Adult Improv Classes
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SPRING CLASSES NOW ENROLLING!!! | CONNOR RATLIFF WORKSHOP LIVE NOW |
Whether you are a new improviser or a pro, you deserve proven, experienced training. That’s what you’ll get at the Philadelphia School of Improv. We’ve been doing improv for over 30 years, and we’re pretty good at it.
Improv uses the same basic skill set regardless of what format or form you are doing. That being said, each form uses a different muscle and we believe, to be well-rounded performer, you should be exercising as many improv muscles as possible. That is why The Philadelphia School of Improv (PSI) offers classes on multiple forms. Click here to see our full curriculum and philosophy. Click here to meet our Instructors.
Scroll down or click the buttons below to find which class or workshop appeals to you as a performer and start there. We’ll be adding more classes as time goes on, so be sure to sign up for our PSI Mailing List to hear first when new learning opportunities are added.
Students are required to see at least one show (either ComedySportz or a special show) during the course. Students receive comps per semester to see shows for FREE (and then heavily discounted after that during their tuition).
+ Spring 2026 Class Schedule
Mondays CSz 101 A & CSz 301
Tuesdays Game On! (new intensive focused on game)
Wednesdays CSz 101 B & LongForm 201
Thursdays CSz 201 & LongForm 301
COMEDYSPORTZ CURRICULUM
You want to perform improv like the Players in ComedySportz? Then this is the track for you! You’ll learn the basics and apply them to our game-based format of improv that is faster and varied in style.
CSz 101: INTRO TO IMPROV
In CSz 101, you will learn the basics of improv, focus on agreement (“yes, and-ing”), active listening, commitment, and being present in the moment. You will then start to apply these skills towards ComedySportz style improv. In this class, you will learn and play some of our favorite ComedySportz games, utilizing the basic skills and learning to trust yourself, all while making people laugh and having a lot of fun! If you’ve never done improv before, or you’d like to revisit the fundamentals of playing CSz style improv games from another perspective in an inclusive, safe, and fun environment, this class is for you. The class ends in a showcase for friends and family. No pre-requisite.
Intro to Improv A - Spring 2026
When: MONDAYS, April 6th - June 1st (No class on 5/25)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Mary Carpenter
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom Street) (Wheelchair Accessible)
Showcase: 6/7 from 12p-1p
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/26
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Mary Carpenter
Mary Carpenter has worked as an actor, improviser, teacher, director and writer in Philadelphia for over 25 years. A graduate of Northwestern University and LAMDA, Mary has worked with 1812 Productions, Act II Playhouse, Montgomery Theatre Company, and many more. She has been with CSZ Philadelphia since 1992, where she has worked as a performer, teacher, Education Director, Artistic Director, and Executive Director. Mary’s improvisation experience also includes City of Nutterly Love with The Second City, It Doesn’t Matter, ‘Til Death Do Us Part, 3M, I’ll Have What She’s Having, Odd at Sea, Detective Improv, Frankenstein’s Body and her new solo show What If, as well as publishing her book: Do Or Do Not: How To Improvise Like A Jedi. Most recently, she co-created and co-directed Improvised Star Wars. She has taught improv for 30+ years at CSz, Improv Utopia, Baltimore Improv Festival, and many independent workshops.
Intro to Improv b - Spring 2026
When: WENEDSDAYS, April 8th - June 3rd (No class on 5/6)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Michael Levine
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom Street) (Wheelchair Accessible)
Showcase: 6/7 from 2p-3p
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/2026
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Michael Levine
Michael Levine is a Philadelphia-area comedian with eight years of improv training and performance experience. Michael was the director of the Philly Fringe 2024 show “SUSpacious”. In addition to being a ComedySportz company member, Michael performs regularly with “The N Crowd”, and indie teams “Remain Dog” and “Just Friends”. Michael has also appeared in CSz shows such as “But Wait There's More”, “Puppets Here & There”, and “Improvised Star Wars”.
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Keane Cobb
Keane Cobb is an actor, improviser, standup comedian and writer from Philadelphia, PA. Keane has been writing and performing his own brand of comedy since 2008 while living in Pittsburgh, PA. Keane has hosted at the Funny Bone in Albany, Helium Comedy Club and Punchline Comedy Club in Philadelphia. He is also a member of the all POC comedy troupe NYTEShift, the comedic trio known as Black History Monthly, the improv team Not Yet Rated, and a company member of ComedySportz. He has performed in a number of comedy festivals including the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival, Hell Yes Fest in New Orleans, New York Sketch Fest, NYC Improv Fest, Cinder Block Comedy Festival in Brooklyn, Diverse AF Festival in New York, We The People Improv Festival, Philly Sketch Fest, Philadelphia Podcast Festival, and Fringe Festival. More recently, Keane has taught multiple improv classes. Keane has hosted/open for Tommy Davidson, John Heffron, Jessica Michelle Singleton, Jamali Maddix, Randy Feltface, Zach Martina, Duncan Tressel, Yedoye Travis, Darryl Charles, Setoiyo and Chappelle Lacey.
