Home of the Silverbacks Improv Theatre, Lafayette, Louisiana
Come to the 2nd Stage at Cité des Arts on Friday, May 10th, at 8:30pm, for SuperCollider: Acadiana’s Improv Showcase brought to you by Silverbacks Improv Theatre!
Featuring Improv by:
Marvelous Misfits (Lafayette, LA)
The OverEducated (Baton Rouge & Lafayette, LA)
and Ghost Balloon (Houston, TX).
Hosted by your favorite comic’s favorite comic: Mike Honore.
Tickets are $10, and are available online at silverbacks-improv-theatre.square.site
Improv Level 2, taught by Elaine Kibodeaux Paramore (Assistant Instructor TBA).
8 Saturdays, January 13-March 9 (with a break for Mardi Gras) from 10am-Noon at Cite des Arts.
Class size: 6 students minimum; 12 students maximum.
$200 for 8 days of class.
Register online at https://silverbacks-improv-theatre.square.site/
Elaine Kibodeaux Paramore has been acting for 26 years and improvising for 22. She is a founding member of Silverbacks Improv Theatre, having just finished her term as the 2022-2023 Artistic Director. She is a proud Cult of the Stage Monkey (UL-Lafayette) Alumna (’01-’08) and has studied and performed improv in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Elaine began teaching Improv Fundamentals for Beginners in 2009 and has since added Improv Acting Techniques for Dancers and Movement for the Actor to her instruction repertoire. She is a belly dancer with Habibi Hips and Bal Amira, celebrating 16 at Oasis Bellydance Studio, where she leads a Bellydance Fit class and instructs new dancers in Bellydance Basics. She regularly uses her improv and acting experience to enhance her stage presence when dancing. She can also be found on your favorite podcast app, alongside her creative partner, Mads Manuel, on Storybroke: Miserably Ever After, returning in 2024.
Silverbacks Improv Theatre, will begin another round of improv classes starting in January. Silverbacks began offering improv classes in the summer of 2015, and has had great success and fun with their students. Improv troupes Weaning Process, The Plural Noun, and recent grad troupe Lively Banter even found their beginnings in Silverbacks improv classes.
The Silverbacks will begin by offering Improv 1. Students will then have the option to continue to Improv 2 and 3 if they choose.
IMPROV LEVEL ONE is an entry-level journey into the joys and thrills of improvisation, or improv. Students will learn and practice the application of “group mind” and the all-important “yes, and” – and other improv concepts and vocabulary. Students will practice new skills, perform and play in a safe, low-stakes and friendly atmosphere.
LEVEL ONE is perfect for the super fan of comedy or improv who has yet to perform, the curious introvert wanting to try something new or someone looking to improve their public speaking or quick decision making skills. At the conclusion, you can move on to Level Two or continue to take LEVEL ONE again – as many times as you’d like. You’re sure to get something new out of it each time!
Registration is available online at https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre
IMPROV ONE Class Details:
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teacher Elaine Kibodeaux)
Dates: Saturdays – January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15.
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Cite Des Arts – 109 Vine St, Lafayette, LA 70501
Ages: 16+
Registration : $120
Still on the fence? Hear from a former student!
“Silverbacks Improv Theatre classes were a great experience. I felt like I was in a slump, and these classes lifted me up. I made friends, gained confidence, and had the opportunity to play. The teachers miraculously offer a relaxed yet rigorous environment where challenge is welcome, but never judgment.” -Leslie Tidwell, founding member of The Weaning Process – Improv Troupe
Level One students will also have the perk of free entry to all Silverbacks produced improv shows while they are taking classes!
Good News, Everyone!
Improv: Level 1 and Improv: Level 3 are currently open for registration at our Store! Not only is registration ready for you, but from now until December 28th, both classes fall under the Early Bird Discount umbrella!
Improv: Level 1, a 6 week introductory course, is only $110! ($10 off!)
Improv: Level 3, our 8 week advanced course, is only $135! ($25 off!)
Don’t miss your chance to start something new with Elaine or to brush up on your scene work with Sarah Mikayla! Register for one of our super-fun, super-affordable improv classes today!
Improv 2 – A Silverbacks Improv Class
Instructor: Elaine Kibodeaux
Dates: Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 2019
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: 16+
*Early Bird Special runs through September 19: $135*
**Regular Price from September 20-October 5: $160**
Where: Cite des Arts, 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Online registration/payment is available at: https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre
Class size: 6 students minimum; 12 students maximum
Prerequisite: LEVEL ONE or previous stage or public speaking experience. Must be comfortable acting in a group and working with others in scene work.
