Discover a new sense of freedom and play. Meet other fun and interesting people. Get away from the grind of the scripted city. Come learn skills as a theatrical improviser through Crown Point Community Theatre’s Improv Fundamentals class!
Following a successful initial offering, CPCT is glad to once more offer an eight-week Improv Comedy class for adults beginning on January 19. The class delves deep into the craft of improv with more complex games as the weeks progress.
All classes are taught by veteran improv actor Nelson Velazquez. Velasquez has been involved in improvisational theatre for the last 10 years. He is currently the Artistic Director of Salsation Theatre Company, a 15 year old Latino theatre company specializing in sketch and improv comedy. He also serves as head musical director for Los Improviachis, an improvised musical mariachi band. He has trained and performed at Second City, The Annoyance Theatre, and ComedySportz and has performed with various groups across the country such as Infinite Sundays - Second City's musical improv house team; Wavelength, Inc. - a company who teaches educators to use improv in their classrooms; and is currently playing in ComedySportz' brand new improvised hip-hop show RAPture. Nelson has completed The Second City Training Center's Improv Conservatory and Musical Improv programs, workshopped with improv legends such as Brian Posen (Cupid Has A Heart On), Laura Hall (Whose Line Is It Anyway), and Al Samuels (Baby Wants Candy). He's also been featured in commercials and independent films. He also hosts The Musical Chairs Podcast, an improvised, humorous commentary on popular music.
Velasquez is quick to state his belief that improv games are a valuable tool beyond the realm of the stage.
"Some of the basic skills that improvisation teaches are to listen and be aware of others, to achieve clarity in communication and to have the confidence to find choices instinctively,” said Velasquez. “These skills are useful not only for actors, but also in day-to-day life.”
Velasquez believes in helping students learn how to think on their feet by freeing the mind, body and imagination through group exercises and games in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Students will learn the essential skills of short-form Improv through group exercises and basic improvised scenes and games. New skills are taught each week in a fun, safe environment. These skills include: Learning agreement and support in ensemble work, getting over stage-fright, being in the moment, and making big choices. At the end of the class, the students participate in a showcase performance for family and friends in our black box-style theatre. No previous Improvisation or Acting experience required.
CPCT Inprov classes will run Monday evenings, January 19 through March 2, from 7 pm to 9 pm. The fee for the course is $100, and registration may be completed through the Brown Paper Tickets registration link at www.cpct.biz, or by mailing a check to Crown Point Community Theatre, PO Box 238, Crown Point, Indiana, 46308. Class reservations may also be made by calling the CPCT box office at 219-805-4255. Payment must be made on or before the first class session. Class size is limited to 12 students, so please register early. Classes will be held at Crown Point Community Theatre, 1125 Merrillville Road, Crown Point.
About Crown Point Community Theatre (CPCT)
CPCT is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, based in Crown Point, Indiana, which exists to promote and support community theatre, community programs and the arts for the enrichment and welfare of the citizens of Crown Point, Indiana, the citizens of Lake County, Indiana, and the greater theatrical patronage of the surrounding region, and to further the education of and provide entertainment to its members and the community in the area of theatrical arts. CPCT is a member in good standing of the Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation (NIETF) and the Indiana Community Theatre League (ICTL), and continues to seek ways to reach out to the community.