Both Classes are Open For All Adults Regardless of Experience
HENDERSONVILLE, March 3, 2023 (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) Enrollment is now open for two adult improvisation acting classes offered by Hendersonville Theatre (HT). Classes will be taught by professional improvisation actor and comedian Emily Swindal. Both classes are open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of experience level. The classes will meet at Whitmire Activity Center, 310 Lily Pond Drive in Hendersonville.
Improv Level One: Communicate. Collaborate. Play. meets on Wednesdays from April 5 to May 24. Tuition is $180. In the class, students will work at getting comfortable on stage while having fun doing it. Students will learn to have compassion for themselves and their classmates as performers as they learn the fundamentals of improvisation and develop support and spontaneity. Together, they will learn the importance of “yes-and-ing,” heightening the absurdity and raising the stakes. They will also cover the differences between short form and long form improv. This is a short form class similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Intro to Sketch meets on Thursdays from April 20 to June 8. Tuition is $180. This class is for students who want to know how to write like they do on Saturday Night Live and level up their ccomedic knowledge. Students will learn the basics of sketch comedy writing, talk about the history of sketch, and the differences between the famous sketch and improv schools based in NYC, Chicago, and LA. The class will discuss the crossover of skills practiced in sketch writing and improv and the differences between British and American humor. Students will also learn about the similarities between sketch and satire and read a variety of sketch scripts, break them down into parts, and learn the mechanics. The class will look at a number of sketches together, practice identifying the formula, and specifically labeling what’s funny about them. It will also practice idea generation and pitching.
Students of all skill levels are encouraged to attend. To register for classes, please visit HVLtheatre.org or call the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.
Emily Swindal lived in New York City for 8 years as an actor and improv comedian before relocating to Hendersonville during the pandemic. Swindal studied and performed improv and sketch comedy writing at New York City’s Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Swindal has performed with an assortment of improv teams. Some of her past instructors include Elana Fishbein, Peter McNerney, Ross Taylor, Michael Lutton, and Nicole Drespel. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory.
One of the missions of HT is to provide arts education that promotes life-long learning, in a way that inspires, nurtures, enriches, and empowers.
Hendersonville Theater has made masks optional for students, but volunteers, staff and performers are fully vaccinated. No proof of vaccination is required to attend a class.
Since 1966, Hendersonville Theatre has provided an inviting and nurturing environment for live theatre, as well as high-quality, affordable entertainment for the residents of Hendersonville and surrounding areas.
Hendersonville Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HVLTheatre.org.