CSz 201: SCENEWORK STUDY
This course introduces you to the building blocks of scene work, giving you the tools to create honest relationship-driven scenes on stage. A few of our most popular games will be used to strengthen your listening, teamwork, and scene-building muscles as you become a stronger, faster more bionic improviser. Prerequisite: CSz 101, equivalent from another improv school, or permission from the Education Director, siobhan@comedysportzphilly.com
Scenework Study - Spring 2026
When: Thursdays, April 9th - June 4th (No class on 5/7)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Keane Cobb
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom St.) (Wheelchair accessible)
Showcase: 6/7/26 from 4p-5:30p
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/25
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Karen Getz
Karen Getz is a Philadelphia-based performer, choreographer, theater-maker and teacher. She’s been improvising for 40 years and teaching improv since 1990. Karen began performing and teaching with Comedysportz Philadelphia in 1994. Her improv training began with TheaterSports and The Groundlings in Los Angeles and she has studied with Mike Abdullah, Keith Johnstone, Joe Bill, Jeff Wirth and Jill Bernard. She has a degree in Acting and Dance from Binghamton University. She was a co-founder/director of Tapestry Theater, Philly’s first female-centered theater company - where she produced The Female Funnyfest- a national theater festival premiering new, boundary- bending comic works by female-identifying artists. She was a member of the 5 member, long-form ensemble Lunchlady Doris during its 12 year life span,13 Skirts (Philly’s first women’s improv ensemble) and the fully-improvised musical, Choosical. She created and performed (with Kelly Jennings) the award-winning, improvised, immersive theater-experiment- Cecily and Gwendolyn’s Fantastical…throughout the U.S. and, since 2012, she and art-partner, Dawn Falato, have been performing The Gorgeousity-an immersive, audience-centered, improvised musical-theater party. Karen has garnered three Barrymore Awards for her theater choreography and her three, original, comic-actor’s ballets (featuring many members of Comedysportz Philly.)Karen began her career as a movie and video dancer. You can see her 23 year old -dancing (and gum-chewing) self in the movie, Dirty Dancing.
CSz 301: CHARACTER AND RELATIONSHIPS
This class continues to build your scene work ability through establishing characters and a strong understanding of relationship. You will explore how character work can push a scene/game forward utilizing a character’s want, need, and drive. Prerequisites: CSz 101 and 201, equivalent from another improv school, or permission from the Education Director, siobhan@comedysportzphilly.com
Characters and Relationships - Spring 2026
When: Mondays, April 6th - June 1st (No class on 5/25)
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Instructor: Karen Getz
Location: CSz Green Room (2030 Sansom Street) (Requires a flight of stairs to access)
Showcase: 6/7 from 12p-1p
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/2026
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Cavalier in Pursuit
The instructor for this course has not been announced yet. Peruse the Meet the Instructor page in the meantime to learn more about our teachers, and we'll update this spot later with your instructor.
CSz 401: PRINCIPLES OF PERFORMANCE
Now that you have a strong understanding of scene work, character, and relationship, we will push you toward directly applying them into your performance ability. Direct critique and side coaching will allow you to begin exploring who you are personally as an improviser and especially as a performer. Prerequisites: CSz 101 through 301.
😞 There is no CSz 401 class this semester.
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
LONG FORM CURRICULUM
Long form improv is a series of scenes, based on a single suggestion, that are loosely connected and come together to make a cohesive, satisfying show. In our long form improv classes, you will learn the improv basics and apply them to scene work. As you progress, you will start to incorporate other techniques of the form.
LongForm 101: FUNDAMENTALS
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Curious Parrot
The instructor for this course has not been announced yet. Peruse the Meet the Instructor page in the meantime to learn more about our teachers, and we'll update this spot later with your instructor.
In Long Form 101 you’ll start with the fundamentals of improv: agreement (“yes, and-ing”), active listening, emotional commitment, playing characters, making your scene partner look amazing, and being present in the moment. You will then start to apply these skills to scene work. No prerequisite.
Longform FUNDAMENTALS
There’s no LF 101 this semester *collapses to knees
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Tom England
Tom England is a performer and screenwriter with over ten years of experience in Philadelphia improv. While also being a regular player in ComedySportz, Tom has been seen in Hallmarkable, Off the Record: The Improvised Rock Musical, as well as the creator and director of The Mirror Zone. Tom is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Professional Program in Screenwriting, but don't worry he won't ask you to read his screenplays (unless you really want to!).
