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Improv Basics
Taught by Ben Jardine

10:00am-12:30PM

Improv is one of the oldest forms of self-expression. Long ago, as cave dwellers, we told stories and kept ourselves entertained when there was no printing press or television.

We improvise all the time. In line, in cars, in conversation. It’s something we all do innately, and I believe everyone has the ability to make stuff up. It just takes a little confidence and the skills we already have as humans: listening, trust, humor, play.

In this workshop, we’ll cover the basic building blocks of improv and what makes a good scene good. We’ll dive into the shallow end of the pool of character work and learn some ways to make your characters sing.

This workshop is for everyone: whether you’re a curious cat looking to play or a seasoned scenester who wants a refresher. All are welcome!

Ben Jardine is a New Zealand-American writer, improviser, and musician, who grew up in Los Angeles, California. Ben has a degree in Creative Writing from Pitzer College, where he was a creative producer for a non-profit music and arts festival. He has trained at Chicago’s iO Theater and the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. His written work has appeared in various publications in the US and New Zealand, including magazines and poetry books. He loves telling stories through fiction, long-form improv and music, via characters that entertain and captivate audiences. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

“I’d like to purchase a transaction scene, please!”
Taught by Liz Butler

1:30PM-4:00PM

Let’s use the humble and oft-banned transaction scene as a place to play with scene work and character.

Ever been banned from doing transaction scenes? Wanna be naughty and do them anyway? But wanna be good at the same time because you found a way to do the bad thing good? After this workshop you will have more fun performing and people will have more fun watching!

Have no idea what I’m talking about?

WELL GOOD THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

Improviser A: I’ll buy this hamburger please
Improviser B: That’ll be $18
Improviser A: Here (gives them their credit card)
Improv Teacher: NO MORE OF THAT. BANNED.

NOW SAYING “BANNED” IS BANNED.

This workshop will give you the tools to:

At once be more familiar with your scene partner!
Explore scene painting!
Give you more material to play off of in the rest of the scene/show!
Get comfortable with specifics!
Create more watchable and more dynamic scenes

This workshop is for anyone who has ever bought something.

Liz Butler (she/they) is an artist, improvisor, clown, singer, director, and performer from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In New Zealand, she co-founded the Yellow Cat Collective, a company dedicated to performance work with feminist themes, and she taught improv workshops at the NZ Improv Festival. She was nominated for “Most Promising Emerging Artist” award at the NZ Fringe Festival in 2022. Liz performed at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her shows We’re Doing Something and American Football. She has trained at Chicago’s iO Theater and the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York, and is a member of WET (a UCB Lloyd team), and the indie improv teams Happy to Be Here and GUPS (winner of Best New Team at the 2025 Yes, Andies comedy awards). The magic of collaboration drives her work and career, and she loves facilitating workshops that allow others to have their own personal and creative revelations. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Do I need to be an experienced improviser to take the workshop(s)? These workshops are open to people of all improv skill-levels, ages 18+, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer.
When and where? Both workshops are on Saturday, October 3, at the Foundry in West Stockbridge, MA, at 2 Harris St. Improv Basics runs from 10am-12:30pm; Transaction Scene runs from 1:30pm-4pm.
Who are you guys? Your instructors are Liz Butler and Ben Jardine, two improvisers with lots of experience teaching and performing a style of “realistic” improv. That’s improv rooted in emotion that doesn’t always aim for laughs, but can end up being funny anyway.
How much? $150 per workshop, or $250 for both!

Improv Basics Taught by Ben Jardine

10:00am-12:30PM

“I’d like to purchase a transaction scene, please!” Taught by Liz Butler

1:30PM-4:00PM

Improv Basics
Taught by Ben Jardine

“I’d like to purchase a transaction scene, please!”
Taught by Liz Butler

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Liz & Ben: Improv Workshops

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In 4 weeks · Friday, October 2

Liz & Ben: Improv Workshops