Frequently Asked Questions

What is Improv Wizards?

Improv Wizards is a complete improv learning system.

We started Improv Wizards to share with the world one of our greatest joys in life! Improvisation.

It’s our mission to teach you Improv Comedy. In short, we want to teach you to become an Improv Wizard.

We teach workshops all across Los Angeles, and also get hired to travel and teach. And it’s awesome.

But we wanted to make the joy of improvisation available to people all over the world. So we started Improv Wizards as a way to create lessons, video tips, blogs, and even fully improv courses so that you can learn improv skills from anywhere in the world.

Is it Possible to Improvise ALONE?

Surprisingly, YES!

You can’t practice every single improv skill alone, but you can practice so many more skills than we would have believed possible. And we’ve figured out how to teach those skills to you. We have discovered how to make not having a group or a scene partner an advantage to your training. Again, at some point you’ll want to work with other minds in the mix, but for learning and practicing so many of the basics and even advanced skills of improv, we can show you how to do it from the comfort of your own home, and on your own time. In fact, learning to improvise on your own even has several advantages!

Can you learn improvisation ONLINE?

Absolutely YES!

To be bluntly honest, we weren’t sure at first. But several factors, like geography, availability and the COVID-19 Pandemic pushed us to find out. And after years of teaching and doing it, we learned that you absolutely can! It may not always look like traditional in-person improv classes, but we discovered a very important thing: learning on your own is MUCH BETTER in several ways!

How can learning improv online be better than in person?

There are a few improv skills you can’t practice alone. Like reacting real-time to another improviser.
But there are so many skills that you can learn and practice from an online course that will make everything better when you add other real improvisers to practice.
We like to break down skills into smaller lessons and pieces so you can learn and digest them and practice them AT YOUR OWN PACE! In a group setting, the teacher goes at a pace that is not necessarily best for all learners.
And on top of that, learning alone allows you to build skills WITHOUT THE PRESSURE of performing in front of people. That is an essential improv skill to learn, but it doesn’t have to be the FIRST thing that you are hit with.
Learning improv from our online course can be better because:

  • You can practice ANYTIME, night or day!
  • You can learn at your own pace
  • You can practice and learn from ANYWHERE with an internet connection to watch our videos.
  • You can build skills without the pressure of people watching you
  • You can work or warm-up with our videos right before an in person class, or performance or audition
  • You can REPEAT lessons as much as you want! Try that with an in person class!

What is "Become an Improv Wizard"?

Become an Improv Wizard is our flagship online improv course. It is a self contained course consisting of 11 video learning modules, PDFs, and several support videos so that you can play along and practice what your are learning. Putting skills into practice is essential to developing those skills. We also provide periodic zoom webinars and Q&A sessions to help our learners engage and get the support they need. 

Modules Consist of:

  • Starting a Scene: Making Magic Out of Nothing
  • Building a Scene: Creating Worlds
  • Never Go Blank Again Onstage
  • How to Be Funny
  • Characters: Making Funny Easy
  • How to Save a Sinking Ship: Strategies to Save a Scene
  • Games

And more!

See the course here

What is your "Yes And Yourself" Power Course?

“Yes And Yourself” is a online course that focusses on practicing the essential skills of the foundation of improvisation. We call it “Yes and…” and it will change your life if it hasn’t already!

Short videos teach you what “Yes and…” is, why it’s so important, how to do it, and different ways to do it. But most importantly, We included several hours of Play-Along videos that give you a format and structure in which actually practice and experience the power of “Yes and…” again and again. 

We even show you how to re-use the videos after you’ve played through all 3+ hours of training to double, triple, and quadruple your practice and workout time. 

See the course here

Where can I take your improv training?

You can watch, learn and do our practice Play-Along videos from any device with an internet connection… phone, tablet, or desktop computer. 

Can ANYONE LEARN to improvise?

It is our belief that anyone can learn to improvise. Yes, perhaps a sane mind is an advantage here, but you do not need to be an actor, an extrovert, outgoing, quick on your feet or even funny to learn. In fact, learning improv can make you stronger in all of those things.

Do I need to be an actor to take your online improv courses?

We have actors, directors, writers, accountants, and all kinds of people take our course. If you are not an actor, you’ll learn some useful things from the acting world. But no acting experience is needed to start your journey. 

What BENEFITS does Online Improv Training have for non-actors?

What benefits does improv yield for non-actors? (and actors alike)
I’ll just list a few:

  • Increased Creativity
  • Spontaneity
  • Confidence
  • Awareness of self
  • Visualization & sensory skills
  • Laughter
  • Teamwork
  • Listening skills
  • Storytelling skills
  • Fun, fun, and more fun!

Take Our Online Improv Course at home!

Learn, practice, and Play-Along with our revolutionary new Online Improv Training Course!

"Become an Improv Wizard" is a PROVEN STEP-BY-STEP ONLINE IMPROV COURSE to Build CONFIDENCE, UNLEASH CREATIVITY, and BECOME FEARLESS through Improvisation

You have several courses. Which is the best for me?

