Classes

Featured
Improv Drop-in Workshop - November 30
Nov 30
Improv Drop-in Workshop - November 30

Stacey Venzel leads our drop-in workshops where students of all levels can dive into the craft of improv. Students will learn how to focus and heighten their scenes with just a few simple techniques. Limit 12 students. For ages 18+.

Improv Fundamentals - Winter
Jan 15
Improv Fundamentals - Winter

Starting with "Yes-and," students will then explore object work and environment, playing with emotion, developing character and relationship, and how to use a suggestion to start a scene.

Improv Drop-in Workshop - January 25
Jan 25
Improv Drop-in Workshop - January 25

Stacey Venzel leads our drop-in workshops where students of all levels can dive into the craft of improv. Students will learn how to focus and heighten their scenes with just a few simple techniques. Limit 12 students. For ages 18+.

Improv Drop-in Workshop - February 22
Feb 22
Improv Drop-in Workshop - February 22

Stacey Venzel leads our drop-in workshops where students of all levels can dive into the craft of improv. Students will learn how to focus and heighten their scenes with just a few simple techniques. Limit 12 students. For ages 18+.

Intermediate Improv - Spring
Apr 12
Intermediate Improv - Spring

In Intermediate Improv, students will be introduced to the concept of Game, basic scene editing, and how to create second beats and connections. Students will be introduced to the simple longform structure, The Montage. Limit 12 students. For ages 18+.

Teachers

Steve Capps

Southern by birth, Steve Capps (he/him) is a musician, actor/improviser, photographer, and cyclist who’s made his home in New York and its Mid-Hudson Valley for over a decade. A trained musician in a former life, he transitioned into stage performance after getting devoured by the improv bug. From dive theatres in Atlanta and NYC to casinos in Las Vegas to performing solo onstage at the Sydney Opera House, he’s acted and improvised in theatre and film for over 25 years. He’s performed with Goshen’s Cornerstone Theatre Arts in “Greetings!” in 2022 and as Tom in “Dinner With Friends” in 2024. Steve lives in Newburgh with his partner Jaime and their rambunctiously sweet gang of pets.

Stacey Venzel

Stacey Venzel (she/her) has performed on the stage in Ohio, Florida, Washington, and New York, including improv training in Chicago at Annoyance! and Improv Olympic. She has also acted in numerous film productions, but improv is her first love. Acting is both a hobby and side career alongside a decade of work in wildlife conservation and veterinary medicine and now, a career as an elementary teacher. She finds improv frequently comes in handy for the latter. Her adult life has taken her all over the world seeking adventure and culture. Stacey is also a published author and freelance writer.

Michael Short

Artistic Director Michael Short (he/they) has been performing improv since 2000 as a founding member of their college's improv group. Over the years they have trained with notable improv theaters like the Second City, the Magnet, the Annoyance, and the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. They’ve been a part of house ensembles at the Magnet and Annoyance and has performed on improv stages across the country. In 2014 and 2015 Michael worked for the Second City as one of their performers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines in weekly sketch and improv shows.

Don Romaniello

Don Romaniello (he/him) has been improvising off and on for twenty five years, studying at The Magnet, The Annoyance, Reckless, and UCB Theaters. He’s been on numerous house teams at the Magnet, and his notable past projects include the Baroque musical improv Rococo Puffs and commedia dell'arte-inspired The Mask Show. As an instructor, he has the rare distinction of coaching a house team at the Magnet Theater. His on-stage calm suffuses his approach in the studio, giving every student the room to really relax and grow on stage.