It’s Never Too Late to Take a Risk
+ The Hideout Theatre has been offering improv classes to working actors, disgruntled engineers, college students, kids and all manner of Austinites since 1999. Hundreds of people have discovered improv as a fun hobby, a unique art form and a powerful tool in their personal and professional lives.
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We offer five levels of six-week classes, with Level One classes starting on weekends and week nights every month.
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+ For students eager to perform on the Hideout stage, Levels Two through Four culminate in informal student showcases for friends and family, and students in the Level Five class create and performing a month-long run of Sunday shows. We also offer master classes for experienced improvisers and create custom team-building and fun-having workshops for groups and companies.
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+ The Hideout is at the epicenter of Austin’s current improv explosion with sold-out shows every weekend like Maestro, Improvised Shakespeare, Start Trekkin’ and This Week Tonight. Our instructors are experienced and passionate and our curriculum (based on the work of Keith Johnstone, one of the founders of modern improvisation) emphasizes the magically risky nature of improv.
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+ We also offer Classes for Children. Check out Flying Theatre Machinefor more information.
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+
"This was a really excellent way to overcome some social anxiety and learn how to just have fun playing pretend as an adult."
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+ +
+ Q: Where do I start?
+ A: Register for one of our Level One classes (schedule below) …more info
+ Q: Can I test drive the classes?
+ A: We offer a two-hour Free Improv Class twice a month …more info
+ Q: How soon can I perform?
+ A: Levels Two through Six culminate student showcases in the Weekender.Graduates of Level Three are eligible to play MaestroFree Improv Class twice a month …more info
+ Q: Do I HAVE to perform?
+ A: You can always opt out of the student showcases, but we’re pretty sure that at the end of twelve weeks of improv, you’ll be itching to try it out on stage …more info
+ Q: Can I skip Level One?
+ A: Probably not, but we’re open to extenuating circumstances …more info
+ Q: How do I do more?
+ A: We offer regular Essential Elective classes on Tuesdays and four-week Extended Electives throughout the year …more info
+ +
Upcoming Sessions
+
+ Sat. Jun 10th, 1:00pm-4:00pm. $209
+ Level One improv class with Caeriel Crestin (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave) - Only 2 Spots LeftREGISTER
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+ Level One improv class with Andy Crouch (six weeks) **Class held at Hideout Studios (2505 E 6th St, Unit C) + REGISTER
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+ Level One improv class with instructor TBA (six weeks)REGISTER
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+ Level One improv class with Angie Smith (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave) - Only 3 Spots LeftREGISTER
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+ Level Two improv class with Andy Crouch (six weeks)REGISTER
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+ Level Two improv class with Jessica Arjet (six weeks)
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+ Register - Only 4 Spots Left
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+ Level Three improv class with Caeriel Crestin (six weeks)
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+ Sat. Jun 3rd, 1:00pm-4:00pm. $215
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Curious about the adult improv classes at the Hideout, but not quite ready to commit to six weeks and $209 on a Level One improv class? Come check out a FREE sample of our classes every first Wednesday (7-9pm) and third Saturday (4:30-6:30pm).
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+We’ll give you a low-pressure taste of the games, exercises and basic philosophies that we teach in our Level One Class (and a general overview of all six levels of our training program).
+Just register below and show up ready to have your mind blown.
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+***Free classes are every first Wednesday and third Saturday of the month and are posted online for registration TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE. Please only register if you are firmly committed to attending as space is limited. Thanks!***
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+The January 2017 Wednesday class will be 1/11 instead of 1/4.
Upcoming Sessions
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+
Sign up now to audition for the July/August Hideout mainstage The Kindness of Strangers (directed by Rob Yoho, co-directed by Kaci Beeler).
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+The auditions will be Saturday May 13th from 2-6pm, and Sunday, May 14th from 2-6pm. Callbacks, if necessary, will be on Monday, May 15th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
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+As the tech needs will likely be minimal for this show, there will not be tech auditions, only actor auditions.
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+Shows will be Saturdays at 8pm in July/August.
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+Rehearsals will be every Wednesday and Sunday, beginning on Wednesday, May 17th. Wednesday rehearsals will be from 7:00pm – 10:00pm and Sunday rehearsals will be from 4:00pm – 7:00pm.
