Improv with Nicholas KesslerNow registering for March 2020 Beginning Improv
Mondays beginning March 2 6 weeks 7:00-9:00 pm $180 For adults who have little to no experience with improv. Learn the basic skills that form the basis of good improv: Saying yes, listening, building, initiating, getting out of your head, and more! Great for those who want to perform or for those who just want to expand their communication skills. Intermediate Improv Wednesdays beginning March 4 6 weeks 7:00-9:00pm $200 For adults who have some experience with improv. Expand on the skills learned in beginning improv and incorporate them into longform improv scenes! Start learning how to find the game and make a funny scene. |
Who is Nicholas Kessler?
Nicholas Kessler has been a working actor, comedian and host in Portland, OR for nearly 15 years. As an improviser and comedian, Nicholas has performed on nearly ever stage in Portland, including Portland Center Stage, Helium Comedy Club, and The Winningstad. Nicholas has performed multiple seasons with The Second City, and has had featured roles on Grimm, Portlandia, and The Librarians. He teaches and performs improv at The Siren Theater, and coaches throughout Portland. For the past six years he has been the host of OPB’s The Moth StorySLAM, and has performed stories for BackFence PDX, 7 Deadly Sins as well as The Moth. Offstage, Nicholas is a father of two and is a Communication/Empathy Coach for law enforcement, medical and executive professionals. |
Coming October, 2019...
THE OTHER ONES
an 8 week sketch comedy intensive with Ted Douglass
(they're not The Sweathogs, they're the other ones) :)
Application period has closed!
The Siren is thrilled to announce a brand new fall sketch comedy writing and performing intensive taught by Ted Douglass!
What makes it intensive?
It is expected that the students will already have a working knowledge of sketch comedy. Therefore, they will be learning through facilitated writing and performing.
When is it?
The class will begin the week of October 21 and meet on either Mondays or Tuesdays (to be determined after the students' schedules are considered).The class will end December 11 and 12 with a student show at The Siren Theater! The class will meet in the evenings (probably around 7pm)
How much does it cost?
$225 for an 8 week course and a fully produced show at The Siren, directed by Ted. Payment plans are available.
How do I sign up?!
Students must apply and be accepted. The application is simple:
1. Write two original sketches
2. Write a description of your performing/ writing experience (can be anything!)*
3. Send all materials to TedDouglassinc@gmail.com by 11:59pm on Monday, October 14
*Prior experience is not required. Ted is looking for promising writing and some performing experience.
I have questions! Who should I direct them to?
Feel free to contact Ted at TedDouglassinc@gmail.com
This sounds just like The Sweathogs class taught by Shelley McLendon once a year during the summer! Is it?
This class is organized exactly like The Sweathogs, but this one is taught by Ted Douglass and takes place in the fall.
Who is Ted Douglass?
Ted has been writing/directing/producing/performing comedy of one form
or another in Portland since 1996. Highlights include:
- The 3rd Floor Theatrical Sketch Comedy Troupe
(Producer/Director/Writer/Performer, 1996-2016)
- Nacho Gold Sketch Comedy Troupe
(Producer/Director/Writer/Performer, 2017-Present)
- Portland Sketch Comedy Festival (Co-Producer, 2017-Present)
- The Best of the Best Sketch Fest (Co-Producer, 2003-2009)
- Wonderland (Sketch Troupe)
- Shirts & Skins (Recurring sketch showcase)
- Weekend At Bernie’s Live (Directed)
- Bad Reputation Productions (Road House: The Play, Lost Boys
Live!, Poltergeist: The Play, A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Play)
- Portlandia (Reccurring as “Ted” in 9 episodes over 6 seasons)
- American Vandal (Season 2)
- “Daria, Mitch & Ted” afternoon radio show on 105.1 The Buzz
(2007-2016)
What makes it intensive?
It is expected that the students will already have a working knowledge of sketch comedy. Therefore, they will be learning through facilitated writing and performing.
When is it?
The class will begin the week of October 21 and meet on either Mondays or Tuesdays (to be determined after the students' schedules are considered).The class will end December 11 and 12 with a student show at The Siren Theater! The class will meet in the evenings (probably around 7pm)
How much does it cost?
$225 for an 8 week course and a fully produced show at The Siren, directed by Ted. Payment plans are available.
How do I sign up?!
