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School Overview

What Is the School?

A school /Research centre and more

Located in Calgary, Canada The Improvisation School is a centre for intensive exploration and study of improvisation. The primary focus is the 3 month course where students live, eat and breathe improvisation and related topics.

The school also offers improvisation workshops suited to the needs of businesses, schools and other organizations.

The Improvisation School is a research centre, exploring, developing and advancing improvisation related ideas.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE:

Improvisation is more than performance

What is Improvisation?

Short answer: adaptability, awareness, spontaneity, communication, risk-taking, play, flexibility … much more

Medium answer: Any answer limits the breadth and possibilities of what Improvisation is. (really...)

Improvisation is the teacher responding to the student's question, the scientist exploring ideas, the brain surgeon adapting to the unexpected emergency, the performer making up the story with no script, the clerk interacting with the customer. It is all that we do. Anything scripted bends to improvisation if we are to be successful...

Longer answer: CLICK here. history, definition and DEATH of Improvisation...

The Instructor

Shawn Kinley

After teaching and performing in over 50 countries for almost 40 years, Shawn offers ongoing exploration, practice, and development in a wide range of skills. From decades of experience, he brings insights into Improvisarion, Mime, Mask (making and performing), Narrative, and show creation.

The school periodically brings in guest teachers and offers a program to train teachers.

Scholarship Possibility

Opportunities, Scholarships, etc

A philosophy of the school is to make this work accessible. Contact us for scholarship options (specifically South American and African students)



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Coming Soon: Student blogs hi-lighting some of the lessons they are learning.

Previous Students say...

Vid Sodnik

Vid Sodnik

SLOVENIA


I mention the name Shawn Kinley a lot when I'm teaching at different festivals around the world. His work has influenced my focus in improvisation the most. Every time I get the opportunity to work with him I learn so much more. I can honestly say he is the best teacher and mentor I ever had.

Pepa Duarte Soldevilla

Pepa Duarte Soldevilla

PERU

Shawn is an amazing teacher, he will help you grow with such an honest and playful attitude and method. I was challenged and encouraged. I think that´s when my career as an actress and as an improviser finally and fully came together. I can´t tell you how many drama teachers I´ve had -did my master´s at RADA last year-
Shawn is still Top 5.

Terje Brevik

Terje Brevik

NORWAY

Shawn is one of those rare teachers who manage not only to teach the basic principles of improv but also connects them to everything we do in life, in a fun and safe way! If I had to trademark it I'd call it Zenprov! Shawn's probably one of the most experienced teachers in the world, together with his love for the art and humanity I can't recommend him enough.

Some organizations we've worked with

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