Hitch*Cocktails Workshops

About the Courses:

June 7: How to Plot: Improvising a Narrative Without Getting Stuck in the Details

Drawing on the process of High Stakes Productions’ long running genre shows – Hitch*Cocktails and Clued In – this workshop provides the tools to push the plot forward without forcing unnecessary plot points or overwriting the story.

Blending foundational scene work with strong character points of view as well as actionable wants, this workshop teaches the fundamental rules to successful narrative. Learn how to play the arc of a character and deliver a satisfying climax for both the show and your individual performance.

Narrative genre isn’t just about laughs but about giving the audience a story that is as unforgettable and intriguing as it is sustainable. With How to Plot: Improvising a Narrative Without Getting Stuck in the Details, performers will walk away with the skill set to effortlessly drive the plot forward while balancing the arc of their own character.  

June 21: High Stakes Improvising: Mastering Genre & Narrative

Drawing on the process of High Stakes Productions’ long running genre shows – Hitch*Cocktails and Clued In – Mastering Genre and & Narrative is an advanced level workshop designed to identify strong archetypes and genre tropes, master narrative moves that shift shows in interesting directions and draw strong plot lines to a satisfying end.

Mastering Genre & Narrative is the workshop created for advanced skill set learning in narrative moves. If performers are looking for the fine tuning tools to take their genre and narrative performance, this workshop delivers the exercises that focus on heightened choices and efficient, genre-infused moves.  

If performers have experience in narrative but struggle with wrapping up shows with conclusive endings or feel their choices lack dynamic, show-shifting detail then High Stakes Improvising: Mastering Genre & Narrative aims to raise the stakes for any improviser.

Instructor Bios:

RYAN BEN (he/him) Ryan Ben has been a performer, writer, and actor living in Chicago since 2008. Ryan has performed and taught for The Second City, The Annoyance Theater, iO, and many other theaters in Chicago. As a facilitator and program designer with The Second City Works, Ryan has worked with clients such as State Farm Insurance, VRBO, Nuveen, The National Association of Realtors, Indeed, GM, Active Campaign, and BMO Family Office. Ryan loves helping people realize the power of their unique story and spending his time in service of others. Ryan has two kids, Alice Rose and Wilson Miles, and loves reading, playing video games, and still performs regularly with Hitch*Cocktails and Clued In: The Improvised Murder Mystery. Ryan will always laugh at a good pratfall, and you certainly don’t have to, but if you do want to fall down on purpose, and safely, oh goodness, please do it, because it’s hilarious.

CALEB GEORGE (he/him) lives in Chicago by way of Arlington, Texas. He attended the University of Houston where he studied Theatre and Film. He was a member of the ComedySportz Houston ensemble for four years until moving to Chicago in 2010. Caleb is the Artistic Director of High Stakes Productions which produces Clued In: The Improvised Murder Mystery, and Hitch*Cocktails, of which he is a founding member. He is blessed to have been a part of two Harold Teams, Apollo and Artemis, Mission IMPROVable’s Red Team Touring, CSz Chicago (2012-2016) and the long running Thirsty: The Premier Improv Drinking Party. He is represented by Actor's Talent Group.

Schedule:

These workshops will meet once each for 2.5 hours.

Important Dates:

6/7 12-2:30pm "How To Plot"

6/21 12-3:30pm "High Stakes Improvising"

*note that each of these workshops are distinct and separate, one must register for each individually. Each workshop will approach unique content/topics