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Improv Showcase 500 Sat Jan 20 2024
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fall SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY
IMPROVISATION
level 1
(Prerequisite: none)
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​66-WEEK SERIEs
jan 2024
day/time tbd
tuition $295
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open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
FALL SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY
IMPROVISATION
adv
ALPHA TEAM
(Prerequisite: BEG/INT)
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6-WEEK SERIEs
oct 21 - dec 2
sats 10:30pm-12:30pm
tuition $295
(early bird discount
$265 by SEP 2)
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open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
FALL SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY
IMPROVISATION
inTERMED
(Prerequisite: lev 1)
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7-WEEK SERIEs
nov 6 - dec 18
MONs 6:30pm-8:30pm
tuition $345
(early bird discount
$295 by SEP 11)
open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
Summer SEries
LONGFORM COMEDY
IMPROVISATION
INTermed
(Prerequisite: BIC L1)
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6-WEEK SERIEs
jan 2024
day/time tbd
tuition $295
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Hanai center
62430 Eagle rd
Bend, Oregon
SPRING workshop
sketch comedy
writing
INTRO
(Prerequisite: none))
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date tbd 2024
6-week series
$295 Tuition
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Hanai center
62430 Eagle rd
Bend, Oregon
winter workshop
screenwriting
short film
intro
(Prerequisite: none)
)
date tbd 2024
6-week series
$295 Tuition
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open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon
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spring series
acting
foundation​
(Prerequisite: none)
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date TBD
8-Week Series
6:30pm -8:30pm
$325 Tuition
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open space event studios
220 ne Lafayette ave
Bend, Oregon​
ongoing series
acting
scene study
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(Prerequisite: BIC ACTING foundation
or pre-approved)
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date TBD
SUN 10:00pm-12:00pm
$165 per month
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open space or Hanai center
bend, Oregon
SPRING workshop
Ensemble Acting
workshop
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(Prerequisite: none)
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date TBD
tues 6:30pm -8:30pm
$45 Tuition
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redmond grange hall
707 kalama ave
redmond, Oregon
summer series
Ensemble-created
performance
(audition required)
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8-Weeks / 16 classes
tues 6:30pm -8:30pm
sats 1:30-3:30pm
$425 Tuition
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redmond grange hall
707 kalama ave
redmond, Oregon
class details.
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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!
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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!​
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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!
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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!
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Class policies
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Classes are non-refundable. Improv classes are limited to 20 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.
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covid
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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!
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ACTING, SCENE STUDY
& ENSEMBLE ACTING WORKSHOP
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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!
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PRIVATE ACTING LESSONS
& AUDITION PREP
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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.
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tEAM BRILLIANCE
corporate TRAINING​
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Why have a TEAM BRILLIANCE training 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 enhanced.
Besides using Theater Improvisation, Team Brilliance also incorporates into our trainings Neuro Science, Peak Sports Psychology, Thoughts As Energy, Flow State, Humor, and Humility.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
