Youth Classes

Improv can be wonderful for kids. It can be a great outlet for creative energy. It can also help a shy child feel more comfortable in their own skin. And it’s just plain fun. We offer both online and in-person classes.

 

We continue to encourage our members and students to mask when necessary, get your vaccinations up to date, and do not arrive at classes or show with active symptoms of any virus for the sake of others.
STILL GOING

We are still offering online drop in classes for free for those who do not wish to venture out in public spaces – Wednesday Nights from 6-7pm for adults and 4:30-5:30pm for youth.

If you need further information about any of our programs and continued online shows, you can call or text us at 416-230-5967, or email us HERE. 

IN-PERSON CLASSES

There’s still a pandemic going on, and we take the health of our students seriously. Masks are encouraged. 

In 2023, we request that eligible students between the ages of 8 and 11 are vaccinated for the safety of the entire class. This is not regular school, but a workshop where students are speaking and laughing together in the same space. COVID is an airborne virus, and it still poses risk. We now know that vaccination and proper masking lowers that risk considerably. Please do not come to class with symptoms and mask when the possibility of infection is known.

 

YOUTH CLASS (11-13yrs)

Participants in the Kids Class will learn the fundamentals of improv with an emphasis on accepting other people’s ideas. Exercises are designed to build spontaneity, teamwork, and storytelling skills. Students will create their own characters on stage and gain the self-confidence to show off their newfound acting talents. This type of acting class is valuable for beginners and a good refresher for those young actors who need to brush up on their spontaneity skills.

QEPCCC 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville L6L 3L5
STARTING APRIL 15th
SATURDAYS 10am-12pm
NO CLASSES Family Day Weekend
$245 CDN 1- Sessions
CAP 10 Students.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS COURSE OPENS March 1st.

 

KIDS CLASS (8-10yrs)

Participants in the Kids Class will learn the fundamentals of improv with an emphasis on accepting other people’s ideas. Exercises are designed to build spontaneity, teamwork, and storytelling skills. Students will create their own characters on stage and gain the self-confidence to show off their newfound acting talents. This type of acting class is valuable for beginners and a good refresher for those young actors who need to brush up on their spontaneity skills.

QEPCCC 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville L6L 3L5
STARTING April 18th
TUESDAYS (CHANGE OF DAYS) 4-6pm
$245 CDN – 10 Sessions
CAP 10 Students.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS COURSE OPENS March 1st

TEEN CLASS  (13-17yrs – High School)

 

The Teen Class is for students new to improv, as well as those with previous acting experience outside Oakville Improv. The workshop introduces actors to the fundamentals of storytelling. Exercises are designed to build spontaneity, teamwork, and storytelling skills. Students will will improve their abilities both to accept the ideas of others, and to come up with creative and funny ideas of their own. They will create their own characters on stage and gain the self-confidence to show off their new found acting talents!

QEPCCC 2302 Bridge Road
STARTING April 15th
Saturday 1-3pm
$245 CDN 10 Sessions
NO CLASSES Easter weekend, Victoria Day Weekend
CAP 12 students

REGISTRATION FOR THIS COURSE OPENS March 1st

 

ADVANCED TEEN CLASS (13-17yrs – High School)

STUDENTS NEED PERMISSION TO TAKE THIS COURSE.
This class is for students with at least two improv courses behind them and the intention to develop and challenge their performance techniques as well as heightening their improv practice.

QEPCCC 2302 Bridge Road
Saturday 3:30-5:30pm
STARTING April 15th
$245 CDN 10 sessions
NO CLASSES Easter Weekend, Victoria Day weekend
CAP 12

REGISTRATION FOR THIS COURSE OPENS MARCH 1st

 

Are you having financial difficulties because of or related to the pandemic (or other reasons). Let us know. Bursaries are available unconditionally. We don’t need to know ‘why’, we just need to know so we can help.

Email us if you have any questions!

ONLINE CLASSES

Online Drop-ins

Wednesdays (Free) 4:30-5:30pm

At Oakville Improv, we offer a range of improv workshops. To dip your toes, you may want to visit our “drop-in” class on Wednesday afternoons.

This class is free but if you register we can make sure the curriculum fits the number of people attending.

Teens JAM. Online Sundays 8pm. FREE.

This is open to our more experienced performers.
If you have d improvising and would like to join us let us know!
If you don’t have experience but would like to try ALSO LET US KNOW! 

“(my daughter) certainly came away with more confidence and excitement than other extracurricular activities we have tried.  This transferred into her regular school work as well … her sheer enthusiasm every week for Improv speaks volumes about the leadership within the classes.”

Our Online classes run for 60 minutes (drop-ins) to  90 minutes (for session classes). We use Zoom to connect. Of course, there are some technical requirements – each student should be well lit and have a suitable internet connection. The speakers and microphone on the computer may work adequately, but we find that a headphones and a mic do improve quality, and make the classes more fun.

What Can Improv Do for Kids?

Our workshops use basic improvisation techniques to help kids be engaged, get focused, and learn valuable presentation and acting techniques to get them talking to other kids, as well as learning to think on their feet with confidence.

Anxiety and stress is a huge problem for many kids these days. Some feel pressure to be perfect, looking for validation and success, and may be paralyzed at the idea of taking a creative chance in case it doesn’t pay off. With improv, they’ll discover a refreshingly different kind of experience. It’s a setting where “mistakes” are half the fun. Improvisers laugh at themselves. In this positive environment, failure quickly loses its sting, and that gives kids the confidence to make bolder and more imaginative choices. Just as sports like soccer, football and hockey build the body, improv strengthens the imagination and develops a person’s emotional resilience.

But improv is also great for kids who are already outgoing. The natural “class clowns” find an outlet for their quick wit. And the kids who love being the centre of attention enjoy the many opportunities for stage time, develop their skills to more professional levels, and learn how to shine their light on others.

Instead of interacting with video games and smart phones, they’ll deal with people face to face, enjoying theatre games that encourage authentic play, laughter and personal interaction between kids.

Each of our workshop sessions ends with a casual and fun showcase for an audience of friends and family. This is not an obligation, but most kids – even those who thought they’d be too afraid – usually end up choosing to take part. (During COVID 19 restrictions, showcases are temporarily postponed until we can provide enough space for parents and friends safely).

It’s so much fun to hear people laughing, it’s addictive, and kids come back, again and again. Even the shy ones.

(My daughter’s) confidence now shines at school. She was a little reserved and shy, but not anymore … she tells it how it is and more! Her sense of humour has also developed into a fun and interesting characteristic we are all enjoying at home.

Theatresports (Teen Edition) May 6, 2022 for Youth Week at QEPCCC, for the Town of Oakville

If you would like to learn more before you register, contact Amy McKenzie – amy@oakvilleimprov.com