Reasons to Join an Improv Class

When you watch an improv show, you may be amazed at how skillfully the performers move about the stage while maintaining witty banter with one another. It can be hard to believe the lines they are speaking are from the top of their heads and not from a pre-written script. Improv is difficult, but taking classes in improvisation can be beneficial to the students in professional, personal, and even emotional ways.

Read on to discover why taking an improv class may be just what you need!

1. You want to kick off a career in comedy or grow as a stage performer. Many of the greats got their start in improv, and specifically at The Second City. Bill Murray, Amy Poehler, Steve Carrell and many more began on our stage, and who knows, you could be the next Saturday Night Live cast member or comedy star!
2. You want a fun hobby to take your mind off of other responsibilities. From your nine-to-five job to other responsibilities you must take on each day, you need a place to unwind and leave the not-so-fun stuff behind. An improv class is a great way to blow off some steam and enjoy some laughs. Not to mention, you will meet plenty of friends in your class that you can learn and grow with!
3. You want to improve your self-confidence or improve public speaking skills. It can be frightening to stand up on a stage and perform in front of fellow actors and an audience, especially when you don’t have a script to follow. Improv classes are a great way to gain confidence and feel more comfortable speaking to a group of people. After all, your fellow members are in the same boat as you, so you don’t have to worry about feeling silly or scared of failure. If a joke doesn’t land, your peers will support young help you for the next time. You’ll be getting everyone laughing in no time, which can be a great boost in confidence.
4. You want to better your interactions and relationships with others. Being able to think quickly and respond effectively to others is incredibly important in day-to-day communication. You must listen to and understand one another to form meaningful relationships, whether it be with family members, friends, potential partners and coworkers. We often go into meetings or social gatherings with certain expectations, but much of the time they do not go as expected, so we must adapt accordingly. The act of improvisation involves a lot of back-and-forth between actors and thinking on your feet. Your scene partner may take the conversation in a completely different direction, and you’ve got to be prepared. A lot of patience is also necessary in improv; you have to pay attention to what is happening around you and take it all in.

Ready to experience the benefits from improv classes? There is no better place to do so that The Second City. Our Chicago comedy club has been around for more than 50 years, training students and showcasing performances to all kinds of people. Learn more about our available improv classes for adults and kids or register today on our website.