“Become an Improv Wizard” will take you from knowing nothing about improvisation, to having a full understanding of creating scenes, characters, and stories in the moment. It includes the foundations of improv such as “Yes and…” and much more. “Yes and Yourself” focusses specifically on the principle and practice of “Yes and…” while giving you many Play-Along videos to hone your skills. Many of our learners take both courses. “Yes and Yourself” does not require much acting, and is more about internalizing the principle and practicing it through exercises.

Can I take ALLof your online improv courses?

Love that question. And Yes! You can!

Can I give one of your Improv Courses as a GIFT?

Yes. Absolutely. You can purchase any course and have your very lucky loved one create their own user account afterwards. And they will love you for it! The gift of improv is a creative gift that will keep on giving!

Can I learn to improvise, even if the thought of it TERRIFIES me?

Yes, you can. I personally was terrified of improv when I began, and through doing it become better and better and less fearful every little bit that I did. We not only teach you how to do improv, but give some Mind Blowing Magical Tips for taking the fear and anxiety out of the process. If you’re afraid you won’t be funny, we teach you a new way of looking at that takes the pressure off. If you’re afraid of going blank, we give you several actionable tools that you can use to never go blank. If you’re afraid of people watching you and judging you, that’s why you’re taking an online video course! Where no one is watching! You will be able to learn the skills and build up your confidence all by yourself.

Can I take your Improv Courses with OTHER PEOPLE?

Yes! Families have benefitted greatly by taking our courses together. Friends and improv groups have worked through the courses together. We teach several games you can do on your own, as well as several games that you can do with other people. So grab your friends or your family and dive in! The courses are designed to be one per household.

Will improv training help me to NOT 'GO BLANK' onstage?

Yes. In fact we’ll teach you several tools to use that will keep your mind going, as well as a few different ways to look at things so you’ll be able to fill silence with things that can be more engaging and entertaining than words!

Will improv training help me to not 'go blank' onstage?

Yes. In fact we’ll teach you several tools to use that will keep your mind going, as well as a few different ways to look at things so you’ll be able to fill silence with things that can be more engaging and entertaining than words!

Will improv training help me to not 'go blank' onstage?

Yes. In fact we’ll teach you several tools to use that will keep your mind going, as well as a few different ways to look at things so you’ll be able to fill silence with things that can be more engaging and entertaining than words!

I only want to do SCRIPTED roles in Film & TV. Why should I learn improv?

Improv at its core is being in the moment. This is an essential skill for all kinds of acting. Especially scripted acting. When you’re acting from a script, part of your job it make it sound like you’re not acting from a script! And to do that you need to be in the moment. Every bit of improv training will give you practical ways to practice being in the moment. At some point, as an actor, you will be asked to improvise on set. Or you will be forced to improvise when something goes wrong, or the other actor forgets their lines. Improv training prepares you for this and gets you confident and ready to be nimble in the moment.

How long have you taught improv?

Eric and Lincoln have been teach improv for a combined 50 years! That sounds more impressive than saying that Lincoln’s been teaching for almost 30 years, and Eric for almost 20 years. From teaching kids to adults, actors to business people, we’ve taught literally thousands of people to improvise.

Do you do any FREE SAMPLES or WORKSHOPS?

We do! We offer a few free videos, as well as mini-workshops and tips on social media. We also do Improv Workshops every few weeks, depending on our schedules. We also do free workshops on Clubhouse and other outlets like Facebook and Instagram Live. Sign up here for upcoming workshops: https://improvwizards.com/workshops

What if I'm AFRAID of improv?

If you’re reading this, it’s because you know that there’s something of great value in learning improv. I was terrifed when I started. In fact, I was tricked into learning improv. And then I made improv my love. I want to take that experience to help you learn to overcome this fear as well. We will tackle your fear of improv step by step, exercise by exercise, and video by video. You can go at your own pace. Thisis one of the huge advantages to learning improvisation through an online course: no one is watching you, and you can learn and practice until you feel more comfortable and confident.

Is your course just about watching videos?

While our courses are video courses, they are active and engaging. We have developed our very own system of training using Play-Along videos that allow you to practice exercises and scenes with us as your virtual scene partners. You will be able to play many of these Play-Along videos again and again to keep practicing your skills.

I've heard doing improvisation can be THERAPUDIC. Is that true?

Improvisation truly stretches your creativity and allows you to express yourself artistically. Because improv puts you in the moment, there are even some mindfulness and meditation like effects. There are several forms of inspiration that are based on therapy, but we don’t specifically teach improv as therapy. That being said, there are many therapeutic benefits to play, expression, exercising your creativity, creating characters, confidence building, having fun, and let’s not forget laughter. Laughter, which is a natural byproduct of improv and play has had volumes written on its therapeutic benefits.

Do I need to be an actor to take your online improv courses?

We have actors, directors, writers, accountants, and all kinds of people take our course. If you are not an actor, you’ll learn some useful things from the acting world. But no acting experience is needed to start your journey. 

Does learning improv from an Online Course really work?

Yes. We teach you principles, tools you can use and practice, mistakes to avoid and how to avoid them, and we give you a space and structure in which to practice with our exclusive Play-Along Videos. While we can’t predict of everyone’s experience, we are so confident with the results we’ve seen from our many students over the years, that we offer a 30 day money back guarantee on our Become an Improv Wizard course.

You guys sound like pretty good guys?

We are! Thanks for giving us a compliment but making it sound like a question!