Things You'll Need:
- About $300
- A sense of humor
- A willingness to be fearless
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Step 1
Before even picking a school, look at your budget. Improv classes run you about $250 per eight-week class on average. Oftentimes a class is part of a larger program, which typically incorporates five classes.
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Step 2
Once you have determined you can afford classes, ask yourself why you want to go into improv. Your answer may help determine which school is right for you. For example, if you are more interested in sketch writing, Second City might be the place for you. If you're more interested in long-form improvisation, iO might a better choice.
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Step 3
Call up the different schools and inquire about their programs. Ask about the experience level of the instructors, the school's mission and what you can expect to get out of the program.
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Step 4
Go and see shows at the different schools. You might notice that shows at The Annoyance Theatre are too off-the-wall for your tastes or that Second City shows are too conservative.
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Step 5
Visit message boards and post questions about the different schools. Chicago Improv Network (CIN) is one such resource.
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Step 6
Once you feel comfortable with the amount of information you've gathered, make a selection. If you don't like your choice, you can always stop after one class and begin a program at another school.
