My Improv Program + Improv Classes in Atlanta
“Madeline was such an incredible teacher and her love for improv is so apparent with the way she teaches her class. She is really invested in making sure everyone’s voice is heard, that everyone feels respected, and that everyone is taking something away from the class. She cares so much that this is a good experience for you. You will absolutely leave feeling like you got more than your money’s worth. Her class is a safe space to try new things, to fail, to make new friends, to fall in love with improv again. I can’t say enough good things. Just sign up for her class already!”
My program is about empowering YOU as an improviser.
We work to improve your work as a whole, and how different styles and philosophies can compliment one another.
For the last 5 years, I have taught over 30 classes of my improv program which consists of a Foundational and Continuous Improv Class in Atlanta with over 300 students and more than half returning to take the Continuous Class.
My improv class was born out of a desire to fill gaps in the Atlanta improv scene. Each class builds off the last to help performers become more secure in who they are and how they show up on the stage. By returning to the root of what brought us all here - joy - together we foster an environment of vulnerability, play, support, and community - where everyone feels safe to explore and grow, and celebrated for what they bring to the table.
Each class session is $270-275 for 8 weeks for 2 hours and are available on either Sundays, Mondays, or Tuesdays at Bibliotech on McLendon.
In my classes, you will learn…
How to get out of your head + have fun!
Play with ANYONE + EVERYONE with an open mind and spirit!
How to bring your authentic self to the stage!
Advanced tactics to help you jump into any scene, format, or group!
Tactics to create + maintain strong characters!
Implementing game of the scene + narrative scene work to create compelling stories!
How to listen + react honestly! (Improv is all about being affected!)
How to get started + become active in the improv community!
SO MUCH MORE!
How the program is built out:
Foundational - Fall in love with yourself + your craft, learn how to take care of yourself in scenes, and refine elements to pull off a successful scene. Grad show at the end!
Continuous: Advanced Scene Work - Lean into what we established in Foundational by fine tuning your relationships, emotions, characters, and game in your scenes. Explore more formats! Grad show at the end!
Expanded/Extended: Advanced Ensemble & Performance - 9 weeks with 2 shows throughout! Lots of ensemble work, narrative, game, listening, and building off of Continuous!
Immersive: Building the Whole Show - All about reps and hosting your own thing. All of the formats we’ve worked on + more in 12 weeks with 3 shows in between!
Learn more about the program below!
The Foundational Improv Class
The Foundational Class is an 8 week course covering topics each week to help you pull off a successful scene. This is not an intro or level 1 class, I treat it with the same advanced lens I do all my classes, but it is open to all levels and it is beginner friendly.
Whether you are new to the scene or need to brush up on some skills with intentionality, each week is filled with exercises to harness your strengths while building your skills.
The reason this class exists is that a lot of the time improvisers will harp on learning different formats without mastering the tools to pull off a successful scene. It doesn’t matter what format you do if your scene work is not strong.
Break free from rules and expectations and learn how to truly be present in your work with this class.
Classes are currently in session and sold out. My email list gets first priority on my classes. Please provide your info in the interest form below and check Promotions/Spam for my newsletter!
The Continuous Class digs deeper into what we established in the Foundational. Focusing on your goals and the foundation we built together, I build a curriculum to satisfy your needs as a performer - this can often branch into more character work, the art of “game” in scenes, short form, longer sets, musical focuses, weaknesses uncovered in the Foundational, and more.
We spend the time to explore more scene work and an array of longer formats that will advance your improv as a whole. No matter the show or style you do, you’ll be prepared to hop into anything.
Once you complete the Foundational Class, you will receive an email if you would like to take the Continuous. Once you have taken the Foundational, you can hop in at any time. I intentionally keep these classes smaller.
This class is only available to those who completed Foundational. It’s not a level-thing, it’s being on the same page! All classes with me are taught with an advanced lens.
The Continuous Improv Class
I do coaching for teams and specialized workshops for festivals and groups. I can design them to fit your needs, but here are some already developed workshops if you’re interested. Pricing varies depending on the size of the group and time allotted.
How to Create + Maintain Characters
Chasing Joy: Pursuing Playfulness in the Mundane
Armando Workshop
Prioritizing Relationships in Scenes
Dip into Narrative
Physicality/Environment Work
Finding “The Game” in Scenes
Improv Workshops
By participating in this class or activity, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
You understand that participation is voluntary and may involve physical or interactive activity that carries inherent risks of injury.
You agree to assume full responsibility for any risk of injury or loss, including illness or property damage, whether caused by your own actions, those of others, or by the condition of the venue or equipment.
You release and hold harmless the instructor(s), class organizer(s), venue, and all affiliated parties from any and all liability for injuries, damages, or losses arising from your participation, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
You understand that the venue and/or instructor may not carry liability insurance for participants, and participation is entirely at your own risk.
If you do not agree with these terms, please do not participate.
Your participation indicates your full acceptance of this waiver and all associated risks.
GUEST WORKSHOPS
Blowing out the world, expanding the fun with your POV - Monday (11/16) 7-9 PM at Bibliotech
Blowing out the world, expanding the fun with your POV If this is true, then what else is true? The answers are unlimited. But only you can use your specific sense of humor to take the game where you want. In this workshop we will explore how to add your own POV to the fun, making choices, and playing faster.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Leonard Smith Jr is a comedian/actor based in Los Angeles. He is currently on the most senior Harold team(yikes!) at UCB LA. He is the creator of indie team Lemon Pepper Wet. With over 10 years of improv experience, he’s been in over 25 commercials. Including 2 Super Bowl commercials, and a National Campaign. He’s made appearances on The Daily Show(Comedy Central) and Anthony Davis’ Foul Play(TBS.) He’s performed improv at SF Sketchfest, Flyover Festival, DCM, Rise Comedy Festival, Out of Bounds, and others. He’s performed all over the country with big names with LPW and Holy Shit Improv. You also can see him as cast member of Good Mythical Morning on YouTube, his appearances on Dropout, touring doing stand up and with his show Comedian Clash, and his hour long stand up special “Love A Deal” on YouTube.
If you are a MadsJoy student or previous workshop attendee, discount codes are available.
All sales are final. There are no refunds.
What YOU Find Funny - SUNDAY (12/6) from 2:30-4:30 PM time subject to change at Bibliotech
Finding and getting more comfortable with your comedic voice and playing from a perspective of what you find funny within the confines of a scene. Even if we've seen the scene a million times before, we haven't seen you do it. And nobody else is you.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Jacquis Neal is a tv/film and voice actor, host, comedian and podcaster. He played Damion on NBC's Grand Crew and appeared on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Physical, How I Met Your Father, and Liza onDemand.
He's the host of Crowd Control on DropoutTV, where he also writes and appears on multiple programs on the platform. He's also the host and producer of the hit monthly show, Comedian Clash. He can be seen at UCB performing on Asssscat and many other shows there, Dynasty Typewriter and more . You've also seen him on many national commercials and voice can be heard on Nickelodeon, shows and films on Netflix, video games, commercials, and more. He's hosted and produced podcasts with iHeartRadio, Headgum, and Earwolf/SiriusXM, including Culture Kings, which was nominated for the 2021 Ambie Award for Best Comedy.
Discount codes are available to MadsJoy students and previous workshop attendees.
All sales are final. No refunds.