I can only speak for one class, Brian O'Connell's Form's Workshop, and I can only say amazing things about it. I've taken a lot of improv classes in my day and nothing snapped me in shape like this class. You'll learn a lot of great new forms to add to your game but aside from that O'Connell expects and crafts great scenes - which translate no matter the form. Based on this class alone I'm looking forward to taking workshops as soon as I can. Seriously worth it. If you don't, you're basically wrong. Your country needs you! O'Connell is an amazing director and improvisor, he'll get your game where it needs to be...and quickly. read more

oh wow, my level I class with Emily was so, so great. This was my first foray into improv ever and I did a LOT of research about into which LA-improv scene I should dump my moolah. My boyfriend and several other friends have gone thru UCB and the general review is always that it doesn't really start to pay off until level 4, so why the hell am I spending over $1000 to wait nearly a year to get results?? I chose Miles Workshops because the pay scheme seemed fair and the instructors seem to actually care about every person in the class from day one. I went with Emily because of her rep of not letting students be scared babies, which I am/was. She brings the improv player out of you immediately and calls you on your shit, which is great because if you want to get better bad habits need to get worked out asap. She doesn't follow some formula or dogma, she goes with what's inherently true about improv: it should be fun, easy, and natural. She doesn't try to cultivate some new set of ideals/games/rules for you to have in your mind about the process, she just finds and brings out the talent that is innately within you. For those who have gone thru other schools it must seem different because it is not a class built around structure. And it seems obvious that improv shouldn't be built around structure at all. For me as a beginner (and for non-beginners!), this was the perfect intro because it didn't get me "in my head" about the whole thing. In fact, Emily doesn't allow that. Think about it: anytime you try to learn something new (sports, language, whatever), if you focus on all the rules you tend to fuck up. You have to just go for it. So in Emily's class you just go up and start playing from your gut, and she calls you out if you're not (which I love!). While it's ridiculously hard, it gets one in an honest place from which to go forward with improv. I could go on, but I'll just close by saying *everybody* (especially if you're that player who stands up on stage stressin' and racking your brains about what to do next and blah blah) should take this class!! Emily will rock your world. P.S. You also get to see a built-in comedy show whenever she talks. read more

If you fancy yourself an improviser then you know who Miles Stroth is and what he did back in Chicago. If you fancy yourself an improviser then you want to get better at your craft. Great! You should know that this is one of the best training schools in LA for long-form improvisation. If you fancy yourself an improviser then you understand what I mean when I say this is an IO, Annoyance, and UCB informed training program that will help you execute better scene work and performance play. It's $300 for eight weeks no matter which class you take. If you take that same class again it's only $200. If you pay cash there is a $10 discount. I've taken 2 classes from Miles, 1 class with Emily (just started), 1 class with Heather (starts the 19th), and now a sketch class with Eric. Small classes, plenty of stage time, FANTASTIC teachers, personal notes. I love this program. DO IT. (But only if you fancy yourself an improviser.) read more

We are so lucky Miles has created this workshop. He's a genuis player that's distilled the best of what he's learned over the past twenty years. A disarming delight with a direct approach, Miles is master at spotting problems and correcting... I've also taken classes with Emily Candini, who is a pill and a half. She is hysterical, and I respect her not only as an improviser but as a strong woman. Her confidence, and her confidence in you, helps you find yours. Also, she doesn't do lame theater warm-up games. Go here. They're straight shooters, the class sizes are small, and you will be loved. read more

Miles' improv classes are some of the best in town. He has more experience than anyone else teaching in LA. He is also one of the dwindling few who studied closely under Del Close. I love when he goes on tangents talking about back in the day in Chicago and Del was nutso. Miles' approach is clear - figure out what the scene is about through position play, then play it hard. No BS here. Miles is a softie deep down who wants his students to succeed and see the pure joy and ease of improv. Classes are small and you're exhausted by the end bc of how much you're up. BUT - I would recommend having some experience before you enter this class. I think his philosophy lands somewhere between iO and UCB, though probably closer to UCB. I also audited Emily Candini's class and she is awesome too! read more