LongForm 201: SCENE STUDY
In 201, students will dive deeper into scene work, explore second beats, explore tag-outs and callbacks, learn different openings, and practice different approaches to improv, such as finding, playing, and heightening the game of the scene. Students will get to perform what they have learned in a class show for family and friends. The class ends in a showcase for friends and family. Pre-requisite: Long Form 101
Longform 201: Scene Study - Spring 2026
When: Wednesdays, April 8th - June 3rd (No class on 5/6)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Tom England
Location: CSz Green Room (2030 Sansom Street) (Requires a flight of stairs to access)
Showcase: 6/7 from 2p-3p
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/26
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Susannah Beckett
Susannah Beckett has been a performing member of ComedySportz since 2007. She holds a theater degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. After University she toured the East coast for six months with the KingFisher Theater Company performing two original plays - both used puppets, one used fire. She has had the opportunity to teach with many great organizations including: Story-Up! as the Artistic Director 2018-2020, Open Circle as the lead instructor for the senior citizen improv group, Hedgerow Theater, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, and many more. She loves ComedySportz and for over a decade has been teaching for CSz as a class instructor, workshop leader and team building facilitator for non-profits, corporate clients and private events. Off the stage, she works as an Environmental Educator for Philadelphia Parks & Rec and teaches Landscape Ecology at TJU. She is delighted to use her improv skills everyday to help people connect to each other and the planet.
LongForm 301 - The Harold & Other Forms
In Long Form 301, students focus on the Harold, the most renowned long form structure, developed by Del Close. In this class, students will learn about this long form structure and why it works, how to play group games, how to do a great run, and how to put the whole thing together. Students will get to perform the entire Harold for their class show. Prerequisite: Long Form 201 or permission of Education Director. Please contact the Education Director before you sign up if you have not recently taken the Long Form 201 class.
Longform 301: The Harold - Spring 2026
When: Thursdays, April 9th - June 4th (No class on 5/7)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Susannah Beckett
Location: CSz Green Room (2030 Sansom Street) (Requires a flight of stairs to access) Showcase: 6/7 from 4pm-5pm
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/26
Tuition
$275 • $325 • $350
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
INTENSIVES
You have completed a number of classes. Or you are an experienced improviser with some years of performing under you belt. You now have the tools to take your skill set up a notch in PSI’s Improv Intensives. These classes are intense which means you hit the ground running and don’t stop until the final showcase. Get ready to work and have fun.
Game On! : An Intensive Focused on Game | Spring 2026 Intensive
+ Meet Siobhan O'Hara
Siobhan O'Hara is the Education Director of ComedySportz Philly and has been a Philly-based comedian performing improv for 10 years in New York and Philadelphia. In addition to performing in ComedySportz, Siobhan worked as a cast member of The She-Quel and Dun-Dun: Improvized Crime Unit. Siobhan has performed at ComedySportz Philadelphia, Philly Improv Theater, Crossroads Comedy Theater, This Week Sucked at The Lab in Ambler, and is a member of the indie improv teams: Daddy Issues and Tchotchke. She is also the co-author of The Comedy Improv Handbook.
Play Games intensively this spring
Looking for fun ways to discover Game, clock patterns, and heighten the scene? Then this is the workshop for you!
In this workshop, we will use character, emotion, justification, and pattern as avenues to Game. Sometimes, the first unusual thing is a person. Sometimes, it's an honest reaction. Sometimes it's how we frame our reality. Let's use these tools to our advantage to have each other's backs on stage!
Details
When: Tuesdays, April 7th - May 19th (No class on 5/5)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Siobhan O’Hara
Location: CSz Green Room (2030 Sansom Street) (Requires a flight of stairs to access).
Early Bird Deadline: 3/22/26.
Prerequisite: CSz 201 and LF 201
Notice: There will be no showcase for this intensive .
Tuition
$225 • $250 • $275
Enroll earlier and save more!
Check out our Diversity Scholarship.
Multi-class discount eligible.
Take 15% off additional classes in the same semester.
Email or call us for details.
WORKSHOPS
You’ve taken lots of classes or you’re ready to dip your toes in for the first time. Workshops are the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon or weekday evening with a quick injection of improv education that’s over in a couple hours, with skills that last you lifetimes.
