11 Best Improv Classes in NYC

If you’re looking to improve your communication and acting skills try taking one these classes on our list of best improv classes in NYC.

First of all, let’s start by explaining what improv is. Improv is short from improvisation, and you can see it in movies, theater, television, music and live comedy. Basically, this is a type of performance art. To become the best in your field regardless of whether you are a soccer player, a musician or an actor, you need to spend a lot of time practicing. For some people, improvisation is very easy, and they can do it anytime anywhere, while for others, it is incredibly hard. If this is the case with you, don’t worry because there are classes where you can learn how to improvise and do your best right on the spot.

Today, there are many comedians that are making our days more interesting with their jokes. To become a comedian it isn’t enough to learn a joke or two. In order to be a successful comedian, you need to know how to tell those jokes, and you need to be able to tell and think of all kinds of jokes right on the spot. It has happened to me, and I am sure it has happened to you as well, to hear a joke from a person and not find it funny. However, later you might hear the same joke from another person and laugh so hard you think your stomach will explode. There are many comedians that are very good at their job, and of course, they are earning great revenue. If you are interested in this topic and you want to find out what the 15 highest paid comedians in the world are, we recommend you to take a look at this list as well.

While creating our list of best improv classes in NYC, we used Class Curious and their database as our source, since they cover classes and all things New York City. We couldn’t find a right way to sort our list because there are different improv classes, and different techniques work for different people, so we left it to you to see what is the best improv class for you to attend. These classes also vary in price, scheduling and how classes are offered. On this list, you will find everything from drop in improv classes in NYC to improv classes in Brooklyn.

If you want to boost your career, let’s take a look at our list of best improv classes in NYC.

11. The Engaging Educator 

Location: Various Locations in Manhattan

Level: All Levels

The Engaging Educator uses custom designed improv for each client who signs up for one of their classes. Their main goal is to teach people how to listen better and to connect with audiences, whether they are conducting a work meeting or entertaining a group. Most of their programs are created for professionals in the work place, so your don’t have to be an aspiring actor or comedian to take their classes.

10. Life Lafter Divorce

Location: PO Box 14716, NY

Level: All Levels

Life After Divorce is an improv class designed specially for divorced people. With this class, you will be able to try something new, learn how to rebuild your confidence, make new friends and release some stress. This class will provide you with support and the opportunity to stay connected with other people. You should sign up for this class because it will keep you smiling and it will expand your network, who knows maybe you will meet someone special in this class.

9. Improvisation Basics for Actors

Location: 115 W 29th Street 12th Fl, NY

Level: Beginner

If you see yourself as an aspiring actor, you should know that every actor is skilled at improvising and this is something you should be aware of if you want to become one in the future. This class is teaching a group of 10 students how to find an agreement, how to make statements, how to establish who, where and what they want, how to practice emotional presence and how to ground in the fundamentals before you continue your improvisation as well as acting training. You don’t need knowledge to attend this class because it is dedicated to beginners.

8. Chicago City Limits

Location: 46 West 96 St. 4W, NY

Level: All Levels

The New York City audience has been entertained by the Chicago City Limits Improv Theater and their unique style of improv comedy, for years. They first came to New York City back in 1980 and they are still working successfully. CCL will give you top notch improv training that will significantly boost your confidence. Business professionals, teens and adults are welcome to join this class and start living their life without fear of improvisation.

7. Intro to Long Form

Location: 22 W 32nd St 10th Fl, NY

Level: Intermediate

Nick Kanellis will be the one teaching you the fundamental structural components of scene work, opening games, group games, callbacks, and transitions if you think this is the right class for you. The class level is intermediate level class, and Nick is teaching a class of approximately of 16 students. Here, in the Intro to Long Form class you will learn everything you need to become a successful improv, and at the end of the class, you will know how to dive into a rich character and improvise right on the spot.

6. Improv W72 St – Top Rated

Location: 2067 Broadway 4th & 5th Flrs, NY

Level: All Levels

This is not a class where you will feel embarrassed because this class is for everyone from beginners to professionals, and everyone is working in an encouraging and friendly environment. This class will help you socially, at work and to make your friends laugh. This class will teach you that everyone can improvise it is not important to be fast or funny, instead, you need to be willing to play. Don’t worry if you miss one class because there are makeup classes allowed.

5. Kissin Improv

Location: 105 West 75 Street, Apt 3B, NY

Level: All Levels

If you are ready to leave your fear of improvising and you are ready to dive into the world of improv, Kissin Improv class could be just the one for you. This class will provide you with the private coaching of how to improvise and it will teach you different improvising techniques regardless of your age. People, starting from children to adults often have problems improvising but it is never too late to sign up for a class that can significantly improve your life by boosting up your confidence.

4. Level Three: The Harold

Location: 22 W 32nd St 10th Fl, NY

Level: Advanced

Level Three: The Harold is one of the best improv classes in NYC because it is fun, simple to learn and it will provide you with great techniques to make your audience or friends laugh. The teacher in this class is Louis Kornfeld, and he is teaching an average class size of 16 people. The class level is advanced, so you need to have previous knowledge of improv in order to master the components of this class. If you think this is the right class for you, make sure to sign up as soon as possible as this is one of the best improv classes in NYC.

3. Musical Improv Level One

Location: 22 W 32nd St 10th Fl, NY

Level: Beginner

Musical Improv Level One is an eight-week course that will teach you how to put your thoughts and emotions in songs and how to take your improv scenes to the next level. You don’t need to be an experienced singer because with this class, together with Annie Moor and Frank Spitznagel you will be working in a dynamic and encouraging environment, and you will learn how to make up musicals right on the spot. The average class size in the Musical Improv Level One class consists of 16 people so if you think you want to refocus on the musical improv, sign up now.

2. SOTER INK

Location: 1264 Amsterdam Ave 3B, NY

Level: All Levels

2.3. Sunday Night Improv

Sunday Night Improv is a unique, wonderful and hilarious comedy jam session with Tom Soter. For those who want to take a peek at the improv world but are too scared of improvisation, this class is perfect. In this class, you will be working with friendly, funny and encouraging people who will also help you reveal the improv side of you. If you want a quick tour of the improv world, make sure to sign up for this class as soon as possible.

2.2. Fast and Funny Improv

People who don’t have any previous knowledge of improv all the way to professionals are welcome to join the Fast and Funny Improv class with Tom Soter. In this class, you will get the chance to dive into the improv world. You can be sure that at this class you will laugh like never before, so you need to sign up as soon as possible because the average class size consists of eight people. When you arrive at the building make sure you ask for Tom Soter’s class.

2.1. Improv Workshop at Stand-Up NY

Many people want to improvise, but they are terrified to try it because they are scared they will fail. Fortunately, you can learn everything, but with Tom Soter, you can do it in no time as well. This is a one-hour class where you can learn how to improvise and all kinds of different techniques that will help you eliminate your every fear of improvising. This class is dedicated to every person regardless of its knowledge of improvisation. The average class size consists of eight people so hurry up and sign up for it.

1. Free Improv Workshop

Location: 244 W 54th St 12th Fl, NY

Level: All Levels

Irene Carroll, David Marx, and Scotty Watson are the teachers that will teach you how to improvise. They are teaching an average class size of ten people who have or don’t have any knowledge of improvisation. At the Free Improv Workshop, it doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced performer who wants to practice even more or you are just a person who wants to give improv a try because the most important thing is to have fun and play. 

With the Free Improv Workshop, we are finishing our list of best improv classes in NYC and we hope you find one that’s the right fit for you.