In 2018, Breen and his partner decided to take some time and help a close friend get their equine therapy ranch off the ground in Central Oregon. “So we moved down here, temporarily, so to speak,” said Breen. “And we’re still here. And it’s pretty awesome.” After a short time in Central Oregon, Breen decided to put some feelers out for local interest in improv classes. “I said, ‘I’m just gonna make a leap of faith and see what happens,’” said Breen. “I created a name, created a website and just started and found a space and got listings for a class and before I knew it, it was sold out. So there were apparently a lot of people who wanted to do more improv here.”
The first six-week long-form improv workshop recently wrapped up in February and was a success, according to Breen. “It was amazing,” Breen said. “I mean, it sounds like I’m exaggerating, but the fact that it was sold out just blew my mind. I was so excited. There were 14 people in it and other people that I had to turn away. And it was just an incredible group of people.”
In addition to this one-time ensemble acting workshop, Breen is teaching more six-week long-form improv workshops beginning in March and April. To find out more about what the Bend Institute of Comedy has to offer check out the website, bendinstituteofcomedy.com.
The workshop this upcoming Tuesday at the Redmond Grange costs $30 and is open to those with little-to-no experience acting and those who are looking to touch up on some skills and learn new techniques under Breen. To register for the workshop email improvbend@gmail.com. “Our goal is for each student in our acting classes to walk away with more meaningful and exciting experiences, ultimately leading to greater confidence,” Breen said.
by Lena Felt - Bulletin Staff
Writer-director John Breen, the founder of The Bend Institute of Comedy, is hosting a two-hour ensemble acting workshop on Tuesday at the Redmond Grange Hall. This workshop will “teach you how to dissolve the ego — the greatest obstacle to exceptional acting — and how to get out of your head and ignite a powerful connection between you and your scene partner or ensemble,” Breen said.
Breen has been immersed in the acting and improv scene since the ’90s. He started doing improv in Portland, with ComedySportz and then moved out to the Big Apple to study at New York Film Academy and perform improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Eventually he found himself back on the West Coast, teaching and performing improv in Portland and Los Angeles.
classes.
winter SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY IMPROVISATION
LEVEL 1
(Prerequisite: none)
6-WEEK SERIEs
jan 14 - feb 18
sats 10:30pm-12:30pm
$225 Tuition
open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
SOLD OUT
SPRING Series
LONGFORM COMEDY IMPROVISATION
LEVEL 1
(Prerequisite: none)
6-WEEK SERIEs
mar 22 - May 3
(skipping April 5th)
Weds 6:30pm -8:30pm
$225 Tuition
(early bird discount
$200 by March 15)
hanai center
62430 Eagle rd
Bend, Oregon
SPRING SEries
sketch comedy
writing
LEVEL 1
(Prerequisite: none)
6-WEEK SERIEs
apr/May dates tbD
6:30pm -8:30pm
$225 Tuition
Hanai center
62430 Eagle rd
Bend, Oregon
Bend
institute
of comedy
Follow us on Instagram!
SPRING SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY IMPROVISATION
LEVEL 1-2
(Prerequisite: BIC Level 1
or experience)
6-WEEK SERIEs
MAR 4 - April 8
sats 10:30pm-12:30pm
$225 Tuition
open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
SOLD OUT
Bend
institute
of comedy
SPRING SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY IMPROVISATION
LEVEL 3
(Prerequisite: BIC Level 1-2
or significant experience)
6-WEEK SERIEs
apr 15 - may 27
(skipping class May 13)
sats 10:30pm -12:30pm
$225 Tuition
(early bird discount
$200 by April 1)
open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
SPRING SEries
screenwriting
short film
LEVEL 1
6-WEEK SERIEs
apr/May dates tbD
6:30pm -8:30pm
$225 Tuition
open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
of comedy
oregon
institute of
performance
SPRING workshop
Ensemble Acting
workshop
(Prerequisite: none)
date TBD
tues 6:30pm -8:30pm
$30 Tuition
redmond grange hall
707 kalama ave
redmond, Oregon
summer series
Ensemble-created
performance
(audition required)
8-Weeks
tues 6:30pm -8:30pm
$295 Tuition
redmond grange hall
707 kalama ave
redmond, Oregon
class details.
