CAMP IMPROV UTOPIA East
WHEN
August 30th - September 2, 2024 (Labor Day Weekend)
WHERE
WHAT
Stroudsburg, PA at Camp Trout Lake
Our annual camp is a 3 night retreat for adults 18 and over and takes place at Trout Lake Retreats, hidden away in the beautiful Pocono Mountains near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Improvisers from all over the world come together and learn improv from nationally renowned teachers. This three-night camping experience includes improv workshops from top instructors, camp activities like archery, lake swimming and kayaking. Your accommodations are great too with cabin camping with private showers and bathrooms, all your meals and much more. Camp is a relaxed environment to learn while experiencing camaraderie, community and nature.
Registration NOW OPEN!
- $675 Registration Price - Tuition is All-Inclusive! Includes food, lodging, education and more...
- $690 Payment Plan Available - 2 Pay Plan
- ($300 USD first payment the rest in 30 days.) *Payment Plan available up to 30 days before camp.
There is a one time non-refundable Camp Network fee of $3.99 and processing fees equal to 3.95 % + $0.30 added to your tuition.
*COVID-19 Update: Improv Utopia will follow all CDC, State and City COVID19 Guidelines and will update campers of any changes or restrictions that will be enforced during the time of camp. Vaccines are required at camp.
CAMP TUITION INCLUDES:
- Workshops: 10 hours of workshops from master improv teachers! Performances: Improv jams and shows with your cabinmates!
- Camp Activities: Archery, kayaking, swimming, campfires, volleyball, basketball and so much more!
- Lodging: Shared cabins with private bathrooms, showers and electricity.
- Food: All meals are included and prepared by professional kitchen staff. Special dietary and allergy-friendly meals are available, too!
- Community: Meet improvisors from all over the world... community and camaraderie in nature!
- More Camp FAQ
Elective Workshop: Intro to Genre - Bringing Character and Style to the Stage
with Jessica Young
Workshop
Jessica will have the improviser explore a different side of long-form improvisation. In this workshop, improvisers will find how to successfully play genre-style improv and learn how to create rich and unforgettable characters. Stage picture, characters and environment all come together to create what we want the audience to think is a scripted piece.
This workshop is considered advanced.
This workshop is offered once over the weekend.
About Jessica
Jessica is an improviser/actress/stand up comedian in Los Angeles who performs weekly at I.O. West since 2003. Her first group was the infamous Nite Terrors along side Nick Armstrong and John Abbott. Jessica has been an original cast member of the Kind Strangers for the last 5 years. They have traveled to Improv Festivals across the country bringing their unique style of genreprov, their signature form being improvised Tennessee Williams. Jessica’s latest endeavor is stand up comedy which you can see live, on YouTube, or if you’re lucky, on the back porch of Mozzi’s Saloon during Improv Utopia. She loves the outdoors and attended her first sleep away camp at age 8. Jessica can’t wait to bring the “Arts to the Crafts” at camp this summer.
Elective Workshop: well played - a coaching workshop
with Kristen Schier
Workshop
This workshop is for anyone looking to begin or grow their improv coaching or teaching skills. Participants will get a chance to lead exercises and get real-time supportive and practical feedback on your coaching. We will uncover your unique point of view and style as a coach. You will focus on drawing on what inspires you most about the art of improv and allowing that to guide the classes and rehearsals that you lead. At the same time, finding solutions for some of the common challenges of being a new coach or teacher. There are limited spots for the workshop, and we will prioritize offering spots to w Women-identifying and people of color when possible.
This workshop is for improvisors in or beginning the coaching/teaching stage of the art form.
This workshop is offered twice over the weekend.
About Kristen
Kristen Schier has extensive improv teaching, directing, and performing experience. She holds a BFA in Performing Arts from the University of the Arts where she taught Acting for Non-Majors, Improvisation for the Actor, and first-year Acting Studio. She has toured all over the country teaching and performing at various festivals such as the Seattle Festival of Improvised Theater, Chicago Improv Festival, Vancouver International Improv Festival, Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam, and more. Kristen is the former Co-Artistic Director of Curious Comedy in Portland Oregon and former Improv Producer at the Philly Improv Theater. She has studied improv at Second City, Magnet Theater, and Annoyance. Kristen has also studied Physical Theater, clown, extensively with Pig Iron Theater company and Movement Theater Studio.
Elective Workshop: Forming Your Shorts!
with Mike Brown
Workshop
Short Form improv is ridiculously fun! But it’s also distinctly different from Long Form. It requires a different style of presentation than the more rock & roll let’s-just-mess-around-and-see-what-happens approach we typically associate with Long Form. In this workshop let’s play a whole bunch of Short Form games, but with a focus on the presentation.