SIMPLE & SUSTAINABLE SCENEWORK with Connor Ratliff
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Connor Ratliff Connor Ratliff is a New York-based actor/comedian and creator of the award-winning, critically acclaimed podcast, Dead Eyes. He has appeared in numerous films & TV shows, including The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Ghosts, Bob's Burgers, Search Party, Orange Is The New Black, The Great North, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Daily Show, Don't Think Twice, Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game, and the Mean Girls movie musical. You may have also heard him on This American Life, Comedy Bang Bang, or in the audiobook edition of Tom Hanks’ New York Times Best Selling debut novel, The Making Of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
A fixture of the NYC improv comedy scene, performing for over a decade at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, he can now be seen most weeks in the improvised show RAAAATSCRAPS on the lower east side at Caveat, or hosting the long-running cult comedy series, The George Lucas Talk Show. His latest project is the comedy podcast, Tiny Dinos, co-created by Astronomy Club's James III. It has been described as “funny” and “delightful.”
Does doing improv stress you out? Make you nervous? Are you scared to try it? Or do you find yourself getting stuck in scenes and WISHING that someone would black out the lights and end your suffering? This workshop is focused on trying to take some of the worry out of improv, to make it more fun both for you and the audience.
Connor Ratliff is a New York-based actor/comedian and creator of the award-winning, critically acclaimed podcast, Dead Eyes. He has appeared in numerous films & TV shows, including Étoile, Ghosts, Bob's Burgers, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Search Party, Orange Is The New Black, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Daily Show, Don't Think Twice, Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game, and the Mean Girls movie musical. You may have also heard him on This American Life, Comedy Bang Bang, or in the audiobook edition of Tom Hanks’ New York Times Best Selling debut novel, The Making Of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
A fixture of the NYC improv comedy scene, performing for over a decade at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in shows like ASSSSCAT and The Stepfathers, he can now be seen most weeks in the improvised show RAAAATSCRAPS on the lower east side at Caveat, or hosting the long-running cult comedy series, The George Lucas Talk Show.
Details
When: Saturday, April 11th, 2026
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Instructor: Connor Ratliff
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom Street) (Wheelchair Accessible)
SPACE IS LIMITED
Improv for COUPLES
+ Meet Your Instructor!
Mustache Cat The instructor for this course has not been announced yet. Peruse the Meet the Instructor page in the meantime to learn more about our teachers, and we'll update this spot later with your instructor.
Spend this Valentine’s Day laughing with your special someone. Or even better, have them laugh at you! Bring your Valentine, Galentine, or Bestie to our Improv For Couples Workshop, a fun and low stakes couples-based improv class. No experience necessary, just come ready to play.
Tuition includes the 90-minute workshop, a valentine’s day treat, and a discount to see ComedySportz in the month of February. You can also BYOB; we’ll provide the cups and bottle opener.
Do something new for you and your Valentine this year!
A Valentine’s Workshop
IMP100: Improv For Fun
+ Meet Siobhan O'Hara!
Siobhan O’Hara is a Philly based comedian performing improv for 10 years in New York and Philadelphia. In addition to ComedySportz, Siobhan worked as a cast member of The She-Quel and Dun-Dun: Improvized Crime Unit. Siobhan has performed at Philly Improv Theater, Crossroads Comedy Theater, performs in This Week Sucked at The Lab in Ambler and is a member of the indie improv team, Daddy Issues. She is also the co-author of The Comedy Improv Handbook.
Want to try something new, but worried about committing too much too soon? IMP100: Improv for Fun is a simplified version of our 101 Intro to Improv course.
Part open-house, part workshop, come spend an evening with supportive and talented instructors who can help you dip your toe in the improv waters! No need for floaties, we'll be staying in the shallow end.
Bring a friend, or make some new ones, as you learn about the magic of improv and play some silly little games.
IMP100: Improv For Fun
Details You Need To Know
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
PSI and CSz Philadelphia have implemented Safety Protocols to protect employees and patrons. Please read our Safety Protocols before enrolling in a class.
In-Person
PSI offers in-person classes at our theater on 2030 Sansom Street.
TUITION
Prices are listed on the enrollment page. Just click the ENROLL NOW button next to the class. (Don’t worry, you won’t be enrolled by clicking.)
Sign up by the Early Bird Deadline and you’ll receive the biggest discount. If you sign up after that date, you’ll still get a discount, but not as big. If you sign up on the day of the class, you’ll pay full price.
You can also put a $100 deposit down and pay the difference on the first day of class! Please Note: The deposit is non-refundable.
Sign up for more than one class per semester and you’ll get a 15% discount on all secondary classes (discount cannot be combined with Scholarship classes).
Email or call us for details before you purchase a class.
DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
CSz Philly is proud to offer scholarships to the diverse population of Philadelphia. In addition, we have partnered with the Black Improv Alliance. If you would like to apply for a Diversity Scholarship, please click below.
FAQ
Have a question not covered here? Try our FAQ page. Learn more>
If you have any questions about our online classes, please email the Education Director.
