This eight-week, in-person class will show you that improv skills go beyond the stage to help you in everyday life and work. If you are looking to become a better listener, build self confidence, break out of your shell, improve teamwork and collaborative skills, get more comfortable public speaking, explore your creative side, meet new people, or simply have fun for two hours a week – we got your back! This class is for everyone and will introduce you to the building blocks of improv in a ... view more »
This eight-week, in-person class will show you that improv skills go beyond the stage to help you in everyday life and work. If you are looking to become a better listener, build self confidence, break out of your shell, improve teamwork and collaborative skills, get more comfortable public speaking, explore your creative side, meet new people, or simply have fun for two hours a week – we got your back! This class is for everyone and will introduce you to the building blocks of improv in a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment with the best instructors in the Indy area.
Whether you are in this for the personal and business benefits, to build your acting resume, to meet new people, or just have some fun for two hours a week – we got you! Includes an optional graduation performance at Red Curb Comedy at the end of the course as well as free admission to Red Curb shows for the duration.
CLASS DAY/TIME: Saturdays | 12pm – 2pm
CLASS DATES: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, and 5/18 (no dates are skipped during this course).
LOCATION: Union Indy @ 525 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225
ENROLLMENT COST: $219 through 2/25 | $249 after.
PAYMENT PLAN: Enroll now, pay later! Break up your enrollment cost into four, equal, interest-free payments over six weeks with our student payment plan. Email classes@xroadscomedyindy.com to request a payment plan.
ARTICLES DISCUSSING THE MANY BENEFITS IMPROV CAN HAVE
Improv Training Can Help Ease Social Anxiety | University of Michigan Study
Improv Benefits in the Workplace | Philadelphia Inquirer
Improv for Educators | InsideHigherEd.com
7 Research Backed Benefits of Improv | PsychologyToday.com
The Mental Health Benefits Of Improv | Medium.com
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Mike Marbach (he/him) is originally from Philly and now resides in the Hoosier state. He is the founder of Crossroads Comedy Theater and the Executive Director of Crossroads’ operations in Indianapolis. Mike has been studying, performing, and teaching improv since 2005. He has taken classes with iO Chicago (the iO Theater), The Annoyance Theater, and the UCB Theater in NY as well as numerous workshops from improv instructors from across the country. Some of the people Mike has had the honor of studying with include Susan Messing, Mick Napier, Mark Sutton, Jill Bernard, Joe Bill, Charna Halpern, Scott Adsit, Mike O’Brien, Noah Gregoropoulos, Jet Eveleth, Jason Chin, and many more.
Mike served as Class Registrar and Education Director of Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) from 2009 – 2017, a position in which wrote the core curriculum for the improv program, created new courses, trained instructors, and taught dozens of classes over those years. Mike then took the title of Artistic Director which he held until 2020 when the theater closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He created and directed the long-running Philly shows Study Hall: Comedy Inspired By Lectures and Not Yet Rated: An Improvised Movie, and the sketch comedy epic A Nightmare on Jawn Street. Mike also directed the award-winning improv teams Asteroid! (retired) and the Future, which still performs together 10 years later. He also performed in his own weekly show The Seltzer Hour featuring Mike Marbach and Friends and his reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in over 50 different celebrity impressions is yearly tradition in Philly. On the sketch comedy side Mike helped develop sketch writing curriculums and performed on the Philly sketch comedy team Dog Mountain. Mike also conceived, wrote for, and directed the hit 2019 Sketch Comedy epic A Nightmare on Jawn Street and wrote for its 2022 follow-up, A Nightmare on Jawn Street: Liberty Hell.
Mike also runs the Crossroads Comedy Theater Podcast Network, which features comedy and pop culture themed shows covering topics such as Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Comic Book Movies, Lord of the Rings, sketch comedy props, with more to come.
During the pandemic, Mike moved to Indianapolis to be with family and started Crossroads Comedy Theater. Mike wrote new curriculums focusing on all the things he loves about improv and sketch comedy. He’s looking very forward to getting Crossroads going in the “Crossroads of America.” “Philly is now in the great hands of people that actually live there. I am in Indy and it’s time to focus on doing what we can to add to the already lively comedy and theater scene here. It may take some time, but I know people will love what we have to offer.”
When not doing Crossroads things Mike likes to watch tv / movies, listen to audiobooks, go bowling, or work on new celebrity impressions.
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