Though the emphasis of the class is still on fun, LEVEL TWO includes some conceptual and technical information to help build your improvisational skills. LEVEL TWO introduces students to principles of teamwork, character building and other concepts that will help to build comfort in spontaneity.
Based on games learned in Level One, LEVEL TWO students get to enhance their performance skills through exploration of their own style of play.
Elaine Kibodeaux has been acting for 22 years and improvising for 18. She is a founding member and assistant artistic director of Silverbacks Improv Theatre, a Cult of the Stage Monkey (UL-Lafayette) Alumna (’01-’08), Co-Director of Your Spooky Friends (an Improvised Horror Troupe), and has studied and performed improv in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Elaine began teaching Improv Fundamentals for Beginners in 2010 and has since added Improv Acting Techniques for Dancers and Movement for the Actor to her instruction repertoire. She is a belly dancer with Habibi Hips and Bal Amira, celebrating 12 years at Oasis Bellydance Studio, where she leads “BellyFit” classes. She regularly uses her improv and acting experience to enhance her stage presence when dancing.
DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE –
Silverbacks Improv Theatre and Lafayette Comedy announce the following workshops:
Sketch Comedy Writing Workshop by Kevin McDonald – This workshop with Kevin McDonald is a writers workshop. Participants will arrive with a comedy sketch they have written, which will be workshopped by Mr. McDonald and the group, with active time for re-writes. Mr. McDonald will also follow up with the participants following the workshop with additional feedback on their sketch after a 2nd re-write!
Saturday, August 3
10am – 5:30pm
Venue TBA
Cost: $180, or $275 if signing up for both Workshops
Registration available at lafayettecomedy.com
Acting in Sketch Comedy by Kevin McDonald – This workshop will feature analysis of great sketch comedy acting, theatre games, and an afternoon of being directed in sketches by Mr. McDonald.
Saturday, August 4
10am – 5:30 pm
Venue TBA
Cost: $180, or $275 if signing up for both Workshops
Registration available at lafayettecomedy.com
In Level Three, improvisers use scene work to develop specific skills, such as ensemble, character, acting, and other advanced improv skills.
The knowledge and practice from Levels One and Two provide students the opportunity to work on these new and deeper concepts and gives the instructor the chance to provide detailed feedback.
LEVEL THREE culminates with a performer showcase (on Feb 9 at 11am) where family, friends and the public are invited.
Prerequisite: LEVEL TWO. Must be comfortable acting in a group and working with others in scene work.
Schedule: 5 sessions (once a week for 5 weeks)
Saturdays | January 12 – February 9 | 10am-12pm
Class length: 2 hours (10 hours total)
Where: Cité des Arts (Dance Studio) 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Class size: 6 students minimum; 10 students maximum
Tuition: $100
About the Instructor: Sarah Mikayla Brown has followed her obsessions with theatre and improv into the wacky life of a Talented Theatre teacher and performer. She is an ensemble member of Acting Up (in Acadiana) and artistic director of Silverbacks Improv Theatre. Brown is mildly “Cajun Famous” for her work with fellow theatre artist Lian Cheramie on projects such as “Cajun Face.” She is a graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the improvisation program at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago.
Pre-register at https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre, or contact us with any questions through our Silverbacks Improv Theatre Facebook Page.
DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE –
Local Improv Comedy Troupe, Silverbacks Improv Theatre, will begin another round of improv classes starting in September. Silverbacks began offering improv classes in the summer of 2015, and has had great success and fun with their students. Improv troupes Weaning Process and The Plural Noun even found their beginnings in Silverbacks improv classes.
The Silverbacks will begin by offering Improv 1. Students will then have the option to continue to Improv 2 or 3 if they choose.
IMPROV LEVEL ONE is an entry-level course to the joys and thrills of improvisation, or improv. Students will learn and practice the application of “group mind” and the all-important “yes, and” – and other improv concepts and vocabulary. Students will practice new skills, perform and play in a safe, low-stakes and friendly atmosphere.
LEVEL ONE is perfect for the super fan of comedy or improv who has yet to perform, the curious introvert wanting to try something new or someone looking to improve their public speaking or quick decision making skills. At the conclusion, you can move on to Level Two or continue to take LEVEL ONE again – as many times as you’d like. You’re sure to get something new out of it each time!