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+The Kindness of Strangers is a journey through the lurid, steamy world of the American South in the style of one of America’s greatest playwrights – Tennessee Williams. Troubled men, spellbinding women, and a touch of magic come together to create stories that are hilarious and heartbreaking all at once.
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+We are seeking a diverse company of actor-improvisers to play a range of characters who rarely say exactly what they mean, and are almost always harboring deeply buried and painful secrets. This is not to say that Strangers will be joyless or overtly melodramatic. Much of the humor in Williams comes from the tension (sexual, and otherwise) that smolders between the characters. Artists of color, of all adult ages, and LGBTQQIA+ artists are encouraged to audition.
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+Want to familiarize yourself with Williams’ work? Please take a look at A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and/or The Glass Menagerie. (Want a PDF copy of Streetcar? Email rob@hideouttheatre.com and I’ll hook you up.)
+
+WHAT TO PREPARE and EXPECT at the audition:
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+ 1). Please prepare a 1-minute monologue from any Tennessee Williams play – IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE MEMORIZED. I’m looking for your acting chops here and for your ability to play realism and a character arc.
+ 2). Of course, there will also be some improv – in that, I’m looking for vulnerability, period-appropriateness, and again, that unspoken smolder and connection between the characters.
+
+A NOTE ON CONTENT:
+
+As delightful as Williams’ plays can be, they are also unmistakably dark. They at times tackle domestic abuse, self-loathing, sexual assault, mental illness, and body dysmorphia, among other difficult topics. We will not shy away from these themes in production, though we will very adamantly strive to ensure they are earned and depicted with respect, dignity, and appropriate weight. Actors should be comfortable with intimacy and potentially appearing onstage in period-appropriate undergarments.
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+Thank you for your time and interest!
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+* Required
+ + +
Level Seven: Living the Story
+ Level Six focused on narrative, or improvising a full-length story. That makes sense, because though we love a lot of things at The Hideout, narrative is our forte’ – the thing we’re the most passionate about. So it’s a shame that just as we’re getting into it in a direct way in classes, we’re done.
+ No longer.
+ Level Six teaches you the “hows” of narrative, and in Level Seven we’re going to breathe LIFE into the stories we’re putting up on stage. We’ll learn to do a playful, inspired show that prioritizes being connected and joyful about any other “rules.” Or at least we’ll try and fail, laughing all the way… and learn a ton in the process.
+ 
+ Furthermore, each Level Seven will be an expression of the instructor’s personal philosophy and approach to putting on a playful narrative. So if you’ve taken it before with a different instructor, you’ll get a different experience the second time around, as you learn to view improv through a new lens.
+ The next Level Seven is being taught by Quinn Buckner - Hideout teacher, frequent performer, spacework master, and one half of the power duo Austin/Austin. He’s got a super sweet, can-do attitude.
+ But don’t take our word for it:
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“Quinn is clearly super experienced and knowledgeable, but he also brings a calm, humble, positive spirit to class that keeps him approachable and helps his students feel comfortable trying and failing. He explains things clearly and gives good feedback, plus he’s a baker extraordinaire…I’m not sure what more a student could ask for.”
+ “Quinn creates a safe space and advocates for his students by supporting their voices and creating a culture that can talk about tough subjects in comedy. His lighthearted and kind approach helps you learn while making failure fun and acceptable.”
+
Level Seven culminates in a showcase in theThe Weekender, our Sunday showcase of student talent.
+There is a lot of interest in this class, and we’re never quite sure when it will be offered again, so sign up as soon as you can.
+Class Details:
+* class meets for 3 hours, once a week.
+* class lasts for six weeks
+* limit 14 students
+Requirements:
+To sign up for Level Seven, you must have:
+* completed Level Six at The Hideout
+* OR completed at least Level Four at The Hideout and taken The PGraph Narrative Intensive
+* OR received permission to take the class from the instructor
+Please contact Roy directly at roy@hideouttheatre.com if you have any questions at all.
+ +
Upcoming Sessions
LEVEL FOUR: PERFORMING THE SCENE
+ So you’ve decided that this improv thing is for you. The first level of our performance series is an advanced scene study class, building on the foundation you acquired in Levels One through Three and exploring advanced techniques and strategies for getting out of your own way, keeping the audience in the palm of your hand, making strong choices in games, scenes and longer formats, and recognizing the difference between genuine delight and politely muddling through. Level Four includes a strong direct feedback component. Classes run once a week (three hours) for six weeks, limit 12 students. Level Four culminates in a student showcase in the Sunday Sunday Weekender for friends and family.
