Every improv scene is unique, like a wave that we surf together.

Sometimes, “escalating”, or heightening, what we are already doing is the right move. How do we do this? When do we do this? How can escalation help lead us to satisfying endings of scenes and stories?

Let’s explore these questions, together!

What you’ll learn

How to discover the ‘game’ of the scene

• How to use what’s already there to raise the stakes.

• How to heighten or escalate what we’re already doing, and when.

Who this is for

This is an online workshop we’re running in place of our normal courses, during the continued lockdown. Our in-person courses will resume where they left off, as soon as we’re able to reopen our venue.

This class is aimed at improvisers who have got at least the basics and are interested in this particular topic. If you have any questions, then do get in touch!

About the teacher

Tim Orr

Tim has improvised since 1988 with many San Francisco and international groups, including BATS Improv, True Fiction Magazine, Awkward Dinner Party, and with the acclaimed troupe 3 For All.   In 2009, he founded Improv Playhouse of San Francisco.  Since 2015, he has toured Europe with Inbal Lori from Berlin performing their duo show Click.

Tim has also appeared in numerous plays in the San Francisco Bay Area, and received critical acclaim for his leading roles in the improvised feature films, Suckerfish and Security.   With Stephen Kearin, Tim co-wrote, and originated the role of Dirk Manly in, An Evening with Dirk & Blaine. 

Nationally, Tim has performed and taught improvisation at the American Conservatory Theatre, BATS Improv, Stanford University, and many other venues (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Austin, Louisville, Atlanta, etc.).

Internationally, he has performed and taught at numerous festivals and/or an invited guest artist in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beijing, Beirut, Belgium, Berlin, Bucharest, Dubai, Hamburg, Helsinki,  Lisbon, London, Lyon, Mallorca, Oslo, Paris,  Saudi Arabia, Shanghai, Stockholm, Tel Aviv and more.

Tim has consulted with numerous groups both nationally and internationally in their formation of improvisation groups and also the development of new improvisation formats.