Improv in Oakland
AN OAKLAND TRADITION SINCE 2002
Pan Theater is the East Bay’s oldest improv theater. Pan has been bringing improv goodness to Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area since 2002. Pan is the Bay Area and nation's only community theater focused on the intersection of improvisational theatre and Meisner technique.
Tens of thousands of people have come to Pan shows and taken improvisational acting classes at Pan over the years.
Pan is located at 120 Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, a 30 second walk from 12th Street BART. Pan is convenient to the entire San Francisco, Bay Area.
Pan Theater students, performers and directors come from: Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Francisco, Castro Valley, Lafayette, Orinda and other Bay Area cities.
Pan is a place to make friends, meet actors, filmmakers and writers and explore your creativity. Pan welcomes those looking for an exciting hobby and those looking to further their theater work. Pan is a quirky, relaxed and focused improvisational theater.
Our style is heavily influenced by Viola Spolin`s work as taught by Doug Kassel, Meisner Technique as taught by Christy English and the improv styles of David Razowsky and Jaime Moyer.
Our long form work is heavily influenced by Del Close and Carol Hazenfield. We seek to create work that is focused on improvising emotionally and organically.
At Pan you can get experience performing improv, acting in ten minute plays, exploring storytelling, and writing sketch and plays. There are also opportunities to participate in variety shows, open mics and standup shows. Many Pan members also get involved in filmmaking and directing. There is ample stage time each month.
IMPROV SHOWS AND CLASSES
Pan Theater offers improv classes, workshops and improv shows in Oakland. Pan is the San Francisco Bay Area’s favorite improv hot spot offering you top notch improv theater shows and affordable improv theater acting classes for every skill level.
Our most popular improv acting classes are Improv from the HeartTM
and the Improv DojoTM.
CLASSES
Improv Fun
IF is a free improv sample class. Explore improv, play games, have fun and make new friends. Offered Monthly.
Improv 101: Basics
An Intro to Improv / Improv Basics class.
Improv 201: Scenes and Long Form
Improv Dojo
A fun, affordable, mixed level drop-in style improv workshop and acting class offered on Sundays.
Improv from the Heart
An introduction to Meisner Technique and Improv Theater. Connect and transform.
Rules of Improv I
Our popular 10 part guide to improv.
Rules of Improv II
The second part in our Rules of Improv series.
How to Be a Better Improvisor
The best improv guide ever written.
AUDITIONS
Audition Info
Practice and perform at Pan Theater. Auditions Sundays and Tuesdays.
SHOWS
Next shows
PLAY FESTIVAL
Details on our next Play Fest.
ON IMPROV
On Improv - Pan Blog
WHAT ALUMNI HAVE DONE
Pan Theater alumni have gone on to graduate school in theater and conservatory programs, launched stand up and acting careers and brought more fun and excitement to their lives.
Pan alumni have also gone on to start troupes, theaters and other creative journeys. Others have used improv to enhance their careers and personal lives.
FOR THOSE NEW TO IMPROV
For those new to improv checkout the Rules of Improv Parts I.
Also try the Improv Dojo to get your feet wet.
IMPROV RESOURCES
1. Rules of Improv I
2. How to be a Better Improvisor
3. Pan Improv Blog
4. HOW TO CHOOSE AN IMPROV CLASS
Choosing an improv class can be difficult when you are first starting out.
Get our quick guide to how to get started.
IMPROV FROM THE HEART
Improv from the Heart is our Meisner based signature improv acting class. The class is one of our more popular classes. The class explores bringing more emotion to improv. It is not a “comedy” improv class. The class is for those that want to sharpen their acting skills and be able to explore a deeper and more emotional approach to improvisational theater.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AND AUDITIONS
Pan focuses on learning by doing and we offer troupe opportunities based on experience level. Group auditions are quarterly.
FOLLOW PAN
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