How to Be Improv Teacher - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The lack of education and training in the field of improvisation can lead to a decline in the quality of performances. This lack of knowledge can cause performers to become unconfident and hesitant when performing, leading to stilted or stagnant scenes. without the proper training, performers may fail to take full advantage of the potential for collaboration and spontaneity that improvisation can provide.

To ensure that performers are able to effectively utilize the techniques of improvisation, it is important that improv teachers provide ample instruction and practice opportunities. By doing so, performers will be able to develop a sound understanding of improvisation and be able to generate more creative, entertaining, and collaborative scenes.

Steps How to Become

  1. Obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. This may include education, theater, or communication.
  2. Participate in improv classes or workshops. Participating in improv classes is the best way to learn the basics of improvisation and gain experience with it.
  3. Get certified as an improv teacher. There are many organizations that offer certification programs. These programs will teach you how to teach improv classes, how to create lesson plans, and how to evaluate student performance.
  4. Develop a portfolio of improv teaching materials. This should include sample lesson plans, exercises, and other materials that demonstrate your knowledge of improvisation and teaching.
  5. Network with potential employers. Look for local theater companies, schools, and comedy clubs that are in need of improv teachers.
  6. Market yourself as an improv teacher. Create a website or blog that features your teaching portfolio and contact information. Consider creating a social media presence to promote your services as well.
  7. Teach improvisation classes or workshops. Once you have established yourself in your area, you can begin teaching regular classes or workshops. You may also be able to find work traveling to different locations to teach improv classes.

Staying up-to-date and qualified as an improvisational teacher requires a significant amount of work. Staying informed on the latest teaching methods, trends and technologies, as well as taking continuing education courses, is essential. Keeping up with these elements can be challenging, but is necessary to ensure that students receive the best and most up-to-date instruction.

The result of this commitment is that students benefit from learning the most modern techniques, and teachers remain qualified and respected in their profession. having a professional network of fellow teachers can be a great resource for staying informed and learning about new teaching methods.

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Job Description

  1. Improv Teacher: Prepare and instruct students in improvisational comedy techniques, including comedy writing and character development.
  2. Improv Coach: Guide students through improvisational exercises, offer constructive feedback, and provide support and encouragement.
  3. Improv Director: Oversee rehearsals, provide direction to the cast, and ensure that the show runs smoothly.
  4. Improv Promoter: Reach out to potential audiences, create promotional materials, and book venues for performances.
  5. Improv Producer: Plan and coordinate all aspects of production, including script writing, casting, budgeting, and scheduling.
  6. Improv Workshop Facilitator: Design and lead workshops on improv topics, such as scene work or comedic timing.
  7. Improv Event Coordinator: Organize improv-related events, such as competitions or tournaments.
  8. Improv Judge: Assess the quality of improv performances and determine a winner at tournaments or competitions.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Knowledge of improvisation techniques and principles
  2. Ability to assess students’ improvisational skills and tailor instruction accordingly
  3. Experience teaching improvisational acting to a variety of ages and skill levels
  4. Ability to create and maintain a safe, supportive, and fun learning environment
  5. Ability to provide constructive feedback and guidance to students
  6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  7. Understanding of basic theatre terminology and concepts
  8. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  9. Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks
  10. Knowledge of basic theatre production techniques, such as lighting, sound, etc.

The most important skill to have as an improv teacher is the ability to think quickly and come up with creative solutions in the moment. This involves a combination of knowledge of improvisation techniques, understanding of how to use those techniques in different situations, and the capacity to adapt to unexpected scenarios. Improv teachers must also possess excellent communication skills, as they need to be able to explain complicated concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

Furthermore, they must be able to lead a group of students with diverse backgrounds and interests. Finally, having an open mind and willingness to take risks is essential, as it allows teachers to come up with new ideas and push the boundaries of improvisation. When these skills are combined and effectively utilized, improv teachers can help their students learn valuable lessons and gain confidence in their own creative abilities.

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Frequent Interview Questions

  • What led you to pursue a career in teaching improv?
  • What experience do you have teaching improv?
  • Describe your teaching style and approach to teaching improvisation.
  • What steps do you take to ensure that your students understand the concepts of improv?
  • How do you utilize improvisation in your classes to promote creativity and collaboration?
  • What strategies do you use to help your students become more comfortable with improv?
  • How do you use improv to help your students develop their communication skills?
  • What have been some of your most successful teaching moments?
  • How do you handle challenging situations in the classroom?
  • How do you keep your classes interesting and engaging?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Improv Games. A collection of games and activities used to help students practice improvisation skills (e. g. “Yes, And”).
  2. Creative Writing Prompts. A list of ideas used to inspire students to come up with their own writing (e. g. “Describe a place you’ve never been”).
  3. Role-Play Exercises. Scenarios and ideas for students to act out and practice different characters and dialogue (e. g. “A customer and a shopkeeper”).
  4. Scene Analysis. Instructional materials that help students understand the structure of a scene and how to analyze it (e. g. “What is the main conflict?”).
  5. Performance Evaluation Rubric. A checklist of criteria used to assess student performances (e. g. “Did the student communicate clearly?”).

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH)
  2. American Comedy Institute
  3. National Comedy Theater
  4. International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS)
  5. National Improv Network (NIN)
  6. International Institute for Improvisation (IIF)
  7. ComedySportz
  8. The Groundlings
  9. Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB)
  10. National Association for Campus Activities (NACA)

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Common Important Terms

  1. Short Form. A type of improvisation where scenes are created with predetermined structure and rules.
  2. Long Form. A type of improvisation where scenes develop organically without a set structure or rules.
  3. Improv Game. A game or exercise used to practice improvisational skills, often involving a specific set of rules.
  4. Character Work. The development of a character to be used in an improvisational scene.
  5. Group Work. Working with a group to create an improvisational scene, often involving collaboration and compromise.
  6. Object Work. The use of physical objects to create a scene or story in improvisation.
  7. Scene Work. The creation and playing of a scene in improvisation, often with an established beginning, middle, and end.
  8. Listening. The act of actively listening to other players in an improvisational scene and responding accordingly.
  9. Agreement. The act of accepting and building off of ideas in an improvisational scene, often leading to a more successful outcome.
  10. Yes-And. A common principle in improv where players must accept ideas and build off of them, creating a stronger scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of Improv Teacher?

The primary goal of Improv Teacher is to help people develop their improvisational skills and become more confident in their ability to create and perform.

How many courses does Improv Teacher offer?

Improv Teacher offers 8 courses covering topics such as improvisation basics, character development, story structure, and more.

What are the benefits of taking an Improv Teacher course?

Taking an Improv Teacher course can help you become a better improviser, develop your creativity, and gain confidence in your performance skills.

Does Improv Teacher offer online classes?

Yes, Improv Teacher offers both in-person and online classes.

What is the cost of an Improv Teacher course?

The cost of an Improv Teacher course varies depending on the length and content of the course. Generally, courses range from $50 to $200.

Web Resources

  • Improv for Educators | Harvard Graduate School of Education www.gse.harvard.edu
  • Improv instructor teaches students how to roll with the punches arts.vcu.edu
  • Improvisation in Education - Penn State College of Medicine med.psu.edu
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