We created Magnet Theater with three main goals, to create a school where we can train a great variety of people to be the best improvisers they can be, to provide a supportive forum for them to sharpen their talents, and, through the school and the theater, to attract and promote a thriving community of creative, funny, and inspired people.

We're committed to an intensive curriculum that respects improvisation as an art, and as theater. In order to achieve this, we want our performers to get the best training possible. Fundamental skills are a big part of that training, and for that reason, all our students start from the beginning. A strong foundation in the fundamentals will ensure greater consistency and success. We're committed to hiring only the best instructors, who share our vision. They have studied in Chicago at Second City, ImprovOlympic, and most importantly, with Del Close. Del taught us about improv, of course, but also about art, life, and how the ideas of improv can provide a healthy framework for life, and for a life in art or entertainment. All our future teachers will also be trained to uphold and expand on that tradition.

At Magnet Theater quality performance opportunities are key, not only to solidify skills, but also so that great students can become great performers who can then develop, produce, and perform their own material. We offer student performances, directed and supervised by our teachers, to give students practical learning opportunities and feedback. As students advance through the program there are more chances to do shows and perform in groups.

The Magnet family is exceptionally proud of its students because of their commitment to, skill in, and enthusiasm for the art of improvisation. Magnet is and always will be defined by its students as much as its instructors and management. This is why we will keep our standards high and avoid shortcuts in any aspect of our operations. The guidelines that follow are not intended to be restrictive; they are reflective of the ideas we believe will create the environment where such learning and producing can prosper, behavior that will continue to attract wonderful people like you to the Magnet.

STUDENT POLICIES

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is extremely important. You miss a lot when you miss a class. Because so much of our work is geared towards ensemble work, it becomes harder for a class to gel if everyone isn't there working together on the same things, sharing experiences.

ABSENCE POLICY: If you miss 3 or more classes, you will have to take the class over before moving on to the next level.

PUNCTUALITY: Students and performers must be on time to their classes and their performances. Lateness is disrespectful to your fellow classmates and performers and it cuts into class time. Do whatever you need to do to be on time. Why not try and be early and give yourself a chance to meditate and get yourself focused for class? No one does well when they are feeling stressed out from rushing. You might find that your performance improves, and you will get to know your classmates better.

PUNCTUALITY POLICY: If you are more than 5 minutes late 3 times that will count as 1 absence. (If you miss more than 2 classes, you will have to take the class over.)

REPEATING A CLASS: Everyone learns at their own speed. Because each progressive level builds on the skills of the previous level, it is important that all of the students moving on to the next class are proficient in the skills taught in the lower level. Therefore, if an instructor feels that a student hasn't mastered the required lessons, that student will be asked to repeat that level again before moving on to the next level. (The student may be allowed to re-take the class at a discounted price.) We feel this will insure the best opportunity for every student to succeed.

The policies above apply to the classes listed under the Core curriculum. Other classes outside Core which fall under the category of Electives may have their own guidelines.

INTERNSHIPS: We look for very committed current students who will work hard in exchange for tuition, and learn and grow with us. Interns should strive for perfect class attendance and smile even when secretly angry. If you are a current student and you are interested in an internship send your info (name, email, phone number, skills, availability) to classes@magnettheater.com. Internships range from box office and concessions duties, to fliering, to assisting in the office during the days.

After you begin your internship you will receive details about what is expected from you as far as scheduling, attendance, and the benefits you will receive from your internship. Please reply to all scheduling requests as soon as possible, arrange for your own replacements in case of absence, and call the theater for any changes or problems. Please recognize that there are many people requesting internships, so you must be able to commit to the schedule and abide by the policies. Internships are short-term and renewable upon request, and subject to Magnet's discretion.

Please respect our neighbors. When entering, leaving, or waiting outside before or after a show, please keep noise to a minimum. Do not litter or do anything else that would get our neighbors angry at us. We are part of this neighborhood and want to be here for a long time.