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+ LEVEL FIVE: PERFORMING THE SHOW
+ You’ve got all the building blocks of improv and now it’s time to put it all together in a run of self-directed shows. Throughout the year we offer a variety of different Level Five classes exploring different formats. Produce your own shortform show with games and scenes in Theatresports. Or try a Montage class and discover not just how to transition between connected scenes, but also WHEN and WHY. Or dabble with narrative longform in Six Degrees. Whatever the format, we’ll continue to work on sustaining the playfulness and effortlessness that makes it all worthwhile. Classes run once a week (three hours) for six weeks, limit 10 students. Level Five culminates in a student showcase in the Weekender. +
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+ LEVEL SIX: PERFORMING THE STORY
+ In the third class in our performance series you’ll dive headfirst into what might be the most difficult work we do at the Hideout — long form narrative. Through games, exercises and training formats, you’ll learn the basic elements of improvising a thirty-minute story: who is the story about, what kind of story is it, when to chill out and when to be changed, etc. Classes run once a week (three hours) for six weeks, limit 10 students. Level Six culminates in a mini-run of two student shows in the Sunday Weekender. +
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+ Q: Am I ready for Level Four?
+ A: If you’re having fun and want to give this improv thing a shot as a hobby, social group, art form or career, go for it …more info
+ Q: How do I get more stage time?
+ A: Maestro is every Saturday.Maestro Raw is on Saturdays every other month. Every two months is a new student mainstage show and cast. Form a troupe and get on the Hideout schedule. Check out jams at the Hideout and other theaters around town.... more info
+ Q: How do I get plugged into the Hideout community?
+ A: Go to the parties and socialize after shows (whether you’re performing or watching). Volunteer to help out with the weekend shows. Buy your instructors a drink!... more info
+ Q: What can I do for the Hideout?
+ A: Help us spread the good word of improv by dragging people to shows and classes. And connect us with companies and organizations that would benefit from business training or entertainment.... more info
+ More Classes FAQ +
Upcoming Sessions
+
+ Tue. Jul 18th, 7:00pm-10:00pm. $215
+ Level Four improv class with Jon Bolden (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre - 617 Congress AveREGISTER
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+ Level Five improv class with Ryan Austin (six weeks)REGISTER
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+ Sat. Jul 15th, 1:00pm-4:00pm. $215
+ Level Six improv class with Courtney Hopkin (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre - 617 Congress AveREGISTER
+
LEVEL ONE: PLAYING WITH RISK
+ Have fun, meet new people and learn to improvise in the Hideout’s low-pressure classes. This six-week workshop is designed for anyone who wants to loosen up, be more spontaneous and learn to take risks on stage and in life. Each week you’ll play games and explore a challenging variety of improv exercises that unleash your natural creativity and humor.
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+ Our work is inspired by Canadian improv guru Keith Johnstone (author of Impro) so even if you’ve done some improv in the past, you’ll find the Hideout’s approach uniquely inspiring. Whether you’re just looking for a fun experience, or you think improv might just be your new thing, Level One is the perfect place to get started. Classes meet for six weeks, three hours each week, limit 16 students.
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+ Special Note: We’re offering North Austin classes now, check the class listings below.
+ REGISTER
+
+LEVEL TWO: PLAYING WITH RULES
+You took Level One and you’re intrigued. You had fun, risked failure gracefully and gave yourself permission to not try so hard. This second workshop in our introductory series continues your playful exploration of improvisation and invites you to embrace the structure, boundaries and rules that help us us improvise better faster. We’ll investigate the fundamental elements that make scenes and games work — with emphasis on how to bravely initiate scenes and present yourself with confidence throughout. Classes meet six times for three hours each week, limit 16 students. Level Two culminates in a brief student showcase for friends and family in the Sunday Weekender.
+REGISTER
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+LEVEL THREE: PLAYING WITH PERFORMANCE
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+In the final level of our introductory series you’ll discover techniques for knocking out satisfying scenes and games (beginning, middle and end) without stress or effort. Learn to tell a story with a compelling platform and a killer tilt. Learn to find the game, heighten and explore. Learn to nail the ending with a callback or counter-tilt. Learn lots of improv jargon. Classes meet six times for three hours each week, limit 14 students. Level Three culminates in a student showcase, and after Level Three students are eligible to play in the Hideout’s Saturday night show Maestro.
