THE MAGNET TRAINING CENTER
At Magnet, you'll learn to do original, honest, and ridiculously funny work through games and exercises in class, and through performances on the Magnet stages. You'll find some of the very best improv and musical improv training, and excellent classes in sketch writing, storytelling and more. Each course component builds on the previous one, with an emphasis on bringing out the best in each student and cultivating a diverse skill-set. Students are bombarded with opportunities to improvise and write sketch for stage and video. And graduates may be asked to audition for Megawatt, Magnet's house team system.
Learning to improvise just might be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. It's about bringing who you are, all your knowledge and experience, your point of view and your tastes, and then applying concrete techniques as you play with focused abandon with other smart people doing that same thing. Sound fun? It is. The classes are fun, the shows are a blast, and the hanging out afterward is pretty great, too. Improv is also a powerful tool, useful in every aspect of a person's life. And once the techniques become second nature… well, you'll see. Our instructors believe everyone can become an excellent improvisor and our graduates prove it onstage, performing hilarious, inventive, in-the-moment comedy every night.
Improv Fundamentals - Level 1 - The Principles of Improv
Level One - The Principles of Improv Simply put, you'll learn to improvise. In Level One, students will get onstage immediately and explore the fundamental principles of improvisation through exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening. Sessions are designed so students will build a strong foundation as a confident performer. You will amaze yourself with your new found skills at the class graduation performance in front of your friends and family. This show is always fun and usually the highlight of most people's lives.
Level One For Experienced Improvisors
Saturdays 12:00pm - 3:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $299
- Begins:
Jun 2
- Instructor:
- Megan Gray
Enrolling
Level One: The Principles of Improv
Sundays 12:00pm - 3:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $299
- Begins:
Jun 3
- Instructor:
- Rick Andrews
Enrolling
Level One: The Principles of Improv
Mondays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $299
- Begins:
Jun 25
- Instructor:
- Megan Gray
Enrolling
Improv Fundamentals - Level 2 - Intro to Long Form
Level Two - Intro to Long Form Now apply what you've learned in Level One to create long form pieces. This class is heavy on exercises in the fundamental structural components of long form: scene work, group games, opening games, second beats, transitions, and callbacks. Students emerge from Level Two with the tools necessary to stage longer pieces with recurring themes and rich characters, and they hit the stage at the end of their 8 weeks with another fun graduation performance. Prerequisite: Magnet Level One.
Level Two: Intro to Long Form
Saturdays 12:00pm - 3:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $299
- Begins:
Jun 2
- Instructor:
- Russ Armstrong
Enrolling
Level Two: Intro to Long Form
Thursdays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $299
- Begins:
Jun 14
- Instructor:
- Russ Armstrong
Enrolling
Improv Core Curriculum - Level 3 - Long Form Intensive
Level Three - Long Form Intensive With the first two levels under your belt, it's time to focus on Harold, the original long form structure that changed the history of performance improvisation. Harold is popular for good reason - it's fun, relatively simple to learn, infinitely deep, and very satisfying for performers and audiences. Students will master the components of this dynamic long form over this 8 week session, and get to perform a Harold in their class graduation show. Prerequisite: Magnet Level Two.
Level Three: Long Form Intensive
Sundays 3:00pm - 6:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $299
- Begins:
Jun 10
- Instructor:
- Louis Kornfeld
Enrolling
Improv Core Curriculum - Level 4 - Senior Project
Level Four - Senior Project The final level of the Magnet core curriculum, Level Four dives deep into an advanced form (e.g. Evente, MonoScene, Deconstruction, Sleepover, Harold+, The Movie) and works on that form with the singular focus need to create a great show. The 8 class sessions are followed by a 4 week run of shows, giving students an enhanced opportunity to learn by doing, over time, in front of a real audience. Prerequisite: Magnet Level Three.
