13 Free or Cheap Comedy and Improv Classes in NYC

Making someone laugh is a great challenge especially if we are fighting our own demons but there is always room for improvement, and you can enroll in any of these free or cheap comedy and improv classes in NYC.

Improv and comedy typically go hand in hand. You can always make someone laugh with your original ideas and witty thinking. However, improv is not only comedy, but this is also theater. Improv theater has been around since 391 B.C.Much later, Budd Friedman, a producer, founded New York City by Broadway. They started out with singers and legends like Judy Garland who graced the stage. As far as comedy goes, there are no limits as to who can do it and who wants to perform live comedy on stage. Improv is not just practiced in the theater, but we can also see it on screen. There are also benefits that improv can give us. Improv can enhance our public speaking skills, and it helps improve your confidence. Your acting is also improved, and you will be more comfortable with your audience and your co actors. You should also take into consideration you wittiness together as creativity for intelligence is the key to great improv. Being team player will also take you a long way as it typically does in any situation in life. If you want to learn these skills, but you’re on a budget, you might want to check out some free improv classes in NYC.

Comedy is best described as an art aimed to make people laugh. You can see this in theaters, TV, films, or stand up comedy in some bars. One of the most well-known comedians in history as Charlie Chaplin who performed in silent films. Despite it being silent, it still had humor and entertained people. Since the days of Charlie Chaplin, there have been a number of comedians who have been immensely successful in their craft. The best comedians pick up their jokes from the everyday things happening around them. For instance, they might imitate a certain situation, while making it highly exaggerated or imitating someone and making it in an exaggerated manner as well. It may look easy, but it is hard to pull off comedy, especially if you are in your trying times but you have to make people laugh. Through experience, you will be able to explore on your comedic side, and if you want formal learning in comedy, you can choose among the 10 best comedy classes for adults in NYC.

Class Curious made it easy for us to look for free or cheap comedy and improv classes in New York City, as they are a great source for things to do in New York City. These classes are available for kids and adults, and they can choose from beginner to advanced level classes. It is good to expose kids at an early age in comedy, and improv classes for this will develop their creative minds and confidence at an early age. They will learn and conquer their fears of public speaking, which most of us dread. This is a stepping stone as well in pursuing a career in improv and comedy like theaters or on film. Our current list is ranked based on the cost of each class. We have included drop-ins, workshops, seminars, and full courses. Stand up comedy bars are accessible as well where you can get your dose of laughter live and in an instant.

Let’s take a look at our list of some of the free or cheap comedy and improv classes in NYC.

13. Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center

UCB Training Center or Upright Brigade Training Center has existing facilities, in New York and Los Angeles. The teachers here at UCB Training Center are well experienced and trained writers and performers. Their classes of long-form improvisation run to eight sessions and last three hours in each session. This costs $450 with a maximum class size of sixteen students.

12. Steve Kaplan’s Comedy Intensive

Steve Kaplan is an expert in comedy, and he co-founded Manhattan’s Punch Line Theater which he is also an Artistic Director. They have upcoming events in Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York. The Comedy Intensive course costs $397.  You will be able to learn all about comedy and work with groups and work solo.

11. Stand Up NY

Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is Stand Up NY which has been operating since 1986. Here, you can enjoy a great meal with a great comedy and pair the two with their original drinks. Aside from being an outstanding comedy club, it also offers comedy classes. The class package costs $299 which includes six consecutive sessions and lasts two and half hours in each session.

10. Chicago City Limits

Chicago Limits is known as New York City’s Legendary Improv Comedy Group.  It was in 1977 when this group was founded by George Todisco and the actors in the workshop during that time.  They relocated from Chicago to New York in 1979 to 1980.  They offer Improv4Business which cost $250 to learn more and maximize skills and techniques for the people in the industry.

9. The Engaging Educator

The Engaging Educator calls their facilitators, “Engagers” who all have their own style that they bring in each class they handle. Their aim is to make communication, presentation, and social skills better. This is not to make actors out of their classes but for people to make their skills better. You can enroll in their Improv Your Presentation Skills for $40 which focuses on public speaking.

8. Kissin Improv

Carl Kissin is a writer, performer, and a director.  He has received numerous awards in doing his craft, one of this is winning the Manhattan Monologue Slam three times. Monday nights and Tuesday mornings are when his some of his classes are held which cost $45 per class. They have an event of Improv Comedy-Playtime for Grown-Ups which lasts for two and half hours costs $400.

7. The People’s Improv Theater

The People’s Improv Theater secured a spot on our list of 13 free or cheap comedy and improv classes in NYC. Ali Reza Farahnakian is the founder of The People’s Improv Theater, which focuses on improv craft and produces original writing of comedic programs. Their drop-in classes cost $30 for other citizens and $20 for PITizens bearing the current PIT Comedy School student ID. All who attend their drop-in classes are required to bring a government-issued photo ID.

6. Improv 4 Kids

Adults are not the only ones who get the chance to get educated in the art of comedy. Here at Improv for Kids, they encourage a young audience to explore their talent and skills in comedy. This establishment is really exclusive for kids. Kids as well go through stress and laughter can lessen the stress hormones. This also develops the brain, improves focus, and raises energy levels. Their workshop cost $25 which includes a pizza party and public show.

5. NYC Comedy School

NYC Comedy School has improv classes for kids, teens, and adults and Patrick Reidy is the Artistic Director of the School. He is an actor, comedian, musician, and improviser. Their drop-in workshops cost $20, but they also have full courses available and summer camps.

4. Soter Ink

Soter Ink’s classes cost $10 and are facilitated by the man himself, Tom Soter. You will be able to get a sneak peak in the improv industry in a program that is open to all levels. Their comedy jam session is still up and running up to date.

3. PHIT Comedy

In November 2005, Philly Improv Theater or PHIT Comedy started as a training venue for improv comedy. The classes offered here are improv, sketch comedy, standup classes, acting, and even free intro classes. They aim to create an environment open to all no matter your race, age, or gender preference as diversity is important here.

2. Gotham Comedy Club

Chris Mazzilli and Michael Reisman are native New Yorkers who decided in May 1996 to open Gotham Comedy Club.  They have boot camps and intensive classes and workshops offered for all levels. You can attend a free seminar though to know more about the improv and comedy industry.

1. Magnet Theater

Magnet Theater has been operating in NYC since 2005.  Their aim is to make their audience laugh every night, but they also share their skills and knowledge through their classes. They have improv classes, musical improv, sketch writing, story telling, and much more. Not so sure yet of pursuing a class here? No worries!  You can attend their free intro classes to help you decide at your own pace.

Enhance your comedy and improv skills by attending in any of these 13 free or cheap comedy and improv classes in NYC.