Just finished taking the beginner's class at the Pasadena location with Bill and had a blast! I signed up w/the husband and together we learned how to be present, communicate in a supportive way, and have lots of fun while making new friends! It's a great way to stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, have, fun, and PLAY! People who take improv are self selecting: brave, engaging, playful, and supportive. Our instructor Bill Chott has a wealth of knowledge & fosters a safe, creative, engaging, and fun learning environment!! I highly recommend taking improv with friends (or spouses)! Pasadena tips: you can park behind the Vroman's bookstore across the street. And try Carlos' tempura in the same center as the Tutu School where class meets! read more

I just completed my first 5-week improv class with Bill Chott at The Improv Trick. Did I love it, you ask... YES...AND I got out of my comfort zone, let go of self-consciousness, met fabulous people and stirred up some much needed playfulness! I thoroughly enjoyed the class and would (will!?!) definitely take another dip into the improv pool with this crew. read more

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Bill is a wonderful teacher. He keeps you present and he let us go with our ideas where nothing is rejected. Improv when you think about it is very hard. Improv when you don't think about it is very easy! And that's exactly what Bill teaches. By all means, take this class! You'll have nothing to lose. Except your mind! read more

I can't say enough positive things about this class! As a writer, I found the lessons to be surprisingly applicable to my creative process. I found myself jotting down notes in my car after every session. Bill is an incredible teacher, too. He's supportive, insightful, and genuinely fun. Most of us in the class were just there for fun, not professionals by any means, and yet the final showcase felt so polished and professional. I felt safe, seen, and challenged in the best way. It was a blast, and to be honest, a little bit life-changing. read more

Bill Chott is a master comedian, improviser, and teacher. Bill is welcoming and his classes are accessible to everyone. He hands out gems to people of all levels, so even if you're already an improviser, you will learn something new and important every class. This is a great opportunity to work with a talented, knowledgeable, and passionate person. I highly, highly recommend signing up. read more

I took the Beginning Improv 5 week class here, and it was so much fun! I highly recommend Bill's class. It's especially great for beginners and anyone wanting to try improv for the first time! read more

Great class for getting me out of my head and into action. Fun teacher and fun group! Improv is good for the soul!

Bill is both an experienced professional and an excellent teacher. Every session of the beginner class was fun, insightful, and made doing improv more comfortable. read more

It took me three years to build up the courage to take an improv class, and now I'm enjoying every minute of it, thanks to my amazing classmates and our instructor, Bill. My fears and doubts quickly melted away in the incredibly supportive environment. I've learned so much about myself and how to stay present in the moment. The skills you gain here are invaluable for life, reminding you that it's okay to play and have fun, just like when you were a child. I feel so proud to have stepped out of my comfort zone and out of my head. If you're looking for a teacher with top-notch training and amazing experience, look no further. Take the leap! You're in great hands! read more

I've been a performing magician for years, and I was looking to improve my off-the-cuff interactions with people when performing. I looked up Improv Trick before the pandemic and never pulled the trigger, but I finally took the plunge and did the beginner classes with Bill Chott. I was very happy with my classes and training from Bill, and it really helped me improve my confidence in those off-the-cuff interactions. I'm much more willing to embrace the ideas and 'play the game' with people. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot, and this has opened my interest in further improv training, which I wasn't considering before. Thanks Bill! read more

I was looking for an improv class for a long time and was so fortunate to find The Improv Trick! It was exactly what I wanted - good fun, great people, excellent teacher. So much of what we learn and practice mirrors how to live a happy fulfilling life. I highly recommend signing up. read more

I was really nervous about trying improv for the first time. Bill is so encouraging and really helped me break out of my shell more. The improv trick is definitely a unique and welcoming place. The lifetime class was so fun!! I plan on definitely taking more classes here! I have made great friends and gained a lot more confidence in "YES and"!! That applies to the scene work in class and outside of class in my everyday life. So grateful I decided to give this a shot. If you do too, you will not be disappointed!! read more

