Bethesda Improv's 8-class package for their Improv-For-Everyone Workshop

Designed by the artistic director of newly-formed Bethesda Improv Theater and the 30-year-old Precipice Improv Theater, this class playfully brings out your creativity in a completely supportive environment.

Students take this workshop to:

• Have Fun in a Playful Atmosphere

• Get in Touch with the Artist Within

• Learn Communication/Presentation Skills Useful in Work Situations

• Challenge themselves to create stories with others in real-time

• Experience Personal Growth

• Develop Acting Skills

• Meet a wide cross-section of new people

Reviews

"Class was a great release. I think my inner comic genius started to eek out! Overall it was a blast!" — Lauren K.

“I was always jealous of my friends who had an 'artistic outlet' — a way to express themselves outside of work and family. I can barely draw a stick figure and I leave musical instruments to people who can play them. Stepping into Gary’s beginning improv acting class opened that creative door for me. Anyone can do it. Blissfully, “talent” or being funny isn’t required. All I needed was the desire to have fun. Gary takes care of the rest. Going to improv class is a highlight of my week, and no, I’m not a recluse! As a bonus, the class has given me the confidence to speak in front of others when the need arises. Think wedding toasts and presentations. I’m so glad I found this class!” - Julie S.

A bout the teacher

Gary Jacobs has been producing, performing, directing, and teaching improvisational theater in the D.C. area for 46 years. In 1995, he founded Precipice Improv Theater. Precipice dedicates itself to improvising full-length comic plays as good as the best scripted plays performed today.

Upon hearing of Gary's plans for Precipice, his mother was heard to say, "This will either be the most brilliant contribution to Western Civilization since the invention of scientific one-point perspective by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1415, or theatrical suicide.”

While the jury is still out on that prediction, audiences have enjoyed over 200 Precipice performances. In January of 2023, Precipice’s four improvised comic plays served as the centerpiece of the First Bethesda Improv and Comedy Festival.

Gary is also the artistic director of the Center for Narrative Improvisation and producer of the Bethesda Improv and Comedy Festival with Alice Lipowicz.

Gary was trained locally in the 1980s by actors from Arena Stage and Sylvia Toone, Gary’s teacher and director in S.T.A.R., the first commercial improvisation troupe in the DC area. He continued his improv training with actors from Toronto Theatersports and apprenticed for a decade with Second City director and teacher Michael Gellman, coiner of the term “long-form improv." Since then, he has founded several local improv troupes and teaches improv locally through Precipice Improv Theater.

Gary is writing a book, Principles of Improvising Plays and Scripts for Stage and Screen.