LONGFORM COMEDY IMPROVISATION
Improv is an art form that stands on its own, with its own discipline and aesthetics. We all go through life every day without a script, responding to our environment, making it up as we go along. Improvising on stage is obviously a little different -- the performers are trying to create while entertaining an audience. At a typical longform improv show, one audience suggestion is taken at the beginning, then the fun begins as the group improvises a 30-minute set where the world unfolds, characters are created, comedic themes are explored, amplified, and connected.
Our improv classes focus on honest, grounded scene work, where finding, heightening, and expanding the Game (or hook) of the scene are critical, as developed by Del Close and Charna Halpern at iO Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City and Los Angeles.
Improv classes at the Bend Institute of Comedy are taught by John Breen. John expertly trains his students to be highly cooperative improvisers, with the ability to build a cohesive improv set that relentlessly escalates to a hilarious climax. He encourages his students to care for one another, to be open, decisive, energetic, and authentic. John is constantly striving to build confidence in his students through the approach of Deliberate Practice, created by psychologist Anders Ericsson. This entails rigorous skills training, mental development, honest, authoritative feedback, all the while maintaining an air of lightness, love and excitement. This is why BIC has some of the best improv classes in Oregon!
Our next improv class series is happening March 2023! It is for beginner to advanced improvisers who want to learn the BIC approach to improv. It will cover vital aspects such as how to Listen Like a Wolf, Get Open and Stay Open, Establish a Base Reality, Play with Heart, Find and Play the Game, and Have Fun While Avoiding Trying to Be Funny!
sketch comedy writing
Great sketch comedy can come from many different sources - comedic ideas, character development, theme exploration, improvisation development and more. At BIC, with an emphasis on live sketch, John will show you how to go from a simple idea to a fully written sketch comedy script in six weeks. John's expertise from many years of writing, performing and directing live sketch comedy, appearing at lots of festivals, and producing many videos will guide you to becoming a confident comedy writer.
His extensive background in longform improv brings a lively energy, and open aspect to his creative process. John's approach includes teaching vital writing skills, tons of experimentation, and detailed comedic analyzation of some of the best sketch comedy over the past 30 years. He will push hard to bring the absolute best out of each student!
screenwriting
In the BIC screenwriting class you'll learn that no script is good without a stable story structure. Whether it's 5 pages or 105 pages, your story must follow concepts handed down for ages in sources like The Hero's Journey, Aristotle's Poetics, Save the Cat, etc. John will help you tell YOUR story, but in a way that flows, and builds to a powerful, satisfying climax.
You'll also learn how to develop the absolute best character to drive your story, and how to make all of your characters believable and interesting. By the end of the six-week series, you'll have your major characters fleshed out, your set-up laid out, and your rough outline completed!
Class policies
Classes are non-refundable. Improv classes are limited to 16 students. Other classes limit size will vary. We prefer not to allow more than two absences per series. You must be 18 years of age or older to sign up for this course. Bend Institute of Comedy reserves the right to accept or deny any individual's application, and to postpone or cancel class for any reason.
covid
We recommend everyone who takes classes with us be vaccinated, but we do not require a vaccination card. Masks are not required, but if wearing one makes you more comfortable feel free to do so. If the day before a class you think your health might be compromised, or you are feeling ill, please stay home and take care of yourself. Thank you!
ACTING, SCENE STUDY
& ENSEMBLE ACTING WORKSHOP
When you study acting at the Bend Institute of Comedy, you'll be working on both dramatic and comedic scenes. Writer-director John Breen will teach you how to dissolve the ego - the greatest obstacle to exceptional acting - and how to get out of your head and ignite a powerful connection between you and your scene partner or ensemble. There is a beautiful, dynamic YOU inside that is unique and capable of raw, energetic storytelling. Typical acting "techniques" using objectives, obstacles, emotional prep, actions, scene analysis, etc., can often get in the way of your best work.
From his twenty-five years of experience as an actor, director, and instructor, Breen knows that with an energized body and an open, fluid state of imagination, you can elevate your listening to generate the thoughts and feelings necessary for each and every moment. Whether you are a dramatic stage actor, a comedic performer, or a film/TV actor, the connection to your scene mates is crucial.
