Galapagos Longform Improv Classes Galapagos presents classes in longform improvisation. Under the guidance of Galapagos instructors, students will learn & explore the principles of longform improvisation and scenework, with an emphasis on allowing playfulness, truth, and honest reactions fuel what is created on stage. Within a curriculum working toward longform improv performance, students are taught the power of making strong choices and working as an ensemble in a fun & positive environment. Over the course of eight weeks, each student will get plenty of stage time and receive highly individualized attention to work toward their personal goals. In pursuing the art of improvisation through these classes, actors, improvisors, and non-performers can unlock & further develop their natural skills & talents - these classes are for everyone! Teaching these classes are Bill Binder & José Gonzalez of Galapagos. Galapagos performs longform improv in Downtown Phoenix and around the valley & state, and recently performed at the Upright Citizen Brigade Theater's Del Close Marathon in New York City. what others have said about Galapagos: Eight-week classes: One week workshops: Classes are being held at The Trunk Space. The Trunk Space is located at 1506 NW Grand Avenue, on the corner of 15th Avenue, Grand, and Roosevelt in Downtown Phoenix. Class tuition for eight-week classes is $135 for 24 hours of instruction with flexible payment plans available. Tuition includes a final class performance. Galapagos Lab 1 - Beginning Longform Improv & Scenework Instructors: Bill Binder & José Gonzalez Class dates & time: Saturdays (1pm-4pm), starting August 18th Location: The Trunk Space Class performance: October 6th, 7pm @ The Trunk Space Cost: $135 (payment plans available) Class size: 14 students Prerequisite: None Lab 1 focuses on scenework from a longform perspective - strong scenes as the building blocks for great longform performances. Students will learn to make strong choices to create characters, relationships, & scenes, and further them through agreement, active listening, and committing to the moment truthfully. Galapagos Lab 2 - Intermediate Longform Improv, Scenework, & Harold I Instructors: Bill Binder & José Gonzalez Class dates & time: No classes currently scheduled Class size: 14 students Cost: $135 (payment plans available) Prerequisite: Lab 1 In Lab 2, the emphasis is on working as an ensemble, creating performances that are greater than the sum of its parts through choices made to support what's been created & group mind. Students will hone & deepen their scenework as they start to work with Harold, both as a structure and as a philosophy & gateway to true longform improv. Harold was created & developed by Del Close in San Francisco, with The Committee, and in Chicago at ImprovOlympic (now IO). The Danger Room Instructor: José Gonzalez Class dates & time: Saturday August 4th: 1-5pm Location: The Trunk Space Cost: $10 Class size: 8 students Prerequisite: None The Danger Room is essentially an exploration of the art of improvisation and your role within it as an artist. In the process of this journey, we'll prepare you for tackling scenes that are so much more than just people standing around on stage being clever & witty. We'll look at the importance and power of making choices with full commitment and integrity, the many dimensions of relationship, and finding playful inspiration in what you and your scene partners create. The Danger Room is designed to empower improvisors by moving us out of our comfort zones through exercises that stress deceptively simple fundamentals and techniques meant to challenge improvisors. Improvisation has many wonderful facets, but one of the most beautiful
and important is discovery. If you'd like to foster the limitless
potential of discovery within yourself and in your scenes, The Danger
Room awaits. Higher Forms of Agreement Instructor: Bill Binder Class dates & time: Saturday August 11th: 1-4pm Location: The Trunk Space Cost: $10 Class size: 8 students Prerequisite: None "Yes and" is more than an agreement to the facts of an improvised scene. Making the leap to great shows requires going beyond simple listening skills and learning to be aware of all the spoken and unspoken gifts of a scene. Through scene-based techniques and group-based exercises, this
three-hour workshop will teach improvisers to listen beyond the spoken
gifts in scenework and support the greater ideas of their fellow
performers. Students will learn to exercise a heightened awareness in
their scenes, discovering games and patterns in places they would have
never thought to look. These discoveries will not only surprise and
delight audiences, they'll make for a far more rewarding performance
experience.
Instructor Bios: Bill Binder is a Michigan native whose start in improv began as an adolescent and would continue with Michigan Tech University's The Troupe. Bill is an instructor with Apollo 12 Improv Theatre and the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company's youth improv troupe All Rights Reserved, as well as the co-director of Galapagos. Bill is the Executive Producer of the Phoenix Improv Festival and is an alumnus of the ImprovOlympic West in Hollywood, CA. José Gonzalez is a Phoenix native who received his start in acting & performance under bree williams (lower-case letters intentional). In addition to being the co-director of Galapagos, Jose occasionally partakes in solo performances and has a couple of other improvisational projects in the works. Jose helped develop & produce the Barrow Gang's Scattershot Tour & Hovercraft, a musical improv duo, and is an Associate Producer of the Phoenix Improv Festival. To register or for more information, please contact us by phone at 602-486-4976, or by email. |