If you want to become a better improviser, look no further. Miles Stroth's Individual workshop is one of the best improv classes I've ever taken in Los Angeles. The class where you get 45 minutes to work on a specific focus of your play is hands down the best experience I've had in an improv class! Not only that, but between Emily Candini's class (which helps you focus on your character work), and Brian James O'Connell's class (which covers SOO many different longform improv styles), you have the core training to make YOU a better improviser. But WAIT, there's more!!! Erik Moneypenny, Heather Anne Campbell and Sam Brown have the best sketch program in the city and several of the sketch teams from Level 3 have gone on to do regular shows in the city. With writing and improv classes from Sean Conroy, Jimmy Carrane, and a host of others, this workshop is not only affordable, but versatile and most importantly FUN! Don't take my word for it. Talk to the former students, or see one of their student shows: Banana Tuesdays or Wednesday Night Riot at the Complex. The Miles Stroth Workshops will give you the tools needed to improve your improv. Good improv class. Would recommend. A+++ read more

During 8 weeks with Emily Candini I noticed more progress than I have accomplished in the 2 years I've spent of studying and performing improv. Emily helped me eradicate fear and find the joy in performing. She is a bulldog in the best way. She challenges you to push yourself and she focuses on your personal strengths and weaknesses to help you grow as a performer. I highly recommend her class! read more

The difference between The Miles Stroth Workshop and every other improv class out there is the amount of 1 on 1 attention and personalized lessons you get. 3 hours of class and only 8 students in each class equals a lot of stage time. After you finish your scene (which you'll probably end up stopping and starting 3 or 4 times) you're getting real notes and learning how to fix problems in your play. The notes you're getting on your scenes are about how your positioning was off, if you were being unnecessarily defensive, if you were forcing humor, or if you clearly didn't follow your gut and go by your first instinct. In the year I've been studying under Miles I've never heard him give a note regarding how funny someone was or how they could have been more clever. And thats because the workshop isn't about that. It's about fixing problems in your play and ultimately making more interesting or more natural decision which thereby leads to better improv. These classes are filled with all different people of all different skill types working together and learning improv through a clearly focused perspective and the results at the end of every 8 week session is always astounding. I've made great friends through these workshops and learned a lot about myself as a person and an improvisor. I'd encourage anyone with any skill level or interest level to take these classes. read more

Take Emily Candini's class! She's great and here's why: A lot of the big improv schools in Los Angeles teach improv in a very general way. I feel this is problematic because people are individuals with specific strengths and weaknesses. All improvisers aren't funny in the same way, so studying improv from a school with a very narrow "cookie cutter" approach is, in my opinion, nonsensical and limiting. Emily is gifted at finding what is uniquely funny about her students and then giving them tools to play from that place. She also gives very clear and constructive notes. Her class focuses on getting out of your own way so you can become the best and strongest improviser that you can be. This is key because if you have a way of working that specifically enables you to be your best - you can take that anywhere. To me this is preferable to being limited by one school's ideology that may or may not work for you. Emily also creates a welcoming atmosphere where students are encouraged to get to know each other and support one another. This is also a great environment for someone that is trying to work through their stage fright. I've never met an improv teacher that invests as much time and effort in her students as much as Emily does. Emily is a fantastic teacher and her own work as an improviser speaks for itself. She's one of the most talented performers that I've seen. Take this class, you won't regret it. read more

I've taken several other improv classes at reputable and not-so-reputable theaters and schools, and the main difference I've noticed between those classes and Miles' class is that Miles doesn't really care about hurting your feelings. And that's a good thing. Just about every other teacher I've had tells you how great everything you do is. And while that may feel nice for my fragile psyche, it doesn't really allow for any growth or improvement as an improviser. If you're looking for someone to tell you what you're doing wrong in a scene, and how to fix it, in straightforward and practical terms, then you need look no further than the Miles Stroth workshop. He's not mean, he's honest, and it's refreshing, albeit a little intimidating at first. But, if you can get past that, you'll get exponentially better at improv. If that sounds like something you're interested in, then you need to take this class. read more