+ +REGISTER +
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"TI really liked the fact that we went through a number of games and didn’t bog down on anything in particular. The fact that each class had a theme was great too!"
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+ +
+ Q: Where do I start?
+ A: Register for one of our Level One classes (schedule below) …more info
+ Q: Can I test drive the classes?
+ A: We offer a two-hour Free Improv Class twice a month …more info
+ Q: How soon can I perform?
+ A: Levels Two through Six culminate student showcases in the Weekender.Graduates of Level Three are eligible to play MaestroFree Improv Class twice a month …more info
+ Q: Do I HAVE to perform?
+ A: You can always opt out of the student showcases, but we’re pretty sure that at the end of twelve weeks of improv, you’ll be itching to try it out on stage …more info
+ Q: Can I skip Level One?
+ A: Probably not, but we’re open to extenuating circumstances …more info
+ Q: How do I do more?
+ A: We offer regular Essential Elective classes on Tuesdays and four-week Extended Electives throughout the year …more info
+ +
Upcoming Sessions
+
+ Sat. Jun 10th, 1:00pm-4:00pm. $209
+ Level One improv class with Caeriel Crestin (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave) - SOLD OUT
+
+ Level One improv class with Andy Crouch (six weeks) **Class held at Hideout Studios (2505 E 6th St, Unit C) - SOLD OUT +
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+ Level One improv class with Megan Sherrod (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave)REGISTER
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+ Level One improv class with Angie Smith (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave)REGISTER
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+ Level One improv class with Rob Yoho (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave)REGISTER
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+ Level Two improv class with Shannon Stott (six weeks) - Only 5 Spots LeftREGISTER
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+ Level Two improv class with Caeriel Crestin (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre - 617 Congress AveREGISTER
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+ Level Two improv class with Andy Crouch (six weeks) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre - 617 Congress AveREGISTER
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+ Sun. Jul 2nd, 1:00pm-4:00pm. $215
+ Level Three improv class with Courtney Hopkin (six weeks)REGISTER
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+ Level Three improv class with Andy Crouch (six weeks) **Class held at Hideout Studios (2505 E 6th St, Unit C)REGISTER
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+
+The Hideout has been trying to get Patti Stiles in Austin for the Improv Marathon for years. Now that we’ve got her for the 48-hour marathon, we’re sneaking in a workshop on the Wednesday before. Come learn from one of the best (and a true Keith Johnstone protege).
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+Creative Impulse and Narrative Intuition
+with Patti Stiles
+Wednesday, June 21, 7-10pm (3 hours)
+
+There are many different approaches in how to build a scene or create a narrative, this workshop is based on Keith Johnstone techniques. Some techniques are taught as rules creating a check list mentality in the improviser. For example the rule “always start with the who, what, where.” This has the potential to dull the creative impulse as one begins to repeat a trained behavior. We search for the check list information and we miss other offers and possibilities and we aim to do the task correctly. This application of a technique as a rule shrinks the possibility to discover the unknown which intern ends up creating scenes, stories, characters and gags we’ve seen a million times before, just dressed up differently. The improviser goes into a impro auto pilot. Improvisers should not rely on rules but be taught an awareness and understanding of how things work, so that they can explore, challenge and create. Instead of learning a series of trained responses (say yes to everything) we need to develop our creative impulses and a broader understanding of acceptance of the offers that develop the story. What are we saying “yes” to? This means also strengthening our narrative intuition by being aware of all offers (verbal, physical, emotional, environmental, etc.) and what is the story (platform, circle of possibilities, whose story is it, tilt, change and endings). Having a firm grasp of these tools allows improvisers to keep the work fresh, inspire themselves and their partners and never feel backed into a corner with a scene offer they find offensive, aggressive or unsafe.
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+Bio:
+
+Patti Stiles has worked all over the world, in countries including Canada, the US, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Thailand. She is the Artistic Director if Die Nasty AU, co-director of Secret Impro theatre and has been Artistic Director of both Rapid Fire Theatre and Impro Melbourne. She was the first woman to improvise for 53 hours non-stop in the famous Die Nasty Soap-a-thon and has had a workshop room named after her at Impro ACT in Canberra. She is currently the Oceania representative on the Theatresports Institute Managing Board.
