Advanced Improvisation: Scene Work

DRA4386.01
Course System Home Terms Fall 2025 Advanced Improvisation: Scene Work

Course Description

Summary

In this 7-week course, we’ll explore a variety of approaches to improvised scene work, focusing on techniques beyond the Upright Citizens Brigade paradigm. Emphasizing Chicago-style improv, we’ll shift away from a strict ‘Game’ focus and instead prioritize relationship and character.

Get ready to jump in, take risks, and perform hundreds of scenes as you sharpen your skills and expand your improv toolkit. And of course, we’ll top it all off with a final class show where anything can happen!

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn the core elements for creating fun and watchable scenes.
  • Fortify your improv acting fundamentals.
  • Practice an arsenal of techniques that can be used in any scene.
  • Explore physical based approaches to improv in order to create characters and relationships.
  • Utilize object work and pantomime to establish relationship, character, and environment.

Prerequisites

Game of the Scene or equivalent improv experience.

Permission of instructor upon receipt of a brief, 2 min. Video Statement of Interest [via YouTube link].

Video Statement of Interest: What do you think you need to work on to get better at improv? What's your biggest strength as a performer? How do you use improv in your daily life?

Send these BRIEF YouTube videos to me at: shawtanebowen@bennington.edu by May 9th.

Late submissions will not be accepted!

Corequisites

Completion of Dance or Drama lab assignment.

Instructor

  • Shawtane Bowen

Day and Time

MO,TH 3:40pm-5:30pm

Delivery Method

Fully in-person

Length of Course

1st seven weeks

Academic Term

Fall 2025

Area of Study

Credits

2

Course Level

4000

Maximum Enrollment

16

Course Frequency

Every 2-3 years