The Institution Theater

In keeping with my intention to do something every month outside of my comfort zone, I signed up for this free workshop. What the hell not, right?
I learned upon arrival I wasn’t the only first-​timer so I felt reasonably sure I wouldn’t be the worst one. That kind of auto-​comparison process is where I was already mistaken. This isn’t about being good — it’s about shedding all that adult baggage we carry around and playing with words and ideas and stories. Remember having fun without fear of judgment? That.
It was clear from the start that Asaf knew exactly what hurdles we’d face in putting down our inhibitions, worries, thoughts, stressors. I’d liken it to a really good whitewater guide — navigating us around and through funnels and chutes and boulders before we ram our boat into them. He identified some of the individual obstacles that we were creating for ourselves and put us in a position to break the pattern. He pushes a little and encourages a lot. This man should teach all things. (Also, he bears a strange and compelling resemblance to Alan Rickman, which I consider a high compliment.)
On the surface, it was 2 hours of hilarity — my face legitimately hurt from smiling — but as I realized several times in the class, there are also frighteningly accurate parallels to life, relationships and getting the hell out of our own way. At $ 135 total for an 8 week class, it’s almost like cheap therapy sans overstuffed couch. Make the time to try this.
(This is for a review of their free workshop only. Imagine what you could do with an 8 week long class?)
** Take a water bottle or something. It gets kind of hot in there **

This is the best place to learn improv in Austin. The teachers are top notch and the shows are phenomenal. They do a really awesome job of showcasing rising talent. So, if you want to start performing — this is the place.

While I haven’t taken classes there, I’ve done several workshops with Sarah Marie, Tom, and Asaf, and also seen many shows there.
This theater offers a really warm and inviting environment — despite being very new and having zero theater experience other than a few classes at another theater, they made me feel comfortable. I would definitely like to take classes there in the future and have heard great things about the curriculum and all of the teachers.
I LOVE the shows here! They are really creative and get the audience involved. This is a really lovely theater and local business run by talented passionate artists. Go here!

I had such a blast in Improv 101! I had not taken an improv class in about 13 years so I was so nervous, but Jo and Amanda were such an amazing and inspiring team. They both did such a wonderful job of creating a fun, safe environment. This experience was so rewarding. I learned how to listen better (an important skill for those of us with ADHD), to trust myself more and just go with the flow, and I made new friends. This class also greatly helped me prepare for auditions. In fact, the first audition I went to in 7 years was after the first few weeks of class and lo and behold I had to improvise in the audition. Luckily I was able to apply what I had learned so far in class and ended up booking the gig! I feel extremely lucky and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Jo and Amanda. They and the rest of my classmates have brought so much laughter and positivity into my life. I’m so pumped to take it to the next level in 202! Thanks again Jo and Amanda, y’all are the best! EVER! :)

OMG. Get ready to experience all of the good emotions you have ever experienced. The Institution Theater offers amazing improv shows, has great improv guests, plays well with others, and offers fantastic classes!
If you have EVER wanted to be funnier, wittier, or just use your words better, this is a fantastic place to check out! The shows are always affordable, and if you take their classes, they’re free for you!
I really like this family because they embrace you. Their style of teaching reminds us that there are never mistakes, only unexpected results. I used to have mild anxiety and a huge need to «be like the boys with all of their wit and what not.» Not anymore! BRING ON THE BOYS.

I went here last night to check out some live sketch comedy, live theatre is certainly not something usually partake in, but was very interested since I do stand-​up comedy. I paid seven bucks for a tickets after uttering the secret phrase to score that discount. They have a small refreshment stand, beers for 3.50. I would say this place sits maybe 75 or so, very intimate setting. They have all types of productions, have a bunch of classes too and they have an open mic for folks interested in improv. The manager, think her name was Adrian, was very welcoming and informative.

I happen to like improv. And I have ever since some friends and I wound up at an improv theater one random night some years ago. A friend of mine invited me to a show here recently, the Hurly Burly show, which is an improvised burlesque story. The show was unique, the people were nice, and the ladies costumes were fun. The show was entertaining, the skin was ever present, the laughs were so-​so and the wit was not there, and so I’ll leave it at that since I’m reviewing the venue.
The location is south, in an industrial area just off South Congress. The parking is ample, the price is competitive with the other improv venues around town ($ 10-​$ 12), offering a credit card option, snacks, beer and wine (only a suggested donation for booze so I assume they don’t have a liquor license), with a creative way of giving you «tickets.» As usual, you are not let into the theater until they are ready to let you in. The waiting space is in the hallway. The seating is great, featuring stadium seating, and size wise bigger than Coldtowne and smaller than The Hideout (downtown). There really isn’t a bad seat. They will even add chairs in front of the front row if they sell more tickets than seats in the theater. Be careful, the seats are small and close to the other rows in front and behind. It’s very easy to bump someone’s head with your booty (oops). I like the stage, as it actually looks like a stage and the performers can walk off the stage and not be seen and/​or change costumes. It appears that more theatrical shows benefit the most from this theater. I was mostly impressed what they did with the space. Minus the cockroach the roomie discovered in the ladies bathroom, which prevented me from having the courage to use their restroom again. Additionally, they offer classes as well. I’ll be back if another show comes up that piques my interest.

