Master Classes


ImprovBoston regularly hosts nationally acclaimed improv instructors, directors, and performers, authors, playwrights, and actors as part of our Master Class Series. Our goal is to provide ongoing opportunities for our students, cast, and wider community to experience a variety of talent and perspectives.

Previous Master Classes have been taught by Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live), Christina Gausas (Late Night with Conan O'Brien), Jeff Griggs (author, Guru: My Days With Del Close), Keith Johnstone (author of Impro, creator of TheatreSports), Mick Napier (Second City), and Bob Dassie (ImprovOlympic, Los Angeles).



Master Classes with Zach Ward

WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT? Sunday, June 20 from 2-4:30 in our Main Theater, $60

For some people improv is WHAT we do. But what do I do? I perform comedy. Improv is just HOW I do it. If you bill yourself as a comedy group or even just an improviser who wants to consistently make people laugh it's important to understand WHY we laugh at things? What are the keys to comedy? What about our scenes are funny? How do we process our choices in real time WHILE we're performing the scene and continue to be invested AT THE SAME TIME? My class breaks down scenes and character options so that every new word, every look, every gesture and every reaction from the crowd can AND WILL shape your next move... so EVERY two-person scene you perform is the funniest it can possibly be.



Who's Up Next? WHY? Sunday, June 20th 6:00-8:30pm

We can all time dash, tag-out and heighten the narrative (did that sound too improv nerdy? Maybe.) But can we ALL effectively recognize GAME in the 1st Beat and heighten with two BRAND NEW (funny) characters in a BRAND NEW (funny) situation that play that same GAME? If we do understand the pattern in a scene are we presenting the Best Possible 2nd Beat Scene or just the only one we could think of. Test your COMEDY LOGIC in battle conditions so that in performance you are able to increase the number of scene and character options you have and increase processing speed crucial for executing the Best Scenes Ever.


ZACH WARD has been performing and directing comedy professionally for over 15 years, now serving as Executive Director for the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival. Zach owns DSI Comedy Theater where he serves as Artistic Director and Executive Producer. Zach has received critical acclaim from the Chicago Reader and the Chicago Tribune for his performance with DUAL EXHAUST (Critic's Choice, INDY PICK, Top 10 "Most Influential Comedy Duos of the Past Decade") and THE BEATBOX (Critic's Choice). Zach can currently be seen performing with MISTER DIPLOMAT at the DSI COMEDY THEATER and at festivals and theaters around the country with BEATBOX and SENIOR PGA. Zach has studied the art of improvisation with Todd Stashwick (Burn Mahattan), Mick Napier and Susan Messing (Annoyance), Bob Dassie, Craig Cackowski and TJ Jagodowski (IO), Matt Besser (Upright Citizens Brigade), Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live), Michael Gelman (Second City), and with every student he teaches.

Register for both and save $20! Use the coupon code 2XTHEZACH when signing up for You Had Me At Yes! to get both classes for $100! Coupon is valid for students registering for both class only, not valid only for You Had Me At Yes!.

See Zach Ward perform With Harold Night, Friday June 18th 9:00 PM, $10

The Ropes: Being A Successful Commercial Auditioner in Boston.

Ever wondered how to get auditions in Boston? And then when you're in there how to do well? Join Melissa Paradice & Mike Morrell as they take you through everything you need to know: What looks good on a resume, where & when you should drop off headshots, the best way to present yourself on camera & building lasting relationships with casting directors. You'll get the perspective of a casting director, what they look for in auditioners & how to make strong lasting impressions in the audition room. As well as the perspective of a working actor who has been auditioning and booking jobs in the Boston, NY & L.A. markets & who has knowledge...