Level One: The Principles of Improv - Introduces and explores the fundamental principles of improvisation specific to the Magnet Theater. Exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening will help build a valuable foundation for you as a confident performer and human being.
Level Two: Intro to Long Form - Apply the principles of improv to the components of long form structures. Exercises in scene work, group games, opening games, second beats, and callbacks will prepare you for various long form structures.
Level Three: Long Form Intensive - Master long form components to create the dynamic longform, The Harold.
Level Four: Senior Project - The final level of the Magnet core curriculum delves further into the exploration of an advanced form. Senior Projects focus on one form for 8 weeks and culminate in a 4 week run of shows.
Completion of Level Four, two Magnet elective classes, and instructor approval are required for admission to the Conservatory.
Level Five: Improv Revue - This 6-week performance workshop examines The Montage, The Mono Scene, The Time Dash, and Freeze Tag to present them as a compelling 4 week review.
Level Six: Team Performance Workshop - Students will be assigned to a team which will perform The Montage, The Mono Scene, The Harold, and Freeze Tag in an 8-week run of shows. The 6-week workshop will focus on group dynamics and the responsibilities of being in an improv ensemble. Learning through the experience of being in an ensemble will empower the group and the individual to present exceptional shows.
Magnet electives are generally open to students who have never studied at Magnet, if their prior training is considered equivalent to the class prerequisite.
Electives - Magnet offers elective classes in musical improv, sketch writing, solo performing, and much more. Electives allow you to learn new skills, discover unexpected talents, and develop professionally. Some electives require prior experience. See class descriptions for more details.
Never taken an improv class before? Well here is your chance to try it out for free. Magnet offers you the chance to try before you buy with Megan Gray and Mark Grenier. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.
Instructor: Team Taught Day: Saturday, 3:30pm-5:30pm Starting: Feb 13, 2010 Cost: Free
Never taken an improv class before? Well here is your chance to try it out for free. Magnet offers you the chance to try before you buy with Mark Grenier. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.
Introduces and explores the fundamental principles of improvisation specific to the Magnet Theater. Exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening will help build a valuable foundation for you as a confident performer and human being. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.
Introduces and explores the fundamental principles of improvisation specific to the Magnet Theater. Exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening will help build a valuable foundation for you as a confident performer and human being. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.
Introduces and explores the fundamental principles of improvisation specific to the Magnet Theater. Exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening will help build a valuable foundation for you as a confident performer and human being. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.
Introduces and explores the fundamental principles of improvisation specific to the Magnet Theater. Exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening will help build a valuable foundation for you as a confident performer and human being. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.
Apply the principles of improv to the components of long form structures. Exercises in scene work, group games, opening games, second beats, and callbacks will prepare you for various long form structures. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level One. Limit 16 students.
Apply the principles of improv to the components of long form structures. Exercises in scene work, group games, opening games, second beats, and callbacks will prepare you for various long form structures. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level One. Limit 16 students.
Apply the principles of improv to the components of long form structures. Exercises in scene work, group games, opening games, second beats, and callbacks will prepare you for various long form structures. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level One. Limit 16 students.
Instructor:Rachel Hamilton Day: Tuesday, 7:00pm-10:00pm Starting: Mar 9, 2010 Cost: $299
Master long form components to create the dynamic longform, The Harold. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level Two. Limit 16 students.
The final level of the Magnet core curriculum delves further into the exploration of an advanced form. Senior Projects focus on one form for 8 weeks and culminate in a 4 week run of shows. Evente is a narrative long-form that explores a single event through flashbacks, time dashes, and other advanced long-form techniques. Prerequisite: Magnet Level Three. Limit 16 students.
The final level of the Magnet core curriculum delves further into the exploration of an advanced form. Senior Projects focus on one form for 8 weeks and culminate in a 4 week run of shows. Evente is a narrative long-form that explores a single event through flashbacks, time dashes, and other advanced long-form techniques. Prerequisite: Magnet Level Three. Limit 16 students.
This performance workshop examines The Montage, The Mono Scene, The Time Dash, and Freeze Tag to present them as a compelling 4 week review. 6 weeks of class followed by 4 shows. Prerequisite: Magnet Level Four, two Magnet electives, and Instructor Approval. Limit 16 students.