RESPECT THE SPACE: We have worked very, very, very hard to open the Magnet Theater and make it a beautiful, clean place to see shows and to perform. We do that to show respect to our performers, our audience, and to the work. We will not tolerate anyone doing anything to deface or damage the space, and welcome you to help improve it.

BE A SOLUTION: If there is something simple you can do that will make things better, then do it. Like: throwing away your own trash after a class or show. Or better yet, someone else's trash! Be sure to use the recycle bins. Ask for help if you need it! We all want to be solutions, not problems.

LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER: Being part of a community is a wonderful experience. The chance to create and socialize with others makes the experience that much more fulfilling. Just as you would support each other on stage why not do a little of the same thing off stage. If we all support each other we will create a feeling of trust and that will benefit all. Del Close encouraged the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's simple, and it works.

TALK TO US: If you are having any problems with another student, performer, teacher, or anything related to your experience at the Magnet Theater, please talk to us immediately. We want to hear from you. Communication is the first step in solving any problem. Try to refrain from too much speculative talk - go right to the source. You may call the theater at 212-244-8824, drop a note in the suggestion box (anonymously or not), or email or talk to any one of us. (Our emails are linked from the staff page.)

Detailed information on classes can be found on the Magnet Theater website: http://www.magnettheater.com/classes.html

PERFORMER POLICIES

SHOWS
There are many opportunities for our students to perform. There are class showcases, performance classes, teams, and orginal shows created by our students, teachers, and friends.

Class showcases - At the completion of most classes, there is usually a performance. If your class has a showcase, it will be listed in the class description, sometimes with a date to be determined. These shows are for your friends and family and other Magnet students, are scheduled at prime times in the theater, and are free to all.

Performance class shows - These are classes that have performances built into the class, such as Improv Revue, Team Performance Workshop, Slow Comedy, Evente, Spit Shine (improv to sketch), and more to come. Each performance class has its own prerequisites and are available to students who meet them.

Teams - These are shows which feature temporary groups cast from our student body. Teams will have semi-regular shows each month and are responsible for rehearsing once a week with an assigned director. Students who have completed the Magnet curriculum are eligible for teams, but it is a directed show, not a part of the training program. The team director can cast players and remove players at their discretion. Being on a team is an extra benefit of the theater and not a guaranteed right, and should not be viewed as the only goal. More info coming soon in the team policy handbook.

Original Shows - Teachers, students, and friends of the Magnet will generate and perform in these shows. These will be treated more as professional productions, well-presented and designed to attract better and more diverse audiences. Some will be cast though auditions, others will have specific requirements and producers to contact. Most show development will initially take place through The Rep, and through the process detailed for that vehicle. Other performance opportunities will be posted on the bulletin board in the Student Lounge so check back there often.

The players and producers in all of our shows will be expected to live up to the professional standards set out above in the student section, to practice the professionalism in all aspects of your on and off-stage behavior. This includes following all the good habits you developed as a Magnet student, from punctuality, communication, respect, to being a good audience member and include the following:

• Check in with the box office when you arrive for a show. Your name should be on a list there and it shows respect for the staff that is supporting your show, and also insures we don't exceed legal capacity.
• Invite audience to shows. It's more fun and for you and supports your fellow players and the venue.
• Do not bring alcoholic drinks on stage.
• Be quiet in the audience, lobby and offstage, and watch the other acts on the bill.
• Support and congratulate each other on shows.
• Give time for regular audience members to make the suggestion but jump in when needed.
• Do not give each other performance notes.
• In all ways be cool to one another and apologize for those rare instances you slip

If you are a positive, supportive player, people will want to play with you, and work with you on projects, even if you are not the "best". You can always strive to be the best "you", and put your best self out to others. Enjoying what you do, and enjoying what others do, goes a very long way in art, show business, and in life.

