LEVEL 1: pHUNDAMENTALS
Level 1 introduces students to the theories and practices that go into creating pH style shows. pH has a unique approach to improvisation, in that we jump on each moment and get to things very quickly, only to come back and explore later. Level 1 gets you thinking faster, and breaks down how we do it. Its great for whatever level improviser you are...frees you up and gets you out of your head!
LEVEL 2: pH CHARACTER STUDY
Level 2 is very unique as it takes an in-depth approach to creating believable characters. Over the 8 weeks you will learn how to make extremely believeable rich characters to use in quick montage work AND how to create sustainable characters that you can use over the course of an hour, 8 weeks, whatever. Very beneficial to all levels of acting and improv. Learn to live inside your characters not just loosely wear them on the outside of your body. (Students may start here if eligible**)
LEVEL 3: pHASTER...SMARTER
Level 3 helps erase the misconception of "faster play equals dumber bitty play". Not true! We will teach you how to create a richly satisfying montage, or approach any piece with more energy and pace. You will find yourself approaching longform in a whole new way. Faster doesn't always mean speed either...getting to the meat of the scene faster is another big emphasis of this class.
LEVEL 4: pHORM & pHUNCTION
Level 4 will teach you how to play in the style of pH. One of the unique things about pH is the fact that we use the audience as the sixth man in most of our shows. Its a cool and unique tool that yields some very cool results and again flexes a muscle that you aren't used to using...interacting with an audience throughout a show! We'll show you some of our favorite, and critically acclaimed forms and teach you how to really command an audience and use them to your benefit.
LEVEL 5: pHINAL EXAM
Level 5 is where you put it all together. Always taught by one of the artistic directors we will take this time to do an in-depth intensive of your work. We will give you very personal notes and help you as a class create your own unique pH style show that will run for 8 weeks. A lot of one on one time will be spent with students as well to make sure that they are leaving the Training Center with a full plate of knowledge. We will discuss all the teachers comments and show you how you've grown throughout the process. A great chance to get a thorough diagnostic of your work, and to see how far you've come in a completely different style.
UPCOMING ELECTIVES
We have a lot of very cool electives on the docket for the upcoming year, including a musical workshop taught by our Music Director, Jessica Hunt...a women in improv workshop, and some sketch stuff as well. If you don't see something you like, we'll always be on the lookout to create it. Drop our Training Center a line and let us know at classes@whatisph.com or 773-732-5450.
**Students may go directly into Level 2, if they have received a year of training either in college or at any other comedy institution in the country.