Cloud Atlas (6 Week Course)
Inspired by David Mitchell's critically acclaimed novel, Cloud Atlas tells an epic tale of humanity in six separate storylines and six time eras. . Cloud Atlas is a perfect improv showpiece for big groups - hitting all different corners of stage picture, scenic tones, tempo and style - and develops improvisers’ skills in group focus and support. Best for international mixed casts to represent a human voyage through culture and time.
Improv for Introverts
Do you like to watercolor on your own? Do you get lost in Haruki Murakami's books? Do you think of Star Trek's prime directive or draw Back to the Future timelines? Do you cherish your alone time, but don’t see how this relates to improv? Quirky hobbies are excellent tools for improvisation! In this workshop, we will use your unique knowledge to create easy scenes which are human and relatable. You will be happy to share your favorite passions, and love yourself for being an introvert.
Improv Across Cultures
There’s never been a better time to hear stories from Western and Eastern culture. The world is a cauldron of inspiration for improv. But how do you bring out your culture? How do you treat others with respect?
We share our stories and connect as humans around a campfire. You’ll appreciate the world’s many cultures and be happy of the wonderful mosaic that is you.
Dr. Aree's Scene Fix-It
DIagnose your troubles, give notes to your scenes and be happier with your improv.
East West Status Best
In improv, we are taught to play with status. In Asia, we breathe status. Status is our daily life. Why not inject these fine nuances from the East into our scenes? For Western improvisers, this class is a refreshing take on status. Meanwhile, Eastern improvisers will laugh at how natural our lives transfer onto the stage with a few modern improv techniques.
Hobby Anime
This genre class focuses on Japanese anime! But not just any anime, a specific anime where you battle each other in ridiculous ways. Do dramatic yet funny and behave like real characters in Japanese style improv in a grounded way.
Fairy Tales from the East
Trade stories from all around the world - and make new ones! This workshop focuses on bringin to life the folklores and legends you grow up in other cultures.
Pirate! Robot! Ninja!
Do you like to attack a scene with reckless abandon? Or do you like to analyze the cold logic of a scene? Or do you like to stay hidden in the shadow, ready for a precision strike? The best improv teams need all three to make it work. A pirate to charge without fear, a robot to keep the ship steady and a ninja to round your set into a masterpiece. In this 2-day workshop, I will show you how to shape-shift between roles, enhance your natural strengths and be an all-rounded improviser.
Recommended experience: 1-5 years.
“The workshop was really well prepared! Soaked in improv-wisdom, scene magic and with the mastery of functions of Pirate, Robot & Ninja well explained, demonstrated in a practical ‘this is how and why’ - throughout the workshop from start to finish. Two days in improv paradise !!!” - Øyvind Bedringås, Norway
Being a Dream Partner
Be someone everyone wants to play with. We look at how to be engaging, happy and fun partner. Good improvisers should be able to play with anyone - no matter if they are veterans or beginners, we can always elevate our partner and make them look good. You’ll learn advanced listening and group mind, but most of all, the right attitude to do good improv. Soon enough, everyone will want you to be part of their team.
Recommended experience: 0-5 years
“Great workshop that helped me become a better team player. If you think this workshop is not for you, you probably need it badly.” — Øyvind D, Level 2 student
Breaking Down the Game
THE GAME is “what’s funny in the scene?”. One of the most talked about, yet elusive concept in improv. We break the mechanics of Game down into individual components with focused drills on setting up, framing, playing the quirky/straight guy, hammering the game, teleporting, mapping, weird worlds and more. By the end of the 1-2 day workshop, you should be able to sniff out interesting dynamics in your scene and use these ideas to enhance your own playing style.
Recommended experience: 1-4 years (intro), 3-7 years (advanced)
“Aree’s teaching creates a laid-back space where both experienced improvisers and beginners feel comfortable to push their boundaries and build their skills.” — Haley de Korne, LOOSE CONNECTIONS
Long Form / Short Form
LONGFORM/SHORTFORM
This workshops is geared towards practitioners of improvisers who regularly perform in both short form and short form. We want to bring the best of shortform into longform and the best of longform into short form.
Think longform and shortform improv are so different? Ha! They are the same! In this 3-part course we will explore that good improv works on both long and short. First we look at basics which are universal, like specificity and decision making. Then we use short-form games to develop habits of making bold moves and being one with crazy - which will spark electricity in your longform. Then we use long-form techniques to draw inspirations and finding themes - which transforms your staccato games into an orchestra. Over the course, you will find out your superpowers and put it all together.
Recommended: 5 years of long form or short form, combined
Masterclass: 2-prov
Improv duos are magical. It's the ultimate challenge for an improviser, with no one to save you and your partner. And boy, is it rewarding! Learn how to navigate the 2-person game, inspire each other and keep the scene rolling. In the end, create a 20-minute performance piece which you and your partner will be proud of. This workshop is personalized for each duo. It can be easy or challenging, based on you and your partner's experience.
Recommended experience: 2-7 years.
“One of my favourite two-day workshops ever! Great group. Great workshop. Great job, Aree! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆” — Kevin Gow, LOOSE CONNECTIONS
“Aree’s two-prov masterclass is one of the best improv workshops I’ve been to. He prepares thoroughly, gives excellent challenges and feedback, and builds up your speciality.” — Annika Herrestad, ARNIKA
Mo' People, No Problems
Scenes with many players get a bad reputation, when in fact, it is super fun! Big group scenes bring a lot of energy to your shows and give your team a great sense of unity. But often big group scenes get stuck and you’re confused how to contribute when everyone tries to pull the scene in different directions. Learn how to connect as a group, take turns sharing the spotlight, find the focus of the scene and build together in service of the scene. After one workshop, you’ll look forward to play with a lot players on stage.
Recommended experience: 0-5 years
“I found the workshop very instructive in giving tools for making multi-player scenes less chaotic and more fun.” — Dirk John, Level 2 student
Strong Characters & La Ronde
What’s improv without characters? In this workshop, we first explore archetypal characters from Commedia dell’arte and genre staples and use them to create unexpectedly funny dynamics. This leads to improvisation that comes from the body, freeing your mind and making improv easy. Character play is essential to play the improv format La Ronde, a long-form format that emphasizes relationships between characters, but it’s an amazingly versatile tool for practically every scene in improv.
Recommended experience: 1-7 years.
“The workshops are awesome. But that’s not surprising seeing the work Aree puts in preparing for it. I loved his attention to detail and the feedback he gives.” — Anonymous