Comedy School

Short-Form Improv: Characters & Emotions (Conor O'Rourke)

This course builds on the skills learned in Beginning Improv to develop characters through emotion. Specific characters grounded in strong emotions are why we care about a scene. Expanding off the "Yes and..." foundation, students will learn how to engage with each other while creating interesting characters who interact with each other in meaningful ways. Students will play short-form games and exercises that they've seen on "Whose Line Is It Anway?", and in the DC Improv's Lounge. The class concludes with a graduation performance at the DC Improv. Prerequisite: Beginning Improv

About the Instructor: Conor O'Rourke has been performing comedy for more than 14 years. He was first introduced to improv in college, and he joined ComedySportz in 2009. Conor helped create the group Porkchop Volcano in 2013, which has performed at the DC Improv, Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, Brightbox Theater, the Charm City Comedy Festival and more. He has extensive experience leading corporate team-building workshops and has taught introductory improv classes both the DC Improv and the Comedy Spot (in Northern Virginia). Conor still regularly performs all around the DMV.

05/28/2024 7:00 PM

Door Time: 6:45 PM

Other Showtimes

Tuesdays, May 28 - June 25, 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Graduation show Tuesday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. Participants in this class must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

This course with instructor Conor O'Rourke builds on the skills learned in Beginning Improv to develop characters through emotion. Specific characters grounded in strong emotions are why we care about a scene. Expanding off the "Yes and..." foundation, students will learn how to engage with each other while creating interesting characters who interact with each other in meaningful ways. Students will play short-form games and exercises that they've seen on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", and in the DC Improv's Lounge. The class concludes with a graduation performance at the DC Improv. Prerequisite: Beginning Improv or permission of the instructor and principal.


All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.


Class Policies

  • Patrons must be 18 or older to attend events or classes at the DC Improv. Any exceptions are clearly noted in the event descriptions on dcimprov.com.
  • Participants in this class must be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you have any questions about this policy, please e-mail info@dcimprov.com.

This course builds on the skills learned in Beginning Improv to develop characters through emotion. Specific characters grounded in strong emotions are why we care about a scene. Expanding off the "Yes and..." foundation, students will learn how to engage with each other while creating interesting characters who interact with each other in meaningful ways. Students will play short-form games and exercises that they've seen on "Whose Line Is It Anway?", and in the DC Improv's Lounge. The class concludes with a graduation performance at the DC Improv. Prerequisite: Beginning Improv

About the Instructor: Conor O'Rourke has been performing comedy for more than 14 years. He was first introduced to improv in college, and he joined ComedySportz in 2009. Conor helped create the group Porkchop Volcano in 2013, which has performed at the DC Improv, Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, Brightbox Theater, the Charm City Comedy Festival and more. He has extensive experience leading corporate team-building workshops and has taught introductory improv classes both the DC Improv and the Comedy Spot (in Northern Virginia). Conor still regularly performs all around the DMV.