If the idea of doing improv absolutely terrifies you but you're really curious about it, FACE THAT FEAR, TAKE THIS CLASS, AND IMPROV WILL BECOME YOUR BEST FRIEND! Bill is SUCH an incredible, hilarious, and empathetic teacher, and does a spectacular job at creating a safe environment where EVERYONE feels comfortable and confident. There's absolutely NO judgment in this class, and Bill says it all the time -- there's no mistakes in improv! My class specifically wasn't full of a bunch of aspiring actors -- which is exactly what I was looking for! Everyone in the class was mainly there to gain confidence in public speaking, overcome anxiety, or to just simply have a fun, silly, carefree time! There's really no other place where you can PLAY as much as improv!! Improv makes you feel like a little kid again in the best way possible. I've already noticed a SIGNIFICANT improvement in my overall confidence (and happiness!), and my course only ended yesterday! The pace of the course is also really nice! Bill doesn't throw you into intense scene work on Day 1. He starts with mainly physical improv, then moves into more and more different types of spoken improv and improv games. I always felt ready with each new exercise that Bill introduced and never ONCE felt unprepared. While I did, of course, have natural nerves and fears of failing with every new exercise, that feeling quickly went away more and more with each new exercise and each new fear that I was able to conquer in this class. I found myself taking more and more risks with each class, and while I felt "silly" sometimes, I never regretted taking the risk. The entire POINT of improv is being comfortable with the unknown and feeling unprepared, and once that point really hit me, it was SO incredibly empowering! Now that the course is over, I'm finding myself itching for MORE challenge and MORE complicated scene work! Overall, improv is a FANTASTIC way to step outside of your comfort zone, become more comfortable in your own body, gain confidence, and embrace your own unique sense of humor and personality. TAKE THIS CLASS!! You won't regret it. read more

Great classes - delivered in short, impactful bursts. Will get you into improv from day one!

It's been a few years (thanks, pandemic) so I thought it was time to review The Improv Trick again. This time I took a one-night drop-in class and it was so much fun. Bill Chott (yes, the principal from the Wizards of Waverly Place) packs a LOT of instruction, advice, and encouragement into two hours. The other students were so friendly and supportive. We laughed a lot. read more

Bill Chott's improv trick in Pasadena is a brilliant class not only for those looking to enhance your acting chops but as a learning tool for any walk in life. Bill is kind interactive and hilarious. His classes foster alumnus of Chicago's Second City where he polished his craft with the likes of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Steven Colbert. read more

The Improv Trick is a great place to learn and hone ALL the skills you need to build improv scenes that are FUN and compelling - not only for you but for the (hopefully!) audience that's watching. Bill Chott's approach is skillful and effective; the classes are fun and I learn something every time. He offers a very reasonably priced 4-week course (once a week for 4 weeks) called The Lifetime Class. Once you've taken it, you can return at any time in the future and sign up to take it again, for FREE. It is a great testament to Bill that at each class I go to there are always "repeat" people, coming back to brush up own their skills. read more

Yes (fun) and (so much more)... You've seen it in almost every sitcom: at some point one (or more) of the characters makes their way into an improv class, learns the famed "yes, and" phrase, and hijinx ensue. And while life is obviously exactly like a sitcom, you might be surprised by just how much an improv class can bring into your life. Well, I can only specifically talk about The Improv Trick. I've taken several classes with Bill Chott, and could not possibly recommend it more. (For those of you who have trouble with this sentence structure: I highly recommend The Improv Trick.) With its small class sizes, everyone gets plenty of time to--here's the word that solidified for me that I was in the right place--play. And play we do, while learning techniques and tricks and even the history of improv. All in an extremely supportive setting, led by the kindest man to ever have made millions of people cry (see episode 17, season 1 of About Us). But then something weird happens and suddenly this fun little improv class you took to break up your daily routine seeps into your thoughts and other parts of your life. And you start to notice things you talked about in class out in the "real" world and are able to look at things a little differently. And maybe even use the things you learned to help you in certain situations. It now makes sense to me that improv is used in different settings, from business seminars to helping those suffering from PTSD. Then again, don't let me scare you into thinking this has to be anything more than a fun way to hang out with a group of like-minded people, trying out something new (or coming back to something they love). As in everything in life, you'll get out of it what you seek. :) read more

The Improv Trick is an absolutely fantastic choice for every level of improviser, whether you are a beginner or seasoned actor. Bill Chott provides a safe haven for artists to grow while dispensing lots of of positive karma. He's very warm and easy going and very VERY knowledgeable in the history and practice of every aspect of Improv Acting and Comedy. A safe and relaxed atmosphere to learn and to grow, very easy going, very effective and very, very enjoyable. I've been acting and doing Stand up and Improv for the past 21 years and having studied with the best I can safely say that Bill Chott IS one of the best. Take one (or more) of his classes and you'll be very satisfied. Guaranteed or your money back (No really he actually does offer a money back guarantee, I doubt anybody has taken him up on it though..) read more

