together; and build a great community in while doing it – in Wellington and beyond!

Fundamentals of Improv 1: Power in Authenticity is the intro course for our 7-level program, designed to give you all the tools you need to perform & grow into the best theatrical improviser you can be. Fundamentals 1 is designed to familiarise you with our emotionally-grounded improv techniques. Everyone from improv newbies to  seasoned veterans have found Fundamentals 1 a great start to this approach, as our approach is a bit different, and we teach each student at their own skill level and pace.

If you want to join an improv community of people learning to use their full emotional range to produce amazing improvised theatre — where we strive to make a safe container for everyone to do so at their own pace — apply now for the upcoming session! 

Basic Package – Course

Teacher: Ben Zolno, Improv Connection Founder

Dates:  Wednesdays, 6 October 2021 – 1 December 2021 with one week off for October 13 for the NZ Improv Festival

Course Format: Once a week classes, 8 weeks, 3 hours a piece, starting around 6PM. We focus on lessons in the class. For more practice with the whole community, see our Bonus Package below.

Shows: 2 – one midterm, the other after the final class. 

Bonus Class: "Improv Rules" class/Q&A taught by improv greats from around the world.

Social Connection: Membership to Facebook group for connecting with other improv students and to further your learning. In addition to celebrating after each of our shows, we share, cross promote, and go to other shows together. We also meet regularly for informal jams and rehearsals.

Documentation: Detailed notes are emailed to you after most classes. Photos, audio, and/or video of every show, for you to learn from, and share your improv play with family & friends. 

Clear Pathway: There are 6 subsequent courses available beyond Fundamentals of Improv 1. Each class is designed to fully hone your skills, optimize your gifts, and if you like, get you performing right here in Wellington!

Location: Courses are held at 12 King Street, Mt Cook.  Shows are in CBD, exact location and time TBA.

Optional: One-on-Ones: Extra focus and rehearsal, opportunity to supercharge your progress, and Workouts (see below)

Bonus Package – Course + Term Pass

Our community gets half our progress through repetition – scene after scene after scene at our Weekly Workout Sessions.  To save now and be auto-enrolled in all eight Sessions (7:30PM–9:30PM on Mondays), you can book a Term Pass in addition to registering for the course at a $25 discount. This option saves you even more money on the Workouts than the Term Pass alone! We highly recommend this package for students of all experiences levels that want some extra practice, fun, and community connection.

Payment & Refund Policy

To maximise participation, we offer scholarships to those who can not afford to pay the full amount.  If you need a scholarship, please contact us about a scholarship by using the contact form, and we'll try to work something out. We've never turned away a student due to lack of funds.

We reserve the right to choose the students who are a good fit for our program. If we do accept you into the course, your payment will secure your spot, and you're set to go!

If we are unable to accommodate you in the course as an applicant, your fee will be refunded within 24 hours.  

If you join us in the course, but leave the course after your first class session, your payment is refundable, minus an administration fee of $100.  

No refunds are offered after the second class session begins. 

All course fees are GST inclusive.