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+$40 / 3 hours / Limited Space / **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave)
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Upcoming Sessions
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+ Creative Impulse and Narrative Intuition workshop with Patti Stiles (3 hrs) **Class held at the Hideout Theatre (617 Congress Ave)
+REGISTER
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+
The Hideout welcomes legendary duo Rollin’ in Riches for a workshop in June.
+
+Keep Your Eyes Off The Road
+with Rolland Lopez and Rich Baker
+Sunday, June 18, noon-3pm (3 hours) +
+What do I say or do next? That’s a common question in improv, and often, we look at the road ahead to try and figure it out. But the road ahead isn’t written yet – so we end up inventing or focusing on plot. We don’t want to end up writing in our head and hoping our partners can read our minds!!! That takes the joy out of the collaboration and creation that makes improv so fulfilling! (not to mention, that it’s just hard!) +
+
+This workshop teaches students that to move forward in a scene it is EASIER TO LOOK BACK on what you and your partner have already created and pull from there. To be truly “in the moment” in a scene, you can’t look down the road and ask where it’s going…you can only create with your partner and when the scene is over look back and marvel at where you ended up. So, keep your eyes off the road!
++$35 / 3 hours / Limited Space / **Class held at Hideout Studios (2505 E 6th St, Unit C) +
+Bios: +
+Rolland Lopez has been teaching and coaching improv for almost 5 years. He loves teaching, whether it’s working with seasoned players or introducing Improv as a brand new concept to beginners. He currently teaches improv at all levels at M.i’s Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica, CA (next door to LA) and has been a member of the flagship short-form show, Mission Improvable, for over 6 years. As a past member of different house teams, he performed regularly on the Westside stage for 5 1/2 years as well as performed at the Seattle Festival of Improv and at the Improvaganza Hawaii Festival of Improv as a member of “Team X”. He coached the lottery show, The Draft, for 2 years as well as several drop-in workshops. As a voiceover actor, Rolland has done numerous radio commercials, and narrated industrial videos, eLearning modules and Explainer videos. He was the voice of Poncho in the animated version of the “Pooch Cafe” comic strip and the voice of Eliot in DOA: Dimensions on the Nintendo 3DS. He’s not a huge fan of hiking or walking on the beach in the hot LA sun but he can be easily talked into going salsa dancing, studies Russian in his free time and is desperately trying to cook more often while simultaneously wash fewer dishes. +
+ +Overall, Rich Baker likes to be goofy and fun and tends to not enjoy being bored. He loves many things: science, comedy, movies, TV, video games, dogs (specifically his dog Maggie), comic books and much more. He’s worked as an actor/entertainer his whole adult life and because of that has gotten paid to go all across the US, the Caribbean islands, parts of Mexico, Belize and many other fun locales. He first experienced improvisation in 1999 and hasn’t looked back yet. First, he took classes with Fort Worth’s famous comedy troupe Four Day Weekend. He went on to co-found TCU’s first and only (still running) improv troupe Senseless Acts of Comedy. After graduation he performed improv in Dallas with ComedySportz, PaceCar and Kidney Punch. In 2005 Rich moved to Chicago where he studied at the iO Theatre and Second City. During his time in the Windy City Rich performed with ComedySportz Chicago, Second City Theatricals, Mission Improvable, The Comedy Shrine, Laugh Out Loud, and WNEP Theatre just to name a few. Since moving to L.A. in 2014 Rich has taught and performed at the West Side Comedy Theatre and Second City Hollywood in addition to co-writing/performing Nerdology – a comedy interactive trivia show, and coaching several independent comedy troupes. He is represented by Affinity Artists Agency. +
+
Upcoming Sessions
+
+ Keep Your Eyes Off The Road with Rollin' in Riches (3 hrs)
+REGISTER
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+ August 14 – August 18, 2017
+ $375 EARLY BIRD PRICE (ends June 1) | 5 days (30 hours) of improv
+ $400 regular price
+ $425 last chance! (after August 1, pending availability)
+
"The Hideout summer intensive was the kind of experience that you hope to get at least once in your life."
++
+ The Hideout summer intensive was the kind of experience that you hope to get at least once in your life.
+ The Summer Intensive is a crash course covering the Hideout Theatre’s twin pillars of improvisation.
