Long-form Improv Classes in Vancouver, BC
Instant Theatre's Courses

A beginner friendly 10 week improv class that takes you from zero experience to your first long-form scenes.
 

Overview:
 

New to improv. Story Spark is your entry point into Instant Theatre’s longform focused training in Vancouver BC. Over 10 weeks, you will learn the core tools of improvisation using our 5W framework and build the confidence to perform simple, grounded scenes in a supportive student showcase.
 

No acting or improv experience required. Just bring curiosity and a willingness to play.
 

What you will learn:
 

By the end of Level 1 you will:
 

• Understand the 5Ws of longform improv

  • Who - create simple, playable characters

  • Where - build clear locations with your body and voice

  • What - establish shared activities and clear offers

  • Why - ground scenes in relationships and stakes

  • Wow - notice and stay with what is fun

• Say “yes and” in action rather than as a slogan

• Start and sustain 2 person and 3 person scenes

• Use basic physicality and object work to avoid “talking heads”

• Handle nerves, being seen, and taking creative risks in front of an audience
   

This class is for you if:
 

• You have 0 improv experience or you took 1 drop in and want real structure

• You are an actor who wants to loosen up and respond in the moment

• You are a writer, creative, or professional who wants better spontaneity and collaboration skills

• You want a clear path from beginner to more advanced long-form training, not just a one off workshop
   

Class details:
 

• Format: 10 weeks, 1 class per week

• Class length: 3 hours per class - 30 hours total

• Performances: 1 low pressure student showcase (optional)

• Location: Central Vancouver 

• Prerequisite: None

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Ready to start?

Click “Book Now” to reserve your spot in Level 1: Introduction to Improvisation. Spaces are limited so we can keep the class small and supportive.

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Turn your improv scenes into reliable longform engines.

Overview:
 

This 10 week course is designed for improvisers who are comfortable with the basics and ready to build scenes that actually hold up under show conditions.
 

You will deepen your work with the 5Ws and start to understand game of the scene, group games, and simple longform formats.
 

What you will learn:
 

By the end of Level 2 you will:
 

• Start scenes with strong first 30 seconds that clearly establish Who, Where, and What

• Identify and play game of the scene - the unusual thing that repeats and escalates

• Heighten patterns and behavior instead of piling on random ideas

• Use edits like sweeps, tag outs, and walk ons in a clean, supportive way

• Play group games and ensemble structures without panic

• Perform simple longform sets that feel like complete pieces, not just disconnected scenes
   

5W focus in Level 2:

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• Who - richer points of view, status, and emotional logic

• Where - consistent environments that can be revisited and built upon

• What - clear game with 3 step heightening

• Why - relationships with needs and stakes that evolve over the show

• Wow - timely tilts that turn up the fun instead of derailing the scene
   

This class is for you if:
 

• You have completed Level 1 Introduction to Improvisation or a comparable beginner improv class elsewhere

• You can hold your own in a basic scene but want more structure and clarity

• You are ready to perform longform in front of an audience, not just in class

• You want to understand what makes a scene “work” so you can reproduce it, not just get lucky
   

Class details:
 

• Format: 10 weeks, 1 class per week

• Class length: 3 hours per class - 30 hours total

• Performances:

  • 1 midterm show

  • 1 final showcase

• Location: Central Vancouver

• Prerequisite: Level 1 or equivalent beginner improv training

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Ready to start?

Click “Book Now” to reserve your spot in Level 1: Introduction to Improvisation. Spaces are limited so we can keep the class small and supportive.

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Build full improvised stories without a script.
 

Overview:
 

This is where your long-form training becomes full story work. Over 10 weeks you will move beyond individual scenes into shows with beginnings, middles, and endings. You will practice openings, time jumps, recurring characters, and thematic callbacks so your sets feel like complete stories, not just montages.

This is the level where you start thinking about story spine and audience satisfaction, not just surviving the set.
 

What you will learn:
 

By the end of Level 3 you will:
 

• Understand and use simple narrative structures like “Once upon a time” or 3 act arcs

• Run and pull from openings such as living room, monologues, or pattern games

• Use time tools confidently - flashbacks, flash forwards, and “meanwhile” scenes

• Track multiple story threads and recurring characters without losing the audience

• Build character webs and relationships that deepen across the show

• Deliver satisfying endings that feel earned rather than “we ran out of time”
   

5W focus in Level 3:
 

• Who - recurring characters and playable archetypes with clear wants

• Where - a consistent world with locations that matter to the story

• What - story level activities and patterns that connect scenes

• Why - thematic spine and stakes that intensify across the show

• Wow - bold structural moves and call backs that pay off
   

This class is for you if:
 

• You have completed Level 2 Long-Form Foundations or equivalent long-form experience

• You are comfortable on stage and want to focus on storytelling craft

• You want to perform narrative shows that feel like plays, films, or novels on their feet

• You are interested in developing formats like Harolds, timelines, or genre based long-form and want a solid foundation first
   

Class details:
 

• Format: 10 weeks, 1 class per week

• Class length: 3 hours per class - 30 hours total

• Performances:

  • 1 narrative lab show at midterm

  • 1 final narrative showcase, usually a 25–35 minute story

• Location: Central Vancouver

• Prerequisite: Level 2 or equivalent long-form training and show experience

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Ready to start?

Click “Book Now” to reserve your spot in Level 1: Introduction to Improvisation. Spaces are limited so we can keep the class small and supportive.

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Design and premiere a signature longform show as an ensemble.
 

Overview:
 

Ensemble Blueprint is the capstone of Instant Theatre’s Longform Conservatory before House Teams. Over 10 weeks you will work as an ensemble to design, refine, and premiere a custom longform format that fits your collective style and Instant’s stage.
 

You are not just learning a format - you are building one. This is training in both advanced improv and the realities of making a show.
 

What you will learn:
 

By the end of Level 4 you will:
 

• Think like an onstage director, reading what the show needs moment to moment

• Co-create a longform format, including opening, edits, transitions, and endings

• Refine group mind, tempo, and pacing across a full set

• Integrate tech elements like lights and sound into your longform work

• Take and give notes at an advanced level, with respect for ensemble and process

• Premiere a polished advanced long-form show in front of a public audience
   

5W focus in Level 4:
 

• Who - an ensemble web of characters and relationships that can carry full shows

• Where - intentional use of stage picture, environmental shifts, and stage geography

• What - show level game or core idea that makes the format distinct

• Why - a thematic or emotional promise the show delivers on

• Wow - recurring moves, patterns, and stage images that define your show’s identity
   

This class is for you if:
 

• You have completed Level 3 Long-Form Conservatory or equivalent advanced long-form training

• You are serious about longform and ready to work like an ensemble, not just as individual performers

• You are interested in auditioning for Instant Theatre House Teams or leading your own projects in the future

• You want to understand how shows are built, branded, and sustained, not just how to be a guest player
   

Class details:
 

• Format: 10 weeks, 1 class per week

• Class length: 3 hours per class - 30 hours total

• Performances:​

  • 1 final show premiere as a full advanced long-form show

• Location: Central Vancouver

• Prerequisite: Level 3 or equivalent advanced long-form experience by instructor approval

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Ready to start?

Click “Book Now” to reserve your spot in Level 1: Introduction to Improvisation. Spaces are limited so we can keep the class small and supportive.

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