The Ensemble Acting Workshop for adults presents John's skillful approach to creating elevated performances, including lots of movement to get the subtle energies in your body to flow, dissolution of the ego, visualizations, enhanced focus to get you listening, improvisation, tapping into the depths of imagination and creativity, and expert execution of Anne Bogart's Viewpoints to build synergy.
Our goal is for each student in our acting classes to walk away with more meaningful and exciting experiences, ultimately leading to greater confidence!
PRIVATE ACTING LESSONS
& AUDITION PREP
A more concentrated and individual approach to acting training can really boost your momentum and build your confidence more expediently. Also, if you have an audition coming up, either for stage or camera, John can help you hone in on making every second count in the room, by showcasing your strengths and finding a fresh take on the character.
corporate & workplace team building
Why have a team building improv workshop at your business? Intolerance of uncertainty has been implicated in psychological issues like depression and anxiety, arguably, the two leading reasons why people are uncreative and unproductive at home and at work. New studies show that improv is a very important social/emotional tool. Positive effects come from improv's demands to collaborate, be in the moment, be playful and imaginative, and tolerate uncertainty. By building confidence, improv will improve everyone's social skills.
When a company introduces the Improv Mindset into the fabric of its environment, employees start breaking out of their shells, they start really communicating, they learn to roll with the punches better, and gain new skills that enable them to attack a project head on even when it is difficult. When a human being opens up and starts trusting themselves, they worry less about making mistakes or being judged, and make the kind significant contributions to the organization that make a real difference. Not to mention how much communication improves when all of these skills are
about.
Classes at the Bend Institute of Comedy are taught by John Breen. His track record speaks for itself. Breen has been teaching and performing for over 25 years. His background is full of film/TV/Stage credits, and comedy festival appearances. Below is a bullet point list of fun stuff. Enjoy these great bullet points!
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Film:
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Wendy and Lucy, Untraceable, Something Wicked, The Auteur
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TV:
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Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Portlandia, Leverage, Upright Citizens Brigade
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Stage:
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Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre - New York City, Los Angeles
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Del Close Marathon - New York City
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Comedysportz - Portland
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Vancouver Comedy Festival
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San Francisco Sketchfest
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The Liberators & Bang + Burn - Portland
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Training:
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Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre - New York City
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T. Schreiber Studio - New York City
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Comedysportz - Portland
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Margie Haber Studio - Los Angeles
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Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop - Los Angeles
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The Brody Theater - Portland
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Annoyance Theatre - Chicago
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Loose Moose Theatre - Alberta
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photo by bmacstudio.com
LONGFORM IMPROV COMEDY LINEAGE
Del Close and Charna Halpern created an improv comedy dynasty in Chicago. Del become an improv guru, training many of our most notable comedic actors: Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, Matt Besser, John Candy, Stephen Colbert, Rachel Dratch, Chris Farley, Jon Favreau,
Tina Fey, Adam McKay, Bill Murray, Mike Myers,
Bob Odenkirk, Amy Poehler, Gilda Radner, Ian Roberts, Amy Sedaris, Jason Sudeikis,
Vince Vaugh, Matt Walsh.
Soon after the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre was opened in New York City by Besser, Poehler, Roberts and Walsh, it was clear they were building their own comedy empire, producing a new wave of comedy stars:
John Ross Bowie, Kurt Braunohler, Rob Corddry, Andy Daly, Jon Daly, Ilana Glazer,
Donald Glover, Ed Helms, Brian Huskey, Abbi Jacobson, Ellie Kemper, Nick Kroll,
Jason Mantzoukas, Kate McKinnon, Seth Morris, Ego Nwodim, Jordan Peele,
Aubrey Plaza, Rob Riggle, Ben Schwartz, Zach Woods.
John Breen's improv expertise comes from decades of hard work, training with some of the country's best teachers and directors for over two decades, including 3 years under the tutelage of Del Close proteges and founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre,
Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Armando Diaz.
Other prominent students of Del Close, Armando Diaz and Ali Farahnakian, opened their own successful comedy theaters in New York City -- The People's Improv Theater and Magnet Theater.
