Classes at the
Zmack Improv
Training Center (ZITC)
Teaching an internationally respected curriculum of improvisational theater performance training with multiple levels and in multiple languages.
Hundreds of Shanghai (and beyond!) residents from over 50 student teams have graduated from different levels within the Zmack Improv Training Center system. From hobbyists and complete beginners; to those seeking a boost in confidence, stronger interpersonal skills and improved English; to professional actors and presenters, Zmack ITC students come from all walks of life in Shanghai. We welcome anyone from age 14 up to try Improv 101, and consider matriculation through our system.
ZITC Curriculum is recognized by iO Theater, Annoyance Theater, and other Chicago institutions – which means that a ZITC student’s level will easily be identified at a US improv training center.
All Zmack ITC courses include at least one public performance.
Improv4everyone Workshop and Trial Class: Zmack’s longest-running workshop, Improv4Everyone allows anyone to give improv a try and just play. Improvisers of all levels often join, and a great time is had by all. Also served as an introduction and trial class to Improv 101 (2 hours. Offered regularly. Can accommodate 20-30 people.)
Zmack currently offers 4 levels of improv training. Most courses are available in English, Chinese, and French, depending on our coaches' availability. Classes typically last 20-30 hours in total (2, 3, or 4 hours weekly) and end with a compulsory graduation show (team t-shirts included).
101 - Introduction to improvisational theater (20 hours; RMB 2,500)
We take you through our seven fundamentals of improv with short-form games. Meet new people, form a team, name it and give it a logo! You'll make friends for life, and will perform onstage! (8-12 students)
101 中文 – Introduction to Improvisational Theater (Chinese)
Following the curriculum of Improv 101, but adapted into Chinese language, taught by a native Chinese improviser, and with consideration of Chinese Culture – therefore some games and exercises may vary from the English version. (8-12 students)
201 - intermediate improvisational theater (24 hours; RMB 3,000)
Do you want more? The fun continues with longer forms of improv, more emphasis on characters, and an introduction to long form improv. The final show will reveal your new skills!
301 - advanced improvisational theater (28 hours; RMB 3,500)
Now you're almost a pro, and may already be performing regularly as part of a Zmack House Team, you may want to develop more acting skills. This level plays on the strength of its members and is designed for the group to find their own long-form act. Includes three performances (and a workshop by the team)
401 - specialist (28 hours; RMB 3,700)
401 - The Harold
The Harold, a long-form structure for creating 30-45 minute improvised plays, as designed and created by Del Close
402 - The Process
Following the teaching of Second City’s Michael Gellman and Annoyance Theater’s Mick Napier, this new way of viewing improvisational theater allows students to create a fully improvised two-act theatrical play, which will be performed for three evenings at the completion of the course.
403 - Musical Improv
Based on Zmack’s international hit musical improv team Snap!; this course teaches how to be a musical improviser – whether you sing or not. Focus is on understanding and maximizing your voice, rhythm and pitch, as well as short-form musical games and the musical long-form The Riff.
404 - Improvisational Sketch writing
Developed using Second City and other institutions techniques, improvisers will learn to create individually, in pairs, and as a team to generate strong topical and timeless sketches to perform as a two-night run.
Improv MasterClasses
Master Classes currently available:
Twoprov
Commedia dell'arte and improvisation
FALL 2018 CLASS SCHEDULE
101
Coach: TBA
Language: English w/ Chinese Support
Time: Saturdays 1-5pm
Dates:
Workshop: July 28, 2018
Lesson 1: August 4, 2018
Lesson 2: August 11, 2018
Lesson 3: August 18, 2018
Lesson 4: August 25, 2018
Lesson 5: September 1, 2018
Performance: Sunday, September 2, 2018
101
Coach: Julien
Language: French
Time: Saturdays 1:00 - 4:00
Dates:
Lesson 1/ Workshop: September 15, 2018
Lesson 2: September 22, 2018
Lesson 3: September 29, 2018
Lesson 4: October 13, 2018
Lesson 5: October 20, 2018
Lesson 6: October 27, 2018
Lesson 7: November 3, 2018
Performance: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
101
Coach: TBA
Language: English with Chinese Support
Time: Thursdays 7pm - 9:30pm
Dates:
Workshop: August 30, 2018
Lesson 1: September 6, 2018
Lesson 2: September 13, 2018
Lesson 3: September 20, 2018
Lesson 4: September 27, 2018
Lesson 5: October 4, 2018
Lesson 6: October 11, 2018
Lesson 7: October 18, 2018
Lesson 8: October 25, 2018
Performance: Friday, October 26th, 2018
201
Coach: TBA
Language: English with Chinese Support
Time: Saturdays 1pm - 5pm
Dates:
Lesson 1: August 4, 2018
Lesson 2: August 11, 2018
Lesson 3: August 18, 2018
Lesson 4: August 25, 2018
Lesson 5: September 1, 2018
Lesson 6: September 8, 2018
Performance: September 9, 2018
201
Coach: TBA
Language: English with Chinese Support
Time: Thursdays 7pm - 9:45pm
Dates:
Lesson 1: November 1, 2018
Lesson 2: November 8, 2018
Lesson 3: November 15, 2018
Lesson 4: November 22, 2018
Lesson 5: November 29, 2018
Lesson 6: December 6, 2018
Lesson 7: December 13, 2018
Lesson 8: December 20, 2018
Performance: December 21, 2018
301
Coach: Curt
Language: English
Time: Saturdays 1pm - 5pm
Dates:
Lesson 1: November 24, 2018
Lesson 2: December 1, 2018
Lesson 3: December 8, 2018
Lesson 4: December 15, 2018
Lesson 5: December 22, 2018
BREAK
Lesson 6: January 5, 2018
Lesson 7: January 12, 2018
Performances determined by coach
MEET YOUR COACHES!
