Bethesda Improv's Improv-For-Everyone Workshop - 1 class intro

Designed by the artistic director of Bethesda Improv Theater (bethesdaimprov.com) and the 31-year-old Precipice Improv Theater (precipiceimprov.com), 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 broad cross-section of new people

Classes are held in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, in a beautiful classroom at Imagination Stage. Plenty of parking, 1/2 a block away, in a free municipal lot. Imagination Stage is also a 10-minute walk to the Bethesda Metro Station.

Reviews

"Class was a great release. I think my inner comic genius started to eek ! Overall, Gary's was a blast!" —""Lauren K.

“I was always jealous of my friends who had an 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 . Gary’s beginning improv acting class opened that creative door for me. Anyone can do it. Blissfully, talent 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 needed. Think wedding toast and presentations. I’m so glad I did 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. And in 2025, he founded Bethesda Improv. Both theaters dedicated themselves to improvising full-length comic plays as good as the best scripted plays performed today.

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 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 Bethesda Improv Theater, and the producer of the Bethesda Improv and Comedy Festival with Alice Lipowicz.

He started teaching locally in 1984 after five years of producing, acting, and directing improv theater. In 1989, Gary began the first year-round, drop-in improv class in the D.C. area.

In 2005, Gary started teaching across the country at companies such as ImprovBoston, Bay Area Theatersports in San Francisco, the Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica, the Chaos Theater in Phoenix, Unscrewed Theater in Tucson, and the Ventura Improv Company in Ventura He has also taught overseas at the Improv Bandits in Auckland, New Zealand, and the Court Theater in Christchurch, New Zealand.

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