• All students must begin at Level One.
  • 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.
  • Improv Lab with Mark Grenier
    Mark Grenier
    February 13th, 10:00am-12:00pm
    Pilot Workshop: Follow the Funny with Dave Warth
    Pilot Instructor
    February 14th, 12:00pm-2:00pm
    Pilot Workshop: Panic-free Prov with Karsten Cross and Ian Caruth
    Pilot Instructor
    February 21st, 12:00pm-2:00pm
    Pilot Workshop: 3-Dimensional Characters with Nick Benaquista
    Pilot Instructor
    February 28th, 12:00pm-2:00pm
    Level One: The Principles of Improv
    Megan Gray
    Sundays, 6:30pm-9:30pm
    ends March 14th
    Level One: The Principles of Improv
    Mark Grenier
    Tuesdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends March 23rd
    Level One: The Principles of Improv
    Mark Grenier
    Saturdays, 12:00pm-3:00pm
    ends February 27th
    Level One: The Principles of Improv
    Megan Gray
    Mondays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends March 1st
    Level Two: Intro to Long Form
    Rachel Hamilton
    Tuesdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends February 23rd
    Level Two: Intro to Long Form
    Louis Kornfeld
    Sundays, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    ends March 14th
    Level Three: Long Form Intensive
    Peter McNerney
    Mondays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends February 22nd
    Level Three: Long Form Intensive
    Peter McNerney
    Sundays, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    ends March 28th
    Level Four: Senior Project - Evente
    Alex Marino
    Mondays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends February 22nd
    Instant Brilliance
    Armando Diaz
    Sundays, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    ends February 14th
    Master Class with Ed Herbstman
    Ed Herbstman
    Thursdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends March 11th
    Musical Improv Level One
    Tara Copeland
    Wednesdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends February 24th
    Play Faster & Harder
    James Eason
    Tuesdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends February 9th
    Sketch Revue
    Armando Diaz
    Thursdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    ends March 4th
    Sketch Writing Level One
    Armando Diaz
    Saturdays, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    ends February 13th
    Free Intro to Improv
    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

    Free Intro to Improv
    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.

    Instructor: Mark Grenier
    Day: Monday, 6:30pm-8:00pm
    Starting: Feb 15, 2010
    Cost: Free

    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. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.

    Instructor: Mark Grenier
    Day: Thursday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Feb 18, 2010
    Cost: $299

    Only 5 spots remaining!
    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. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.

    Instructor: Mark Grenier
    Day: Sunday, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    Starting: Feb 21, 2010
    Cost: $299

    Level One: The Principles of Improv - One Week Intensive
    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.

    Instructor: Mark Grenier
    Day: Mon-Fri, 10:00am-4:00pm
    Starting: Feb 22, 2010
    Cost: $299

    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. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. No experience required. Open to all. Limit 16 students.

    Instructor: Megan Gray
    Day: Monday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Mar 15, 2010
    Cost: $299

    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. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level One. Limit 16 students.

    Instructor: Louis Kornfeld
    Day: Wednesday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Feb 10, 2010
    Cost: $299

    SOLD OUT!
    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. 8 weeks followed by a graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level One. Limit 16 students.

    Instructor: Louis Kornfeld
    Day: Saturday, 12:00pm-3:00pm
    Starting: Mar 6, 2010
    Cost: $299

    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. 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

    Level Three: Long Form Intensive
    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.

    Instructor: Peter McNerney
    Day: Monday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Mar 8, 2010
    Cost: $299

    SOLD OUT!
    Level Four: Senior Project - Evente
    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.

    Instructor: Alex Marino
    Day: Monday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Mar 1, 2010
    Cost: $325

    Level Four: Senior Project - Evente
    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.

    Instructor: Alex Marino
    Day: Saturday, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    Starting: Mar 6, 2010
    Cost: $325

    Level Five: Improv Revue
    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.

    Instructor: Armando Diaz
    Day: Sunday, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    Starting: Mar 14, 2010
    Cost: $325

    Auditioning for TV & Commercials
    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.

    Instructor: T.J. Mannix
    Day: Sunday, 6:30pm-9:30pm
    Starting: Feb 21, 2010
    Cost: $299

    Only 2 spots remaining!

    Dynamic Duos
    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.

    Instructor: Armando Diaz
    Day: Sunday, 12:00pm-3:00pm
    Starting: Mar 14, 2010
    Cost: $175

    Master Class with Ed Herbstman
    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.

    Prerequisite: Magnet Level Three. Limit 14 students.

    Instructor: Ed Herbstman
    Day: Thursday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Mar 25, 2010
    Cost: $325

    SOLD OUT!

    Me, Me, Me: Creating Characters for Solo Performance
    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.

    Instructor: Gary Rudoren
    Day: Monday, 7:30pm-10:30pm
    Starting: Mar 1, 2010
    Cost: $249

    Only 5 spots remaining!
    Musical Improv Level One
    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.

    Instructor: Tara Copeland
    Day: Wednesday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Mar 3, 2010
    Cost: $325

    Only 5 spots remaining!
    Musical Improv Level Two
    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.

    Instructor: Tara Copeland
    Day: Sunday, 12:00pm-3:00pm
    Starting: Feb 28, 2010
    Cost: $325

    SOLD OUT!
    Sketch Writing Level One
    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.

    Instructor: Armando Diaz
    Day: Thursday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Mar 18, 2010
    Cost: $249

    Only 2 spots remaining!
    Storytelling
    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.

    Instructor: Adam Wade
    Day: Sunday, 6:30pm-9:30pm
    Starting: Feb 28, 2010
    Cost: $249

    SOLD OUT!
    The Art of Patience
    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.

    Instructor: Charlie Whitcroft
    Day: Saturday, 3:00pm-6:00pm
    Starting: Mar 20, 2010
    Cost: $149

    The First Step to Your Pulitzer
    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.

    Instructor: Jeffrey Sweet
    Day: Tuesday, 7:00pm-10:00pm
    Starting: Feb 16, 2010
    Cost: $325

    Only 2 spots remaining!
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