Advanced Improv: The Harold and Long Form Improvisation

The Harold is the original long form developed in Chicago by Del Close and Charna Halpern which when done right is an exciting, challenging, and dynamic performance piece for both performers and audiences. In this seven week class, students will learn how to build off each other’s ideas in an opening, drilling down to find a central theme and then creating scenes and games inspired by that theme, expanding the world of the piece before bringing back characters and ideas in new and unexpected ways. Students will learn different techniques for creating organic openings, group games, and even transitions, quickly getting on board with and heightening each other’s ideas while sharing the piece as an ensemble! This class will culminate in a run of shows! The prerequisite for this class is Level Five Improv at Stomping Ground Comedy Theater or graduation from an equivalent training center with permission from the Training Center Director.

Topics in this Course Include:

• Using Fast and Energetic Openings to Find the Theme of the Show
• Digging Deeper to Make It Matter in First Beat Scenes
• Bringing Back Characters, Patterns, and Ideas in Second Beat Scenes
• Colliding and Connecting Everything and Tag Runs in Third Beat Scenes
• Playing Patterns and Big Physicality in Group Games
• Additional Long Form Pieces and Harold Derivations

About the Instructor:

Greg Mihalik has been teaching improv and theatre since 2004! His improv training and performing includes graduating the Magnet Theater conservatory program in New York including an Advanced Harold class, after which he performed the Harold on a House Team every week for nine months! He has taught The Harold to students from high school to adults and used the form to develop shows like My F’d Up Thanksgiving at Stomping Ground. He recently attended a week long, five level improv intensive at iO (formerly Improv Olympics) in Chicago where he had the opportunity to learn and perform the iO style of the Harold. He is very excited to share his new ideas and insights with you!

This is a 7 week recurring in-person course held Wednesdays, 7-9:30pm starting Wednesday, September 3rd with a run of shows in November. The instructor is Greg Mihalik. All sales are final. Classes are non-refundable but enrollment can be deferred to a future class. All students must adhere to policies in the Stomping Ground Student Handbook. Must be 18 years or older.

Host or Publisher Stomping Ground Comedy