WeirDass is a narrative long-form style of improv created by the iconic comedy duo Stephnie Weir and Bob Dassie. This form is loads of fun for both audiences and improvisers alike. The WeirDass enhances skills like listening, mirroring, creating characters, and building relationships onstage. Combining character duologues to inspire scene work, this form challenges and expands improvisers from all levels of experience. Over the course of this two hour workshop, participants will become familiar with the form and practice the skills necessary to perform a WeirDass (and they might act like one too). Emma Gordon will be the facilitator.
Emma is a recent graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and loves all things theater and improv! She grew up in theater and has been performing improv from a young age. Emma has experience hosting improv workshops of all experience levels and ages. She was recently the president of Interlochen’s recreational improv club as well as their improv team that performed in shows both on and off campus. She came across the WeirDass form in school, and it became the jumping off point to other long-form narrative improv that she still plays with today.
This workshop is aimed for improvisers with 4 or more improv classes who are ready to challenge themselves with a new form. Improvisers should be generally comfortable editing within a longform montage and developing a scene. More importantly, they should be ready to take risks and have some fun!
This workshop will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026 from 1-3pm at StartingBlock. StartingBlock can be a confusing place to locate! Give yourself extra time to find it. We will gather on the southeast side of the American Family Insurance building that houses StartingBlock. This is the entrance of the building that faces Vintage Brewing Company and has some modern art sculptures nearby. StartingBlock’s address is 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI, 53703. A map to the StartingBlock meeting space is on this page.
WeirDass is a narrative long-form style of improv created by the iconic comedy duo Stephnie Weir and Bob Dassie. This form is loads of fun for both audiences and improvisers alike. The WeirDass enhances skills like listening, mirroring, creating characters, and building relationships onstage. Combining character duologues to inspire scene work, this form challenges and expands improvisers from all levels of experience. Over the course of this two hour workshop, participants will become familiar with the form and practice the skills necessary to perform a WeirDass (and they might act like one too). Emma Gordon will be the facilitator.
Emma is a recent graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and loves all things theater and improv! She grew up in theater and has been performing improv from a young age. Emma has experience hosting improv workshops of all experience levels and ages. She was recently the president of Interlochen’s recreational improv club as well as their improv team that performed in shows both on and off campus. She came across the WeirDass form in school, and it became the jumping off point to other long-form narrative improv that she still plays with today.
This workshop is aimed for improvisers with 4 or more improv classes who are ready to challenge themselves with a new form. Improvisers should be generally comfortable editing within a longform montage and developing a scene. More importantly, they should be ready to take risks and have some fun!
This workshop will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026 from 1-3pm at StartingBlock. StartingBlock can be a confusing place to locate! Give yourself extra time to find it. We will gather on the southeast side of the American Family Insurance building that houses StartingBlock. This is the entrance of the building that faces Vintage Brewing Company and has some modern art sculptures nearby. StartingBlock’s address is 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI, 53703. A map to the StartingBlock meeting space is on this page.