Level One students will also have the perk of free entry to all Silverbacks improv shows while they are taking classes
Still on the fence? Hear from a former student!
“Silverbacks Improv Theatre classes were a great experience. I felt like I was in a slump, and these classes lifted me up. I made friends, gained confidence, and had the opportunity to play. The teachers miraculously offer a relaxed yet rigorous environment where challenge is welcome, but never judgment.” -Leslie Tidwell
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teacher Aren Chaisson)
Dates: Saturdays, Sept 8 – Oct 6th, 2018
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Ages: 16+
Cost: $100
Where: The Omni Center, 227 Jefferson St, Lafayette, LA 70501
Online registration and payment is available at: https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre
Or send a Private Message to the Silverbacks Improv Theatre Facebook page or by calling 337-205-2129
Aren Chaisson III is a Rosie Award winning actor from Lafayette, Louisiana. He is a Talented Theatre teacher in Iberia Parish. He studied improv with Armando Diaz at the Magnet Theatre in NYC. Before that, he was a founding member of Hubbub Improv Troupe in Lafayette. Aren graduated from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BFA in Performing Arts. He studied commercial acting with Sean Bradley at The Green Room in Chicago and worked with Bill Coelius to being his commercial acting class to Lafayette.
Everyday Improv – A Silverbacks Improv Class
(Teacher Sarah Mikayla Brown)
Dates: Tuesdays, January 9-30
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 16+
Where: The Music Garden, 1424 Saint John St, Lafayette, LA
Cost: $60
Improv is a great way to exercise the brain and to learn effective brainstorming and communication skills. Because of this, Silverbacks Improv Theatre has a brand new course offering: EVERYDAY IMPROV!
Silverbacks’ Everyday Improv is an introductory level Improv class that focuses on using Improv skills to prepare you to react on your feet and think outside the box in real life situations, like (but not limited to) job interviews, event hosting, or general day-to-day interactions with those around you. Teacher Sarah Mikayla Brown will teach improv fundamentals in a laid-back environment. As a teacher, Brown is passionate about ensemble-building – which is a fancy way of saying that students can expect a “team” vibe to the class.
Class meets just one hour a week from 6:30pm-7:30pm on Tuesdays in January, beginning on the 9th and running until the 30th.
Register by sending a Private Message to the Silverbacks Improv Theatre Facebook page or by calling 337-205-2129
We are also offering a Level 1 Improv course which focuses on building the same skill set, but is geared towards improvised performance. Improv: Level One, by Silverbacks Improv Theatre will take place on Thursdays, January 11 – February 8 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at The Music Garden.
Sarah’s bio and information about additional classes can be found on silverbacksimprov.com
Local Improv Comedy Troupe, Silverbacks Improv Theatre, will begin another round of improv classes starting in January 2018. Silverbacks began offering improv classes in the summer of 2015, and have had great success and fun with their students.
Silverbacks will begin by offering one section of Improv 1, geared toward performance. Improv 2 and 3 will follow in the spring, along with special children’s classes and Improv Intensives.
IMPROV LEVEL ONE is an entry-level course to the joys and thrills of improvisation, or improv. Students will learn and practice the application of “group mind” and the all-important “yes, and” – and other improv concepts and vocabulary. Students will practice new skills, perform and play in a safe, low-stakes and friendly atmosphere.
LEVEL ONE is perfect for the super fan of comedy or improv who has yet to perform, the curious introvert wanting to try something new, or those looking to improve their public speaking or quick decision making skills.
At the conclusion, you can move on to Level Two or continue to take LEVEL ONE again – as many times as you’d like. You’re sure to get something new out of it each time!
Still on the fence? Hear from a former student!
“Silverbacks Improv Theatre classes were a great experience. I felt like I was in a slump, and these classes lifted me up. I made friends, gained confidence, and had the opportunity to play. The teachers miraculously offer a relaxed yet rigorous environment where challenge is welcome, but never judgment.” -Leslie Tidwell
LEVEL ONE students will present a showcase of their skills during the final class (February 8th), where family, friends and the public are invited.
IMPROV ONE Class Details:
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class with Elaine Kibodeaux
Dates: Thursdays, January 11 – February 8
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Ages: 16+
Cost: $100
Where: The Music Garden, 1424 Saint John St, Lafayette, LA
Register by sending a Private Message to the Silverbacks Improv TheatreFacebook page or by calling 337-205-2129
Teacher’s bio and more info about additional classes can be found on silverbacksimprov.com