All improv levels are welcome.
This workshop is offered once over the weekend.
About Mike
Mike hails from New York City, and has been teaching improv since 2010. He taught for The PIT, performed on a cruise ship, and founded Pineapple Improv with his wife, Kim, whom he met in improv class. More tales available upon request.
Master Instructors
Workshop: Fully Physical
with Brandon Hensgens
Workshop
Physical improv is usually most memorable and the most fun. From character traits to fight scenes, there are different levels of being physical on stage. In this class, we will be exploring successful and safe ways to be making fun physical choices. From dynamic staging, intentional movement, and even how to safely execute a funny fight scene. We'll figure what is best for you at any physical level.
All improv levels are welcome.
About Brandon
Originally from San Diego, Brandon Hensgens is a performer, and coach based in NYC. Since starting his improv journey in 2011, he has trained at iO West, Pack Theater, Second City, North Coast, and Finest City Improv. Performed at various festivals and theaters around the country. Additionally, he has produced and hosted sold out shows all around San Diego, like Hamiltunes, Dungeons & Dementors, and the Roar Takeover. He currently performs at festivals and theaters around the country with his two person shows, Jackie: The Improvised Martial Arts Movie and Hopscotch.
Outside of improv, he is a graphic designer for Improv Utopia and dumpling maker for eating.
Workshop: Ultimate Peas in a Pod
with Tia Kemp
Workshop
It takes two to make a thing go right, it takes two to make it outta sight.” – Rob Base and D.J. EZ Rock.
This workshop will be a deep dive into "Peas in a Pod" work. Learn how to let go, mirror, and absorb details to create a dynamic pair of characters. With the partners you meet in this workshop, we will focus on leaning into trust and having fun with the unknown together. Develop your confidence and gain tools to engage in scenework as the ultimate “yes and” duo!
All improv levels are welcome.
About Tia
Tia Kemp is a performer and improv instructor based in Philly. She began studying improv in 2013 at Unexpected Productions in Seattle, and has completed several intensive trainings at The Second City in Chicago. After moving to Philadelphia in 2017, she was cast on improv and sketch teams, directed a house team and has produced shows. In 2018, she created “No Diggity,” an improv show inspired by old school hip hop and R&B. As an instructor, Tia has taught both teens and adults at The Unscripted Project, Crossroads Comedy, Liberty Improv Theater and Philly Improv Theater. Tia works at PhillyCAM, a public access media center that gives access to people in the community who want to create their own TV and radio shows. She also advises students at the University of the Arts under the School of Film. In addition to her love of improv and teaching, Tia is a new mom to her baby boy, Rainn. She is constantly improvising with her baby and thankful he understands the concept of “yes, and” (currently through spit bubbles and laughter).
Workshop: The Mime
with Tashika Campbell
Workshop
Silent object work is essential to a mime artist and these elements are important to Improvisers as well. Object work allows the performer to add some texture to the scene. Silence is a relatively new tool, as performers are encouraged to respond as way of supporting what is introduced on the stage. But a facial expression or an exaggerated body movement can be supportive as well. This workshop will explore these tools and find ways to infuse them into scenes.
All improv levels are welcome.
About Tashika
Tashika is veteran Improviser from Baltimore, Maryland. Her Improv career started at the Baltimore Improv Group in 2017, where she was a member of the conservatory teams. Tashika is a sought-after facilitator, having worked with Bird City Improv, Improv MKE, Queen City Improv and HIghwire Improv. She has performed in festivals across the north-east region and globally. She recently served as the festival coordinator of the "From Another Mother Festival" (F.A.M Fest) and is a co-founder of the award-winning troupe, Cake Walk.
Workshop: Build Something Great Together
with Elana Fishbein
Workshop
The best group scenes operate like a complex, but polished juggling act. In this workshop we’ll aim to corral the chaos into relatable, fun, and inspiring ensemble work. We’ll endeavor to share and throw focus, navigate moments of consensus and division, and maximize the play by working as a unit rather than a cluster of random brains. Through guided scenes and exercises, improvisers will hone their ability to apply patience, harness group dynamic, and work as a team.
All Levels Are Welcome
About Elana
Elana Fishbein is an improv teacher, performer, educational consultant, and executive coach based in New York City. She has designed curricula and facilitated improv workshops for corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions all over the United States and beyond. Elana’s targeted, experiential sessions aim to help students expand their ability to communicate, collaborate, empathize, and lead through radical respect and elevation of each other’s ideas.