Level Four: Senior Project - The Mono-Scene
Wednesdays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
(8 sessions / 4 shows) $325
- Begins:
Jun 6
- Instructor:
- Alan Fessenden
Enrolling
Level Four: Senior Project - Harold Plus
Sundays 12:00pm - 3:00pm
(8 sessions / 4 shows) $325
- Begins:
Jun 17
- Instructor:
- Louis Kornfeld , Alex Marino
Enrolling
Level Four: Senior Project - Evente
Date: TBD
(8 sessions / 4 shows) $325
- Begins:
TBD
When Offered
Level Four: Senior Project - The Deconstruction
Date: TBD
(8 sessions / 4 shows) $325
- Begins:
TBD
When Offered
Improv Conservatory - Level 5 - Improv Revue
Level Five - Improv Revue Advanced training is about becoming a confident, skilled and consistent performer. Level Five is the first component of advanced training and includes 6 weeks of classes that explore more challenging pieces, followed by a 4 week run of shows. Students explore The Montage, The Mono Scene, The Time Dash, Freeze Tag and more, and present these forms and games during their full 4 week revue at The Magnet Studio Theater. Prerequisite: Magnet Level 4.
Improv Conservatory - Level 6 - Team Performance Workshop
Level Six - Team Performance Workshop Upon instructor approval, students continue their advanced training as a member of an improv ensemble. The first section includes 6 weeks of classes designed to develop a strong ensemble onstage and off. The second section consists of a full 8 week run of shows where your ensemble performs The Montage, The Mono Scene, The Harold, and Freeze Tag. Learning through the experience of being in an ensemble will empower the group and the individual to present exceptional shows, and prepare advanced students for membership on a Megawatt Team should they wish to audition. Prerequisite: Level Five and Instructor Approval.
Level Six: Team Performance Workshop
Date: TBD
(6 sessions / 8 shows) $325
- Begins:
TBD
When Offered
Exactly as it sounds - no prior sign up required. Just drop by the Magnet Training Center and work with other improvisers as you're led through a series of focused exercises by an experienced guest instructor.
The Saturday Drop-In
Every Saturday, one of The Magnet's top house performers host an ongoing drop-in session. Whether you are looking to play with new improvisors, get some reps in between classes or just brush up on your fundamentals, the Saturday Drop-In is the perfect place to be.
Learn to write great sketch comedy. The Magnet Comedy Writing Program brings students through a series of exercises and assignments which study what makes great sketch work, and applies that learning to each student's writing from concept to final polish. Structured around a 'writer's room' environment and led by experienced instructors, each student not only receives useful feedback, but also learns how to analyze their own work, preparing them to work outside the classroom environment. Advanced classes result in more advanced performances which are cast from Magnet performers and directed by the instructor. And throughout, students continue their creation of their writing packet - a necessary first step in the pursuit of comedy writing career.
Sketch Writing Level One
This class will teach you concrete skills that will help you become a better 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. 8 weeks. No experience required. Open to all.
Sketch Writing Level Two
This class is an advanced sketch writing workshop that will give you the experience of working as a writer on a professional comedy show. Students will learn how to better craft sketches, expand their writing portfolio, collaborate with a team of writers, and produce their own sketches for performance. The class will conclude with two graduation performances, in which students will be responsible for casting, rehearsing, directing, and producing their work for the stage. Prerequisite: Sketch Writing Level One and instructor approval. 8 weeks and 2 graduation performances.
Sketch Revue
Create and perform an original sketch comedy show with Armando Diaz. Through improv exercises and written assignments, students will collaborate to create a sketch revue and perform it in a 4-week run of shows. Due to the intensive nature of this class, consistent attendance is mandatory. Students may not miss more than one class. 8 weeks of class and 4 shows. Prerequisite: Level Two and Instructor Approval.
Improv to Sketch
Now you can create material without having to sit down and write. In the tradition of Second City, you will learn to create sketch comedy through improvisation. In this 8-week class, students will collaborate to create a sketch revue and perform it in a 4-week run of shows. Prerequisite: Instructor approval required.
Musical Improv is about learning how to create a spontaneous musical without planning any of the content. These classes are for two types of people: anyone who feels born to make up songs in front of people, and anyone who dreads the idea. You'll learn how to sing confidently within your own voice. And you'll learn the mechanics of a song, and the underlying structures that songwriters use to create the building blocks of a larger musical piece. And you'll practice over and over with a supportive group of people. It's a fun and rewarding challenge, and when all the pieces come together it can be thrilling. After a bit of training, you may be asked to audition for one of the Musical Megawatt teams and gain a regular performance slot at the Magnet Mainstage.
Musical Improv Level One
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 are 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 One or equivalent experience.