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+ Every morning is an exploration of the playful Keith Johnstone-inspired approach to the core tenets of improv. Every afternoon students will immerse themselves in our deep and abiding passion for theatrical narrative improvisation.
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+ **This year we’re also debuting an Advanced Narrative Intensive track for students who already have some experience with narrative longform – more info here.
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+ Instructors include Andy Crouch, Kareem Badr, Kaci Beeler, Roy Janik, Jon Bolden, Jessica Arjet, Courtney Hopkin, Quinn Buckner, and Kacey Samiee.
+
+ *The summer intensive is recommended for improvisers with at least a year of experience.
+
| Monday (8/14) | +Tuesday (8/15) | +Wednesday (8/16) | +Thursday (8/17) | +Friday (8/18) | +
| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Fundamentals | +10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Fundamentals | +10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Fundamentals | +10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Fundamentals | +10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Fundamentals | +
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Narrative | +2:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Narrative | +2:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Narrative | +2:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Narrative | +2:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Narrative | +
+ *This schedule is subject to changes (but only in the direction of more awesome)
+
+
"Inside and outside of class the teaching staff genuinely connected with and supported every student."
++
+ Performance Opportunities:
+ In addition to the 30 hours of class time during the day, Thursday through Sunday will offer opportunities to see and perform in shows (including a dedicated Intensive Showcase on Friday night).
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+ Social Events:
+ We’ll be setting up multiple options for students to socialize outside of the workshop, including a trip to Barton Springs and an Austin Improv Happy Hour with improvisers from all over town.
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+ Out of Town Improvisers!!!
+ If you’re not from Austin, WE WANT YOU! We’ll make every effort to make this a fantastic and manageable improv vacation to one of the friendliest cities in the world. Expect top notch hospitality, including fun times and a tour of the town, and if you need we can probably hook you up with housing with a friendly local improviser. And there is also a convenient and relatively inexpensive Firehouse Hostel just one block away from the Hideout Theatre.
+
"30 hours of improv over the course of the week will be a bigger boost to your confidence and skill than 60 hours spread over months."
++ + +
Upcoming Sessions
+
+ Five-Day Signature Summer Intensive (10am-5pm Monday-Friday)
+REGISTER
+
Wednesday Jam
Every Wednesday 7-9pm at the Hideout’s east side Studios space (2505 E 6th St, Unit C) Free! RSVP on Facebook or just show up
+
+This is an open improv comedy Jam, no experience necessary, no Hideout affiliation necessary. It runs 7-9pm with 45 minutes of warm-up games (bippity bippity bop, bad rap, etc.) and favorite exercises (hat game, what comes next?, etc.) and then 75 minutes of mock show (games and scenes in front of the group). This is just for improvisers; no tickets, no audience.
+
+This isn’t a class or workshop – just an easy opportunity to play – so no feedback or criticism. The Jam will be facilitated by upper level Hideout students. They’ll show up with some ideas for what to do, and ask the group of jammers what they would be excited to do (so bring your own ideas about what you’d like to try out).
+
+First Wednesday of the month is a regular Jam
+Second Wednesday is a Maestro Jam (focusing on Hideout’s weekly show format)
+Third Wednesday is a regular Jam
+Fourth Wednesday is a Musical Jam (focusing on improvised singing with a live musician)
+The occasional Fifth Wednesday is a Narrative Jam (focusing on improvised stories and genre shows)
+
+
+The Wednesday Jams are held at Hideout Studios in east Austin – 2505 E 6th St, Unit C (just east of Pedernales, park on the street). The jam is FREE – you can RSVP on the Hideout’s Performer and Student Facebook page page or just show up at 7pm on Wednesday.
+
Upcoming Sessions
Every Wednesday the Hideout brings you a workshop on a special topic in improvisation with the top improv instructors, directors and players in Austin. The first session of 12 classes in 2017 is focusing on Narrative Improv, stories told over a longer period of time. You can register for all 12 classes for the crazy cheap price of $120 or you can register each week à la carte for $20.
+ 
+
+Every Wednesday the Hideout brings you a workshop on a special topic in improvisation with the top improv instructors, directors and players in Austin. The first session of 12 classes in 2017 is focusing on Narrative Improv, stories told over a longer period of time. You can register for all 12 classes for the crazy cheap price of $120 or you can register each week à la carte for $20.
