Sanuk Improv

03/09/2026

Improv is play-time for grown-ups! Join our introductory class Tuesday March 10th, 7pm and have some fun! Only 5 spots remaining!

E-mail [email protected] to sign up!

02/13/2026

Never tried improv before, but you're curious? Perfect - we have the workshop series for you!

Stay tuned for the starting date for our spring Introduction to Improv workshop series!

02/03/2026

What's the catch? Why is our 8 week Level One introductory course free?

When I first wanted to try improv 10 years ago, there were classes at the Globe Theatre available. I paid several hundred dollars per semester to learn the basics. At the end of the first year, that was it - nothing further was offered.

I then joined a local improv group that offered to teach me more. I again paid several hundred dollars per "semester" (they called it something else, but it was still under 4 months).

We "students" often questioned why the cost was so high, especially when there were monthly fund-raising shows, but there were never any clear answers.

That group died during Covid (would it be ironic if it were money problems that were the cause?) and some of us regrouped and started something new.

Parallel to all of this was the university group. (Here's a neat note - you don't necessarily have to go to university to be welcomed into the university group.) It's free, but oriented towards those living a student lifestyle. If you're working a 9 to 5, you might find it hard to get involved.

Add to all this the concerns I have about the financial roadblocks to diversity in improv in general, and before you know it... Well, I really want to open some doors.

Does that explain why it is free? Not really.

The reason is simple. I like people, and I know that improv is not just a lot of fun, but also something that changes you to give you a better life. You learn to play again, and you get all the benefits of that. How to be less stressed. How to have fun with others. Heck, it has even been shown to reduce your chances of mental decline later in life. Who wouldn't want that?

So improv is something to share, and it is something better shared.

And that's why it is free.

01/22/2026

https://sanukimprov.com/2026/01/read-my-mind/

I recently ran across this post about improvisors who don't "state the obvious". Here's what I took away from it: Say Your Inner Movie Out Loud When you have a strong idea forming, verbalize it in one sentence rather than assuming your scene partner sees it too. Instead of hinting through behavior a...

01/16/2026

Yes, we have a whiteboard! :D

01/16/2026

The Daily Tip: Clarity

I remember watching a pair of improvisers build up this relationship but never explain where they were or who they were. Shortly after the start, I had this idea that they could be at a police station - but I couldn't just go in at that moment with the idea because the platform was just being established, so I waited.

The scene was slowly going on and slowly dying and I kept asking myself if the police station idea still fit the scene.

After a reasonable wait, I came into the scene, reporting a crime or something.

Having that detail clarified ignited the scene. People laughed as they reframed the previous conversations into the location and the other performers built on it.

Now I don't advise pre-thinking like this or hanging onto an idea for very long, but it worked that time and here's why:

The vagueness in the scene was what was killing it. I came in when I realized that the scene needed clarity, said a few lines to set the other performers up for success, and then I left the scene again. I didn't try to take over the scene or the spotlight.

In other words:

(1) I was listening, and evaluating if the idea still fit with the scene as the scene evolved.

(2) I supported my teammates. I entered, made the offer, and left.

(3) The other performers accepted the offer. No offer works without this.

So... When we are doing scenework, we want to:

Give enough detail that the performers and audience can be on the same page about what is going on and where.

Listen. Even if you don't think you'd be going in, listen.

Help and support. You may get an incidental reward of laughter, but the best feeling is successful collaboration.

Be humble and team focused. Do just enough to help but don't take over or put yourself at the center. There will be other times when you'll have the spotlight, if you need that.

Originally posted at https://sanukimprov.com/2026/01/clarity/ .

Just doing some reading tonight and it triggered a memory. It was at Luther Auditorium, watching a pair of improvisers build up this relationship but never explain where they were or who they were. Shortly after the start, I had this idea that they could be at a police station - but I couldn't just....

01/05/2026

Inside all of us is a playful inner child that would like to get out, and improv is the perfect playground for your inner child! 😆

Join us for free improv workshops Tuesday evenings, starting January 6th. E-mail [email protected] for sign-up information!

01/05/2026

01/03/2026

Join us for our first improv workshop series of 2026!

Email [email protected] for information or visit our web site at www.sanukimprov.com

12/29/2025

Only a few spots still available!

If you've ever thought about trying improv, the art of making stuff up, this is your chance! We have a free series of workshops Tuesday evenings starting January 6th. No experience is required!

E-mail [email protected] for more information!