Upright Citizens Brigade Improvisation and Sketch Comedy Training Center
(7320) Improv 301 Sundays 3:15-6:15pm Achilles Stamatelaky
Improv 301: Harold Structure
- Prerequisites
- Successful Completion of Improv 201 within previous two years
- Scheduled
- Sundays 3:15-6:15pm
- Start Date
- Sun July 22, 2012, 3:15pm EDT
- Price
- $350.00
If you took Improv 201 in January 2010 or later, you cannot enroll in this course until you receive written notice that you have successfully completed Improv 201. ONLY if 10 days have passed since your graduation performance and you have not received this information, please email the registrar at [email protected] for NY classes or [email protected] for LA classes.
This course introduces students to the long form improvisation structure known as "The Harold," developed by Del Close.
"The Harold" is a series of scenes inspired by a single suggestion that fit together into one cohesive half hour piece. Students learn how to 1) perform openings, 2) create scenes inspired by an opening 3) perform "group games," 4) second and third beats (returning to scenes later in the piece).
Course meets for 8 sessions, each 3 hours long.
Students will take part in a class performance, generally held at the UCB Theatre.
Students required to see at least 2 improvised shows at the UCB Theater before the end of the course.
Class Size: 16 Students
Class does not meet Sept 2
Achilles Stamatelaky, Teacher
Achilles has been studying and performing improv and sketch at The UCB Theatre since January 2005. He is a veteran performer of UCB's Harold Night improv show, performing with the groups T.R.U.C.K.S., Whorenado, Penthouse Riot, andStandard Oil. Currently, he is on the weekend improv teamAirwolf, which performs at UCB's East Village theatre every Saturday at 10:30 PM. He was also a founding member of the improv group Hot Lather, which created UCB's popular long-running improvised soap opera As The Diamond Burns.
Achilles is also a writer for The Prom (which performs a brand new sketch show every month at Maude Night) and a writer for the BETA team Scraps (which produces video content for UCBComedy.com and UCB's YouTube Channel). His sketches have been featured on Splitsider, NY Magazine's "Vulture Blog", and Roger Ebert's blog.
He has appeared in other shows at UCB including One Night Stand, The Hogwarts Improvisation Society, and CageMatchamong others. He has also created two sold out Harry Potter-themed shows for UCB: Up Late! With Lord Voldemort! (2007) which was featured in The Gothamist and NY Magazine's "Vulture Blog"; and The Kirk Cameron Repertory Players Present: A Harry Potter Musical! (2010 and 2011), which was featured in TimeOut NY, The Huffington Post, and WNYC.
Outside of UCB, Achilles has studied at The Magnet Theater with Armando Diaz and independently with Christina Gausas. Achilles has also worked as a writer's assistant for the Onion News Network and developed a pilot for Sirius Satellite Radio. He has also performed throughout New York City in the past with independent improv groups Kid Dervin, The Fist Kissesand, currently, The Beatles. (It's true.) He has also appeared in commercials, various internet videos, and on The Colbert Report.
Achilles is an instructor at the UCB Training Center. He hopes to own a really big TV one day.
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This Course is Completed.