+
+SPECIAL TOPICS IN NARRATIVE IMPROVISATION:
+
+March 22 - Scene Paint Your Way Into and Out Of a Paper Bag
+with Quinn Buckner (Big Bash cast member and half of Austin/Austin)
+Need to get out some information but it would be to awkward to do with dialogue? Need to jump start your scenes and stories? Let’s get loosy goosy with some scene painting and see all the ways we can use this fantastic device.
+
+March 29 - Commit, Dammit
+with Jeremy Sweetlamb (director of 2016′s Process and Available Cupholders)
+If you don’t believe in your stories, why should the audience!? We’ll talk about easy tricks and small tweaks you can make to your improv that will help sell your ideas and characters. You will also fill out a brief survey before class informing Sweetlamb of how intense you want your feedback to be.
+
+April 5 - Play More, Plot Less
+with Manuel Duran (director of Theatresports and student mainstage Long Days, Hot Nights)
+Narratives can be stressful but they don’t have to be! This workshop will focus on helping you bring delight and joy to your narrative work so that you can stop plotting and start playing.
+
+April 12 - Romance & Intimacy
+with Kaci Beeler (director of Peter Pan and the January 2018 mainstage Orphans!)
+Narrative improv is soulless without real connection, but how do we get to those intimate places on the spot in front of an audience? Join Kaci Beeler in an introduction to her signature series on romance and intimacy in improvisation. Real connection on stage IS possible and it is also very, very fun.
+
+April 19 - Slower is Faster
+with Andrew Buck (director of Theatresports and Big Bash cast member)
+Some of the most impressive improv seems to move both quickly and patiently at the same time. How is this even possible?!? Easy–by learning how to give and take, how to play on your tiptoes without tipping over. We’ll spend a few hours drilling a tight, focused, crisp manner of playing with our colleagues. You’ll wow the crowd.
+
+April 26 – The Power of Positivity
+with Jon Bolden (director of Nothing and Everything: Improvised Chekhov)
+Agreement is a powerful & important element of storytelling that is often underappreciated. Starting with positive relationships, staying on the same team, and being in agreement can build the foundation for a compelling narrative and propel you into richer scene work. This workshop explores strategic tools and approaches as well as a broader, holistic view of positive world building and character creation.
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+May 3 - Turn Your Passion Into a Format
+with Margaret Hunsicker (director of upcoming Horror: The Musical!)
+Do you a have a genre of film or theatre you’d love to see translated to improvised narrative? Not sure how it would all work out in the moment? Let’s figure it out!
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+May 10 - Building an Ensemble
+with J.R. Zambrano (director of the upcoming How I Saved the World Over Summer Vacation)
+Ensembles can kick a story into overdrive. Come learn how to create a group of friends/unlikely heroes/ragtag bunch/motley crew that thrives because of its diverse perspectives and relationships that drive the story on!
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+May 17 - Make it Meaningful
+with Ryan Austin (director of Theatresports and regular mainstage performer)
+Tired of doing forgettable improvised stories? Learn how to craft narratives and characters that audiences will remember for years to come. Seriously, YEARS.
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+May 24 – Break Into Song
+with Kacey Samiee (director of Improvised Rock Opera and regular mainstage performer)
+Song placement within a narrative is crucial. We’ll go over two of the most important things about musical improv: What’s the song about? Where does it go?
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+May 31 - Break All The Rules
+with Andy Crouch (director of Start Trekkin’ and Hideout education director)
+This workshop will look at how to successfully break all the “rules” of Narrative. Make your main character unlikable! Start in a the middle of the action and story! Stop making the smart moves and make all the fun moves.
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+June 7 - Rocket-Fuel Objectives
+with Kevin Miller (education director at Merlin Works and assistant director of Fiasco)
+Stories live and die on what characters want and how bad those characters want it. With techniques from Fiasco and beyond, learn how to catch hold of strong objectives and use them to power exciting, engaging storytelling
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+$120 for the 12-session pass / 24 hours total / Workshops limited to 12 students / Class held at the Hideout Theatre downtown
+Or $20 each week for any open spots not claimed by passholders
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+***Fine Print: 12-class pass holders will reserve their preferred classes ahead of time and any unclaimed spots each week will be sold to the general public. If you purchase a 12-class pass but then get cast in an upcoming Hideout Mainstage show that conflicts with Wednesday nights, we will refund the prorated remainder of your class purchase.
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Upcoming Sessions
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