Elana teaches improv at Magnet Theater and American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She can be seen performing with the Armando Diaz Experience, Magnet Theater TourCo, and her solo improv show, Pepita (Best of the Fest, San Diego Improv Festival). She has been featured at the Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Eau Claire, Edmonton, Omaha, Philadelphia, and Women in Comedy Festivals, among others. Her two-woman play, Sisters Three, was a New York Times Critics’ Pick.
Elana has written and performed for The Truth Podcast (Radiotopia), Story Pirates Podcast (Gimlet), and appeared on BBC America’s Almost Royal, as well as in the original musical comedies Girl Camp and Nightfall on Miranga Island. She is a member of Story Pirates, a non-profit arts-in-education organization that takes stories written by kids and adapts them into hilarious sketches and songs. She is the co-creator of two professional development workshop series for teachers: “Beyond Winging It: Improv in the Classroom” and “Play.” Elana is featured in the documentary short, LMAO, about the therapeutic potential of laughter and comedy.
Elana holds an M.A. in Educational Theater from NYU and B.A. in Drama from Vassar College. Her favorite succulent is jade.
Workshop: Character Creation
with Gabe Valdez
Workshop
Character creation can come about in many different ways, this character workshop will help you find the tools needed to create characters in different ways. Rather than a character walk and talk, this workshop will provide you with unique ways to create characters that are new and different. This workshop is ideal for all types of learners whether you are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. This workshop will leave you with your very own way to create a character that is comfortable to you.
All improv levels are welcome.
About Gabe
Gabriel Valdez is an LGBTQ+, Hispanic, actor, improviser, and writer. He is an Upright Citizens Brigade alumnus and has trained with The Groundlings ( Los Angeles) and Bird City Improv (Baltimore). He is currently an instructor at The Ledge Theater in Los Angeles. Gabe currently performs with the teams TVunscripted and Downtown Menagerie throughout the LA area. He is also a playwright with work featured at the Denver Fringe Festival and has over 50,000 views on his sketch comedy work. Gabe has performed and taught internationally at the Improv Fest Ireland, Auckland Improv Marathon (New Zealand), and regionally at Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Westside Comedy (Santa Monica), among others within the Performing Arts
In addition, Gabe is a professionally trained environmental analyst and geologist, He would love to talk with you about rocks and protecting the environment.
Workshop: Be playful! Chasing the Game
with Ryder Tam
Workshop
What’s funny to you in an improv scene? This workshop focuses on playing game-of-scene improv. This fun play style will allow you to make use of the hidden math behind comedy to become a comedic genius! Impress your friends. Awe your enemies. We’ll cover topics including:
- Creating a grounded, engaging base reality.
- Identifying the fun, unusual bits in scenes that make them pop.
- Justifying unusual character behavior.
- Patternizing and heightening game in improv scenes.
Looking for a synopsis? This workshop is all about chasing the funny!
All improv levels are welcome.
About Ryder
Ryder Tam is a Chinese-American improviser, actor, comedian and occasional aerospace engineer from Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a former improv instructor for Rise Comedy Denver, currently teaches for Ledge Theater in Los Angeles, and has taught workshops for Cornerstone Improv (San Diego), Bird City Improv (Baltimore), Neighborhood Comedy Theater (Phoenix), The Idiot Box (Greensboro, NC), and 3E's Comedy Club (Colorado Springs). Ryder trained at Upright Citizens Brigade, iO Chicago, Second City, Pack Theater, and Groundlings, where he is also a Saturday Night Live scholarship award winner. He performed as a headliner at the Detroit Improv Festival and Trill Comedy Festival (Houston), and has taught and performed for numerous other comedy festivals. International appearances include Ireland Improv Festival and Improfest Sweden.
Currently, Ryder performs with the Pack Theater house teams Wiggle Room (Sketch Comedy), Mind Reader (Improv), and with genre improv teams TVunscripted (Film Noir and D&D), Downtown Menagerie (Tennessee Williams), Kind Strangers (Tennessee Williams), A Very Special Episode (Sitcom), and Science Night Live (Producer; variety show). Fun fact: there is a polaroid picture of him in space! www.RyderTam.com
Camp is one of the best improv experiences that I could have had. To be in a place where everyone loves improv as much as you do is such a rush. The teachers are supportive and are invested in your learning. The view is awe striking and I always wanted seconds at meal times. You truly do make amazing friends and memories there.
Christina L - Los Angeles, CA