Musical Improv Level One
Sundays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $325
- Begins:
Jun 3
- Instructor:
- Frank Spitznagel , Michael Martin
Left
Musical Improv Level One
Mondays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
(8 sessions / 1 shows) $325
- Begins:
Jun 25
- Instructor:
- Frank Spitznagel , Michael Lutton
Enrolling
Musical Improv Level Two
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 and Level Three or equivalent.
Musical Improv Level Three And Beyond
Musical Improv Level Three, Genre Studies Sing it to a whole new level! In this performance intensive workshop, students will be assigned to a musical improv team which will perform a 4-week run of shows. The 8-week workshop will focus on advanced musical improv skills, group dynamic, and the responsibilities of being in a musical improv ensemble. Prerequisite: Musical Improv Level 2 and Instructor Approval.
Musical Improv Level Three
Thursdays 7:00pm - 10:00pm
(8 sessions / 4 shows) $350
- Begins:
Jun 14
- Instructor:
- Team Taught
Approval
Work with excellent teachers on aspects of the work that interest you. Magnet offers elective classes in improv, musical improv, writing, solo performance, and more. Learn new skills, discover unexpected talents, and develop professionally. Some electives require prior experience so check the class descriptions for more details. This course list is refreshed regularly, so check back to find unique opportunities and special guest instructors. Magnet electives are generally open to all students, even if they have no prior training at Magnet (and if there is a class prerequisite, the registrar will accept equivalent prior training from another improv school).
Acting For Improvisors (now enrolling)
You cannot separate good Improv from good acting, in fact they are one and the same. Acting is simply “behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances,” as Sanford Meisner so aptly put it, and so it is with Improv, the only difference being that, in Improv we are making up the circumstances as we go. In this class you will learn to authentically react and respond to your scene partner, from moment to moment, staying present and real to what is unfolding in your scene.
Action Improv (currently in session)
Action improv is about making your scenes simple, clear and funny. Want to spend 9 minutes in a beautiful, vague space with wobbly motivations and tons of quirky specifics? Awesome. I love that stuff. But not in this class. This class is Lock into your partner faster, play harder and worry less by streamlining your action and discovering how quickly the rest falls into place. Yippee ki yay.
ADVANCED COMMERCIAL AUDITIONING (currently in session)
This advanced on-camera class is for working actors and improvisors with previous on-camera training and/or auditioning experience. It is an intense four-week course covering advanced commercial topics including: challenging audition scenarios, cold readings, group auditions, and improvising on camera. Students will work on-camera every week with commercial sides, culminating in an industry night, where students will audition with commercial copy for invited commercial agents/casting directors. Pre-requisites: "On-Camera Auditioning for TV and Commercials - Level One" (or extensive commercial experience and instructor approval). Limit: 12 Students. Students will audition for agents and casting directors in an industry showcase.
Advanced Evente (currently in session)
You've taken Evente, now take it further. Advanced Evente builds upon the work you began in - not surprisingly - Evente. Explore new ways to get the best (and worst) out of your characters! Warp time like you never even thought you should! Discover all the different ways you can approach - and destroy - this beautifully complex form! We might even learn how to do Bar Mitzvah really, really well. Prerequisite: Level 4 - Evente and instructor approval
Auditioning for TV & Commercials 2.0 (now enrolling)
This advanced on-camera class is for working actors and improvisors with previous on-camera training and/or auditioning experience. It is an intense four-week course covering advanced commercial topics including: challenging audition scenarios, cold readings, group auditions, and improvising on camera. Students will work on-camera every week with commercial sides, culminating in an industry night, where students will audition with commercial copy for invited commercial agents/casting directors. Pre-requisites: "On-Camera Auditioning for TV and Commercials - Level One" (or extensive commercial experience and instructor approval). Limit: 12 Students. Students will audition for agents and casting directors in an industry showcase.