The Improv Trick - I'm the one on the lower left... - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

I am having a great time taking classes at The Improv Trick! I used to do improv back home in Oklahoma City, but it has been a few years now; so, this class has been a great way to get back into improv in a warm and welcoming way. I think one of the greatest things about the class is that it is taught by a seasoned and trained actor (improv AND otherwise). But what makes it even more special is that he is the founder of the improv school! That is virtually unheard of! His track record is astounding! Bill Chott has worked with and was taught by comedy great Stephen Colbert, he worked on SNL, numerous TV shows, and with several actors who have now become household names. Despite this, he is exceptionally disarming and comes off as humble even when discussing accomplishments. I am looking forward to taking more classes through this school. I am getting very excited to become a part of an improv community again. And, I can't wait to keep pushing myself. Thank you, Bill! read more

I'm so grateful that there is a great Improv class near me. Bill is a fantastic teacher. He is funny, kind and full of energy. If you sign up for the lifetime class, you get to do it over and over again for free. Class is so much fun and I learn a lot. I will become a regular and sign up for more classes. read more

I have always wanted to try improv but it felt like a huge commitment. At improv trick you can take a class or two and try it out. Lots of fun and real life tools to help you be a better listener. read more

I have been taking improv classes with Bill Chott for a while now, and I can honestly say that, not only have I seen improvement in my improv technique by taking classes with him, but I have such a blast every time I go. I laugh a lot! It's really therapeutic. I'm always in a great mood at the end of class. When you become a "lifetime member", you can take the class over and over again without having to pay. You just pay the first time you take the series, and that's it. I've taken the Lifetime Class at least a half a dozen times now since then, and I learned something new every time I went. Bill sets the tone the first night you attend. You are made to feel relaxed, welcomed and free to be creative. You receive constructive feedback when necessary and are never made to feel awkward or embarrassed. It's all done in the spirit of learning and having fun. If you've always wanted to take an improv class to improve your confidence in speaking to others, to help yourself become a better listener, to improve your ability to focus and concentrate, to think quicker on your feet, and just play and have fun, then give this class a try. I promise that you will benefit so much from it. read more

What an FUNTASTIC experience (10 out of 10)! I braved 2 hours of SoCal parking lot traffic to attend a sample Improv Trick class with Bill Chott last night in Pasadena, and I was so happy to find the class to be one of those rare "over-deliver" events. I walked in 30 minutes late into a really nice, well-light studio in downtown Pasadena. Bill had no problem with my late arrival, and made me feel instantly welcomed. The 11 other students were amazingly diverse in age, ethnicity and gender, and I've never experienced such quick bonding and comfort with total strangers. Everyone in the class was so friendly, the class so engaging that the 2 hours of kooky exercises just flew by. The instructor, Bill, is an Improv celebrity and he provided 2 hours of non-stop edu-tainment and laughs. He found time to explain the history of Improv, told funny anecdotes and led the class in such an encouraging and supportive way (that IS Improv). The class ran (and laughed) through half a dozen fun Improv exercises and it was over before any of us was ready to go home. I'm still smiling a day later. THANKS BILL! read more

I highly recommend these classes. Bill Chott is excellent at facilitating groups of folks with various levels of improv experience. His Lifetime class is well tuned to serve both those interested in developing improvisational skills, as well as actors and performers. Bill connects with every student and creates a fun and engaging atmosphere. Fundemantally, he coaches on the importance of living in the moment. Some Notes on the Pasadena class location... - Easy on-line registration. - The practice space is clean, comfortable, & well-kept. - Currently, (Oct-17) the street parking is pretty easy. There is a lot nearby. - It's on the Colorado/Pasadena main drag, no shortage of nearby coffee shops and resturants. read more

I absolutely loved this! I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but, I ended having a blast and learning a lot! Bill is such a great teacher. I even ended up doing the showcase at the end. I would definitely do this again! read more

I have just finished my first session, fourth week, of improv classes with Bill Chott at the Improv Trick. My husband and I have been wanting to take a class for the longest time and found the improv trick on Yelp. The high reviews parallels the exceptional class lessons. Bill is great! You'll feel welcomed and invited into the class immediately not only with Bills methods of teaching, but the environment as well. Everyone is there for improv, there's no judgement, all fun. I highly recommend! read more