Check out all of our shows at the theater. Your ID will give you free admission to certain student shows, and to 5 other improv shows and other discounts to be announced from time-to-time. http://www.magnettheater.com/shows.html

ADVICE TO STUDENTS AND PERFORMERS

The following section is devoted to enhancing your experience as an improviser. Here lies some of the wisdom the Magnet founders learned as students and performers in their day. More coming soon.

Getting the most out of your improv

Keep learning
Just because you finish the program doesn't mean you can't keep studying
Take an acting or movement class
Exercise for mental and physical health, and to help you act using your whole body.
Go study with other teachers - do a summer intensive in Chicago.
Read about improv. Check out the list below.
Feed your head with nutritional cultural product.
Go see the best shows and performers. Learn from their examples.
Have quality improv experiences, and don't overcommit yourself. Stage time is good but why waste time on shows that do not improve or challenge you? Take that time to read a book, watch a movie or go to a museum instead.
Remember, getting up on stage takes a great deal of courage. You are a hero just for showing up. Take that fearlessness into other endeavors so your life experience will become richer and feed your work.

Frustrated?

Improv should be fun. If you are not having fun and growing then there is something wrong. You may find that improv is not your cup of tea. Or you might find that you've reached a plateau and don't seem to be getting any better. Then, one thing you might consider is to try other things. Not everyone is cut out to be a performer. Some people are better writers or directors, and there may be opportunies for you here at the Magnet, or through people you meet here. The really important thing is to be honest with yourself and find your own answers, not the answers that other people have, or by comparing yourself to others. Improv is just one activity. There are many other ways to be creative and feel fulfilled. (See below!) You should really consider other options if you're not getting satisfaction from improv. Or even just take a planned break. Finsh what you started so you can approach it fresh and postively when and if you return.

Directing / Writing / Producing / other art forms

The skills you learn from improv apply to just about every other creative profession and activity. Many people who got their start in improv now professionally direct, write, produce, teach, etc. Not everyone goes into acting, and why limit your dreams to being on SNL when you could create your own show!

There are also many people who are happy improvising for fun, for the art, for the social life, and never looking for anything more out of it. But if you are looking for ways to take these skills into your professional life, always know that there are more paths than just doing commercials, and Magnet hopes to help you on that journey. Soon we will be adding to this space some guidelines and tips for starting your own projects or moving into coaching, directing, at the Magnet and beyond. For starters there are these two opportunities:

The Rep, where you can submit shows for consideration, which we hope will guide many of you into producing, writing, and directing roles at the Magnet.

The Magnet Mixer, where we will asking many of you to help organize warm-ups, and lead impromptu groups of our students at the performance.

OTHER RESOURCES

Great resources (more soon!)

Any or all of the various media listed below can help to inspire and inform your improv work. The thread that links them all is dedication and honesty.

MOVIES/TV
Fawlty Towers
Monty Python
The Simpsons
Ernie Kovacs
The Marx Brothers
Mr. Show
Early SNL
SCTV
Woody Allen
Ernst Lubitch
The Newsroom
Billy Wilder
Ealing comedies
The Office
Curb Your Enthusiasm
SportsNight
The Young Ones
Ripping Yarns -Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Kids in the Hall
The League of Gentlemen
Preston Sturges

AUDIO
Coyle and Sharp
Richard Pryor
Steve Martin
Bill Cosby
Bill Hicks
Lenny Bruce
Woody Allen

MUSIC
See live music whenever you can! Music and comedy go hand in hand, and the commitment, artistry, and communication of a band that's in the groove is something to aspire to in ensemble work.

PERIODICALS
The Onion
Early National Lampoon
One left-leaning and one-right leaning newsweekly
Newspapers, or online sources (go for quality, not drudge). At the very least you won't get stumped by a suggestion, and at best contemporary issues may inspire your work.

BOOKS

We know this list isn't comprehensive. Make your suggestions here.

We sincerely hope to provide you with a great learning experience at the Magnet Theater and the path to make your future choices and experiences here and elsewhere more meaningful, enlightened, confident, and honest.

Please email if you have any questions: classes@magnettheater.com