Go U: The Improv Academy
our spring term began march 12, and regular improv registration is closed. we are still registering for stand up classes.
For our summer camps for kids & teens, please go here.
Hello there! Welcome to Go U, Go Comedy’s home for improv classes and one-off workshops. We offer an eight-term program comprised of four Intro classes, and four Advanced classes, designed to take you from improv newb to seasoned performer. Please keep scrolling to choose your class and sign up!
A Few Things:
The email you use to sign up is how we will communicate with you. Be sure to add classes@gocomedy.net to your contacts, and we’ll be in touch about a week before class begins.
Classes run for 8 weeks, and are $250 unless otherwise noted.
All classes culminate in a class show for friends and family, unless otherwise noted.
Nearly all of our classes take place in our Training Center, at 1915 E. Nine Mile Rd. (Not at the theater itself).
Our 2024 calendar can be found right here, if you want to keep an eye out for future terms.
More questions? Check out our class FAQs or email classes@gocomedy.net.
The Intro Program
A four-class program designed to take you from brand new improv baby to master of short form improv.
INTRO 1: WELCOME TO IMPROV
Every improv education starts somewhere - yours starts here. Learn the fundamentals of improvisation, basic games, scene work, and skills. Get used to being on stage and working with others in a safe, supportive environment. Class term runs for 8 weeks and culminates in a class show for family and friends.
INTRO 2: IMPROV TOOLS
Intro 2 picks up where Intro 1 leaves off, taking the concepts covered and looking deeper into them. This class looks at the tricks, tips, and tools of improv and incorporates them into a variety of games.
INTRO 3: IMPROV SKILLS
Intro 3 takes all of the skills learned in Intro 1 & 2 and focuses on the goal of telling a solid story through scenes and games.
INTRO 4: IMPROV GAMES
Games are the bread and butter of every improviser's diet and can be seen at Go Comedy! every weekend. Learn all about improv games from the classics to challenging new games. You’ll even learn a few of Go Comedy’s signature games.
The Advanced Program
Ready for the next step? Advanced improvisers take all the tools learned in the Intro Program, and start applying them to long-form scenework.
ADVANCED 1: SCENE WORK
Welcome to long-form! Begin your study of long-form, shake the cobwebs off your improv, or reinvent your approach. Learn the GoU Improv Philosophy and be free of the “rules” of improv. This class will focus on the basis of long-form improv: scene work. Learn how you create a scene, work with a partner, and keep an audience interested.
ADVANCED 2: THE ELEMENTS OF LONG FORM
Building upon the scene work skills of Advanced 1, Advanced 2 begins stringing those scenes together through an improvised montage. Learn and master the elements that create long-form improv.
ADVANCED 3: FORMS
Now that you've learned the basics and the montage, learn how to perform different styles of long-form improv, known as forms. This class will cover everything from a simple location-based long-form set to the legendary Harold.
ADVANCED 4: THE IMPROVISER
The focus of this class is you, the individual performer, and how you influence the group and your show. Extensive notes will be given to individuals and the group. The focus of this class is on YOU the improviser: your areas of strength, areas to work on, and suggestions on areas to focus on going forward after completing the Go U! The Improv Academy program.
Intensives, Musical Improv, & Beyond
Keep an eye on this space for exciting new class opportunities!
Workshops
We’re cooking up some new workshops for you - watch this space!
Stand Up 101 & 201: Femme, Them, & Queer Comedy Education Experience
We’re so excited to be working with guest instructor Hailey Zureich to offer her Stand Up: Femme, Them, & Queer Comedy Classes!
Stand Up 101 FTQEE | Wednesdays 7-10PM | Begins May 8
Stand Up 101 Femme, Them, & Queer Comedy Education Experience is an opportunity for all femme, them and queer comedians to be!!!
For many women, queer and non-binary folks the idea of getting on stage to live out your comedic dreams, can be very scary. This course is designed to help empower you to build confidence, land punchlines and be your best you!
During this seven week class, we will discuss the basics of stand up comedy, best practices to slay on stage, keep yourself safe, engage in the community, and work up to perform in your very own show!
Students will receive 21 hours of in class learning, the zhailey coaching Stand Up 101 Work Book, and opportunity to perform in the class show.
Students must identify as femme/woman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or non-binary.
About the Instructor
Self proclaimed Posh Spice of the Metro Comedy scene -- Hailey Zureich has been performing stand up comedy since age 14. She's cultivated an unique audience engaged storytelling style that brings the laughs and inspires!
Hailey is a certified Life Coach,Yoga Teacher, 15 years experience as a corporate trainer, and rounded out her performance experience to include short and long form improv, and stage acting.
Her training integrates her mastery in these areas to help create an atmosphere of safety, confidence, and space for fun while learning.
“This class exceeded my expectations. It’s advertised as “safe” and that’s a great description. The collaborative atmosphere enables you to feel safe trying something new, safe being silly, safe playing outside your comfort zone… Highest compliments to the class structure and the Business as a whole. We feel fortunate to have found Go Comedy!”
— Amy D., Intro 2
“This is a spectacular community. You all have done an excellent job of crafting a place where people can come together to imagine, play, dream, and just have some fun. We don’t have a lot of spaces like that as “grown-ups,” so what you’re doing is appreciated. You’ve also crafted safe spaces for people to come just as they are. The culture of this places is one of support, acceptance, and encouragement.”
— Elizabeth H., Intro 4
“I signed up for classes initially because I thought I was kind of funny and wanted a collaborative way to explore that. I indeed got what I was looking for, but I also ended up getting a crash course in confidence and communication. I learned to stop overthinking things and trust that if I try something I’ll be okay, even if I fail. I listen a lot better to people and have a lot more success understanding them and getting on the same page. These skills permeate my life well beyond the classroom and the stage, and that’s just not something I could have seen coming.”
— Matt W., Advanced 2