(Updated 4/12/2013) Miles' will often say that when you're off stage, you should be thinking constantly so that when you're on stage, you can play. In his class, you will think about improv, develop ideas and exercise. It is a catalyst for mature performance. Miles' will tell you he teaches listening. You'll get an emphasis on pulling everything you can out of an initiation--how to take care of an initiation instead of stomping on it. This includes position play and scene types. These are the shortcuts to playing easy, clean scenes by complimenting your partner. After that, you get an emphasis on doing meaningful work. Each student gets one session in which he/she is given an hour and a half on stage while the class helps them work on one weakness. Miles will say, "Do something interesting" and you probably will. Emily Candini emphasizes her roots in the Annoyance theatre. Where Miles is about reaction, Emily is about action. Her class is intense and she has little tolerance for a boring performance. The worst thing you can do in Emily's class is nothing at all, which I extend to improv in general. Stop questioning yourself, do something, do it now, trust that your partners will help you, and when your partners do something help them. If you combine the philosophies behind "shoot first, ask questions later," and "all for one and one for all," I think you sum up the approach in a way that captures the spirit of Emily's class and also that of a gang of cowboys. Emily wasn't in LA until after I'd already taken Miles, but I might suggest (especially to early improvisors) taking Emily first. She has a talent for busting students out of their shells and boosting confidence. Her freedom and playfulness can be really beneficial in later classes. Another of my early classes was Colton Dunn's forms class. I had an amazing time being introduced to Goon River, the La Ronde, the Deconstruction and the Movie. Colton will challenge you to learn fast. You'll leave with more actual form knowledge than a lot of improvisers out there and therefore more tools to pull from, more creativity, and more confidence in your ability to succeed regardless of form. I also took Brian O'Connell's forms class and learned much more about some of the forms I'd studied before and some new ones. Brian is a real student of improv with a lot of knowledge of lesser known forms and approaches. He also places a great deal of emphasis on strong scene work, playing fast, smart, and real--acting instead of just talking. He has a very high standard for his and your work, and that makes him very productive as a teacher. Craig Cackowski subbed for one of Brian's forms classes and ran us through the JTS Brown. One day is definitely not enough to cover the JTS Brown, but it was very eye opening nonetheless. Craig is one of my favorite improvisors (up there with each member of Quartet) and of all the teachers I've never had a full class with, he is the one I want to study with the most. Having had him for one day, I'd love to have him for 8 weeks. I've also taken the sketch program under Eric Moneypenny and Heather Anne Campbell. It was excellent and changed my approach to creativity in general, let alone sketch and comedy. It's pure sketch, approached with intense practicality. I walked away treating creativity as an activity in which there is no excuse for failure. There is no such thing as writer's block. There is no such thing as having no ideas. Your job is to have good ideas--that's the skill you hone. If you have no ideas, it's because you're not generating them. Heather and Eric teach you to take command of that productivity and identify how your raw ideas can be polished into a sharp sketch. I never had Sam Brown as a teacher, but he helped out with a show I was a part of and I have friends who had him. He's a very smart guy who fits in perfectly in the program. Each teacher in this program is loaded with experience and credentials and I suggest you ask a lot of questions to get as much of that as possible. They also tend to have some great guest teachers. The final sketch class treats the entire class as a team and requires you to put together a whole show. Eric and Heather had us pumping out so many sketches I think our final show came to an hour and half. That wasn't because we ran long, it was because we did a ton of sketches, and each of these were fast as hell. Heather and Eric will rarely let you push a sketch beyond 3 pages, and if you do, it better be tight and really need those extra pages, so when you put on a show it ends up be packed to the gills with content. I remember Heather saying "Never miss an opportunity for a laugh." What you can expect from each of these teachers is that they'll tell it like it is. They're each very passionate and experienced people with strongly defined ideas that they are more than happy to share with you. My time with the Miles Workshop has been tremendously important to me. read more

Here's the thing. These people are crazy. Crazy good. I took classes with both Miles and Emily. I walked into their classes a neebling, (totally a word) anxiety ridden, fakeprovisor that would rather eat a live gypsy-moth than initiate a scene, that second guessed all my choices and would be one of the last people to go in a class exercise. I walked out a neebling, (it's incurable) statuesque improvisor who laughed in the faces of initiations, felt confident in what strengths I could offer scenes and clear on the things I will continue to work on. The biggest thing? Improv was fun to do again. These workshops are fresh like mountain goat tears, fun like a bounce house made of pepper jack and will challenge you to find the inner improv-badass you've been dying to meet. Why are you still reading this? Go sign up. read more

