SUNDAY NIGHT IMPROV is a "unique" (Time Out New York), "wonderful" (Backstage), "hilarious" (Newark Star-Ledger) comedy jam session -- continues its run of Sunday performances on the Upper West Side at the SOTER/LEE BLACKBOX THEATER at 78th Street and Broadway.

The "jam," which began in 1992, mixes and matches experienced improvisers from a wide variety of successful New York City improv troupes. The fluctuating cast members are all alumni of – or current performers at – such groups/theater companies as Chicago City Limits, First Amendment, The Unusual Suspects, The PIT, and UCB Theater. Regular performers include Tom Carrozza, Chris Griggs, Kurt Fitzpatrick, Laurel Sturrock, Todd Cowdery, Kelly Stevenson, Larry Bell, Carl Kissin, Linda Hill, and Tom Soter as "The Emcee."

The Sunday Night Improv shows are at the SOTER/LEE BLACKBOX THEATER, 236 West 78th Street, just off Broadway, every Sunday at 7pm. Admission is $10. Price includes free attendance at Tom Soter's 5:30 P.M. improv class. Reservations: 212-353-7716.

Fast and Funny Improv

An ongoing drop-in class, for anyone who wants a quick tour of the improv world. The class, for all levels, features performers from the cast of Sunday Night Improv. You can do scenes with veteran improv performers – and then stay and see them perform in Sunday Night Improv! Class fee includes a ticket to that night's performance of SNI.

 
 Location: 78th Street Theater Lab
236 West 78th Street

Time: 5:30-6:30 P.M.

Fee: $10 per class; fee includes ticket to performance of Sunday Night Improv
 Instructor: Tom Soter


Improv for Everyone

An ongoing drop-in class, focusing on how to create improvised scenes and stories. Students are taught the basics of good scene work in a supportive environment.  

  • Time: Monday, 7-9 P.M.
  • Location: 78th Street Theater Lab 236 West 78th Street
  • Fee: $25 per class; $225 for ten classes
  • Instructor: Tom Soter

 

Juliette Moore: star studentJuliette Moore: star student

Carol Schindler's Master Class

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Three master classes taught by Chicago City Limits founding member Carol Schindler. "Carol is a truly original, masterful teacher" -- Tom Soter, former student

Time: Saturday, October 8, November 5, December 10 1-5 P.M.

Location: Soter/Lee Blackbox Theater, 236 West 78th Street

Fee: $75 per class; $140 for two classes; $180 for all three .

Instructor: Carol Schindler

 

Corporate Workshops

We offer corporate workshops. Call/e-mail for more information.
"Our design department's Improv 'theory & practice' sessions with Tom Soter were a remarkable experience for all of us. Over a two week period, the NY Design Department at kpe engaged in theatrical improvisation seminars. Having now experienced these improv sessions for myself, I realized all over again that we've got a really amazing group of individuals here - sharp, spontaneous, thoughtful, ingenious. and, did I say creative? The excercises ranged from simple speaking to collaborative storyline generation. Tom Soter, the coach, designed this program especially for us to encompass the
challenges of the studio environment - presence, articulation, presentation, cooperation, communication. I recommend the improv approach to everyone. At the very least, I think that as a department, it 're-introduced' us to the qualities that make us a great team. thanks again, Tom!" – Scott Nazarian, executive, kpe advertising

Sunday Night Improv



 

SUNDAY NIGHT IMPROV – a "unique" (Time Out New York), "wonderful" (Backstage), "hilarious" (Newark Star-Ledger) comedy jam session – continues its run of Sunday performances on the Upper West Side at the SOTER/LEE BLACKBOX THEATER at 78th Street and Broadway/StandUp Studio.

Performer of the Month

TIM WEISS

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Reading, PA (Home of the Reading Railroad on the Monopoly board!)

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN IMPROV? I was doing stand-up in the '80s and started taking improv classes to help me ad lib and respond to hecklers. 

WHO WERE YOUR ACTING/IMPROV INFLUENCES, ROLE MODELS? Growing up, I was a big fan of Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason, and Jerry Lewis (yes, I’m old).  And the cast of the Carol Burnett show.  All of them were my influences for characters and sketch comedy.  And later Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, SNL, and SCTV.

Also, as a kid my brother and I and the neighborhood kids used to do a lot of games that required using our imaginations and creating characters/stories/ad libbing.  Our favorite was a game called “Statues” where someone would spin you around and you would freeze in that position.  Then a “customer” would turn you on and you had to perform on the spot based on your pose.

DETAIL, CHRONOLOGICALLY, YOUR IMPROV RESUME/CAREER?  I started taking classes at First Amendment in the '80s, and then Bob Greenberg (who I met there) introduced me to Katha Feffer.  I took her classes for about a year and then was cast as a regular member of her group, For Play.  I performed with For Play for a few years, then Some Assembly Required for about a year.  I then fell out of it until recently getting the itch back, and started dropping in on Carl Kissin’s classes about two years ago.  Carl introduced me to Tom Soter, who started putting me in Sunday Night Improv shows.

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