Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture (FMCAC) resident group BATS Improv’s acclaimed School of Improv offers in-person and virtual online classes for adults, children, and teens. Adult classes cover many aspects of improv: games, exercises, scene work, character development, spontaneity, and more.

Adult classes range from three-hour introductory workshops to a complete series of Foundation 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes, as well as Improv Gym, Performance Labs, Specialty classes, Learn @ Work, and Studio Scene Work classes. Children and teen in-person classes focus on Beginning Kids Improv for grades kindergarten through two, Beginning Youth Improv for grades three through five and six through eight, and Beginning Teen Improv for grades nine through 12 (teens).

PLEASE NOTE: This calendar event listing only includes classes taking place online or in-person at FMCAC. BATS also offers classes at other locations in Palo Alto, CA and in San Francisco’s Mission District. 

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS (Open to all adults 18 years and older)

In-Person: Intro To Improv. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. or Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (With Rebecca Stockley); Saturday, May 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (With John Remak); Saturday, June 10, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (With Liz Baker); or Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Susie Sargent); $54.

FOUNDATION SERIES CLASSES

In-Person Foundation 1: Saturday, April 15, 2023 to May 20, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With John Remak); Tuesday, May 16, 2023 to June 20, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Susie Sargent); Wednesday, May 24, 2023 to June 28, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Will Gutzman); or Sunday, June 25, 2023 to July 30, 2023 (With Rebecca Stockley); $349

In-Person Foundation 2: Movement & Story. Monday, May 1, 2023 to June 5, 2023, 7:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. or Wednesday, July 5, 2023 to August 9, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With John Remak); $349 (prerequisite: Foundation 1 and approval/access code from BATS@improv.org)

In-Person Foundation 3: Character & Relationship. Sunday, April 30, 2023 to June 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (No class May 28, 2023) (With Dave Dennison); Thursday, May 4, 2023 to June 8, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Dave Dennison); Monday, June 26, 2023 to July 31, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Brian Lohmann); $349 (prerequisite: Foundation 2 and approval/access code from BATS@improv.org)

In-Person Foundation 4: Scenework & Acting Skills. Wednesday, Thursday, June 22, 2023 to July 27, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Rez Graham); $349 (prerequisite: Foundation 3 and approval/access code from BATS@improv.org)

Online Foundation 4: Scenework & Acting Skills. Monday, May 8, 2023 to July 10, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (No class on May 15, 2023 or July 3, 2023), (With Andy Sarouhan); $299 (prerequisite: Foundation 3 and approval/access code from BATS@improv.org)

In-Person Foundation 5: Narrative. Wednesday, May 24, 2023 to June 28, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (With Brian Lohmann); $349; (prerequisite: Foundation 4 and approval/access code from BATS@improv.org)

In-Person Foundation 6: Performance Showcase. Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates; $349 (prerequisite: Foundation 5 and approval / access code from registrar@improv.org)

IMPROV GYM

Improv Gym: Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates; $175/month (prerequisite: Foundation 2 and approval/access code from BATS@improv.org)

PERFORMANCE LABS

In-Person: Arabian Nights Performance Lab. Thursday, April 13, 2023 to June 8, 2023; 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (No class June 1, 2023, With Basel Al-Naffouri); $449 (prerequisite: Foundation 6 and approval / access code from registrar@improv.org)

Online: Number Letter Avenue Performance Lab. Tuesday, May 2, 2023 to June 20, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., plus shows (With Brian Jones); $449 (prerequisite: Foundation 6, improv performance experience, and approval / access code from BATS@improv.org or registrar@improv.org)

IMPROV JAMS

Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates; $25 to $50. No pre-requisites.

SPECIALTY SESSIONS

Online: Coffeehouse Improv. Thursday, March 30, 2023 to May 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (With Brian Jones); $299. (prerequisite: none)

In-Person: Improvised Shakespeare Intensive. Friday, May 19, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (With Brian Lohmann); $299. (prerequisite: Foundation 5 and approval / access code from registrar@improv.org)

KIDS, YOUTH & TEEN CLASSES

In-Person Beginning Kids, Youth & Teen Improv. (Multiple classes for different ages and school grade levels). Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates. $229

Beginning Kids Improv. (Grades Kindergarten to second) Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates. $229.

Beginning Youth Improv. (Grades three to five) Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates. $229.

Beginning Youth Improv. (Grades six to eight). Check BATS’ EventBrite page for updates. $229.