Let's Improvise: Improv Dojo - Oakland Improv Class

The Improv Dojo is Pan’s drop-in improv class

The Improv Dojo is a two-hour class focusing on improv scene work and games. In two hours you’ll play, have fun, and sharpen your skills without having to commit to a longer class. You can attend once or come every week.

The Dojo is a learn-by-doing class. This is one of Pan’s less talk, more do classes.

Why the Improv Dojo?

Improv is an art. It is an approach to creating theater without a script and in the moment.   A Dojo is a place where you can study the way - in this case the way of improv (or creating theater minus the script).

Your Space

The Improv Dojo gives you a space to play, explore and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.

All Experience Levels Welcome

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a more seasoned player you’ll get the chance to practice and learn. You’ll walk away with stronger skills. We consider this serious play or focused fun. Each session you’ll have a ton of fun and make new friends.

Learn with and from the Pan Community

You'll learn not only from the class instructor, but also from watching and doing scenes with other class participants. Often Pan troupe members participate in the Dojo to further sharpen their skills or work on games for an upcoming show. 

Improv Dojo is super flexible

It’s a drop-in class. You sign-up and pay by the class. So you can try it once and never look back. Or you might just find yourself becoming a regular. Come to a single session or come and play every week. The choice is yours.

Great Price

Trying something new can be scary enough. The last thing you want to do is to commit to something long term before trying it out. The Improv Dojo is a super cheap way to try improv or to do it on a regular basis without breaking the bank.

Meet the Pan Community

The class is a mix of members from Pan’s Playground Troupes, performing troupes, and others new to improv. You’ll get to play and practice with a wide range of people.

Learn from Experienced Teachers

Learning can be tough. It helps to know your teach can not only teach but also knows what it is like to practice and perform. The Dojo is taught by senior Pan performers.

Fun Is Guaranteed

Paying for a class you don’t enjoy is icky. Icky isn’t fun. We don’t want you to feel icky. If you don’t like the class we’ll gladly refund your class fee. Email us after class and we’ll happily refund your class fee. No questions asked.

Gentle Learning

Being creative takes courage. Being creative and doing something new with new people takes more courage. We remember what it was like to be a beginner. The Improv Dojo sessions are designed to let you warm-up, get to know other players and to explore without feeling pressured. You’ll be treated with respect.

Sharpen Your Skills

Learning in a hyper competitive environment is tough. It takes the fun out of improv. If you’re new to improv or new to the Pan approach you’ll find the Improv Dojo a comfortable place to dip your toe in the water. We focus on teamwork, support and making your partner look like “a poet, artist and genius”. We also ask you do the same for your scene partners.

Some Reasons To Take the Class

• You Want to Explore Acting and Improv 
• You Want to Have Some Fun and Play
• You Miss Playing Make Believe
• You Want to Lighten Up
• You Want to Think Faster on Your Feet
• You Want to Let Go of Judgement 

 Some Things You’ll Learn in the Improv Dojo

• The One Phrase That Starts A Scene and Can Transform Your Life
• Why Good Improv Doesn’t Require Fast Talking
• How You Can Easily Come Up with Dialogue On the Spot
• 3 Things You Can Do For Your Partner That Make Improv Easier For You
• Why Trying To Be Funny Makes Improv More Difficult
• Why You Already Know What to Say
• Why Speaking First Is Easier Than Speaking Second
• One Quick Trick to Feel More Confident in a Scene (or When Giving a Presentation)

Parking

If possible, we recommend taking BART or public transportation. We are only 30 seconds from BART. The 51A drops off about one minute away from Pan Theater. On Sundays there are usually parking spots available within a block of the theater.

 Ready to Sign Up?

Click the register button on this page to get started.

Class Refund

If you sign-up and then decide not to take the class we'll gladly refund the class fee.

If you take the class and find it isn`'t your cup of tea, we'll gladly refund the class fee.

Just email us with the date of your class and your registration info. Good for the Improv Dojo only.

Going to Miss Your Class?

You can transfer your class ticket to a future session if you miss a class. You can also give your ticket to a friend or family member if you can't take the class. Email us with your class ticket info and we'll hold your credit for up to one year.

Host or Publisher Pan Theater