Put your improv skills to work in the entertainment industry and learn the art and business of auditioning. In other words, learn how to get paid to do what you love. This 8-week class will cover the ABC’s of auditioning. Topics to be covered include auditioning on-camera, working with sides, finding the right monologue, preparation, and the business of the business. Students will work on-camera each week with a special emphasis on commercials, soap operas and prime-time television auditions.
Students will audition for agents and casting directors in an industry showcase.
Limit 12 students.
This class is all about two-person improv. Whether you have been performing with a partner for a while or are interested in forming an improv duo with a friend, you will learn everything you need to know to become a Dynamic Duo. Learn how to make stronger and bolder choices, create intimacy with your partner, develop structure, and get help finding your Duo's own individual form or style. 6 pairs only- 12 people total. You must make sure both partners can make all of the class dates before registering. 4 weeks. Prerequisite: Level One or equivalent. Limit 12 students.
Ed will take advanced improvisors through a series of classes designed to make them aware of good and bad habits, break those habits, and replace them with techniques that will make their work onstage come to life, fueled by spontaneity and built upon a foundation of confidence and ease.
Ed Herbstman is one of the founders of the Magnet Theater. He performs irregularly in The Mantzoukas Brothers and is an instructor on the Magnet faculty. Ed is also head writer at Dandelion, a firm which creates entertainment sponsored by brands. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and children and dog.
This 6-week class for “improvisers who want to write” explores in-depth development of characters through stream-of-consciousness writing and improvising sessions. Over the course of the class, you’ll develop numerous starting points for creating and developing characters including environment, emotion, context, physicality, and hell, maybe even hats. Gary encourages experimenting, so bring your weird ideas. The focus will be on developing monologues for solo characters – finding that character’s voice and their story.
6 weeks of class followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Level Two or equivalent experience. Limit 12 students.
Now this is something to sing about! Eight weeks of music and improvisation. Learn how to put your thoughts into song and take your scenes to the next level. Whether you're an experienced singer or not, you will learn to master duets, rock opera, charity songs, and more! 8 weeks of class followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Level Two or equivalent experience. Limit 16 students.
Eight more weeks of musical improv! This second level of Musical Improv focuses on building group dynamic, incorporating choreography, and learning additional song structures. 8 weeks of class followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Musical Improv Level One. Limit 16 students.
This class will teach you concrete skills that will help you become a sketch comedy writer. You will learn how to develop your ideas, clarify your premise, create characters, and understand what makes a good sketch work. The class will consist of lectures, writing assignments, and focused and fun workshops each week. Most of the class will be about the work, but of course some of the class will be devoted to the business, and the improvement or creation of your sketch packet. 6 weeks. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 12 students.
Learn how to take personal experiences from your life and create stories that are universal and identifiable for an audience - you’ll be surprised at how engaging your personal stories can be! In this class, you will learn the basic elements of telling a narrative story, how to take a crowd by surprise and make them care, how to be real and truthful on stage, and how to discover and communicate the real meaning behind your experience. Classes will include verbal and written exercises, examples of performances from some of the finest storytellers, and various techniques and approaches to prepare yourself for a performance of your story. What you’ll get out of the class: at least one polished, six-to-eight minute story, which could be the beginning of a one-person show, and the fundamentals needed to develop future stories. The class concludes with a graduation performance where you will perform your personal story in front of an audience. Limit 12 students.
The funniest parts of scenes are most commonly the behavior-inspired, relationship-based moments that arise naturally from listening patiently and responding appropriately. In this workshop we'll aim for those moments with some fun and relevant excercises, and by practicing longer, slower scenework - scenes with room to breathe. The emphasis will be on creating clear relationships, exploring them and making discoveries naturally. Trust, and the funny will come. Four weeks of class followed by two performances. Prerequisite: Level 2 or equivalent experience. Limit 14 students.
Playwriting and screenwriting don't have to start with you pounding a keyboard. Jeff, the author of award-winning stage and TV projects that have starred Oscar and Tony winners, often develops material improvisationally. This workshop is designed to give you concrete techniques to start building scripts -- comedy or drama -- on your feet. Bring a (legal) stimulant and a recorder. At the end of the session, we'll put up an evening of new pieces that may either be finished one-acts or the beginning of a full-length that will win you fame, money and dates with desirable people. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Limit 12 students.
