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 empnasize the importance of the Tenets and Standards of Conduct, parents are required to attend a pre-session meeting to meet with the teachers and ask questions about the program. When signing up, the date/time of the session will be listed. If you are unable to make the meeting, you must meet with the youth director within the first two weeks of the session. Students are not required but encouraged to attend the orientation.
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.
To empnasize the importance of the Tenets and Standards of Conduct, parents are required to attend a pre-session meeting to meet with the teachers and ask questions about the program. When signing up, the date/time of the session will be listed. If you are unable to make the meeting, you must meet with the youth director within the first two weeks of the session. Students are not required but encouraged to attend the orientation.
After-School Course Pathways
Our after-school programs run monthly for foundations and for 12-week season long sessions for the intermediate and advanced 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.
Improv Theatre Foundations (capped at 15 students)
An after-school program intended to help students from 7th grade to 12th grade learn theatre etiquette and the foundation of improv which is listening and responding directly to a scene partner. This program runs continuously, with month-to-month renewals, starting February 6th, 2024. Improv Theatre Foundations will meet on Tuesdays at the Blue Brick Theatre--209 W Calder Way--from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Students of all levels of experience are invited to participate. The skills in this class are required to move into the Intermediate Youth Improv program. Families may request an evaluation of skills at anytime and open and honest feedback will be shared.
Spring 2024 Dates
March Session: March 12th, 19th, 26th, and April 2nd
April Session: April 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
Cost: $100/mo
An after-school program intended to help students from 7th grade to 12th grade learn theatre etiquette and the foundation of improv which is listening and responding directly to a scene partner. This program runs continuously, with month-to-month renewals, starting February 6th, 2024. Improv Theatre Foundations will meet on Tuesdays at the Blue Brick Theatre--209 W Calder Way--from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Students of all levels of experience are invited to participate. The skills in this class are required to move into the Intermediate Youth Improv program. Families may request an evaluation of skills at anytime and open and honest feedback will be shared.
Spring 2024 Dates
March Session: March 12th, 19th, 26th, and April 2nd
April Session: April 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
Cost: $100/mo
Intermediate Youth Improv (capped at 12 students)
A 12-week long after-school program for students with improv experience looking to build upon their basic skill set. This program will work with students on improv theatre skills such as character development, gift-giving, object work, and quick thinking. To be granted entry into this program, the student must show an understanding of theatre etiquette and the foundational "yes, and" of improv taught in our Improv Theatre Foundations class. Each student will be evaluated before granted permission to join this program. The skills in this class are required to move into the Advanced Youth Improv program. Families may request an evaluation of skills at anytime and open and honest feedback will be shared. Acceptance into this program can be revoked if theatre etiquette is no longer followed.
Spring 2024 Dates
Mondays starting January 22nd and ending April 15th. NO MEETING ON MARCH 4th
Cost: $400 (payment plans available)
A 12-week long after-school program for students with improv experience looking to build upon their basic skill set. This program will work with students on improv theatre skills such as character development, gift-giving, object work, and quick thinking. To be granted entry into this program, the student must show an understanding of theatre etiquette and the foundational "yes, and" of improv taught in our Improv Theatre Foundations class. Each student will be evaluated before granted permission to join this program. The skills in this class are required to move into the Advanced Youth Improv program. Families may request an evaluation of skills at anytime and open and honest feedback will be shared. Acceptance into this program can be revoked if theatre etiquette is no longer followed.
Spring 2024 Dates
Mondays starting January 22nd and ending April 15th. NO MEETING ON MARCH 4th
Cost: $400 (payment plans available)
Advanced Youth Improv (capped at 12 students)
A 12-week long after-school program for students with extensive improv experience looking to build upon their skill set. This program will work with students on improv theatre skills such as finding the game, heightening, status, and second beats. To be granted entry into this program, the student must show an understanding of all improv skills taught in our Intermediate Youth Improv class. Each student will be evaluated before granted permission to join this program. Families may request an evaluation of skills at anytime and open and honest feedback will be shared. Acceptance into this program can be revoked if theatre etiquette is no longer followed.
Spring 2024 Dates
Wednesday starting January 24th and ending April 17th. NO MEETING ON MARCH 6th
Cost: $400 (payment plans available)
A 12-week long after-school program for students with extensive improv experience looking to build upon their skill set. This program will work with students on improv theatre skills such as finding the game, heightening, status, and second beats. To be granted entry into this program, the student must show an understanding of all improv skills taught in our Intermediate Youth Improv class. Each student will be evaluated before granted permission to join this program. Families may request an evaluation of skills at anytime and open and honest feedback will be shared. Acceptance into this program can be revoked if theatre etiquette is no longer followed.
Spring 2024 Dates
Wednesday starting January 24th and ending April 17th. NO MEETING ON MARCH 6th
Cost: $400 (payment plans available)
2024 Summer Youth Intensives
Our summer intensive programs run for five days from 9am - 11:30am. Pricing for each week-long intensive program is $200 with discounts and scholarships available. All programing takes place at the Blue Brick Theatre located at 209 W Calder Way in Downtown State College. These programs are for students entering 7th - 12th grade.
Summer Session One - June 2024
June 10th - 14th | Improv For Everyone w/ James Tierney
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!
June 17th - 21st | Long-Form Improv w/ Jackie Gianico
This week-long intensive builds on the tenets of Happy Valley Improv, and focuses on the art of long-form improviation. Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
This intensive is open to any rising 7th - 12th grader who has participated in a previous Happy Valley Improv youth training program--may it be a summer camp or after school program.
This week-long intensive builds on the tenets of Happy Valley Improv, and focuses on the art of long-form improviation. Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
- Understanding the difference between short and long-form improvisation.
- Developing the group mind of a long-form improv ensemble.
- Creating a unique long-form improv set.
- Producing a long-form improv show.
This intensive is open to any rising 7th - 12th grader who has participated in a previous Happy Valley Improv youth training program--may it be a summer camp or after school program.
June 24th - 28th | Short-Form Improv w/ Andrea McCloskey
This week-long intensive builds on the tenets of Happy Valley Improv, and focuses on the art of short-form improviation. Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
This intensive is open to any rising 7th - 12th grader who has participated in a previous Happy Valley Improv youth training program--may it be a summer camp or after school program.
This week-long intensive builds on the tenets of Happy Valley Improv, and focuses on the art of short-form improviation. Students should complete the week with practice and competency in:
- Understanding the rules and how to play multiple short-form games.
- Knowing how to host multiple short-form games.
- Producing a short-form improv show.
- Creating a unique short-form improv game of their own.
This intensive is open to any rising 7th - 12th grader who has participated in a previous Happy Valley Improv youth training program--may it be a summer camp or after school program.