Camp Magnet 2012 (now enrolling)
Camp Magnet returns! Our annual summer retreat is coming back for its 5th glorious year. Go camping with us in the beautiful Catskill Mountains from June 7th - June 10th. Enjoy 4 days and 3 nights of improv, outdoors, adventure, and fun with improv and writing workshops. Each day will involve improv and writing workshops, in addition to outdoor team activities such as swimming in a spring-fed lake, volleyball, basketball, hiking and biking. Evenings will be filled with improv jams, shows and late night campfires. All campers sleep in modern, well-appointed cabins equipped with electricity and a bathroom with showers. Meals are provided 3 times a day in the dining hall, and yes, we can accommodate vegetarians. All of this is cradled in the beauty of the Southern Catskills just 90 miles north of New York City. An endless sea of woods surrounds our magnificent 120-acre campground and a sensational sunset over the springs is truly a sight to behold! How can one resist such an amazing retreat? Registration Deadline Extended:May 20, 2012
Dave Razowsky's The Beat Goes On (now enrolling)
Join us if you’ve ever wondered how two or three actors can play out a 40-minute set in one continuous location. Discover how awareness and “present-ness” keeps a scene going while you were thinking it was “finished.” By being mindful and aware you can keep playing a scene indefinitely, one that’s intriguing, full and exciting…and that’s a good thing! A scene only ends when you think it does. So stop thinking, start feeling and keep going!
FACE Workshop (currently in session)
After two sold out workshops, the Magnet Theater presents a full four week class - team taught by the founders, performers, and musicians of FACE (Krista Amigone Henry Kaiser Roy Koshy T.J. Mannix Duncan Murdoch). "FACE Improv is a unique fusion of live jazz music and improvised theater. Every week, students will get the chance to share the stage with musicians creating characters, scenes, music, movement, and theatre - on-the-spot. Classes focus on the strengthening the give-and-take between actors and musicians, fully committing to group mind, incorporating strong movement into your improv, allowing live music to inspire your choices, and incorporating voice over into shows.
Hip Hop Improv with North Coast (currently in session)
Take this 4-week class and you'll learn how to spit with the best of them, beatbox like a champion, and how to weave it all together with the fun and "rules" of improv. At the core, improv and hip-hop go hand in hand. Whether you are going in for 8-bars, dropping a beat into a mic, or initiating an improv scene, the same principles apply... you need confidence, you have to listen, and you have to react. If the idea of rapping in front of other people scares the crap out of you, or if you want to improve on your freestyling and/or beatboxing skills, this class is for you! The class will also be extremely helpful to musical improvisers who want to get better at setting their rhymes up and/or want to bring a new fresh energy to some of their shows. The class will be team-taught by James Robilotta, the creator of North Coast (New York's premier freestyle rapping/beatboxing/longform improv team - http://www.NorthCoastNYC.com) and Shaun Fisher, North Coast's primary beatboxer. (Note: not one damn thing in this blurb rhymed, please do not let that sway your judgement, thank you. -Management)
Hip Hop Improv with North Coast (currently in session)
Take this 4-week class and you'll learn how to spit with the best of them, beatbox like a champion, and how to weave it all together with the fun and "rules" of improv. At the core, improv and hip-hop go hand in hand. Whether you are going in for 8-bars, dropping a beat into a mic, or initiating an improv scene, the same principles apply... you need confidence, you have to listen, and you have to react. If the idea of rapping in front of other people scares the crap out of you, or if you want to improve on your freestyling and/or beatboxing skills, this class is for you! The class will also be extremely helpful to musical improvisers who want to get better at setting their rhymes up and/or want to bring a new fresh energy to some of their shows. The class will be team-taught by James Robilotta, the creator of North Coast (New York's premier freestyle rapping/beatboxing/longform improv team - http://www.NorthCoastNYC.com) and Shaun Fisher, North Coast's primary beatboxer. (Note: not one damn thing in this blurb rhymed, please do not let that sway your judgement, thank you. -Management)
Hip Hop Improv With North Coast (currently in session)
Take this 4-week class and you'll learn how to spit with the best of them, beatbox like a champion, and how to weave it all together with the fun and "rules" of improv. At the core, improv and hip-hop go hand in hand. Whether you are going in for 8-bars, dropping a beat into a mic, or initiating an improv scene, the same principles apply... you need confidence, you have to listen, and you have to react. If the idea of rapping in front of other people scares the crap out of you, or if you want to improve on your freestyling and/or beatboxing skills, this class is for you! The class will also be extremely helpful to musical improvisers who want to get better at setting their rhymes up and/or want to bring a new fresh energy to some of their shows. The class will be team-taught by James Robilotta, the creator of North Coast (New York's premier freestyle rapping/beatboxing/longform improv team - http://www.NorthCoastNYC.com) and Shaun Fisher, North Coast's primary beatboxer. (Note: not one damn thing in this blurb rhymed, please do not let that sway your judgement, thank you. -Management)