You will leave Miles' class a better improviser, period. His "position play" style is immediately practical and makes improv feel much simpler and relatively easy. That said, he not only teaches his approach, but an understanding of improv at large. You become a better observer of improv, which will lead to countless lessons down the road, even after you leave his class. Besides all that, the class is affordable. He offers payment plans and discounts for retaking the class. Class sizes are small (8 to 12 for Miles' class) which results in lots of stagetime and individual notes. Best of all, each student gets a full individual notes session (about 45 minutes to an hour) where he drills you on the areas you want to work on. As for the other classes, I've only worked with Emily Candini and Susan Messing and they are amazing instructors as well. Miles Stroth really has assembled the best instructors in Los Angeles. Start with Miles and venture out with the rest of them. One last thing: I've taken Miles' class three times, and I've convinced over a dozen people to take the class. Every single person has not only LOVED the class, but have taken it at least a second time, some three or four times. I can't recommend this class more. read more

This program is tailored to the strengths of the individual enrolled in it. It also brings to light the common problems improvisers face and how they're shared by everyone. read more

BEST IMPROV TEACHER. Honestly, if you're serious about improv, get into his class ASAP. It will change improve your game, and help clarify who you are as an improvisor. Miles has completely changed my improv, 100% for the better. He's an amazing teacher, and teaches to the INDIVIDUAL, where they're at in their improv experience, as well as where they're at that day. Lots of one-on-one attention, so you're working on exactly what YOU need to work on. His teaching is patient, as is his play. And I feel so much more clear in my own play because of him. Miles breaks things down in a way that I never thought about before, and it simplifies everything, as well as making it possible to take your scenes anywhere, and add infinite layers to them while keep them grounded. There's no hierarchy in class, no one is ever made to feel "better" or "worse" than another. The class focuses on YOU and where YOU are at. I've also taken Emily Candini's class-- very different than Miles but amazing as well. If you're feeling shy or not bold enough in your play, Emily will kick your ass and ramp up your play like no one else. Not to mention... they've got a payment plan, and discounts if you take a class again. I'm already signed up for my third round with Miles and my second with Emily. Have heard nothing but awesome things about Heather, Eric, and Brian as teachers as well. Take class here. You will not regret it!!!!! read more

This is by far the best way to continue the process of becoming a better Improviser. Miles, Emily and Brian provide a spectrum of Improv philosophies. You will end up being better and having more fun playing. Miles Stroth's workshop is one of the best I've taken in Los Angeles. This workshop is split into two parts: 1) Teaching his philosphy on position play and the four scene types. 2) Individual sessions: You will get 45 minutes working with Miles and the rest of the class on something you decide you want to improve on. Emily's workshop will kick your ass and will help you make strong character choices. She will take your fear and mental blocks away so that you can enjoy playing with your character choices. Take this workshop! Brian's a great teacher and his workshop covers so many forms. Each form brings a focus to different Improv skills that will expose your weakness in your play. This is where Brian comes in to guide you out of your struggles with each form. In short: These workshops aren't here to teach you what you already know. They will push you to work on your weakest Improv skills, which will make your work so much stronger. read more

Best improv teacher in Los Angeles, IMO. I was stuck in a rut for years until I took Miles' class. I am currently taking it for the 4th time. read more

Recently finished Emily Candini's workshop, and it was awesome! She's very straightforward but not harsh, and is very good at acknowledging what you are good at and what you can work on. I'd definitely recommend having her as your teacher. read more

If you are an improviser in Los Angeles...sign up for this workshop. I was taking different improv classes in the area when a friend recommended Miles and he has been hands down the best teacher I've had. His improv resume should be motivation enough to give this workshop a try (google him) but beyond that he is very focused on elevating your game. He has sat through many of my scenes (some of which took a great deal of patience no doubt) and it is surprising how consistently attentive and helpful he is. read more

I've taken 5 different courses from the Miles Stroth Workshop, and they are, without question and without a close second place, the best instruction in comedy I have received anywhere. I could gush for pages on Heather Anne Campbell, Brian O'Connell, Eric Moneypenny, and Liz Bolton, but I'm only going to spill real ink on Miles Stroth's class, which I took four times. Four times in a row. If you're a comedian and you're reading this, you are actively doing yourself a disservice if you do not immediately send Miles an email and register for the next class session. Miles' classes are small and the class focuses almost exclusively on scenework, which is much different from other schools which focus on group work and forms almost by necessity, since classes are so large. Everything in this class is focused on you, and there's never a note given that isn't constructive and specific. You will repeat scenes in this class until you do them right, and in doing so you'll develop your process and your performance and your confidence and your listening. Miles has had every problem that we all have as improvisers, and he never hides behind improv jargon when he offers a solution. If you want to make a Harold team, know that this class won't get you anywhere but better. It's an awesome place to go. read more

