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The Advanced Game of the Scene improv course is inspired by east coast theaters (UCB, BIG, & WIT), facilitated by Michael Hartwell. The Advanced course will focus on more nuanced consideration of GOTS (real-time decision-making, more honest resting/more inspired heightening/more unexpected exploring, organic vs. premise initiations, justifications, etc.) and more scene work, generally. This course will give you a chance to push deeper into the GOTS approach to learn more, grow more, and, most excitingly, play with other improvisers who have a similar foundation of knowledge/experience and will thus be operating with the same goals in mind, pushing you in new, mind-meldy ways!
Commitment will be key to this course as we will build skills and group mind from one week to the next. If you know you will need to miss more than one class, please do not sign up at this time.
Michael’s philosophy on longform: “I am most focused on Game of the Scene-style, pattern-based play, largely informed by the Upright Citizens Brigade. Each class will start with some warm-ups, followed by exercises rooted in scene work and world-building. Each class will end with a whole group set and notes, applying insights from the earlier exercises. In addition to what I have to share with you, I would love to discuss different insights and exercises from the group at large, too.”
Logistics for the course:
6 Sundays @11am-1:30pm, 11/2/25 - 12/7/25 at StartingBlock
Bonus rehearsal: Saturday, 12/13 @ 10am-12pm / StartingBlock
Showcase: Sunday, 12/14 @ 6-8:3pm (*likely Aubergine)
StartingBlock is located at 821 E Washington Ave
The Advanced Game of the Scene improv course is inspired by east coast theaters (UCB, BIG, & WIT), facilitated by Michael Hartwell. The Advanced course will focus on more nuanced consideration of GOTS (real-time decision-making, more honest resting/more inspired heightening/more unexpected exploring, organic vs. premise initiations, justifications, etc.) and more scene work, generally. This course will give you a chance to push deeper into the GOTS approach to learn more, grow more, and, most excitingly, play with other improvisers who have a similar foundation of knowledge/experience and will thus be operating with the same goals in mind, pushing you in new, mind-meldy ways!
Commitment will be key to this course as we will build skills and group mind from one week to the next. If you know you will need to miss more than one class, please do not sign up at this time.
Michael’s philosophy on longform: “I am most focused on Game of the Scene-style, pattern-based play, largely informed by the Upright Citizens Brigade. Each class will start with some warm-ups, followed by exercises rooted in scene work and world-building. Each class will end with a whole group set and notes, applying insights from the earlier exercises. In addition to what I have to share with you, I would love to discuss different insights and exercises from the group at large, too.”
Logistics for the course:
6 Sundays @11am-1:30pm, 11/2/25 - 12/7/25 at StartingBlock
Bonus rehearsal: Saturday, 12/13 @ 10am-12pm / StartingBlock
Showcase: Sunday, 12/14 @ 6-8:3pm (*likely Aubergine)
StartingBlock is located at 821 E Washington Ave