Description: This class focuses on the fundamental elements of scenic improv including idea generation, finding the game, and heightening. Learn how to play with a scene partner, use the environment, and sustain the relationship. Prerequisite: Improv 101 or the equivalent.

Times/Days: Tuesdays 6:00-8:00 PM (1/20/26 – 3/10/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 2 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: TBD

Student Showcase: Wednesday, March 18th (6:00-8:00 PM)

Description: Presentations at work, a wedding toast, or leading a group discussion. Most people dread speaking in public. Sooner or later, we all have to do it! This course is designed to take the fear out of public speaking and insert the fun. Using the underlying skills of improvisation, we will help you become a more effective public speaker. Weekly exercises enable participants to: maintain focus and concentration; use the body & voice to express clear, detailed choices; respond imaginatively and expressively to various circumstances; and, connect to audiences of various sizes. No experience necessary.

Times/Days: Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 PM CT (1/20/26 – 3/10/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 1.5 hrs. per week

Location: Online (Zoom link sent following registration)

Teacher: Jeremy Cohn

Jeremy Cohn is an educator and 1600-hour AmSAT (American Society for the Alexander Technique) certified Alexander Technique Instructor who has coached clients including Grammy award-winning performing artists, Olympic level athletes, and C-suite executives to keep cool under pressure and reach apex levels of performance. The Alexander Technique is a body-based centering method that teaches high-performers how to approach their work with a profound sense of presence, ease, and authenticity. He has coached hundreds of individuals and conducted workshops and group classes with The Old Town School of Folk Music, Green Shirt Studio, The Chicago Vocal Arts Consortium, and Anima Singers among many others. He is also skilled in teaching Rodenberg and Linklater voice methods and several acting techniques including Meisner and Stella Adler. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Instruction in Columbia College Chicago’s School of Theatre and Dance where he teaches acting, text interpretation, movement, and theatre voice. He was first introduced to the Alexander Technique while earning a B.F.A in Acting from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and a Classical Acting Certification from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. As an actor and director, he has dozens of professional credits including performances with the Court Theatre, First Folio Theatre, The Huntington Theatre Company, and the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre.

Description: Learn the fundamentals of improv in this fun, supportive, introductory class. We’ll cover listening, ensemble-building techniques, and the principle of “Yes and…” This is a great opportunity to try improv right at its birthplace in Chicago! No experience necessary. Each session concludes with a Student Showcase for friends and family.

Times/Days: Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 PM (1/21/26-3/11/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 2 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: Lori McClain

Student Showcase: Wednesday, March 18th (6:00-8:00 PM)

Lori McClain has been an actor, singer, improviser, voice-over artist, teacher, and corporate trainer in Chicago for the past 30+ years. She toured with The National Touring Company of the Second City, including a USO Tour to Iraq and Kuwait in 2004, and starred in Second City Theatricals productions, “Rod Blagojevich, Superstar!” (Patty Blagojevich) and “The Real-ish Housewives” (Baroness Ravonka). She has improvised with “Sirens Improv” for over 20 years, and has appeared in dozens of television commercials (Lyrica, KFC), and in TV dramas (Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and 61st Street). She’s performed most recently in the fully improvised musical, “Blank! The Musical” at The Revival, and has narrated several audiobooks.

Description:

All Kinds of Minds: Improv for Neurodivergent Tweens (AKM) is a supportive, low-pressure space where neurodivergent tweens (age 9-12)—including those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, developmental disabilities, and other unique ways of thinking—can explore the art of improv at their own pace. The class emphasizes comfort, creativity, and connection. AKM is facilitated by Catrina Hughes M.S., CCC-SLP, Licensed Educator who brings over 15 years of experience supporting neurodivergent youth in education & therapy settings. In a calm, easy-going environment, students enjoy games designed to spark imagination, build collaboration, and let their silly side shine—without pressure or judgment. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, make friends, or just have a great time in a safe and accessible space, AKM is for you!

Why All Kinds of Minds? 

• Neurodiversity-affirming 
• Sensory accommodations & flexible support 
• Individual needs prioritized 
• Small classes (max. 10 students) 
• Led by a licensed therapist & experienced improv educator



Times/Days: Saturdays 12:00–1:00 PM (1/24/26-3/14/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 1 hr. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: Catrina Hughes

About Catrina Hughes:

Catrina Hughes (she/her) is a passionate neurodiversity affirming therapist and a professional improv comedy educator and performer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology & Education from Marymount Manhattan College and her Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders from The University of Vermont. With a distinctive use of improvisation and play as transformative tools, Catrina’s approach is rooted in joyful child-directed engagement.

