First Class Free! Holiday Sale!

Beginner Improvisation 4-Week Series

Tuesdays 4 weeks Nov 25 - Dec 16
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Open Space Event Studios – 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Studio 1
Tuition: $145 (regular price $200) See "Book it Now" button above. (Price with CC fee $149)

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Why Take This Class?

At Bend Institute of Comedy, improv isn’t just about comedy—it’s about transformation. You’ll learn The BIC Way, which develops both the performer and the human being, blending expert long-form improv comedy training with deep personal expansion. You'll learn to...

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✔ Trust yourself in the unknown – Build the confidence to think fast and adapt with ease.
✔ Connect on a deeper level – Develop presence and empathy for others, while cultivating authentic self-expression.
✔ Find freedom in play – Unleash your creativity without judgment or hesitation.
✔ Step beyond your comfort zone—discover growth, joy, and liberation in life's most powerful collaborative art form.

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The BIC approach to Improv 

At Bend Institute of Comedy, our training is built on over 30 years of expertise from founder John Breen. His approach integrates peak performance psychology, neuroscience, deliberate practice, Buddhist compassion principles, and the foundational methods of UCB Theatre, Del Close, Annoyance Theatre, and Keith Johnstone.

We start with real Presence—training performers to fully connect with their scene partners. From there, we build Clarity, sharpen execution with The Three S’s, and train improvisors to recognize the Rising Action Moment. The final step? Zeroing-in and amplifying the Hook or Game of the scene toward a maximum comedic climax, building a powerful and seamless long-form where every element converges to create surprising, unforgettable, high-impact Improv Sets.

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Instructor: BIC founder John Breen is an accomplished writer, director, actor, and producer with a dynamic career spanning film, TV, and stage. He’s known for his work on Portlandia, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the critically acclaimed Wendy and Lucy with Michelle Williams, and the films of James Westby. He has performed at the UCB Theatre in LA and NYC and has written and performed numerous sketch comedy shows at various festivals. A seasoned filmmaker, Breen has created short films and commercials for clients like Nike and Anker batteries. As the founder of the Bend Institute of Comedy, he’s created one of the West Coast’s premier spaces for learning improvisation, writing, and acting.

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