How have thousands of San Diegans found more joy in their life?
They said "YES!" to improv!
Our intro classes are a great way to get started into our community of welcoming, fun, and charismatic people. The support of your new teammates will help you cultivate your own confidence in a laugh-filled environment. Plus, with free admission to shows and a chance to perform on stage, you will have the best seven weeks (or more!) of your life with us!
Meet some of our amazing friends in our monthly community spotlights, see fun behind-the-scenes antics on our Instagram, or come see for yourself with a 2-Hour Discover Improv class.
Join Us To
- Laugh more
- Play more
- Develop more courage
- Be more creative
- And... even get on stage!
improv class series
Level 1: The Joy of Improv
Invite more creativity, spontaneity, and fun into your every day life. A super fun 2-hour class for 7-weeks with two shows - one mid-term show and one end-of-term class show.
Learn to play fun improv games and create hilarious 2-person scenes in a safe and friendly atmosphere. Collaborate with others, gain confidence, stay in the moment, and think on your feet. This class focuses on the seven essentials of improvisation: support & trust, energy & spontaneity, concentration, honesty & sincerity, listening & responding with emotion, agreement & heightening, and playing action.
Designed for anyone new to improv OR for anyone who has experience but is new to our Improv Series.
Learn more or choose your start date and start having more fun now!
Class/Show how dates are listed under specific class days
Level 2: More Improv, More Joy!
In this level you will expand on the fundamentals to discover even more playfulness and joy! You will learn dozens of more super fun improv games and follow your fears to find more ease in your scenework. Scene work focuses on trusting your partner, yourself, and the “rules of improv” to simply discover the fun in your scenes every time!
This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term. Every student is encouraged to participate in the first student/teacher show, Greenhorn..
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 1 or graduate of Second City, iO, or UCB improv program.
Choose your start date:
Level 3: Scenes & Montages
While continuing to practice the fundamentals of improvisation and learning even more awesome and fun games, you further develop your skills to create improv scenes in groups of two.
Instruction continues to focus on relationship, and discovering collaboratively while adding more character, game, and heightening. This class also works on some basic acting skills that are helpful in improvisation and using the stage and imaginary environment more. Three person scenes, more editing, and montages are also introduced.
This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term.
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 2.
Choose your start date:
Level 4: Advanced Scenes
While continuing to practice the fundamentals of improvisation and learning even more fun games, you further develop your skills to create improv scenes as a duo or trio while being introduced to long-form improv structures.
Instruction continues to focus on relationship, and discovering collaboratively while adding more character, game, and heightening. You will stretch your skills in a challenging and fun environment as you begin to find your “improv voice.”
You will learn about openings, La Ronde, side support, recognizing themes, and numerous improv “devices”. This class also works on some basic acting skills that are helpful in improvisation and using the stage and imaginary environment more.
This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term.
Prerequisite: Level 3
Choose your start date:
Level 5: Harold & Friends!
Learn ‘The Harold’ and other essential improv forms!
You will learn how to weave your scene work into a single long-form show. Performance skills are fine-tuned and essential show structures are studied. You are encouraged to make bold choices and act on inspiration with confidence.
This level has 2 class shows during the term.
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 4.
Choose your start date:
Level 6: Create Your Show!
Design and develop your unique comedic point of view within a show format. Receive feedback and direction from Finest City Improv instructors. Strengthen the long-form structure and put up your show on the Finest City Improv stage! This level has two shows - one mid-term class show and one show at the end of the term, plus an additional 2-Show run after graduation.
After completion of Level 6, you will receive a certificate of achievement and be considered an FCI improv program graduate!
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 5.
Choose your start date:
More WAYS TO PLAY & LEARN!
Electives in musical improv, clowning, and more are offered each term.
Drop-in classes and workshops for intermediate to advanced improvisers. Great one-time classes taught by our pros and guest visiting artists.
Plus, check the show calendar for open jams anyone can join.
Graduate Program
Advanced Improv Performing and Learning Program for Grads
This program takes graduates of our core series and mentors them to gain more skills, experience, and opportunities in improvisation.
Learning & Performing Pathway at FCI
Finest City Improv is dedicated to growing and showcasing our community of diverse improv performers. We have created a clear and simple path to lots of stagetime and other opportunites within the organization.