ALL IMPROV CLASSES OFFERED ON PWYC (PAY WHAT YOU CAN) MODEL
✨ We Believe in Making Improv Accessible to Everyone! ✨🎭
As part of our IMPROV4NEWMEXICO® initiative, we provide professionally led classes on a pay-what-you-can
model to encourage community involvement and accessibility. That’s why select classes are offered on a Pay What You Can (PWYC) basis. When you see a class marked PWYC, you choose
a payment schedule that fits your budget. We take all payment plans. Your contributions enable us to continue offering high-quality services.
Join us and be part of a growing community.
Intro to Longform Improv (8 weeks)
Learn the cornerstones of longform improv: grounded, authentic two-person scenes that exist inside of an emotionally-sound base reality. In this course, students will learn how to find the who, what, and where of a scene (a base
reality) and sustain authentic relationships to characters and environment. In short, students will learn how to make things true and play them real.
Prerequisite:
None. All levels welcome!
Led by instructor: Andrew Salazar of The Boyz™
Capacity: 16 students max (8 students min)
Cost: $250
Dates: Fridays, 8/21-10/9
8/21
8/28
9/4
9/11
9/27
9/25
10/2
10/9
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Pulling Premise (8 weeks)
This class focuses on using tools like monologues to craft premise-driven scenes — the building blocks of a solid longform set. You’ll strengthen your skills in starting scenes with clear ideas that set the tone, while reinforcing
the essentials of building a grounded setup (aka a base reality with a where, who, what) and honest authentic emotional responses. We’ll practice revisiting and expanding scenes with multiple beats by exploring and heightening.
Prerequisite: Level 1: Intro to Longform or prior improv experience.
Led by instructor:
Rachel Michaela of The Faculty Lounge®.
Capacity: 16 students max (8 students min)
Cost: $250
Dates: Thursdays, 8/20-10/22, NO CLASS 8/27, 9/19
8/20
9/3
9/10
9/24
10/1
10/8
10/15
10/22
Time: 530pm – 730pm
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
The Game of the Scene (8 weeks)
In this class, students will learn how to spot the unusual thing in a scene, communicate it to fellow improvisers in real time, and then revisit it in multiple beats within a base reality (where, who, what). Students will learn how to frame and justify, explore and heighten. This ensemble will learn advanced edits and scene mapping to create a compelling longform set. This class is the next step from improvising just a series of seemingly unrelated scenes into a cohesive and fulfilling longform set worthy of an audience.
Prerequisite: Pulling Premise or equivalent improv experience.
Email improvnm@gmail.com for registration approval.
Led by instructor
Rachel Michaela.
Capacity: 16 students max (8 students min)
Cost: $250
Dates: Wednesdays, 8/19-10/7
8/19
8/26
9/2
9/9
9/16
9/23
9/30
10/7
Time: 630pm – 830pm
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
THE RULE OF MORE: Advanced Heightening (8 Weeks)
This class is about more. More fun, more risk, more surprise—and more control. In The Rule of More: Advanced Heightening, students will learn to spot the take their scene and push it to its comedic breaking point—without ever losing sight of character, logic, or relationship. You’ll train your brain to heighten ideas in ways that build momentum and deepen the game and other comedic patterns. We will be using advanced edits—tag runs, thematic sweeps, walk-ons, and transformations—that keep shows dynamic and heightening in their own right. Scenes won’t just evolve… they’ll erupt.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed The Game of the Scene class at IMPROV NM. If you have questions about your eligibility, please email improvnm@gmail.com for registration approval.
Led by instructor:
Rachel Michaela.
Capacity: 16 students max (8 students min)
Cost: $250
Dates: SUNDAYS, 8/16-10/11* NO CLASS 8/30 & 9/20
8/16
8/23
9/6
9/13
9/27
10/4
10/11
Time: 2pm – 430pm 8/16, 8/23, 9/6, 9/13
2pm – 4pm 9/27, 10/4, 10/11
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
IMPROV LAB: (8 weeks)
A creative playground for advanced improvisers. The Improv4NM® IMPROV LAB is an 8-week advanced course that changes its focus each session.
Every cycle introduces a new theme or format–giving improvisers the chance to experiment, collaborate, and push their craft in fresh directions.
Current Lab Focus: GENRE
Prerequisite: Students must have completed (or be currently enrolled in) IMPROVNM’s Advanced Heightening class OR have instructor approval. If you have questions
about your eligibility, please email improvnm@gmail.com.
Led by instructor:
Rachel Michaela.
Capacity: 16 students max (8 students min)
Cost: $250
Dates: Saturdays, 8/22-10/17* NO CLASS ON 8/29 & 9/19
8/22
9/5
9/12
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
Time: 10am – 1230pm on 8/22, 9/5, 9/12, 10/3
10am-12pm on 9/26, 10/11, 10/17
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
SKETCH ACTING 1
Whether your are new to the stage or a performer wishing to hone your comedy skills, Sketch Comedy 1 will get you there. Learn stagecraft, build a toolbox of characters, and identify comedic patterns that will make your work shine. Students will also apply their new skills in a showcase at the end of the session.
Prerequisite: None. Open to all!
Led by instructor: Max Maliga of The Faculty Lounge.
Capacity: 12 students max (6 students min)
Cost: $320
Dates: Tuesdays 9/1-10/6
9/1
9/8
9/15
9/22
9/29
10/6
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
SAVE THE DATE!
Sketch Student Performance
Saturday, 10/10
630pm – 9pm
SKETCH WRITING 1
All Improv NM Sketch Classes are structured to mirror our original process for creating live, fast, smart, fearless sketch comedy and will prepare you to think creatively, in a unique environment.
In Sketch Writing 1, you’ll:
Learn the fundamentals of writing sketch comedy, such as establishing game, building escalation, and finding comedic patterns
Develop your comedic voice
Practice sketch writing each week
Receive detailed feedback from experienced sketch instructors
Have selections of your work performed in a Student Sketch Performance
We foster an environment where all ideas and perspectives are welcome. Expect a supportive, encouraging, and hilarious atmosphere.
Prerequisite: None. Open to all!
Led by instructor: Max Maliga of The Faculty Lounge.
Capacity: 12 students max (6 students min)
Cost: $320
Dates: Sundays 8/30-10/11 * no class 9/13
8/30
9/6
9/20
9/27
10/4
10/11
Time:
11am – 2pm
Location:
1439 San Mateo Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
SAVE THE DATE!
Sketch Student Performance
Saturday, 10/17
630pm – 9pm
Improv New Mexico™
dba Improv NM ™ dba Albuquerque Improv
™ dba Abq Improv ™
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
FEIN: 84-2713587