Hip Hop Improv With North Coast (now enrolling)
Do you find yourself rapping in the car or shower but never in public? Have you tried to beatbox and just ended up spitting all over your friends? Inside all of us lies an MC waiting to bust out. With this class you will be able to tap into it. Taking this class offers you a chance to develop your skills and education in freestyle rapping, beatboxing, and improvising. At the core, improv and hip-hop go hand in hand. Whether you are going in for 8-bars, dropping a beat into a mic, or initiating an improv scene, the same principles apply... you need confidence, you have to listen, and you have to react. This 8 week class gives you a chance to learn how to incorporate all these abilities and produce an amazing show. With 8 weeks, newcomers and previous students alike will learn and put in to practice many of the tools necessary to perform a hysterical hip-hopera. You will gain confidence in your rapping ability.You will learn the fundamentals of beatboxing and receive individual attention regarding how to strengthen your vocal muscles to achieve a more instrumental sound. You will be given tools and tricks for how to successfully apply what you learn to a truly one of a kind long form improv show. The class will be team-taught by James Robilotta, the creator of North Coast (New York's premier freestyle rapping/beatboxing/longform improv team - http://www.NorthCoastNYC.com) and Shaun Fisher, North Coast's primary beatboxer. (Note: not one damn thing in this blurb rhymed, please do not let that sway your judgement, thank you. -Management)
Improv For Teens (now enrolling)
In this class you will explore the most magical principle of improv, “Yes And!” Games and exercises will focus on collaboration, group mind, character building, commitment, and spontaneity. Participants will walk away with a fundamental understanding of long-form improv and the skills to perform grounded, hilarious, improv scenes. The class will culminate with a graduation performance in which you will have the opportunity to wow your friends and loved ones. Open to teens, ages 14-18, entering ninth grade through freshman year of college.
Keep it Up! (currently in session)
Do you ever feel like you hit a moment in your scene where there's nowhere else it can go? You had the audience in the palm of your hand, but then they lost interest or the edit was missed? This class will focus on how to overcome that mental block in the middle of scenes and how to keep the scene going. Learn to actively connect with your scene partner, invest in your environment, and explore your character's point of view in order to KEEP IT UP!
Rachel Hamilton's Master Class (currently in session)
This two day intensive is for experienced Improvisers who want to explore their work more deeply. Leaving behind the tried and true techniques that have become our standard choices on stage, we will take the risk to play with even more truth, more commitment and more connection to our partner and to the present moment. Prerequisite: Level Two or equivalent experience.
Sharpen Your Point of View (now enrolling)
The very first exchanges of your scene tell you all you need to know about who you are and where to emotionally and energetically go. Are you aware of that? Are you listening to yourself at that time? Hmm? Are ya’? This workshop will guide you to your point of view, and have you following yourself confidently, bravely, excitedly, and easily. It’s as simple as that!
Special Effects (currently in session)
Without props, sets or costumes the improviser has the freedom to manipulate an audience’s perception of space and time to a degree limited only by his or her imagination. In this 4-week class students will explore the great potential of the empty space. The class will play with transformations, split scenes, swinging doors, journey scenes, morphs, novelty edits and more to expand and heighten scene work and piece dynamics. Prerequisite: Level 3 or equivalent.
The Bat (currently in session)
The Bat is a Harold performed completely in the dark. Without sight or physical action, improvisers create scenes and games entirely with their voices. The Bat inspires students to use language that is active, imaginative, and specific and to use vocal soundscapes to create rich, dynamic environments. Class concludes with 1 graduation performance. Prerequisite: Level 3 or equivalent experience.
Three's Company (now enrolling)
Good things come in threes, and this class will teach you what you need to make your improv trio pop. Whether you’ve been performing as a trio for a while or would like to give it a try, this class will teach you how to take care of yourself and your scene partners when performing in small numbers. This class will play with finding the focus of the scene, walk ons, matching and contrasting energies, novelty edits, and more to help you discover why three is a magic number. 4 weeks. Pre-requisite: Level 3 or equivalent.
Truth In Musical Comedy (currently in session)
This three hour workshop will coach participants in realizing the integrity of their characters and their situations when performing improvised musical theater. Focus points to include seeking honesty in character choices and voices, in both scene and song initiation and execution. In addition, overall music theater technique will be coached as well. Participants should have completed an advanced music improv class with UCB, PIT or Magnet, or have permission from the instructor."