As improvisers we don’t have time to plan characters story and motivation. That’s why it s more efficient for us to explore shaping character from the outside in. 

This workshop will teach you how to keep your head free from motivation, backstory, and other blocks to free flowing play rooted in discovery. In other words by developing these new skills you free yourself from planing what to do and you will develop quickly characters (with a physical perspective and delivery) who know what to say and how to behave in relation to the space and other players.

Instructor: Jeff Michalski Chicago born Jeff Michalski is a legendary comic, improviser, director and teacher! Michalski’s improv legacy starts in 1974 working with Jo Forsberg and Del Close in Chicago. After working in theaters and comedy clubs nationwide he became a founding member of The Second City ETC in Chicago in 1983. Jeff Michalski was the first director for David Pasquesi, Stephen Colbert, and many other notable talents at The Second City.

His ongoing experience for over 50 years as teacher, director, and above all a practitioner of this art form, transcends the stage to touch the realms of television, radio and film. Jeff has been fortunate enough to have improvised with Robin Williams and played scenes in movies with icons like Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Peter Falk and others. Michalski has logged more hours improvising live than anyone—a living testament to the transformative power of the art form.