The Milford Arts Council’s Eastbound Theater is hosting an eight-week “Intro to Improv” course. The course will begin March 22 and run every Tuesday until May 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Gallery in Milford.
Students will learn the basics of improvisational comedy: yes, anding, thinking A to C, the unusual thing, teamwork, backline support, spacework and openings. The first half of the class will be lessons and exercises; the second half of the class will be scene work. After the final class a graduation show will take place on May 17 at the MAC where students will split into teams to perform full 30-minute sets.
The course will use knowledge and training taken from all schools of thought for improv including the Upright Citizens Brigade, Second City and Groundlings. This course is for ages 18 and over.
The instructor of the course, Nick Assunto, is an advanced level UCB trained improvisor and sketch writer with over 10 years of experience at both the New York and Los Angeles theater, performing at both and hosting a weekly show in Los Angeles. Assunto grew up in Milford, and before moving was in several theater productions in Connecticut including Playhouse on the Green, Connecticut Free Shakespeare and the MAC.
“I am really excited we are bringing this course to the MAC,” said Meg Carriero, the organization’s marketing specialist. “In my twenties Nick and I were on the acting circuit together and so when he reached out before knowing I worked at the MAC, it felt like fate that we should bring this course here. Nick is extremely talented and I know he will have a lot of insight and knowledge to give to the students in his class. I think that he can help them not just learn the beginning steps of improvisational comedy but also give them insight to what the industry is like if that is something they are looking to pursue. He is an asset for us to have back here in Milford for this course.”
The course needs a minimum of 10 students needed to run and a maximum of 15 students. It is on sale now. For more information or to reserve your spot, visit milfordarts.org.