Description:

All Kinds of Minds: Improv for Neurodivergent Teens (AKM) is a supportive, low-pressure space where neurodivergent teens (age 13-17)—including those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, developmental disabilities, and other unique ways of thinking—can explore the art of improv at their own pace. The class emphasizes comfort, creativity, and connection. AKM is facilitated by Catrina Hughes M.S., CCC-SLP, Licensed Educator who brings over 15 years of experience supporting neurodivergent youth in education & therapy settings. In a calm, easy-going environment, students enjoy games designed to spark imagination, build collaboration, and let their silly side shine—without pressure or judgment. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, make friends, or just have a great time in a safe and accessible space, AKM is for you!

Why All Kinds of Minds? 

• Neurodiversity-affirming 
• Sensory accommodations & flexible support 
• Individual needs prioritized 
• Small classes (max. 10 students) 
• Led by a licensed therapist & experienced improv educator



Times/Days: Saturdays 1:30–3:00 PM (1/24/26-3/14/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 1.5 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: Catrina Hughes

About Catrina Hughes:

Catrina Hughes (she/her) is a passionate neurodiversity affirming therapist and a professional improv comedy educator and performer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology & Education from Marymount Manhattan College and her Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders from The University of Vermont. With a distinctive use of improvisation and play as transformative tools, Catrina’s approach is rooted in joyful child-directed engagement.

Description: Make bold choices, push your creativity and think on your feet. This class builds on Improv 201 by exploring exercises that encourage strong characters, emotion, and stage presence. Prerequisite: Improv 201 or the equivalent.

Times/Days: Sundays 3:00pm-5:00 PM (1/25/26-3/15/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks/2 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: TBD

Student Showcase: Wednesday, March 18th (6:00-8:00 PM)

Description: This course prepares aspiring comedians with the confidence and skills to embark on their stand-up comedy journey! Weekly sessions cover: joke structure, material development, discovering your unique attitude and persona, audience engagement, and crafting a cohesive set. The course concludes with a performance for friends and family.

Times/Days: Sundays 5:30-7:00 PM (1/25/26-3/15/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 1.5 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: Claire Sundbye

Student Showcase: Wednesday, March 18th (6:00-8:00 PM)

Claire Sundbye is a Chicago based comic. Her animated, quick-witted, and conversational delivery leave audiences everywhere laughing! Claire is a regular at Laugh Factory, Zanies & CYSK. She performs with nationally touring acts including Jason Cheny, Ashley Gavin, Dan Donohue and more. This year, Claire’s episode of the popular show “Subway Takes” went viral, amassing over 20 million views.

Description: Learn the fundamentals of improv in this fun, supportive, introductory class. We’ll cover listening, ensemble-building techniques, and the principle of “Yes and…” This is a great opportunity to try improv right at its birthplace in Chicago! No experience necessary. Each session concludes with a Student Showcase for friends and family.

Times/Days: Sundays 3:00–5:00 PM (1/25/26-3/15/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 2 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio A (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: TBD

Student Showcase: Wednesday, March 18th (6:00-8:00 PM)

Description: Armando, La Ronde, Harold and more! This class begins with an exploration of traditional improv forms. Then, the ensemble will create a completely original form of their own! Use everything you’ve learned up to now and take your improv to the next level. Prerequisite: Improv 301 or the equivalent.

Times/Days: Mondays 6:00-8:00 PM (1/26/26-3/16/26)

Class Length: 8 weeks; 2 hrs. per week

Location: Fine Arts Building – Studio B (410 S. Michigan Ave.)

Teacher: Cassidy Russell

Student Showcase: Wednesday, March 18th (6:00-8:00 PM)

Cassidy Russell is a member of the Second City National Touring Company and plays with Chicago’s longest-running improv team, Deep Schwa, and Annoyance Theatre house team, Sight Unseen. Cassidy directs plays and sketch shows and teaches improv in Chicago. In the summer, she teaches comedy classes in Alaska at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Outside of the comedy world, Cassidy writes reviews of children’s books for a literary journal, works part time as a librarian, and was once in a commercial where all four of the other actors were cats. Her teaching pedagogy revolves around hunting down delight on stage, playing with joyful abandon, and figuring out how to combine selfishness with extreme generosity.