UCB-Style Game with Erick Acuña
UCB-Style Game with Erick Acuña
Class Description
- Besides being hilarious, some of the greatest comedians across shows like Saturday Night Live, Parks & Recreation, and The Office all have something in common - they started their comedy journeys at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre. Founded in 1996, UCB became known for its incredible live improv comedy shows, such as ASSSCAT, and its unique style of game-based improv. While the definition of “game” varies by comedy theater, this 3-week class will teach UCB-style game specifically and how it can level up your scenes wherever you are in your improv journey.
- Additionally, this class emphasizes individual feedback—including personalized feedback sessions with the instructor. Students should expect to receive notes from the instructor on their playing styles, patterns, and ways to unleash the comedy in their scenes.
During this 3-week class we will cover:
- The “game of the scene,” as taught by UCB
- Establishing a scene’s “base reality” and identifying the “unusual thing” in the scene
- Honing character justifications & “vertical heightening”
- How to improve your comedic presence & confidence on stage
- Your comedic stylings/choices - and how to leverage them in scenes
This class is useful for any improviser looking to diversify their comedy “toolbox” and those who want specific feedback on their improv. Skills from this class can be applied to all long-form formats - especially Harolds, Dusties, and general montages.
Prerequisites
- Completion of three or more long-form improv classes from an organization’s core curriculum.
Instructor Bio
Erick Acuña is a Peruvian improviser based in Washington DC. He teaches and performs improv comedy at Washington Improv Theater, Will Hines’ World’s Greatest Improv School, and Rails Comedy. He has been featured in several comedy podcasts including Earwolf’s improv4humans with Matt Besser, and Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. He has also taught workshops and performed in comedy festivals in over 20 cities around the US, Latin-America and Europe. More about Erick can be found at his website, erickacuna.com.
Class Details & Schedule
This is a 3-week class (2.5 hours per class) and includes a class showcase.
Location: The DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- CLASS 1: Tuesday, April 30, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- CLASS 2: Tuesday, May 7, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- CLASS 3: Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- CLASS SHOWCASE: Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 PM
Registration Fee: $140
Class Policies
- Must be 18 years of age or older to enroll.
- All sales are final: classes are non-refundable. Classes are only refundable to students if there are not enough students for the class. Classes are nonrefundable under all other circumstances.
- Masks are optional but not required.
- See Rails Comedy's Student Handbook for full course policies.
Waitlist
- If this class is sold out, please sign up for the waitlist above to be considered in the event of a student cancellation.
Ticketing Page Issues - Troubleshooting Steps
- If the ticketing page doesn't allow you to purchase tickets and appears sold out, it is possible that another customer has those tickets waiting in their cart and we've reached venue capacity. Please return in 15 minutes and those tickets may be available if the other customer did not purchase them.
- If the error code [Object object] appears and prevents you from checking out, this usually means that you are entering some wrong information, likely the address and/or zip code connected to the credit card you are trying to use. Please double check your payment information and try again.
- If you continue to run into issues, please contact walker@railscomedy.com.
Class Description
- Besides being hilarious, some of the greatest comedians across shows like Saturday Night Live, Parks & Recreation, and The Office all have something in common - they started their comedy journeys at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre. Founded in 1996, UCB became known for its incredible live improv comedy shows, such as ASSSCAT, and its unique style of game-based improv. While the definition of “game” varies by comedy theater, this 3-week class will teach UCB-style game specifically and how it can level up your scenes wherever you are in your improv journey.
- Additionally, this class emphasizes individual feedback—including personalized feedback sessions with the instructor. Students should expect to receive notes from the instructor on their playing styles, patterns, and ways to unleash the comedy in their scenes.
During this 3-week class we will cover:
- The “game of the scene,” as taught by UCB
- Establishing a scene’s “base reality” and identifying the “unusual thing” in the scene
- Honing character justifications & “vertical heightening”
- How to improve your comedic presence & confidence on stage
- Your comedic stylings/choices - and how to leverage them in scenes
This class is useful for any improviser looking to diversify their comedy “toolbox” and those who want specific feedback on their improv. Skills from this class can be applied to all long-form formats - especially Harolds, Dusties, and general montages.
Prerequisites
- Completion of three or more long-form improv classes from an organization’s core curriculum.
Instructor Bio
Erick Acuña is a Peruvian improviser based in Washington DC. He teaches and performs improv comedy at Washington Improv Theater, Will Hines’ World’s Greatest Improv School, and Rails Comedy. He has been featured in several comedy podcasts including Earwolf’s improv4humans with Matt Besser, and Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. He has also taught workshops and performed in comedy festivals in over 20 cities around the US, Latin-America and Europe. More about Erick can be found at his website, erickacuna.com.
Class Details & Schedule
This is a 3-week class (2.5 hours per class) and includes a class showcase.
Location: The DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- CLASS 1: Tuesday, April 30, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- CLASS 2: Tuesday, May 7, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- CLASS 3: Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- CLASS SHOWCASE: Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 PM
Registration Fee: $140
Class Policies
- Must be 18 years of age or older to enroll.
- All sales are final: classes are non-refundable. Classes are only refundable to students if there are not enough students for the class. Classes are nonrefundable under all other circumstances.
- Masks are optional but not required.
- See Rails Comedy's Student Handbook for full course policies.
Waitlist
- If this class is sold out, please sign up for the waitlist above to be considered in the event of a student cancellation.
Ticketing Page Issues - Troubleshooting Steps
- If the ticketing page doesn't allow you to purchase tickets and appears sold out, it is possible that another customer has those tickets waiting in their cart and we've reached venue capacity. Please return in 15 minutes and those tickets may be available if the other customer did not purchase them.
- If the error code [Object object] appears and prevents you from checking out, this usually means that you are entering some wrong information, likely the address and/or zip code connected to the credit card you are trying to use. Please double check your payment information and try again.
- If you continue to run into issues, please contact walker@railscomedy.com.