classes – Silverbacks Improv Theatre

Improv 1 with Aren and Renee

Improv Comedy Classes starting October 4 with Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

Quick Details:
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teachers: Aren Chaisson & Renee Barry)
Dates: Tuesdays – October 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, Nov 8
Time: 6-8pm CST
Where: Cité des Arts
Ages: 16+
Cost: $120 – scholarships available
Register online here:
https://checkout.square.site/buy/VR4MXJQOSZQZQH5TJMSZIZGA

Students may also message the Silverbacks Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SilverbacksImprov, or email with questions at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.

Since 2015, Silverbacks Improv Theatre has offered Improv classes in Lafayette. As a result, the improv scene has blossomed and continues to grow. A new round of classes is starting on October 4 with Improv 1. This six week course is designed for the complete novice to improv and/or performing arts. Teachers focus on creating a friendly environment for even the most demure wall flower to be able to participate. Improv is excellent for growing skills in communication, team work, and public speaking. Students will be eligible to progress to Improv 2 and 3 following this course, should they choose to continue studying.

Silverbacks believe that the price should not be a barrier for the study of improv, and will not turn away any students for lack of a traditional fee. Payment plans, scholarships, and barters are all available.

Teacher Bios:
Renee Barry is thrilled to be teaching with her pal Aren! Renee moved back home to Lafayette in 2020 after spending eight years in Chicago, IL performing improv and writing sketch comedy shows. In Chicago, Renee wrote and performed at The Second City in such productions as Thank You Five, Out Damn Spotlight, Ready Player: Won, and 1984-Play. Renee will be performing in CCT’s The Real Inspector Hound in November at Cité des Artes. Renee teaches improv and sketch writing to teens at CYT, and she teaches Talented Theatre in St. Martin Parish schools. Renee is so grateful to be a part of the Lafayette comedy community!

Aren Chaisson is an actor and improvisor with over 25 years experience on stage. He is from Lafayette, Louisiana and teaches Talented Theatre in Iberia Parish. Aren has performed in many productions, including John Proctor in The Crucible, Huey P. Long in The Kingfish, Dale Pittman in The North Plan, Harry “Jazzbo” Haywood in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Lenny in Of Mice and Men, Foreman in Twelve Angry Men, Cliff in Cabaret, Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and William Shakespeare in William and Judith. In 2018 he was in his first CCT production as Jud in Oklahoma! Most recently he was seen as Max Bialystock in The Producers. Since graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BFA in Performing Arts, he has performed in NYC, Chicago, Syracuse, Alabama, Indiana, on regional and national tours, and in short films and commercials. He studied improv with Armando Diaz at the Magnet Theatre in NYC and performs with Silverbacks Improv troupe.

Improv 2 is HERE

Our Improv workshops continue with Improv Level 2. Move beyond the basics with characterization and 2-person scene building!Past students have gone on to create their own troupes, have much more airtight excuses when they’re late to work, and have been told they’re hilarious on zoom calls. Our eight-session course has helped to foster talent in Acadiana for years, and now it’s your turn. Sign up today!Improv 2 – A Silverbacks Improv Class Teachers: Pete Byrne and Mads Manuel

Saturdays: Nov 13, 20; Dec 4, 11, 18; Jan 8, 15, 22
Time: 10am – 12pm CST
Where: Cité des Arts
Ages: 16+
Cost: $160*

Register online here: https://square.link/u/e8KSao24
Students may also message the Silverbacks Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SilverbacksImprov, or email us with questions at silverbacksimprov@stagemonkey02gmail-com

*Silverbacks believe that the price should not be a barrier for the study of improv. We are committed to the following initiatives for our 2021 courses:
– Payment Plans – we can set up a payment plan for students – simply contact us at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.
– We are participating in the Black Improv Alliance’s program, 100 Black Improvisers. The goal of the program is to sponsor Black improv students in the study of improv. We are participating by offering a number of scholarships for Black students. Please reach out to Silverbacks or see the Black Improv Alliance’s website for more information: https://blackimprovalliance.com/100-black-improvisers
– Other arrangements can be made as necessary – reach out to us at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.

Pete Byrne is an Improviser, Writer and Director originally from Rochester, NY. Pete spent the past eight years studying and performing comedy in Chicago, IL. During his time in Chicago, Pete graduated from the prestigious Conservatory Program at The Second City. While at Second City, Pete performed with his long-form improv team, A Good Chunk of Women. He was the director of the Second City Sketch Show, Polar Opposites and served as one of the head writers for What’s Next. Pete also studied long-form improv comedy at the iO Theater, and performed on two iO Harold Teams, Small Town Doctor and Secret Handshake. Now living in Lafayette, LA with his wife, Pete is excited to share his improv comedy knowledge, inspire confidence in others and show his students that trust and listening skills are all you need to always have fun on (and off) stage.

Mads Manuel has been improvising since 2007, when they join UL’s Cult of the Stage Monkey. They grew with the organization and served as Director, training several successful classes of new improvisers while also working to continue the development of intermediate and advanced performers. In 2012, they began performing with the professional group that would eventually become Silverbacks Improv Theatre. They’ve gone on to perform as part of the Your Pretty Friend Improv duo. In addition to their Improv experience, Mads appeared regularly in local community theatre productions and is proud to have cobbled together their anxiety into a convincing human personality.

Improv: Level 1- Winter 2020

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!

The Early Bird gets the Gracious Goat!

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: Level One IS BACK!

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 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!

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

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.

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

Improv: Level One returns in January 2018

Elaine Kibodeaux will return as the Level 1 instructor for January 2018. / Photo by PJ Best.

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.

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!

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

Movement for the Actor: Physicality based Character Creation

Movement for the Actor: Using Physicality to Create Dynamic Characters will take place from 1PM to 6PM on Saturday, November 18th, and will be taught by Elaine Kibodeaux.

Join Elaine for improv exercises and games geared toward building characters through posture, emotional expression, and physical exploration. By further building upon the power of “Yes, And,” workshop participants will explore ways to release their inner animals, embrace the head-to-toe effects of emotions, and develop new performance personas by focusing on different body parts and physical reactions.

This class is open to all experience levels, and no prior acting or improv experience is required. Bring your sense of play and an openness to being silly, serious, and adventurous.

Movement for the Actor: Using Physicality to Create Dynamic Characters
Teacher: Elaine Kibodeaux
Dates: Saturday, November 18
Time: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Where: Basin Arts, 113 Clinton St, Lafayette, LA 70501
Reserve your spot by emailing us at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com