CURT MABRY (USA)
Teaches Levels: 101, 201, 301, 401, 402, 403, 404
Teaching Language: English
Curt is the original author of the internationally recognized Improv 101 curriculum. Although based largely on the work of improv teacher Del Close, the curriculum incorporates Curt’s work with other improv teachers such as Charna Halpern, Mick Napier, Susan Messing, Jimmy Carrane, Will Hines, Michael Gellman, and Viola Spolin; as well as the discoveries of the Zmackers. Curt currently coaches Improv 301, 401, 402, and 403. Curt’s teaching style is warm but strict, and his goal is to maximize the skills of each individual improviser to create a dynamic team.
For more details
or to sign up for classes,
please write Elva at:
wechat: zachwusong (ENG)
wechat: elva-yao (CHN)
For more details
or to sign up for classes,
please write Elva at:
wechat: zachwusong (ENG)
wechat: elva-yao (CHN)
JULIEN BERTRAND (FRANCE)
Teaches Levels: 101, 201, 301, 402, Twoprov & Commedia dell'arte masterclasses
Teaching Language: English, French
Julien is a senior improviser and coach, and manages the 40+ improvisers along with Lilian Shen. He studied theatre in France at the National Conservatory and expanded his training in Chicago with Jimmy Carrane, Susan Messing, Charna Halpern, Megan Johns, Farrel Walsh, Greg Allen, & Nnamdi Ngwe. He has directed plays and is the creator of the Maidan webseries. Julien is a strict and friendly coach who strives to find the best in you. You just have to try!
ELVA YAO (CHINA)
Teaches Levels: 101, 201
Teaching Language: Chinese, English
Elva lives her life by the improv philosophy. She teaches improv not only for acting but also for life and work applications. She is a certificated improv coach by Zmack Improv Training Center and also the only Applied Improviser certified by the iO Theater in Chicago. She teaches improv 101, 201, and 301 in Chinese and English. She is known for a teaching style filled with passion and energy.
ZACH DANZ (USA)
Teaches Levels: 101, 201
Teaching Language: English with Chinese support
Zach is a senior improviser and coach who is extremely passionate about improvisational theatre and its message. Alongside being a ZmackWorks facilitator and mainstage performer, Zach is the Director of Research and Development at Zmack and the head of non-Chinese classes at the Zmack Improv Training Center. He recently wrote his masters thesis at the Shanghai Theatre Academy about Applied Improvisation. Zach is a friendly, empathetic coach who will shake and challenge you.
CHARMIKA STEWART (USA)
Teaches Levels: 101, 201
Teaching Language: English, Chinese
Charmika joined Zmack while on a spiritual journey to find peace for her unquiet soul. Ironically, that peace came in the form of an audience roaring loudly with laughter. Charmika believes that improv is great fun, a wonderful challenge, and a cool way to attract the admiration of your peers. Charmika’s coaching style can be described as a warm shower of theory, practice, and support, countered with discipline, and a high standard for students.
LILIAN SHEN (CHINA)
Teaches Levels: 101, 201
Teaching Language: English, Chinese
Lilian fell in love with improv theatre in 2015. After being trained with Zmack & with coaches from iOTheatre, Annoyance Theatre & Second City in Chicago, she is now a professional bilingual improv actor with Zmack & Kaixin Mahua Theatre Group, China’s premiere professional Mandarin improv team. She is also an applied improv corporate facilitator. With a background in Finance & Environmental Science, & a passion for queer & women's rights, she values interdisciplinary learning & how improv can be applied to different aspects of life. She is a positive & passionate coach who will pull you out of your comfort zone, so come prepared with lots of energy!
MARK SKINNER (USA)
Teaches Levels: 101, Applied Improvisation
Teaching Language: English, Chinese
Mark is a senior improvisor and coach who specializes in applied improv. He has been using improv in his career as an educator since 2010, applying the principles and techniques of improv in the classroom and training room to help people become the best, strongest and most authentic versions of themselves.
BROWDER THOMPSON (USA)
Teaches Levels: 101
Teaching Language: English with Chinese support
Browder is a senior improviser, tech improviser, and coach with over 8 years of improv experience. Having been with Zmack since 2015, he serves as Zmack's Historian and Tech Director and currently performs with house team Mon-Daze. He feels that improvisation is a tool kit to be used in your daily life. His background as an educator and actor makes him a demanding but approachable coach with high expectations who wishes to help his students grow as individuals through improv.