The Plot Thickens: The Art of Improvised Genre & Narrative

About the Course:

Drawing on the process of High Stakes Productions’ long running genre shows – Hitch*Cocktails and Clued In – this workshop is designed to give performers the tools to strengthen their confidence and competence necessary for compelling cohesive genre-based improv. 

Students will have the opportunity to practice character work inspired by genre archetypes, create complex plot structures and decisively deploy genre tropes. Through thoughtful and poignant exercises, students will explore all the elements necessary to create a strong narrative without churning out unnecessary plot points.  

Once completed, students will be able to create their own genre based improv show with the skills to execute character and plot, deftly navigate long form narrative and easily twist storylines into satisfying endings. With The Plot Thickens: The Art of Improvised Genre & Narrative, the skills to conquer narrative and genre will be raised to ensure the stakes will be high!

After our workshop, students will be able to:

• Effectively create genre-specific characters utilizing archetypes and genre markers.

• Maintain character filters and point of view while navigating an advancing plot.

• Confidently identify a plot strategy informed by genre, themes, and story beats.

• Feel comfortable tying character and plot together into a compelling improvised story.

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:

This class will meet once a week for four weeks

Important Dates:

Saturdays 1-4pm

7/5

7/12

7/19

7/26