Workshops
Yes, Ann Improv Festival is excited to offer the unique opportunities to learn from some of our visiting performers.
Check out our offerings below and follow @yesannfest for more announcements.
2-Day Monoscene Intensive with Anna Garcia
June 24 & 25 - SOLD OUT!
The monoscene is all about connected, grounded play. No tags. No edits. Just one shared moment that keeps deepening as characters, relationships, patterns, and surprises emerge in real time.
In this two-day intensive workshop, Anna Garcia will guide improvisers through the tools that make a monoscene feel alive: patient discovery, strong point of view, emotional connection, ensemble listening, and building a world without rushing to leave it.
Anna Garcia is an actor, comedian, improviser, and University of Michigan alum whose work spans film, television, and some of today’s most exciting live comedy stages. She’s also a fan favorite on Dropout, with appearances on Make Some Noise, Very Important People, and Game Changer.
This workshop includes a student showcase performance on Thursday, June 25 at 6pm at the Michigan Theater.
Intensive Location:
Hear.Say Academy Training Center, 251 Jackson Plaza, Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Schedule:
Wednesday, June 24
10 am - 12 pm - Part 1
12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch
1 pm - 3 pm - Part 2
Thursday, June 25
10 am - 12 pm - Part 3
12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch
1 pm - 3 pm - Part 4
Showcase:
Thursday, June 25 at 6pm
Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
2-Day Genre Intensive with Jessica Young
June 24 & 25 - $300
Explore the dramatic side of improv comedy through the heightened world of Tennessee Williams. Think outrageous characters, big emotions, slower pacing, rich atmosphere, and a focus on grounded acting inside an improvised world.
In this two-day intensive workshop, Jessica Young will guide improvisers through the tools of genre-based improv, using the style of Tennessee Williams as a jumping-off point for character, relationship, tone, and theatrical storytelling. Students will explore how to commit fully to a genre while still staying present, playful, and connected as an ensemble.
Jessica Young is an actor, improviser, teacher, and coach with more than 20 years of experience performing and teaching around the country. She trained at iO West and UCB, performs with the genre improv team Kind Strangers, and teaches genre work with Improv Utopia. Her TV credits include New Girl, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and For the People.
This workshop includes a student showcase performance on Thursday, June 25 at 6pm at the Michigan Theater.
Schedule:
Wednesday, June 24
10 am - 12 pm - Part 1
12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch
1 pm - 3 pm - Part 2
Thursday, June 25
10 am - 12 pm - Part 3
12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch
1 pm - 3 pm - Part 4
Showcase:
Thursday, June 25 at 6 pm
Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Pick It Up: Object & Space Work
for the Everyday Improvisor
with Cameron Cylkowski & Sean Yahn
(Secret Neighbors)
Friday, June 26, 11 AM–1:30 PM
$50
This workshop focuses on practical object and space work techniques that help improvisers create clearer, more grounded, and more believable scenes. Participants will explore how physical choices, environmental awareness, and consistent behavior strengthen character work, relationships, and overall scene clarity.
Workshop Location:
hear.say brewing – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
How to Take Comedy Photos
with Jill Petracek (Dropout, ISC Photographer)
Friday, June 26, 12 PM–3 PM
$80
Jill Petracek takes photos for Dropout and ISA. This workshop teaches photographers and creatives the basics of taking photos of comedians, backstage and on-stage. We'll talk about technical camera and lighting advice, pricing, and unsaid backstage etiquette. We'll practice taking photos of people in stage lighting and backstage for posed and unposed photos. Bring your camera and light of choice, and we'll look through what's possible with your gear!
Workshop Location:
hear.say theater – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
What Was That? Exercises in Listening
with Josh McDaniel (Mic Drop)
Friday, June 26, 2 PM–4:30 PM
$50
Often we're told to listen more in improv scenes, but what does that actually mean? In this workshop we'll be exploring the concept of "listening" as it pertains to physicality, emotion, connection, and intention. Through several exercises, including Meisner inspired ones, we'll expand our scope and deepen our scene work beyond just verbal components.
Workshop Location:
Hear.Say Academy Training Center – 251 Jackson Plaza, Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Character Discovery
Molly Ruffner (Kohl’s Cash)
Friday, June 26, 3:30 PM–6 PM
$50
Explore the world of characters and scene building by finding what's already there. This workshop will focus on leaning in to discovery instead of invention to help create characters with unique points of view.
Workshop Location:
hear.say theater – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Start Stronger
with Casey Feigh (HOLY SH!T IMPROV)
Saturday, June 27, 10 AM–12 PM
$50
Why are we making improv more difficult than it needs to be? Ultimately, we’re playing make-believe with our friends. That’s so fun! This workshop is all about simplifying things by getting back to the basics and focusing on having a blast on stage. In order for the audience to have fun, the people on stage need to be having the most fun! Let’s lead with joy and see where that takes us.
Workshop Location:
Michigan Theater Screening Room – 603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Love Your Voice: Musical Improv for All Levels
with Estar Cohen (Surprise! & Estar & Sworn Enemies)
Saturday, June 27, 10 AM–12 PM
$50
Do you joyfully sing in the shower, but singing in front of others is out of your comfort zone? This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to build confidence in their singing voice in a supportive environment. Rather than diving headfirst into musical scenes, this workshop will gently guide improvisers into vocal technique, group and harmony singing, developing our musical ears, common song structure, and using improvisation to collaboratively write a comedic song. Although this workshop is designed with beginners in mind, experienced musical improvisers are welcome.