Students must apply and be accepted. The application is simple:
1. Write two original sketches
2. Write a description of your performing/ writing experience (can be anything!)*
3. Send all materials to TedDouglassinc@gmail.com by 11:59pm on Monday, October 14
*Prior experience is not required. Ted is looking for promising writing and some performing experience.
I have questions! Who should I direct them to?
Feel free to contact Ted at TedDouglassinc@gmail.com
This sounds just like The Sweathogs class taught by Shelley McLendon once a year during the summer! Is it?
This class is organized exactly like The Sweathogs, but this one is taught by Ted Douglass and takes place in the fall.
Who is Ted Douglass?
Ted has been writing/directing/producing/performing comedy of one form
or another in Portland since 1996. Highlights include:
- The 3rd Floor Theatrical Sketch Comedy Troupe
(Producer/Director/Writer/Performer, 1996-2016)
- Nacho Gold Sketch Comedy Troupe
(Producer/Director/Writer/Performer, 2017-Present)
- Portland Sketch Comedy Festival (Co-Producer, 2017-Present)
- The Best of the Best Sketch Fest (Co-Producer, 2003-2009)
- Wonderland (Sketch Troupe)
- Shirts & Skins (Recurring sketch showcase)
- Weekend At Bernie’s Live (Directed)
- Bad Reputation Productions (Road House: The Play, Lost Boys
Live!, Poltergeist: The Play, A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Play)
- Portlandia (Reccurring as “Ted” in 9 episodes over 6 seasons)
- American Vandal (Season 2)
- “Daria, Mitch & Ted” afternoon radio show on 105.1 The Buzz
(2007-2016)
PAST CLASSES AT THE SIREN
THE SWEATHOGS
SUMMER SKETCH COMEDY INTENSIVE
Once a year, Siren Theater owner and artistic director, Shelley McLendon, facilitates a sketch comedy writing and performance intensive at The Siren called THE SWEATHOGS. Students must apply and be accepted into the program- committing to work their ass off of 8 weeks of writing, rewriting, and rehearsing culminating in 2 fully produced shows at The Siren Theater.
Check out the gorgeous alumni...
FEBRUARY 2018 IMPROV TEACHING RESIDENCY with
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The Siren Theater was THRILLED to host its second month-long improv teaching residency with this amazing improviser.
An Amsterdam-based teacher and performer in the fields of improvisation, theatre, dance and communication skills, part of 5 Dutch improvisation groups performing theatresports, longform, and impro for children. An experienced improv performer and founding member of the Ohana project. She has been teaching for 14 years, including 9 years in her own theatre school, with a background in theatre, dance and Business Administration. Laura taught 3 weekly classes offered throughout February, 2018 and one weekend, two-day intensive, which culminated in a show at The Siren Theater. |
IMPROV WORKSHOPS WITH JAIME MOYERMs. Moyer has gifted The Siren Theater twice with improv workshops in winter 2015 & 2017. Ms. Moyer has been seen on Modern Family, Parks & Rec, 2 Broke Girls and performs weekly at IO West and Second City Hollywood. She is an alum of Second City Detroit. Locally, Ms. Moyer performed in Portland Center Stage's Twist Your Dickens.
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IMPROV WORKSHOPS WITH TORONTO'S BLOODY MARYS, SUMMER 2017
The Bloody Marys' Leigh and Kirsten wowed Portland with their appearance at The Stumptown Improv Fest, so we were THRILLED when they agreed to teach two workshops on STAYING WEIRD and SO MANY CHARACTERS! Both workshops sold out so we hope they will return soon!
JANUARY 2017- IMPROV TEACHING RESIDENCY WITH RACHEL ROSENTHAL
Rachel is a comedian, improviser and improv instructor with over 15 years' experience.She is also a free-style rapper.Currently residing in New York City, Rachel performs weekly at both Reckless Theatre and The Peoples Improv Theater where she is also an improv instructor. AND she spent the entire month of January teaching improv classes in improv hip hop and advanced scene work at the Siren! We hope she comes back because we love her.
Rachel is a comedian, improviser and improv instructor with over 15 years' experience.She is also a free-style rapper.Currently residing in New York City, Rachel performs weekly at both Reckless Theatre and The Peoples Improv Theater where she is also an improv instructor. AND she spent the entire month of January teaching improv classes in improv hip hop and advanced scene work at the Siren! We hope she comes back because we love her.