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The Merlin Works Institute Opens its Doors

Austin’s newest improv training center, the Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation, launched its first series of classes at the recently-opened Salvage Vanguard Theater this past Saturday.

Merlin Works, helmed by Shana Merlin of local improv troupes Get Up and Girls, Girls, Girls, has existed since 2003 as a school that not only offers long-form classes for hobbyists and aspiring comedians but also applied improv workshops for corporate clients. In its new home, The Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation offers two tracks of classes for would-be improvisers: three levels of short-form (think Whose Line is it Anyway) workshops, and three levels of long-form (think…well, pretty much everything else) workshops.

In addition to these tracks, Merlin Works also offers a Performance for Business curriculum. From the press release:
We'll draw from the brilliant treasury of enjoyable improvisational theatre games, not to learn how to perform, but rather to help you discover the secrets that improvisers already know about working effectively as a team that needs to produce quality work without all the time, resources, or information they need.

Graduates of the long-form series will be given a run of shows upon graduation and guided through the process of forming a troupe: selecting a name, choosing a coach, and ultimately pitching a doomed-from-the-start sitcom to network executives.

Both the Short Form and Long Form Series classes are $150 for the semester (and, as of February 29th, are sold out); the Performance for Business series is $200. For more information, visit the Merlin Works website.

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Comments [rss]

  • merlinworks

    New class starts Wednesday November 5th 8pm - 10pm.



    Instructors: Shana Merlin and Shannon McCormick



    Wednesdays 8pm - 10pm November 5, 12, 19, December 3, 10, January 7, 14, and 21 (8 meetings) $150



    At the Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road





    Register Now at http://merlin-works.com/index.php?page=introductory_workshops&sec=play

  • merlinworks

    Thanks for the writeup, ESeufert!



    The next Improv 101 class starts Mondays May 5 - June 30th (no class May 26) 6-8pm



    The teachers are Shana Merlin, Roy Janik, and Kaci Beeler



    Register now online!

  • andreay85

    Shana is the best improv teacher in Austin!!!

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