I believe so strongly that Improv is a necessary skill for voice actors; I sometimes turn myself into a pretzel explaining the value of it to Voice One students. I say “Improv helps you break the rules of voice acting by teaching you the rules of spontaneity” or I say, “Improv gives you the confidence to make a choice and then make a different choice”. Obviously, neither of these endorsements seem to work. Students’ fear of Improv generally gets in the way of seeing the value, and I find myself resorting to “Improv is fun!”
Luckily, our amazing school admin, Danny, forwarded me an article written in the Chicago Tribune by Jackie Pilossoph where she interviews Second City actor Kim Greene Hiller. Hiller speaks eloquently about how Improv can teach people concrete life skills like resiliency, team building, listening and creativity. Reminding me that Improv goes beyond merely being an asset for an actor. It is, more significantly, a valuable asset for navigating life. Here is Hiller speaking about teaching Improv and resilience:
“I see children who were scared become brave, I’ve watched adults who were cut off become present, and I’ve seen kids who have anxiety become creative and not afraid to be wrong. Resilience helps people realize that no matter how much you think you failed, if you get up again, you didn’t fail.”
She goes on to speak about other valuable life skills, taught by Improv:
“Listening: In improv, you have to be an active listener. You’re constantly reading social cues, maintaining eye contact, looking at body language. All of these things are important for socialization and better citizenship.”
“Team-building: You need to be able to build trust and to work collaboratively and creatively. In improv, you can’t be successful if you’re not saying yes to other people’s ideas. You have to solve the problem and make it work.”
“Creativity: Improv teaches students that there is no right or wrong answer. We encourage students to tell us what they think, not what they think the right answer is.”
I particularly raise my hands in the air over this last comment about creativity, since so many voice over students want to “do it right”. They feel they must perform the script “right,” choose their classes “right”, make their demo “right”, design their career path “right”. When in truth, being in the moment, saying yes to the offers that come their way and following their gut are more reliable than any imagined “right way”. And if something does fail, Hiller reminds us that “the genius is not in the plan, it’s in the way you handle the piece that didn’t go according to plan.” In other words, get back up and try again.
October 28 - November 11 (3 Mondays)
6:30-9:30pm
$225
October 11, 18, 25
December 6, 13
6:30-8:30
$20 at the door
No prior improv experience requried
How do voice actors protect themselves with the rise of AI?
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 30-June 4) and what's coming your way next week.
A deep dive with ZeniMax Online Studio’s VO Lead, Becky Ichnoski about how all of Tamriel’s characters get their voices!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 22-28) and what's coming your way next week.
A hilarious social media handle has dedicated itself to narrating animals' inner monologues.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 15-21) and what's coming your way next week.
Celebrating AAPI Voice Actors for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 8-14) and what's coming your way next week.
If ad agencies are thinking about poetry, as voice actors we must also keep this top of mind.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 1-7) and what's coming your way next week.
Pros and cons of celebrity voice acting
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 24-30) and what's coming your way next week.
In honor of National Poetry Month, Sally shares her love of poetry.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 17-23) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 10-16) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 3-9) and what's coming your way next week.
The Youth VO Program returns this Summer! And it's better than EVER!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 27-Apr 2) and what's coming your way next week.
Sarah Natochenny voiced Pokémon’s Ash Ketchum for 17 years. Q&A.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 20-26) and what's coming your way next week.
Warning -- spoilers ahead! Click to read about voice actor cameos in The Last of Us.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 13-19) and what's coming your way next week.
Everyone can embrace and actively support equity.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 6-12) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 27 - Mar 5) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 20-26) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 13-19) and what's coming your way next week.
We've created a guide you can use for your Super Bowl watching party!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 6-12) and what's coming your way next week.
From Robin Williams to Tina Fey, here are 25 reasons why improv will not only make you a better actor, but will change your life!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 30-Feb 5) and what's coming your way next week.
Words of wisdom on the video game industry from Voice over veterans.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 23-29) and what's coming your way next week.
Erika sits down with Marvin Greene to discuss the importance of studying the craft, his favorite breakthroughs, and more!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 16-22) and what's coming your way next week.
Guest post: Overcoming audition anxiety with improv!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 9-15) and what's coming your way next week.
Get out of your own way and own your year in VO by applying this advice. Here are four simple steps to help you reach your goals!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 2-8) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Dec 12-18) and what's coming your way next week.
Check out these gift ideas for the voice actors in your life
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Dec 5-11) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 28-Dec 4) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 21-27) and what's coming your way next week.
We wish you happiness, success, and good company this Thanksgiving
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 14-22) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 7-13) and what's coming your way next week.
Cissy Jones, Melissa Hutchison, and Gavin Hammon share advice, discuss their careers, experience, and day to day life as working voice actors.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 31-Nov 6) and what's coming your way next week.
Expert Voice123 tips from Natasha Marchewka and Katherine Tole
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 24-30) and what's coming your way next week.
What are the "right" settings for voiceover recording?
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 17-23) and what's coming your way next week.
Many actors are affected by dyslexia, but it isn't talked about enough.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 10-16) and what's coming your way next week.
Celebrating Hispanic Voice Actors for Hispanic Heritage Month
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 3-9) and what's coming your way next week.
Spotlight on a phenomenal voice actor, composer, singer, and teacher.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 26-Oct 2) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 19-25) and what's coming your way next week.
Insight and advice from Kaitlyn Robrock, the voice Of Minnie Mouse, for voice actors
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 12-18) and what's coming your way next week.
Interviews with this phenomenal voice actor and teacher
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 6-11) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 29-Sep 4) and what's coming your way next week.
Helpful Insights from Working Voice Over Actors and Creatives
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 22-28) and what's coming your way next week.
Check out our highlight reel of the 2022 Summer Fast Track program!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 15-21) and what's coming your way next week.
Erika sits down with Shelley and Angeli to discuss marketing tips on how to grow your voice-over career and their upcoming classes focused on LinkedIn Marketing for Voiceover and Booking International Work.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 8-14) and what's coming your way next week.
We're three weeks into Summer Fast Track 2022! Take a peek at how things are going so far.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 1-7) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 25-31) and what's coming your way next week.
It's week one of Summer Fast Track 2022! Take a peek at how things are going so far.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 18-24) and what's coming your way next week.
**Spoiler Alert** This article discusses a pivotal character from Stranger Things season 4.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 11 - 17) and what's coming your way next week.
Don't miss these three classes to keep your skills (and your audio) sharp this summer!
Curious as to what an average workday for a voice actor looks like? Well, look no further!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 4 - July 10) and what's coming your way next week.
The 2022 Fall Schedule is Here!!! Get it while it's hot!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 27 - July 3) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 20 - 26) and what's coming your way next week.
21 Things You Never Knew About Being A Professional Voice Actor, According to Austin Tindle
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 13 - 19) and what's coming your way next week.
How Kristen Schaal became the queen of quirky voice acting
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 6 - 12) and what's coming your way next week.
Jennifer Sun Bell of The PGM VO List has an enlightening conversation with Voice One's Danny Scott about global majority voices in the voiceover industry.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 31-June 5) and what's coming your way next week.
Hear advice from Anjali Bhimani, Cissy Jones, and Jennifer Hale as they discuss voice acting for video games from the feminine perspective in this panel from GamesBeat Summit.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 23-29) and what's coming your way next week.
Explore the role dubbing plays at Netflix, with interesting nuggets from the dubbing and subtitling team at Netflix themselves!