Estar Cohen (The Second City NY) is a comedian, educator, and award-winning musician based in New York City. Since relocating from southeast Michigan to NYC in 2023, Cohen has become a cast member of the inaugural Second City NY House Company and a regular performer at venues including the Upright Citizens Brigade, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, and The Magnet Theater, among others.
As a bandleader and vocalist, Cohen has shared their music at acclaimed festivals such as Newport Jazz Festival and Detroit Jazz Festival, earning recognition from organizations including The ASCAP Foundation and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.
Cohen is also a dedicated teaching artist, recognized for practices shaped by compassionate awareness and playful connection. Their experience teaching improv, songwriting, and music spans both their private studio and organizations such as the University of Michigan and Youth Arts Alliance.
Workshop Location:
hear.say brewing – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
An Improv Podcast? In This Economy?
with Layne Rose (Todd; Campside Media)
Saturday, June 27, 10 AM–12:30 PM
$50
Has the podcast bubble burst? Yes! Should this stop you from making one? No! Whether it’s with your team or a solo endeavor, improvisers have a lot to gain from starting a podcast. Get comfortable in the spotlight, grow your following, and make something silly in the process.
Workshop Location:
Hear.Say Academy Training Center – 251 Jackson Plaza, Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Freestyle Rap Games For Anyone
With Dylan Rhoade & Rodney Conyers (Once Upon a Rhyme)
Saturday, June 27, 10 AM–1 PM
$50
This workshop goes one step at a time through a series of warm-ups and exercises to get everyone in class making up 2-4 bars at a time that are on beat and that get laughs by the end. Focusing on rhyme games and confidence building, we'll cover all the basics to strengthen your skills or even just getting started on this journey. We'll cover everything from counting beats, different ways to set up your rhymes, and mindsets that will help make the flow of words come out easier and, more importantly, better. Don't let a fear of thinking you could never do it stop you from trying, and we promise you will be impressed with yourself!
Workshop Location:
hear.say theater – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Edit: New Yorker Cartooning
Asher Perlman (The Improvised Shakespeare Company)
Saturday, June 27, 1 PM–3 PM
$50
Come learn how to make cartoons with Asher Perlman (The New Yorker, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), who NPR’s Scott Simon calls “one of today’s great New Yorker cartoonists.” In this information-packed workshop, Asher walks you through everything you need to know about crafting the perfect gag cartoon, from initial brainstorming to refining the caption. Whether you want to become a professional cartoonist or you just want to stretch your joke writing muscles in a new way, this class is for you.
At the end of the day, Asher’s goal is for you to walk away armed with all the tools you need to submit cartoons to The New Yorker yourself (he’ll also explain how you can do that).
ABOUT ASHER:
Asher has been cartooning for The New Yorker since 2020. He is also the bestselling author of two cartoon compilations: Well, This Is Me and Hi, It’s Me Again, both with Andrews McMeel (the publisher behind iconic cartoons like The Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes). Asher was also a writer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and is a performer with The Improvised Shakespeare Company. Before moving to NYC, Asher spent ten years in Chicago performing at iO and The Second City, where he was on both the touring company and the e.t.c. resident stage.
Workshop Location:
TBD
Better than Karaoke Musical Improv Workshop!
with Gretchen Grunzke & Dre Ford (Improv Cabaret)
Saturday, June 27, 1 PM–3 PM
$60
If you think musical improv isn't for you - THINK AGAIN! This all - levels workshop covers the structural elements of a song, a few basic song structures, and a little easy back line choreography! We'll then learn some rhyme schemes, common beats, and tips and tricks to make your rap game shine! Musical improv IS for you!
Workshop Location:
hear.say theater – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Fun+Funny+Friendship
with Tim Lamphier (Anna Garcia & Friends)
Saturday, June 27, 2 PM–4PM
$50
Great listening comes from enjoying your scene partners. If you like the people around you, listening is easy! Taking a risk is fun! This workshop will be an experimental approach towards getting at great listening, care, and scenework... hopefully fun and funny as hell!!!
Workshop Location:
Hear.Say Academy Training Center – 251 Jackson Plaza, Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Fantastical Scenes and Where to Find Them
with Raynee Morris (Morris & Morris, Attorneys at Law)
Saturday, June 27, 4 PM–6:30 PM
$40
Are you an avid DnD player? Do you love to get lost in a romantasy book? Are you on your tenth run of Baldur's Gate 3? Then this workshop is for you! Taught by the director of Jet City Improv's popular DnDprov, "Fantastical Scenes and Where to Find Them" explores how to bring fantasy into your improv scenes. We'll dive into adventurous settings, how to set the right tone as a storyteller, and build unique and magical characters. Come along on this one of a kind adventure! This workshop is best for intermediate level improvisers.
Workshop Location:
hear.say theater – 2350 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Elevate Your Scenes
with James Quesada (Quicksand)
Saturday, June 27, 4 PM–6:30 PM
$50
This workshop focuses on the building blocks of great scene work: connecting with your scene partner, having strong stage presence, and establishing the who, what, and where. By removing the pressure to chase laughs, we’ll focus on the essential skills that make scenes clear, engaging, and easy to build from. From that foundation, we’ll explore comedy that comes from mixing bold choices with believable acting. Too much ‘bold’ can lead to scenes that are chaotic, disconnected, or obnoxious. Too much ‘believable’ and the scenes might be boring, predictable, or just no fun. But when you balance the two, you get scenes that are surprising and relatable, playful and three-dimensional.
Workshop Location:
Hear.Say Academy Training Center – 251 Jackson Plaza, Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103