Sign up for improv 101 RIGHT NOW!
I just graduated from level 101 with Jo Chauvin and let me just say… WOW! WOW! WOW!
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what you do, or where you’re going, improv will make you a better version of yourself!
The Institution Theater has a SOLID group of passionate, supportive, hilarious people that want to make you fall in love with improv… and trust me… you will.
We just got engaged. ;-)

Improv has changed my life in so many positive ways and the Institution Theater is largely to thank for that.
I started taking classes in the summer of 2012 at the Institution and I am now completely engrossed in the improv community.
If you are looking for a safe place to let you tap into your playful, imaginative side, go here. If you are looking for quality entertainment on the weekends, go here. If you are just looking to make new friends, have fun, and feel accepted, go here.

This five star review is for both the classes and the shows. The first show I saw was the student showcases back in late November/​December 2011. I never thought I would take an improv class. Well 2012 rolls around and I enrolled into level 101 class. Several months later I am finishing up my level 401 class. The teachers and staff are a great group of people. If I ever have the time, I will take their Master class. But for now, I will continue to enjoy the shows.

Every show I’ve seen at The Institution has been hilarious. Lots of seating and free parking are just a few of the perks. I have several friends who have taken classes there, and those friends are very talented performers.
I definitely recommend you see some shows here.

The people are amazing and hilarious! Great teachers!
Their show Thinning the Herd is a MUST SEE

I’ve taken several improv classes from the Institution. You don’t have to take classes to enjoy yourself as they have a variety of shows Thurs-​Sat (and sometimes Sun). I do encourage you to try an improv class. You don’t have to be a «funny» person. Improv is a lot about finding the funny in the given moment. I think that helps you ultimately become a better person. I really think if the whole world took improv classes, we could achieve world peace. You like world peace, don’t you? Well, even if you don’t, you probably like to laugh. See a show or take a class or both. If you are disappointed, I will drink a beer with you and give you a hug.

I’ve taken lots of improv classes in many different cities and theaters and schools of thought. After trying a different theater in Austin, I found what was right for me. I consider myself an advanced improviser, and even in the intermediate class with some folks only in their second ever improv class, I felt respected and that my skill level was spoken to. Tom Booker is an excellent and specific teacher, and Asaf Ronen is like an improv surgeon in level three, breaking down your moments into tidbits of information for an improviser to internalize and use forever. These guys can turn you into one hell of an improviser, or help you get even sharper as you grow with your experience. Highly recommended, and for Austin, there should be no other place to learn.

i attended one of the free improv workshops at the institution theater in march 2010, and i’ve never looked back. over the past year and a half, this place and its people have become my home away from home. it’s the most supportive, FUN performance environment i’ve ever been a part of, filled with people whose sole goal is to make your dreams happen, whatever those are. it’s been a treat to be a part of this theater and to watch it grow. thanks, tom, asaf, ted and co. for doing what you do!

I love this place! I went to one of their free workshops and left smiling and laughing. The instructors were fun and the whole place seemed really low key. I signed up for an Improv 101 class and had a great teacher. It’s super low pressure and I met some awesome people. They have shows there every week and you can take sketch writing classes, also. Two thumbs up!

I have never taken an improv class before in my life and I can only say that this has been one of the best experiences of my life. Not only was the teacher amazing, but the Institution community is so positive and open and they want everyone to succeed. Whether it’s in one of their showcases or at one of the improv jam nights, anyone can find their voice and everyone has a great time. If you’re at the Institution, you can guarantee a fun time and enough laughing to make your stomach hurt.

Tom Booker is a wonderful teacher and has a great school. The emphasis on character work and trusting your instincts is really helpful in freeing creativity and having fun. The environment is very supportive and has helped me build skills and build a lot of confidence in my improv abilities. This confidence has even spilled over into other areas of my life. I highly recommend The Institution Theater’s school of improv.
Also Tom Booker and his students and staff are hilarious in shows. Check out a show where ever they currently have them. You will be glad you did.

Tom Booker is the shizzles! Originally as an actor, I was tired of waiting for work to come and instead wanted to create the work for myself. I enrolled in Sketch Writing 101 with the intent of developing some of my ideas into funny, filmmable, comedy shorts for online distribution. With Tom’s hilarity, expert guidance, and us classmates bouncing crazy ideas off of one another, I’ve written 3 – 4 solid sketches that I feel confident about shooting and putting out for the world to see.
Don’t let the «101» tag fool you. It’s still the real deal and nothing short of a challenge. Tom doesn’t spend the whole time lecturing or telling you how to be funny. You get right into the writing, applying comedic concepts learned in each class, and then tweak the hell out of it. Writing is hard, and through Tom’s instruction, I learned that you really have to put the time in everyday, doing rewrite after rewrite, to build something solid — BUT you really do get better and better at it and it’s very rewarding at the end.
Thanks, Tom!

I liked their Improv 101 class for a couple of reasons. 1) That it forced me to think differently and gets you out of your comfort zone, and 2) It was both challenging and fun.
I think there area few factors that come into play in order to get the most out of classes like this, starting with your own talent and motivation, coupled with that of other students, and of course the instructor. While there is some randomness that happens with learning Improv, you also learn something about yourself and how other people think as well.
Overall I think it’s a worthwhile experience if you’re looking to learn new ways to get «outside your head» and think on your feet more. Be prepared to be challenged and have fun.