Eric Moneypenny knows comedy and by the time you're done with his class you will, too. He has a distinct, "get to the joke fast" style that ensures your writing will go over well with audiences. He shares his tricks and tips and is generous with his time. Also, the homework is pretty kickass, too. Take this class if you're looking for a challenging albeit fun workshop that attracts cool writers. read more

I've taken classes at other schools before, but Miles's approach rings true to me more than any of them. He's a fantastic teacher who knows how not only to break down his philosophy of comedy, but he'll have you re-do your scene after he explains where exactly it went wrong. read more

I am a veteran improvisor and have been lucky to have studied with amazing teachers over the years in Boston, NY, and here in LA. I can say that U.C.B. gave me great fundamentals and made me solid, but the Miles Stroth Program helped me really turn a corner in my work and gave me the tools to be great. I still have a ways to go on my journey as an improvisor but thanks to the Miles Stroth program, I have a greater freedom in my work (thank you Emily Candini) a greater understanding of my responsibilities in a scene (thank you Miles) and a better knowledge of a litany of forms (thank you Brian) the sketch program with Eric, Sam and Heather is fantastic and teaches you how to put on an sustain a sketch show while giving a great detailing of sketch form and structure. Highly recommended! read more

I've taken class with both Miles and Emily Candini. their teaching styles have been very eye-opening. Both Miles and Emily are straight-to the point, blunt yet unbelievably supportive and invested in their students. Their classes have really highlighted how simple and easy improv can be, cutting away all the bs and telling it like it is. Very helpful and appreciated. I highly recommend taking class with both teachers :) Much love to them both!! read more

Best workshop in Los Angeles. I have taken improv in Chicago and all over LA. But Miles and his teachers are by far the best for what your paying. If you care at all about improv or just want a supportive environment. You should take this class. read more

I took the level 1 class with Emily Candini and level 2 with Brian O'Connell and they were both terrific. They will keep you moving and inspire you for three-hour sessions that pass by in an instant. I have taken improv at other venues, and this is the best by far. These are inspiring and motivating teachers. You will also find yourself surrounded by students who are motivated, talented and always collaborative. You can't go wrong here. read more

The set of courses offered at this studio/workshop are invaluable. Each of the teachers are so uniquely talented, you leave with knowledge from very funny people, doing very funny stuff. Their credits prove it: SNL, Whitest Kids U'Know and UCB's The Midnight Show. After taking classes in writing and improv for two years, it took just one class of Miles and one class of Eric Moneypenny's and Heather Campbell's for it to click for me and I produced better stuff all around. What you're getting is instruction from people doing it a little differently and their confidence in their own knowledge gives you confidence in your own craft. You wont be sorry to take a class from Miles. The best part of Miles' individual workshop is that you get one on one coaching and instruction that improves every bit of your improvising without tearing you down. Miles is supportive and does everything he can to asses what your intentions are in a move and how to strengthen it and improve it. He also challenges you to push through your weaknesses. I was definitely a better player after one class, but took it three times because his instruction was perpetually valuable to me. read more

I took Miles' class while I was going through my many levels at a popular improv place in town, and I have to say I learned the most from Miles. I received so many helpful tips that not only improved my improv skills but also my acting improved. His approach makes the most sense to me. I recommend his class to everyone I know. He is the best teacher that I've ever studied with. After writing this I think I'm going to take it again:) read more

If you're serious about doing Longform Improv this is the place to be. A few months with Miles shaved years off the learning curve for me. His teaching style is so different. After you do a scene, you get feedback and then you do it again. No other class have I been in, do you do that. Sometimes he shows you what he means by jumping in the scene and then you do it again. You get the feel for a scene that works and is actually funny until you're doing funny scenes the first time. You'll play game of the scene like an animal. You'll be owning the absurd and calling all that shit out as the straightman. Two peas in a pod, hell yeah. If you don't know what any of this means, go here. Learn. read more