Bill Chott is that rare creature: brilliant humorist, meditation teacher, and revolutionary rolled into one. I'll use a metaphor to explain. Imagine you're at the tennis courts. Across the net, a ball machine launches gentle lobs. While the rhythm remains slow & easy, even if you're no ace, you connect with more balls than not. The instructor dials up the speed. The more you tense and react, the more you swat and miss. Naturally, the odds that you connect dwindle when you self-flagellate instead. So? So what if you flail wildly? So what if you watch in wonder and miss by a mile? So what if you lose your grip? "There are no mistakes," Bill teaches. Turns out, beating ourselves up or anticipating & tensing are simply human. Phew! The antidote? Be in the moment. See? Bill Chott = meditation teacher. "Mistakes are where the magic happens," Bill reminds us. Bill creates safe space and invites us to play in it. He dials up the assignments until you can do nothing other than be in the moment. He offers gentle suggestions all the while. "We're not laughing at you, we're laughing with you because we can relate." Imagine a world where, instead of carting around our past expectations or dreading what's coming we could just be in the moment. Might we listen better? Might we laugh more? Might we appreciate & connect more authentically? Revolutionary. Heck, even if more laughter is all that results, count me in. Thank you, Bill, for offering the world a more joyful way to live in it. read more

I feel really lucky to have found Bill's improv class! The class style is very warm and welcoming for everybody. I started with with zero stage experience of any kind. But at the end of just 4 weeks I felt that I had learned am lot about improv and comedy in general. Bill is a great teacher! It doesn't matter if you are a quiet/shy person or have more stage presence. Bill will help everyone participate. If you have thought about trying improv and not sure if this is for you, the $20 sample class is a great way to find it out. read more

I started taking classes with Bill Chott in St. Louis about 5 years ago. This is where I got my beginnings! AWESOME! I'm a former lifetime student of IT and moved to LA to pursue my acting career. With that, I began teaching with IT here in LA, and occasionally return home to teach classes and workshops. What great fun! Why do I love Improv Trick? My beginnings. Homey. Comfortable. Valuable. Bill's 20+ years of improv experience is great for anyone. Beginner or pro. Performer or office manager. I'm a graduate of iO West (formerly improvOlympic West) and currently studying at The Second City Hollywood - you'll get the same - if not better - training at IT then other training centers in LA. With Bill's philosophy of training and his remarkable understanding and experience with improv you'll get the best. Classes, workshops, and shows are just HALF of the reason why I started and STAYED with ImprovTrick. The other half - community. Plain and simple. Good, CARING people. Everyone gets close, and we form bonds and relationships. Whether we go out for coffee afterwards and talk about "who's hiring" or go sit on my patio for a BBQ on some random night to play skip-bo, the Improv Trick community is as strong as the syllabus that binds us. Should you be around IT, come find me and say hello. You'll have a fried for life. read more

An amazing group. The improv 101 lifetime class is a steal, and you can repeat the course as often as you like until you are comfortable moving on. What makes the improv trick more attractive than the UCB-- the endless other competition out there- the class is truly designed for ANYONE. Also, Bill Chott is a nice guy who genuinely cares for students. A caring personality in this business is such an outlier too! In addition, the class is only $125 dollars? To put that in perspective, the eight class session I considered at UCB cost over three times more than that! Oh, and you get to attend the FREE sauce shows as well! You can also take the lifetime class in Pasadena concurrently with the Hollywood class. read more

I thought this was a very good deal since I did Groundlings years ago and they charge a leg. Then when I went there Bill said I was a member for life with this deal and could come all the time. Huh? For life? I couldn't really wrap my mind around that. Who does that? what's his angle? was going through my brain. I later discovered Bill is just an amazing guy that loves doing improv and teaching people improv. In Los Angeles that's like finding a Unicorn and him leading you to a barn filled with other unicorns... I'm not sure where I was going with that. Join Improv trick it's great fun!! read more

Wow! Bill is awesome and I am better for having taken his classes. The Improv Trick is a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment (for all levels) that brings out the best work in everyone. I will be a student for a long time to come. read more

