Improv Theatre at
Pan Theater

(Lisa, Mary, Virginia, Melissa and Anna from Awkward Face- 2011)

Pan Theater has been providing improv theatre shows and improv theatre acting classes since February of 2002. 

Our classes blend traditional improv technique with Meisner technique to create confident, strong performers that can commit to their imaginations.

We practice, perform and explore Viola Spolin's theatre games in our work. Theatre games provide a foundation for living in the imaginary world of the stage. The work helps our performers commit to the space their characters inhabit and to live on stage.

Typical exercises include the mirror game, space walk and group build. In the mirror game two performers face each other and mirror the other's actions. 

One partner leads, the other follows and eventually both follow. This exercise helps the performers focus, listen body to body and respond without self conscious thought.

We also use the space walk and sharing the space. These exercises explore making the space and connection between performers real. 

Performers explore, walk through and build with the space. The process helps performers slow down and connect to the environment their characters in habit.

At Pan we also practice and explore exercises from Meisner Technique including the repetition exercise. 

Meisner technique focuses on freeing performers emotionally so they can respond truthfully to the imaginary circumstances of the script or the scene. 

Combining Meisner Technique with Spolin Technique helps performers become alive on stage. Many of our performers have also told us the work does the same for them offstage. Our program helps performers commit to the theater arts and themselves more fully.

Pan performers can be found throughout the San Francisco Bay Area performing in local films, theater, improv shows and using their skills in their daily lives. 

Students come from all different backgrounds and from San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, the East Bay and other Bay Area cities. Pan is only one block from BART.

The best way to learn improv or to see if the Pan style is a good fit is to try our popular Intro to Improv class. This class is a two hour exploration of theater games. It is also great fun and provides a chance to meet other local actors.