Happy Valley Improv, State College’s premier longform improv company, is growing the next generation of improvisers by bringing the art of improv theater to young people in Central Pennsylvania. Through weekly after-school classes and week-long summer intensives, HVI will cultivate a community of young people dedicated to the study and practice of longform improv comedy.
To accomplish this goal, the Happy Valley Improv Youth Development Committee has developed the following:
Improv is fun and brings joy. However, to produce and enjoy this fun, participants must practice disciplined flexibility. At Happy Valley Improv, we build card houses and build our community brick-by-brick. It is important to our community that everyone, youth and adult alike, follow a disciplined approach while creating laughter. All participants in the Happy Valley Improv Youth Training Program must agree to abide by the Youth Improv Tenets. All parents/guardians, along with the participants, must also agree to and sign the Youth Community Standards of Conduct.
To accomplish this goal, the Happy Valley Improv Youth Development Committee has developed the following:
- Course Pathways - levels of instruction rooted in discipline, commitment, variety, and creativity;
- Youth Improv Tenets - fundamental principles of improvisation upon which all training and performances are built.
- Youth Community Standards of Conduct - guidelines intended to make the most of each class session and to develop professionalism and respect for the art of improv;
Improv is fun and brings joy. However, to produce and enjoy this fun, participants must practice disciplined flexibility. At Happy Valley Improv, we build card houses and build our community brick-by-brick. It is important to our community that everyone, youth and adult alike, follow a disciplined approach while creating laughter. All participants in the Happy Valley Improv Youth Training Program must agree to abide by the Youth Improv Tenets. All parents/guardians, along with the participants, must also agree to and sign the Youth Community Standards of Conduct.
After-School Course Pathways
Our after-school programs run 6-weeks for Short-Form Games and for 12-week season long sessions for Long-Form Classes. The sessions are from 4:30pm - 6pm on select evenings and is open to 7th - 12th graders. All programing takes place at the Blue Brick Theatre located at 209 W Calder Way in Downtown State College. Please click here to sign up.
Short-Form Games: Improv for Everyone (capped at 15 students)
An after-school program designed for students from 7th grade to 12th grade to dive into new short-form improv games each session. Whether you're a beginner or have prior experience, this class welcomes everyone to join the fun!
Short-Form Games focuses on core improv principles like listening, responding, and collaborating, while teaching a variety of engaging short-form games that enhance creativity and confidence. This class runs continuously, with 6-week renewals, starting September 15th, 2025.
Classes will meet on Mondays at the Blue Brick Theatre—209 W Calder Way—from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Students of all experience levels are invited to participate and grow their improv skills. Open and honest feedback will be provided upon request to help students build skills and confidence.
Spring 2026 Dates
Early Spring Session: January 26, February 2, February 9, February 16, February 23, March 2
Late Spring Session: March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20
Cost: $200/session
An after-school program designed for students from 7th grade to 12th grade to dive into new short-form improv games each session. Whether you're a beginner or have prior experience, this class welcomes everyone to join the fun!
Short-Form Games focuses on core improv principles like listening, responding, and collaborating, while teaching a variety of engaging short-form games that enhance creativity and confidence. This class runs continuously, with 6-week renewals, starting September 15th, 2025.
Classes will meet on Mondays at the Blue Brick Theatre—209 W Calder Way—from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Students of all experience levels are invited to participate and grow their improv skills. Open and honest feedback will be provided upon request to help students build skills and confidence.
Spring 2026 Dates
Early Spring Session: January 26, February 2, February 9, February 16, February 23, March 2
Late Spring Session: March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20
Cost: $200/session
Long-Form Improv: High School Ensemble (capped at 15 students)
A 12-week after-school program for high school students (grades 9th - 12th) who are ready to dive deep into the art of long-form improvisation. This high school program is designed for those with extensive improv experience who want to explore what long-form truly means, culminating in a live long-form performance.
Participants will develop skills such as discovering and playing the game of a scene, heightening, exploring status dynamics, and performing second beats. The program emphasizes teamwork and advanced techniques to create cohesive and engaging long-form sets.
Students must demonstrate a strong understanding of the foundational improv skills taught in the Short-Form Games: Improv for Everyone and show a commitment to collaboration and theatre etiquette. Families may request feedback at any time to help students build skills and confidence. Continued participation is contingent upon maintaining the highest standards of respect and professionalism.
Fall 2025 Dates
Wednesdays starting January 28 and ending April 22. NO MEETING ON March 11.
Cost: $400 (payment plans available)
A 12-week after-school program for high school students (grades 9th - 12th) who are ready to dive deep into the art of long-form improvisation. This high school program is designed for those with extensive improv experience who want to explore what long-form truly means, culminating in a live long-form performance.
Participants will develop skills such as discovering and playing the game of a scene, heightening, exploring status dynamics, and performing second beats. The program emphasizes teamwork and advanced techniques to create cohesive and engaging long-form sets.
Students must demonstrate a strong understanding of the foundational improv skills taught in the Short-Form Games: Improv for Everyone and show a commitment to collaboration and theatre etiquette. Families may request feedback at any time to help students build skills and confidence. Continued participation is contingent upon maintaining the highest standards of respect and professionalism.
Fall 2025 Dates
Wednesdays starting January 28 and ending April 22. NO MEETING ON March 11.
Cost: $400 (payment plans available)
2026 Summer Youth Intensives
MORE INFO TO COME!
Improv for Everyone | 9am - 11:30am
This week-long intensive introduces the tenets of Happy Valley Improv, teach the fundamental concepts and skills of improv, and establish an understanding of improv as it is differentiated from other forms of comedy performance such as standup and sketch. Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
This intensive is open to any rising 7th - 12th grader. No experience necessary! However, students with improv experience are invited to join and continue to work on their foundational skills.
Intro to Stand Up Comedy | 1pm - 3:30pm
This week-long intensive introduces the fundamentals of stand-up comedy, teaching students how to develop original material, deliver jokes with confidence, and refine their comedic voice. Participants will explore what makes stand-up unique from other forms of comedy, such as improv and sketch, while workshopping their own routines in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
This week-long intensive introduces the tenets of Happy Valley Improv, teach the fundamental concepts and skills of improv, and establish an understanding of improv as it is differentiated from other forms of comedy performance such as standup and sketch. Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
- Adopting a “yes, and” stance
- Practicing and performing in service to the collective
- Listening to scene partners and contributing to scenes
- Accepting differences and interacting with others non-evaluatively
- Having stage presence (Using our bodies and voices to invite audience members into scenes)
- How to be a supportive audience member
This intensive is open to any rising 7th - 12th grader. No experience necessary! However, students with improv experience are invited to join and continue to work on their foundational skills.
Intro to Stand Up Comedy | 1pm - 3:30pm
This week-long intensive introduces the fundamentals of stand-up comedy, teaching students how to develop original material, deliver jokes with confidence, and refine their comedic voice. Participants will explore what makes stand-up unique from other forms of comedy, such as improv and sketch, while workshopping their own routines in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
- Generating and structuring original comedic material
- Understanding timing, pacing, and delivery in joke-telling
- Using personal experiences and observations to create relatable humor
- Developing stage presence and microphone technique
- Handling audience reactions and thinking on their feet
- Supporting fellow comedians with constructive feedback and positive energy