The Improv Trick is one of the best improv schools I've ever seen, and an insanely good value. Bill Chott is one of the most dedicated improv coaches in the nation, and so very much wants to make improv accessible to everyone. The lifetime class offer is unlike any other improv school I've seen (and I've seen quite a few). Being able to take a class as many times as you'd like is fantastic, and completely unheard of in many improv circles. Believe me, if you want to do improv, this is a deal you should absolutely have. And the community surrounding IT is superb. These are fantastic people who genuinely care about one another. Their dedication to bettering each other as well as themselves is a genuine delight, and that's a quality that's not always present in the other schools. This a truly a place where we succeed together. Bill Chott and the Improv Trick are great, and I can't recommend them enough, whether you're a beginner looking to start or a veteran looking for a community. Bill is a true pro, having been in the improv scene for over 20 years, and a part of some of the greatest improv teams in history. Do yourself a favor, and check out the Improv Trick. read more

I've been having a blast at The Improv Trick! I'm about halfway through the first level. I love watching improv shows like at UCB and have wanted to try improv for some time but felt a little intimidated to start. I found this class which seemed great for a newbie and it is!! I'm not an actor and I don't need to be. It's all about being authentic, having a good time, and being present in the moment. Definitely try it if you're interested. read more

The Improv Trick is not just offering Improv classes but building a community of Improvisers under the tutelage of IT Director Bill Chott. Bill is a seasoned acting veteran with a passion for Improv as well as an understanding of the needs of the marketplace. Bill also happens to be building an impressive resume himself on both the small and large screen adding to his expertise and knowledge of what the industry is looking for with regard to Improv. Most importantly IT classes provide a safe, supportive Improv environment to work in. You don't even have to be an actor to enjoy the benefits of the Lifetime class! I've heard non-actors mention it does wonders to relieve stress and it's been proven that Improv can even help with sales and public speaking. Improv Trick classes are unique in that once taken can be repeated at no cost over and over for as long as the class is offered. Besides being a substantial value for the money, repeating classes at IT gives the Improviser, whether beginning or seasoned, an opportunity to workout on a regular basis in a supportive atmosphere. I highly recommend IT classes as an introduction into the craft of Improv, as a supplement to classes elsewhere or as a comfortable environment to workout on a regular basis. Having been an Improv Trick student myself I'm writing this review from the viewpoint of someone who's been in the trenches. Hope your experience with the trick is as enjoyable as mine sure has been. He ought to just rename the Lifetime Class "Laugh Therapy 101"! read more

You'd be stupid not to sign up for Bill Chott's Improv Classes. Not only can his prices NOT BE BEAT but... He is a pro at what he does and has worked with the BEST OF THE BEST... I don't like to name drop... AHEM... Tina Fey... But Bill deserves credit where credit is due! Check out his IMDB... It speaks volumes for what a great teacher and improv mentor Bill is! read more

Fun times on Sundays. Thanks to groupon I became part of the lifetime membership and can go anytime to a improv class. They offer other classes but I'm not doing this as a career... Just a way to release stress. So I'm good with just the improv classes. Bill, Neil, Lizzie, and DJ teach the classes. It's great to see pros leading the class bc they are just naturally funny and good. I feel like I've learned a lot from the classes in terms of how to improv. Service They are really helpful and if you want to get to know them, then they meet after the class to grab food at a local place. Games Really fun. I've taken theater classes before and some games I've never played. Different. Overall, I have the option of going every Sunday to have fun. read more

I'm marking this, "As good as it gets!" because it is. Bill recently won the INNY Award for best improv coach in the nation, and it shows. If you have any question at all about improv, comedy, stand-up, writing, children's television, or whatever you can think of then he will answer it as best as he can - which is typically really well. The Improv Trick is the best deal you can get in improv monetarily. I paid for one class in St. Louis in 2007, and since then I've been a part of the community. Not only that, but whenever I would be off doing things in my career, Bill would check in on me to congratulate me - even if it had been months since I had seen him or checked in with him. The community surrounding Improv Trick is warm and supportive, and you will make friends that last for years here. Take it from me. read more

I stumbled on Improv Trick through Meetup and am so glad I did. I'm new to improv and LOVE this class. It's as fun, engaging and valuable for newbies like me as it is for professionals. And that's all because of Bill Chott. Bill is a master of his craft. His passion for the work and his commitment to his students is obvious and infectious. He knowingly and compassionately coaches us on tools that work both on stage and in life. I've learned so much in my last 3 weeks ; not just about Improv "tricks", but about active listening, being fully present in the moment, storytelling, and subtext. These valuable skills extend beyond the stage and into life. I am proud to be a Lifetime Member and look forward to many more classes to come. If you sign up, I guarantee you'll love it too. I don't think a better school exists in LA or anywhere. Thank you Bill!! read more