Improv for Everyone
Go U: The Improv Academy
Our Fall Term is currently running. Our next term begins January 2025—registration will open around December 10.
Be sure to read through all information to find the right class, and you can always email classes@gocomedy.net with questions. Full Go U Calendar 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).
If you signed up using early registration, please email us to pay.
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. Choose your class and sign up!
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
Check back here when registration opens up!
Workshops
November 3 & 10 - Storytelling with Natalie Walker
November 23 & 24 - Sketch Writing With Kevin McDonald
December 7 - EMCEE Workshop with Hailey Zureich
January 5 - Performer Bios & Intros Best Practices
January 25 - Performer’s Mental Health Best Practices
Crafting Your Voice: Two Day Storytelling Workshop with Natalie Walker - SOLD OUT
Sundays, November 3 & November 10 | 1-4PM
In the Go Comedy HQ | $75
At its heart, this workshop is all about the magic of storytelling. Over the course of two days, participants will dive into the art of crafting and sharing their own stories. The goal is to make storytelling accessible, fun, and impactful by teaching how to be authentic, engaging and confident storytellers.
About the Instructor: Natalie Walker is the host and producer of Let’s Just Say, Go Comedy’s original monthly storytelling show.
Sketch Comedy Writing Workshops with Kevin McDonald
Saturday, November 23 & Sunday November 24
11-3PM | $230
Join Kevin McDonald of Kids in the Hall for a two day sketch comedy writing workshop!
On Day 1, bring a one line premise for a comedy sketch (i.e. “What if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire”). Kevin and the other students will help break down the idea and help develop it into a completed scene. On Day 2, bring your completed sketch and Kevin and the class will read it and offer feedback on how to improve it further. During both days, Kevin will also provide education and insight about writing sketch comedy.
Students may take just the Saturday class for a reduced rate, but you must take Saturday to participate in Sunday.
EMCEE Standards & Best Practices with Hailey Zureich
Saturday, December 7 | 12:30 - 4:30PM | In Go Comedy HQ | $75
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!
Saturday, December 7, at Go Comedy! Improv Theater, Hailey Zureich is back with her Emcee Standards & Best Practices workshop.
There are many titles for the Master of Ceremony, emcee, host, leader--but no matter the title it cannot be denied the importance of this role. Whether you're looking to feel more confident leading work meetings, hope to emcee a burlesque show, want to host at a club, looking to host your podcast, or just want some tips to elevate your professional public speaking skills, this workshop is just for you.
During this session we will go over the standard expectations for emcee/hosts, best practices, exercises to build up problem solving skills, ideas for how to land more opportunities, and more!
Each participant will receive 4 hours of in class time, the zhailey coaching Emcee Standards & Best Practices mini-workbook, and other surprise delights.
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.
Performer Bios & Intros Best Practices with Hailey Zureich
Saturday, January 5 | 11:00AM-1:00PM | In Go Comedy HQ | $50
Take the stress off your performance and professional networking, and get quality copy that will entice audiences and build up a wow factor! From your social platforms, to playbills, emcee notes, your website's about me section, and so much more!
This workshop is designed to help attendees create thoughtful, detailed, concise, bios. Craft intriguing and engaging intros. And be set up for success for future tweeks, updates, and edits.
Participants will receive 2 hours of in class time, the zhailey coaching workshop mini-work book, professional coaching, and group collaboration.
Performer’s Mental Health Best Practices with Hailey Zureich
Saturday, January 25 | 12:00PM-4:00PM | In Go Comedy HQ | $100
Taking to stage to share a deeply personal story, taking on an intense role, having a rough run of luck at mics, managing your social-media streams, social-calendars, and professional lives-- it is a lot.
Learning the best practices to ground yourself, establish reset practices, how to communicate your needs and wants to your support circle, and take best care of you on and off the stage can be a lot of work.
During this session participants will learn the best practices to identify your need for rest, reset best practices, how to identify your support circle, ask for help, and more!
Stand Up: 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 Education Experience.
This is a 3 term program, with each class term running for 8 weeks and including a class show. All classes take place at Go Comedy’s HQ space, at 255 E. Nine Mile Rd.
Stand Up 101: Fundamentals
Femme, Them, & Queer Comedy Education Experience
Wednesdays 7-10PM | Begins January 8
Class runs for 8 classes/9 weeks (there will be no class on February 12), and culminates in a class show on Monday, March 3.
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 eight 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 24 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.
Stand Up 201: Femme, Them, & Queer Comedy Education Experience
Thursdays 7-10PM | Begins January 9
Class runs for 8 classes/9 weeks (there will be no class on February 13), and culminates in a class show on Tuesday, March 4.
This course is designed to take you from the foundations of stand up performance to a full level up!
Throughout this seven week course students will be immersed in feedback and exercises designed to help elevate a student's set–build up to 10+ minutes of material, organize ideas, improve more complex techniques, best practices for being booked on shows, & more.
Students will receive 24 hours of in class learning, the zhailey coaching Stand Up 201 Work Book, and opportunity to perform in the class show.
Folks need to have completed Stand Up 101 FTQEE or identify as a femme/woman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, non-binary and have 1+ years of experience.
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